Know nothing about audio upgrades.

My 1998 Riviera, 67,000 miles, has developed speaker 'rattle' over the last 3 years. Started with the left front door speaker, now right front speaker. Speaker rattle did not start with all speakers at the same time but have spread and evolved during the last 3 years. Last few weeks, I think rear speakers are also degrading.
When I bring my Riv. out of winter storage next April, would like to replace speakers. I am a low mileage driver, just want to upgrade / replace speakers. Just want a better quality sound system; at least have speaker sound equal or better than factory stock. I do tend to listen to bass heavy current dance music at a little higher volume then typical but not wanting to upgrade to a window rattling sound system.
Have a younger friend that just upgraded the sound system on one of his cars and his audio system extremely modified and close to show quality. I am not looking for a full custom show quality sound system and labor not big issue.
Thinking about spending up to $1,500 for parts.
Any suggestions for audio upgrades or replacement parts, etc. would be most appreciated as it seems my speakers are slowly self districting over time (due from age I do not know).

My sound requirments mimic yours. I bought my new speakers and reciever from Crutchfield.a little over $300 bucks. what a huge difference over stock.not the most expensive but miles from the stockers. I've allways bought from crutchfield. $1500 buck will put you beyond the "casual" audiophile. I like the Kenwood stuff.my reciever is a pioneer. Just really good quality for the money.

robotennis61 wrote:

$1500 buck will put you beyond the "casual" audiophile

$1,500.00 is way too much for a "speaker" upgrade. If you just want something over stock, you can replace the front speakers with 5.25" (5 1/4") with aftermarket ones and the rear ones with 6x9", will not do an amazing improvement if you still have your OEM head unit, but it will be definitely better than stock.

For a better sound quality, you'll need to upgrade your head unit, speaker and a 4-channel amplifier. this will do a huge improvement over stock with better SQ (sound quality)

Check some of the recommendations here.

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t1862-door-speaker-size?highlight=speaker

Hi guys recently my front speakers blew so i brought new speakers and backs to match the front are 400 watt the rear r 800 watt i have a 200 watt tv in dash and i have 2 1200 watt sony xplod 12s for a total of 2400watts in a vented box and i have a 3000 watt amp now my car started fine for a few days but now it dies so i wanted to kno wht could i do to give my car more juice and prevent this issu!!!! Thanks!!!

A few things:

• Get a new battery. Something like the Optima Yellow Top would be very good for what you're trying to do.

• You might need a higher output altenator, If the watts are what you claim.

• When you say 3000W, is this rated RMS, or is this a peak rating? What is the value of the fuse(s) on the amp?

• Have you re-wired the power cables with sufficient gauge to handle the current demands?

by looking at the forum i found a guy on ebay that seel high output alternators buti really didnt check the guage of wire its pretty thick but wht guage woild u recommend? Also sumone told me i should buy a capacitor???my subs are peak 2400 but I believe my 3000 watt amp is rms but I blew that one and im waiting for another one so right now im using a 1000 watt kicker amp two cjannel the other is 4 channel but the kickrr hits harder!!!

my advide would be if you want better sound quality rig u up something to put 6 inch speakers where ur 6x9s go you always get better sound quality out of a round speaker then you do an oval shaped one

ajgee2011 wrote:

my advide would be if you want better sound quality rig u up something to put 6 inch speakers where ur 6x9s go you always get better sound quality out of a round speaker then you do an oval shaped one

The shape of a speaker ,will not make it sound any better!!!

abaucom wrote:

My 1998 Riviera, 67,000 miles, has developed speaker 'rattle' over the last 3 years. Started with the left front door speaker, now right front speaker. Speaker rattle did not start with all speakers at the same time but have spread and evolved during the last 3 years. Last few weeks, I think rear speakers are also degrading.
When I bring my Riv. out of winter storage next April, would like to replace speakers. I am a low mileage driver, just want to upgrade / replace speakers. Just want a better quality sound system; at least have speaker sound equal or better than factory stock. I do tend to listen to bass heavy current dance music at a little higher volume then typical but not wanting to upgrade to a window rattling sound system.
Have a younger friend that just upgraded the sound system on one of his cars and his audio system extremely modified and close to show quality. I am not looking for a full custom show quality sound system and labor not big issue.
Thinking about spending up to $1,500 for parts.
Any suggestions for audio upgrades or replacement parts, etc. would be most appreciated as it seems my speakers are slowly self districting over time (due from age I do not know).

There's a few things I've learned I can share with you.

1) Crutchfield sells high quality component (separate woofer and tweeter) speakers that will fit the front mounts with no modification.

2) I took the tweeters out of my front speakers and installed Jensen 2-way speakers with aim-able tweeters. I aimed the tweeters upward towards the driver/passenger heads. For the money (~40.-) this sounds pretty good.

3) If you have time on your hands you could install a "woofer" and midrange (use a piezo tweeter as a midrange) and then install dome tweeters on the A-pillars someplace.

4) For the rear deck it's a little tricky. The "Concert Sound" speakers from the factory are relatively high impedance which tends to attenuate sound. **this is on purpose** because if they did not do that the speakers play way too loudly - the rear window tends to act as a reflective horn. Of course you can fix this with the fader on the head unit, so it's not *that* big a deal, or you can attenuate replacement speakers with power resistors of somewhere between two and four ohms.

Really -- your best bet, I think, is to call Crutchfield (see crutchfield.com) - they sell very nice high end as well as good quality low end car audio, and their phone sales people are pretty knowledgeable.

Albertj

I agree. that's where I went. crutchfield.com

Get a 6x9 then get a 6 inch speaker and ill garantee you the 6 sounds crisper and has better bass