So, finally fixing my stereo

[DigitalBoy0101]

I had my entire system installed in my Avalanche at once around Nov '05. I paid right at $4K including installation.....it was my welcome home present to myself after a year in Iraq. About a year ago, my front door speakers blew.....first the right, then the left. I think the rear door speakers are still good, but haven't really tested them or anything to actually find out for sure.

My system:

Alpine CDA-9853 headunit with faceplate iPod glider control
Alpine KCA-420i iPod interface adapter, dock ran to glovebox
Alpine MRV-F345 door amp 75W X4 RMS
Alpine SPR-17LS R-series 6 1/2" components (front doors) 70W RMS 350W peak
Alpine SPR-17LP R-series 6 1/2" coaxials (rear doors) 50W RMS 250W peak
Alpine MRD-M605 sub amp 400W RMS mono
JL Audio midgate Stealthbox 2 12" subs I think it's rated at 800W RMS

All speaker and amp ratings at 4 ohms.

Now, the speakers I NEED are a 6 1/2" component set for the front. However, I ran across an eBay auction for 6 1/2" coaxials that I couldn't stop myself from bidding on >.<

The speaker brand is Critical Mass.......which I've never heard of, but I've been out of the car audio loop for a good number of years. The auction listing provided absolutely stellar reviews from what appeared to be genuine reviewers.

Different auction listing for same speaker model by same seller:
6 1/2" CRITICAL MASS RS6 JL MIDRANGE MID AUDIO SPEAKERS - eBay (item 290343205963 end time Sep-23-09 18:38:35 PDT)

$588 retail........WTF???? I confirmed on the company's website Critical Mass Audio That's what they're asking for these babies. No, I didn't pay that. I got a pair for $213 shipped. I R SMRT at aukshunz.

I actually bent the rules a little and did my bidding at work, because that was when the auction was scheduled to end. I was talking to a guy at work that's more knowledgeable about car audio than me, and he said they *may* have removable tweeters.....in which case, I could separate them and mount as components in my front doors using the Alpine crossover already there. If not, then I'm definitely still going to use them but still need to find 6 1/2" components for the front.

So, do you think I got a good deal? With woven cones and titanium tweeters I like the construction. I think the retail price is a little inflated, but not a whole lot. Certainly not like the notorious Pyramid's were years back (and another brand I can't think of at the moment, maybe Phoenix Gold?), with grossly overestimated retail prices for marketing purposes and the "hint hint wink wink extreme discounted" price that you could actually buy them at all day long. I think I did alright.

I'll see when I actually have them in hand, but I might still need a component set *sigh*. If so, anyone got a line on a very nice, quality set? Preferably cheaper than retail because I love getting a deal. I'm thinking $200-$250 range at most. I'll probably have to wait until next month to have money again, but trying to be prepared ahead of time.

[pl4yboy]

Uhm, I've heard nothing but good things about CMA, IF they are the one's I'm thinking about.

[DigitalBoy0101]

Yeah, we'll see when they actually show up at my house, but I'm pretty sure I got a screamin' deal. I was pretty excited when I won the auction. He also sells them at retail (in the auction I linked), so he might be an authorized retailer........I just got lucky and stumbled across a No Reserve auction. I might have gotten them even cheaper if I had been just a touch smarter with my bids.

If there's any way possible, these will go in my front doors to replace my blown components.......heck, even if I can't separate the tweeter I'll probably throw them in there as-is and forget about the tweeter hole or leave the blown Alpine ones in there just for looks.

[WARLOCK]

You can hook them up and use an in line cross over to run the external tweeters.

[DigitalBoy0101]

Holy.........

I'm looking in the CMA down-loadable catalog right now, and what do I find on pages 1 & 2?

A freaking $259,000 car audio system!

I wonder if any rich bastids ever bought it. Even if I had the money, I don't think I'd spend anywhere close to that much on car audio. Matter of fact, I know I wouldn't. Mad props for having the balls to put out a product like that, though.

