Memphis Audio 6x9 power Reference vs. MClass

[BLWedge09]

All right, just wanted to know if anybody here is familiar with Memphis Audio speakers. I had a set of 6x9s in my last vehicle and I absolutely loved them. They were about 5 years old so I let them go with it and figured I'd get some new ones. I'm not real big into car audio and I don't want to replace the head unit right now. I know I should also get components but I will be happy with the 2 or 3 way 6x9s in the door for a while. I just want to know if anybody knows which is supposed to be the better speaker, the Power Reference Series or the MClass? From their website, I can't really be sure. I'm assuming from their website that the Power Reference are the more mainstream speakers. Maybe I'm wrong about this. Also, I haven't looked yet but what will I have to do about the stock tweets? Will they still work or is the crossover in the door speaker and the wire just loops back to the tweets? I have the stock basic double din hu that it seems like very few of us have. I just want to add some reasonably priced speakers to up the sound quality a reasonable amount. I have no idea what kind of power this hu puts out but replacing these speakers couldn't hurt. By the way, I can get the 2 ways locally for $89 or the 3 ways for $99. I'm pretty sure they're both the Power Reference series. Just simple suggestions please. Don't go overboard.

[BLWedge09]

Come on, let me hear some opinions/answers. I know you've all got opinions because I've seen you all voice yours here on just about every subjuct under the sun. Let me hear em.....you're not gonna hurt my feelings....go wild!

[eakes]

The sound quality of a speaker is pretty much in the ear of the beholder. The important question is do they sound good to you?

Having said that - The $1.98 Nissan OEM speakers are high efficiency ones, that is, they require very little power to drive them. This is a good thing because the HU delivers very little power, probably 3 to 6 watts RMS at best. You may actually destroy better quality, lower efficiency speakers by connecting them to an underpowered radio. Since the volume will be a little lower with less efficience speakers (although better speakers than stock) the tendency will be to crank up the volume on the radio. Unfortunately, this will usually cause an underpower radio to clip the audio. Clipping the audio wave form results in applying what closely resembles a square wave to the speaker - this is in essence a shot of DC voltage for a very brief period of time. Crank the volume high enough and a lot of clipping will occur resulting in more DC to the speaker. DC voltage is not good for a speaker, too much and the voice coil overheats and burns out.

If you replace the speakers do not crank the volume much above an ordinary listening level. Crank it too far and you can blow your new speakers.

Better to replace the HU with one that can supply a reasonable 15 to 25 watts RMS then replace the speakers. What to replace with? Anything that fits your budget and sounds good to you.

[BLWedge09]

Well crap eakes, now you've got me re-thinking my whole direction. May just go ahead with a hu at the same time. I love clarion hu's and I really like the new look of the clarions at Crutchfield but they don't have them and nobody else lists them yet. Oh well, I'll figure something out on that. On another note, Anybody have any experience with these speakers?

ALPINE SPS-171A 6.5" 6 1/2" Type-S 2-Way Component Speaker

~ Peak Power 250W
~ 50W RMS Power
~ Spoke Design Grill System
~ Frequency Response: 35Hz - 30kHz
~ Linear Drive Magnet
~ Multi Layered Cone
~ Lightweight Air-Injected Rubber Edge
~ Nomex Spider
~ 1" Soft Dome Tweeter
~ Neodymium Tweeter Magnet
~ Variable Swivel Tweeter
~ OEM Mounting Adapter Included

If I do end up going with 6x9's and they're not components will I have to get crossovers if I want the stock sweets to work? Could you, theoretically of course, splice onto the tweets mounted on the new 6x9's? I assume there's some type of crossover built in those types of speakers.

[eakes]

Forgot to mention. There are no crossovers in the stock (or Mid or RF) setup, unless you count series capacitors on the tweeters everything is wired in parallel.

I have an LE. I knew the RF radio would be replaced ASAP so I had the salesman include the double DIN bezel in my deal. I kept the front door speakers and the dash tweeters, replaced the HU with a Blaupunkt and installed 6x9s in boxes in the rear of the KC. I used some radio shack crossovers on the front speakers and the dash tweeters. (it sounds much better that way) The rear door speakers are still in place but are not being used.

[sleightofhand]

M class is the better line. They are great speakers and very good bargains. Very nice tweeters. Much better then the kicker componets i had.