My Adventures in Upgrading the Subwoofer and Center Speaker

[Junkyard Dog]

I chose to be weird and go with a Celestion full range speaker for my dash. 3.5in, 8ohm, 35w, 287dB sensitivity, frequency range 98Hz-18.5kHz.

87dB, not 287

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[GooberDH]

87dB, not 287

I thought that was odd but it's what was listed on Guitar Center's webpage.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

I thought that was odd but it's what was listed on Guitar Center's webpage.

Yeah, sorry, I should have written more, to include that it is the wrong spec listed on some sites (I am sure it is accidental). I doubt 287 is even possible with a speaker that small.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

Google AI result:

• Range Interpretation:
  • Under 84 dB: Poor sensitivity, requires high power.
  • 85–88 dB: Typical or average sensitivity.
  • 89–92 dB: Good to very good efficiency.
  • Above 92 dB: High sensitivity, very efficient.

 

[DarkkMatter]

Higher the Sensitivity the less power is used to achieve good sound.
That's what I'm thinking of doing is taking it into audio shop and just replacing speakers at first to see kind of difference.

If not, then a 4-channel amp and PAC(around $470 I think it was). Wondering what stock Amp wattage is for the non B&O 9-speaker system. So I got an idea of how many watts can get freed up with bypassing the stock amps. Will help me with which 4-channel amp to use.

 

[exm]

Higher the Sensitivity the less power is used to achieve good sound.
That's what I'm thinking of doing is taking it into audio shop and just replacing speakers at first to see kind of difference.

If not, then a 4-channel amp and PAC(around $470 I think it was). Wondering what stock Amp wattage is for the non B&O 9-speaker system. So I got an idea of how many watts can get freed up with bypassing the stock amps. Will help me with which 4-channel amp to use.

The problem with stock is that the crappy center is overpowering the other speakers

 

[Starship Enterprise]

FWIW: Update. The Pioneer sounds better than OEM but lacks punch. Research and my theory is the sub is too high a wattage. The sub is 1300W which I think is way too high for the weak power the stock amp is supplying. My research says a sub with a wattage ceiling much higher than the power going in results in a very weak response.

I originally bought the Pioneer based on many here buying it, and yes, it is a major improvement over OEM, but still is weak and washed out with almost zero punch.

I have just ordered this amp:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GW9RB9N8?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

It is only 200W RMS with a peak of 400W. I feel when I install this sub, it will be a better match for the wattage going into it. That should result in a much punchier sound.

When I install it when it comes in, I'll report back here on whether my hunch proves right.

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