I gotta give the eBay seller (of the auction I won) credit for the testimonials in his auction......that's exactly what's on the catalog page for the RS-series coaxials (catalog pages 11 & 12). That was my main reason for looking in the catalog just now, since the testimonials didn't reference a specific model of speaker.

CMA component set to fit my doors retails at $1152......NO WAY IN ****! At double the retail of the RS6's I have coming, even a screaming deal comparable to what I got on the RS6's is way beyond my means. And I really doubt the same guy would give me the same price on a second pair of RS6's....though I suppose it wouldn't hurt to E-mail him and ask.

Next option that looks promising is the CMA SS6, a lower model of the RS6. I see this guy has an auction for those at the suggested $298 retail. If I could talk him into $200 or less, preferrably $150, I could put the SS6's in my rear doors and the RS6's in the front doors.

I'm sure there won't be any factory warranty at these prices. But the RMS on these speakers is more than high enough compared to the power I'll be pushing through that the warranty won't be an issue for a number of years I expect.

[pl4yboy]

Rear fill is worthless.

[DigitalBoy0101]

Rear fill is worthless.

Yeah, agreed. Speakers in the rear doors are mounted too low and have way too many reflective surfaces to navigate before the sound even thinks of reaching the front. It's pretty much just me in my truck all the time anyway.

So, the consensus is to leave the rear Alpines alone, throw the RS6's in the front even though they're coaxials and forget about the blown Alpine tweeters? I'm just trying to get this straight. I have a front door rattle that's probably a loose window regulator that I should fix at the same time. It might just be my blown speakers rattling when I shut my door though, we'll see.

It's almost a shame I won this auction. I lucked into it without REALLY knowing HOW good they are. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the RS6's will sound great in my truck.......but my system is nowhere near the caliber where they'd really shine, and probably never will be. I've poked around with quick searches in a couple car audio forums the past few days, and haven't seen a bad thing about CM yet. People seem to gush over them, in fact.

[pl4yboy]

Yeah, agreed. Speakers in the rear doors are mounted too low and have way too many reflective surfaces to navigate before the sound even thinks of reaching the front. It's pretty much just me in my truck all the time anyway.

So, the consensus is to leave the rear Alpines alone, throw the RS6's in the front even though they're coaxials and forget about the blown Alpine tweeters? I'm just trying to get this straight. I have a front door rattle that's probably a loose window regulator that I should fix at the same time. It might just be my blown speakers rattling when I shut my door though, we'll see.

It's almost a shame I won this auction. I lucked into it without REALLY knowing HOW good they are. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the RS6's will sound great in my truck.......but my system is nowhere near the caliber where they'd really shine, and probably never will be. I've poked around with quick searches in a couple car audio forums the past few days, and haven't seen a bad thing about CM yet. People seem to gush over them, in fact.

They're coaxial, so you'll never get the potential you would out of a good set of components, but it sounds like you have the right idea.

[Black'Rado]

also while your replacing your speakers a little bit of sound deadner goes along way.

[DigitalBoy0101]

also while your replacing your speakers a little bit of sound deadner goes along way.

Thanks, but that was done in '05 when I bought my system. Already covered there

I bought a second pair of RS6's from the same guy at the same price. The deal was so good I just couldn't help myself >.< I was sure he'd laugh in my face, but strangely he was the one that (somewhat) brought it up in our correspondence. Now I have it in my head to wait until next month when I have money again and try for a THIRD pair with Q-logic kick panel enclosures (again, forgetting about the tweeter). Of course, THEN I'd need another amp too.....

I'd better stop while I'm still ahead. This is just as bad as chasing the HP demon; it's never enough *groan*. With the money I just spent, I pretty much screwed myself out of the new computer I was planning to build for myself next month as well. Time to stop tinkering with my stereo and call it good.

First pair of RS6's is scheduled to arrive at my house on Friday if UPS stays on time.