Post your speaker set up.

[Broadfield]

Originally Posted by CMFD13coupe

Upgrading to 6.5 JL components all the way around and possibly removing one sub so i can fit it in the trunk. Will to components sound good running from my HU or do you guys recommend getting an amp?

An amplifier is highly recommended, especially if the component set has an outboard x-over setup. The x-over eats up wattage and head units only have 18 watts RMS, at most, to begin with.

First of all I would NOT recommend JL Audio speakers... and I'm even a JL dealer. I would recommend Hybrid Audio for your speakers... slightly cheaper and WAY better. They are not even in the same ball park. Hybrid Audio actually has an entry level component(Imagine Series) set that does not have a power robbing x-over. It uses a simple cap on the tweeter and that's it. The reason they can do this and still sound correct is because the mid rolls off naturally and still maintains a flat, natural sounding frequency response. Not many mid's can do that "properly". It's no secret that the Imagine Series speakers perform as well as most other manufacturer's $500 sets of speakers... the Imagines retail for half of that. Hybrid also has the Mirius series which is half the price of the Imagine... but they do not offer it in a component. So you could always do those in the rear... or also the front if you are on a super tight budget. Please PM me if you need pricing on the speakers or an amplifier for that matter.

As for the amplifier, the speakers will always perform much better with an outboard amplifier. You will get better mid-bass response, better dynamics and more volume. But like I said, you can "get by" with head unit power if the speaker does not utilize an outboard x-over.

[Darren]

Originally Posted by Broadfield

An amplifier is highly recommended, especially if the component set has an outboard x-over setup. The x-over eats up wattage and head units only have 18 watts RMS, at most, to begin with.

.......

As for the amplifier, the speakers will always perform much better with an outboard amplifier. You will get better mid-bass response, better dynamics and more volume. But like I said, you can "get by" with head unit power if the speaker does not utilize an outboard x-over.

A typical outboard amplifier is also a lot cleaner than the inboard amp, making even a 35 watt per channel amp feel more lively and powerful than the deck power.