Component vs. Coaxial Front Speakers

For those who have replaced their speakers, do you recommend component or coaxial front speakers? I would like to know if it's truly worth the additional effort (if I do it myself) and extra expense to use components. I don't mind putting in the effort...or paying the $, but I would like to know that the components are going to sound significantly better than the coaxials. Any feedback on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, if I install both I'm considering using Boston Acoustics SL60s in the front and SL65s in the rear. Otherwise, I'll probably go with SL65s all the way around. If anyone has experience with these speakers, feedback on them is also definitely welcome. I'm trying to decide if I should go with them or another brand.

I used component speakers. The reason that I did this is because I wanted to be able to get better imaging from the speakers than a coaxial would allow. Coaxial speakers do not sound very good in most OEM mounting positions IMHO. Coaxial speakers are used in cars because people don't have a lot of mounting options and they are an easy install. You don't see many home speakers that are coaxials because frankly they sound like crap most of the time having huge nulls and peaks in them. If you use coaxials in the RL in the OEM mounting positions, you will not be able to aim the tweeters to get even a decent image from them because of where they are mounted and because of the grilles. Before I upset anyone here, not all coaxials are bad. Some sound quite nice but I don't know of any coaxial speaker in any price range that compares with any component setup in that same price range. You always seem to have to go up several price ranges to get the same performance if they are even available in that price range. Many people cannot hear the difference between speakers anyways so if coaxials make you happy, go for it. Lots of people like Bose products. I personally don't think that they make ANY speakers that sound worth a crap for what your get in any price range including all of their super overpriced home theater stuff.

Anyways, a lot of folks have used component setups in their RL's with success. Most of these mounting options incorporate the tweeter in the A pillar of the front door. I did the same and also mounted tweeters in pods on the back doors. Here are a couple of pics from my install. I used Pioneer TS-C1653's both front and rear.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e110/Bose901SeriesIII/100_0012-1.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e110/Bose901SeriesIII/100_0013-1.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e110/Bose901SeriesIII/100_0028-1.jpg

If you don't mind the time and money, component is the way to go in the front. However as far as the rear, you just want fill-in. You don't want it to take away from your stage front so to speak. No need to do anything but coaxials in the back. Others may disagree but in my opinion, you want everything to sound like it's coming from in front of you. Think every time you have ever been to a concert, symphony, jazz club etc....music comes from in front of you not behind. Just my 2 cents, and I don't want to discredit anyone's install that have posted here, there have been some awesome ones....

In some cases single point source speakers work well, but in the case of the RL, the location just doesn't provide good sound stage. It's way too low. You can try to aim the speaker up, but unless you fabricate a proper mount, it isn't going to work.

With separates you run into some problems too. Especially with phase, but it is easier to deal with (time alignment).

Excellent post, ChrisM. BTW, what depth speaker spacers did you use?

By the way, if I install both I'm considering using Boston Acoustics SL60s in the front and SL65s in the rear. Otherwise, I'll probably go with SL65s all the way around. If anyone has experience with these speakers, feedback on them is also definitely welcome. I'm trying to decide if I should go with them or another brand.
I have SX65's all around and they sound great.:D

http://www.bostonacoustics.com/car/car_product.aspx?category_id=14&family_id=123&product_id=341

My problem with most (but not all) coaxes is the pathetic crossovers they use. Most of the time it is a single capacitor on the tweeter. The "woofer" is allowed to run full range.

I favor component setups for several reasons:

- the tweeter isn't forced to live down low (like by your left shin)
- the drivers are usually much better (especially the tweeter)
- they have better crossovers

You have to mount the crossover somewhere. And with many component systems you can't adjust the tweeter level relative to the woofer.

So my FAVORITE configuration is component systems but with active crossovers. That means the tweeter and woofer have separate amplifiers. The woofer has the additional benefit of no coils between the speaker and amplifier which can produce tighter bass (better damping factor). This configuration is inherently more adjustable. The tradeoff is more amplifers and RCA cables.

If you don't mind the time and money, component is the way to go in the front. However as far as the rear, you just want fill-in. You don't want it to take away from your stage front so to speak. No need to do anything but coaxials in the back. Others may disagree but in my opinion, you want everything to sound like it's coming from in front of you. Think every time you have ever been to a concert, symphony, jazz club etc....music comes from in front of you not behind. Just my 2 cents, and I don't want to discredit anyone's install that have posted here, there have been some awesome ones....


I agree as I went with Focal components in the front and coax in the rear doors. I went with JL for ampps and subs. I am very happy with the quality of the sound I have as a result.

Excellent post, ChrisM. BTW, what depth speaker spacers did you use?

I used 1" in the front doors and 3/4" in the back.

BTW. Someone mentioned using the back as fill and not putting components back there. I think what really helped to strengthen the imaging in my RL the most was the addition of the rear tweeters. I had to adjust the fader on the head unit slightly forward but the difference is night and day. The back seat of the truck sounds even better than the front now.

ONTHEVERGE,

I listened to some Focal speakers at Tweeter and thought they sounded really good, as well. I believe they have several different levels, though, and I'm sure they can get pricey. Which Focal speakers did you use? How much did they cost? What did you compare them to? What convinced you to use them instead of some of the other popular brands listed on this site, such as Infinity Reference and Polk Audio?

Focal is a very high end driver maker. They are significantly more expensive than mainstream car audio brands such as Infinity or Polk.

Focal might be compared with Morel components.