No sound in any of the front speakers!

[Oren09]

Yes, when I previously used these speakers and h/u I didn't bypass the amp. On my truck, I've totally eliminated the door amps. So, I need an external amp? Does the speakers being rated @ 2 Ohms affect the sound when being powered @ 4 ohms? (I had to get them at 2 Ohms because of the Chrysler amp). Is there a certain brand/series of amp you recommend? I'm getting more serious about my radio system (something to do this winter..). I would like to replace the rear speakers too (is it normal for them to be so flat and quiet?) and add a sub.

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[Laramie1997]

Most I say most, but not all speakers can differentiate between ohms. You might try wiring in at 4ohm and see if that makes a difference, but I don't think it will. Really the only time you run into a resistance issue is when you try to wire up 4 ohm speakers to a 2 ohm per channel H/U.

As far as amps go, I'm fond of Alpine, Eclipse, Poweracoustik, and Kenwood. (I know that's a shocker on the last one, but once I tried mine, I actually like them)

It's true, you aren't going to hear that much from the rear speakers just for the fact that they are on the smaller side and that they are behind you. Don't forget that you have fairly good sized speakers close to you that do a pretty good job of drowning out the rears.

If you want an example for an amp, look in Max's thread where I posted an amp option for him. IIRC, it was a 150 Watt Alpine 4 channel. Pretty decent amp.

[Augiedoggy]

Originally Posted by Oren09

Can I has thread jack?

@Laramie, or other audio expert:
I recently got off my ass and totally eliminated the amps and installed my aftermarket JBL 950 speaker in the passenger door (I did the driver's one awhile back because the stocker blew). I cut out the amps and used the factory wiring. Pretty sure I got the signal wires and the polarity correct. Everything works right and sounds ok, however I do get distortion. I get distortion in the bass at high volumes (~40-50(max)) with surround sound on-the EQ settings (Rock, Hip Hop, Jazz) just make it worse. With surround off and the EQ flat (user), there's no distortion, but the sound is ****- all flat with no punch and no treble.
My speakers are JBL Touring? 950 2-way 6x9s rated 100wRMS @ 2 Ohms. My headunit is a JVC KD-HDW10 @ 25wRMS. Is the distortion to due being underpowered, or EQ/surround settings that aren't really compatible with the speakers? In extreme cases, the bass even distorts the treble, which is really high because I'm still running the stock tweeters+the ones in my aftermarket 6x9s.

yes if you were to wire up an amp you would be able to turn it up louder and you would also have more bass and treble....powering a speaker rated for 125 watts rms with 25 watts is like towing a 7500 pound trailer with a 1/2 ton ram....it can be done but....

[Augiedoggy]

the 2 ohm speakers are actually doubling the load on your stereo....it will run hotter this way and push it harder. While most external amps are designed to be able to run at a two ohm load most head units are not and can burn out sooner.Technically sound quality suffers a little too (it usually used for doubling sub woofer power I ran two dual voice coil 12's in a 1/2 ohm load pushing 800watts rms to each coil back when I was into competition systems engine would die at stoplights from the power draw).... you can alway get 2 more 2 ohm speakers or tweeters and wire them in parallel and that will put the ohms load back to 4ohm to the reciever.... parallel is pairing the two positives together and the two negatives and powering off the same channel (or wire) good luck!

[dodgerdriver]

Originally Posted by bobboraze

So I've done my fair share of searching, yet can't seem to find any hard results.

When I point my speaker direction upwards to all the front speakers, nothing comes out. Point to the rear or middle and the back speakers work just fine. (bought the vehicle like this)

I'm assuming there's a total of 4 speakers up front, so I suppose I'd be surprised to find that each are dead, yet perhaps. Or is it likely that the stock head unit is simply messed up and/or if that's a somewhat common?

I don't have much time during the week to take out a speaker and test it etc so I figure I'd hear the thoughts of other owners.

I have same problem, changed radio/cd player, checked wiring, no help. Still trying to figure it out.

[dodgerdriver]

I have the same problem. Changed radio/cd player, checked wiring, no help. Still trying to figure it out. Called Dodger dealer, there is no external amp listed for front speakers on my 1998 1500 PU.

[Laramie1997]

Originally Posted by dodgerdriver

I have the same problem. Changed radio/cd player, checked wiring, no help. Still trying to figure it out. Called Dodger dealer, there is no external amp listed for front speakers on my 1998 1500 PU.

How many speakers do you have?

Do you have one in each door, then one in each A-pillar, and 2 in the rear; Or do you have one in each door and 2 in the rear?

[Miami_Son]

Originally Posted by Augiedoggy

the 2 ohm speakers are actually doubling the load on your stereo....it will run hotter this way and push it harder.

Sorry, but I have to disagree with you on this. Ohms is a measure of electrical resistance. The higher the number, the higher the resistance, and therefore impedance (which comes from the word impede). A 4 ohm speaker puts more resistance on the speaker output and that will cause the amp to overheat if it is designed for a 2 amp impedance. Using a 2 ohm speaker on a system designed for 4 ohms will result in a slight increase in decibel level at a given volume setting, but you run the risk of speaker damage from overdriving it. Subwoofer amps are usually designed as 2 amp impedance in order to maximize their output because low frequencies require more power to reproduce cleanly. Ultimately, you should match your speakers to the amp not only in impedance, but in power handling capabilities.

[dodgerdriver]

I have a total of six speakers, two in the pillars and one in each of the four doors.

[Miami_Son]

The pillar speakers are just tweeters and are powered by a passive crossover from the front speakers. You still have just a 4-channel system.