I'm a person who is all for research and searching, but when it comes to audio there isn't a more clueless person on the planet. Thus, I'm looking for some serious help here.

I'd like to get some better noise coming out of the inside of my RX-8 now that the noise on the outside is to my likings. I have the base (non-Bose) radio in my car and it's probably one of the worst-sounding systems in a car I've ever owned. Everything is muffled and blended together. There is no treble, there is no bass. It's all just garbage. I'd like to think that just about anything would improve it. lol

What I'm looking to do for now is to replace the speakers with something better. This is happening a month before my wedding so to say I'm on a limited budget would be an understatement. I'm thinking I have a maximum of $400 to play with here and even that is pushing it. I'd like to keep the stock headunit (which I'm sure is the source of a lot of the terrible noise) because I absolutely HATE how the aftermarket ones look in comparison to it.

Because of the budget I'm not looking for crystal clear here, just something that makes it sound better than what I have now. I'd like it to be more clear. I'm a huge rock person so I don't need all of the bass in the world. Any suggestions? I spoke with Crutchfield who suggested I stay with sizes comparable to stock.

They suggested these for the front:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB57...71.html?tp=105

And these for the rear:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158GT16...6A.html?tp=105

They advised me to avoid going with component due to keeping the stock headunit. For bass they suggested that I use an Infinity Basslink and just tap into the factory wires.

They didn't suggest anything as far as tweeters go. I know the base unit has them but I have no idea if they are any good or not.

Does that seem like a good deal? What would you all suggest?

Thanks in advance.

 

well i do agree with you on the base stereo sounds horrible so without replacing the headunit just upgrading the speakers is going to be your best option, i have no clue why crutchfield suggested 6.5"s in the rear thats not even the stock speaker size so unless you want to use adapter brackets you need a 6x9, read https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/speaker-sizes-harnesses-kits-etc-audio-install-reference-74664/ for stock speaker sizes, 6x8 in the front is good and 6x9 in the rear, some good full range co-axials should sound nice so here would be some suggestions for the front. in order least to most expensive
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...TR570-CXi.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...ate+P1683.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...ce+6832cf.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...a+682.9cf.html

then in the rear some 6x9's
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...ate+P1692.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...ate+P1694.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...wer+T1693.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...ce+9632cf.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...pa+692.9I.html

also note on some of these you can click "make an offer" and typically offer around 15% less than listed it just takes some experimenting because it only allows 2 offers a day.
just my thoughts on speakers i like how the kappas sound myself

oh and an edit: if youre on a tight budget dont buy from crutchfield/bestbuy they sell at retail prices far above what you can get the exact same thing on sonicelectronix for and most items on sonic have free shipping

 

read this thread: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=74664

 

Crutchfield was great years ago before the internet was dominate and there were 10,000 online car audio retailers. Now, they're a waste of time and money.

For $400.... you really don't have enough to add an amp AND speakers. So just buy four quality speakers and call it a day until you save up more funds.

Polk momo's can be had for $130 a pair. Great speakers. CDT, JL, Boston, Alpine, Infinity, Fosgate all make decent stuff. Get out there and listen to some! Stay away from Pioneer, Sony, Lanzar, Crunch, Pyramid, Boss are all crap when it comes to speakers. Sorry Pioneer guys, it's true, you're entry level speakers suck ***. And I have yet to find a decent product Sony makes for car audio.

 

+1 for proper speakers

I've replace my fronts and tweeters and added a sub in my trunk... all are alpine type R's and sound phenomenal