Valhalla

What kind of specs should I be looking for in the speakers?

jusatry

BE MORE SPECIFIC IF YOU WANT HELP.

Valhalla

Mainly just what Frequency Response ranges are best for front center and rear speakers

SoFlaLude

If you seek a real surround sound experience, AC3 and DTS basically mandate that all the channels be full-bandwidth; ie, all the speakers have the same full frequency range. Generally, for a center channel, dialogue will be the central focus, but you don't want to cross different models/manufacturers so that you can timbre-match the drivers. If you absolutely must, see if you can have the manufacturer of whatever component sets you're interested in send you just the raw midbass driver; but you're really better off using the exact same full set for your center channel as your fronts/rears.

port20

I am an installer tell me what car you have and I will make some sugestions I will send you high end low end and middle range products to choose from

you won't get full bandwith from car audio speakers so forget it unless you want to build a car around the speakers

what ever you use it will never sound like it does in you house no matter how much you spend

Bluebisz

For the best surround set-up in the car get the same center speaker as you will have for the front speakers. This is only necessary if you have music mixed into the center channel as well - some concert DVDs have music mixed into the center channel as well instead of containing only human voice (singing).

If you use the surround set-up only for watching DVDs then you can get a simpler, smaller center channel with an included amplifier (check Alpine or Kenwood) as only the conversation will be mixed there which doesn't require the speaker to reproduce low frequencies.

port20, you can get full bandwidth from car speakers as well, just like you can get it from home speakers. Of course if you think about it it's never a good idea as with a dedicated subwoofer you always get a lot better result. In general, you don't want a good component set (2 way) to go bellow 100-120 Hz as that should be handled by your sub.

jagreen2

Sorry, I have to disagree with you there. You don't want a crappy component set to go below 100-120 Hz as it can't handle notes that low. But if you have a good 6.5" component set (like MBQuart, Image Dynamics, Dynaudio, Focal, Rainbow, etc.) it should easily be able to handle down to at least 60-70 Hz. You want your components to go as low as possible while still efficiently giving you output.

Above a certain frequency, your ears can pinpoint where a sound is coming from. Sub-bass frequencies are non-directional, meaning you can't pinpoint where they originate. This is why subwoofers can typically be placed in the trunk...unless your trunk is rattling you can't tell the difference between them being in the trunk or sitting in front of you. If you cross them over too high, though, you will be able to locate where the sound is coming from and it will pull the soundstage to the rear...notes above the crossover point will come from the front and those below will come from the rear.

Not saying you don't know any of that, but putting it out there for anybody since there aren't any stickies in this forum yet.

Bluebisz

Good point jagreen2, but I wouldn't let my Boston Acoustics components to go bellow 80-90 Hz, even if they can handle it down to 60 Hz - currently they are crossed over at 100 Hz if I remember right. Good component sets can definitely go lower than crappy ones, the only thing I wanted to point out that bellow 100 Hz or so you should use your sub for those frequencies.

falconey

Yeah there would be no point for crossovers if you wanted your components putting out full bandwidth. I wouldn't be looking for home sound in a car, but hey that's just my .02. Give the speakers the frequencies they are designed for and I'm sure you'll be more than satisfied with your surround sound.

jagreen2

Personally I think 100 Hz is a little high for your crossover point but it really depends on what sounds best to you. I try to crossover as low as possible. My Image Dynamics Chameleons are crossed over at 70 Hz which sounds just right. My whole soundstage is right up front and sounds perfect for me but to each his own.

SoFlaLude

I think you might be confused by the full-bandwidth term... all it means is typical frequency ranges, for instance 50-20khz. Not the "full-range" chintzy speakers that try to produce upper registers with the same cone they try to produce midbass with. Of course you wanna use the crossover network for the components, aside from helping protect the gear and improve sound quality, most can be attenuated to suit tastes (and if you run MB Q speakers like I used to, you'll appreciate that!)

Valhalla

Thanks for all the input so far, btw if its any help in educating me, I'm considering doing this in a 2003 WRX wagon