Tower Speaker Can Loading Choices

WEll I have been a lurker here for a while. Got some great info from the site, but never really thought I could offer much or have any questions others would't, but the time has come. We picked up a Supra Launch about 3 yrs ago after reading posts here and are absolutely in love with the boat so thanks to everyone here for pointing us in the right direction,

Finally got some coin to get some tower speakers rolling and the ok from my parents to do so after all they spent the $$ on the boat 4 me and my 2 brothers of which we were a ll very thankful. We are somewhat trying to stay economical to a point. My younger bro is a machinist so is able to fabricate us tower cans for free. Obviously everyone here is set on the NVS/Wetsounds for obvious reasons but we don't have the $$ for that, and everyone seems to state that 4 tower speakers can get the job done.

We are looking for advice on some speakers to load them up. Not sure if the 3 ways are a waste of money for the open air or if we would notice a difference. We really don't know anything about the speakers and qualities of each, but here is what we got after using the search feature for choices and talking with some of the guys at the chain stores. We have tried to find reviews of speakers for quality and things like that, but weren't very successful. Only could go by what places that sold the product would tell us and you know how the response goes there.

Infinity Kappa 62.7
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?showAll=N&g=52000&i=108627I&search=car+a udio+speaker+review&tp=95
Infinity Kappa 63.7
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?showAll=N&g=52000&i=108637I&search=car+a udio+speaker+review&tp=95

Kicker KS60's These seem to be a smokin deal
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?showAll=N&g=52000&i=20655KS60&search=car +audio+speaker+review&tp=95

Polk DB651's
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?showAll=N&g=52000&i=107DB651&search=car+ audio+speaker+review&tp=95

Alpine SPR-17C
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?showAll=N&g=52000&i=500SPR17C&search=car +audio+speaker+review&tp=95

We have heard/read good things about the Infinity Kappa's but weren't sure if they were suited for tower speaker things. Also they are the only speaker in a 2ohm configuration which I found odd. Any benefits/disadvantages to that.

We were leaning towards the Polks as everyone here seems to give them great reviews and run them in their boats, but were were able to hear the Kicker KS60 and the DB651's side by side at the local Circuit City both off the same amp and the Kickers were much much clearer. The DB's had much more of a bass to them(gave a much more true sound with mids highs and lows which I thnk would be ideal in a vehicle setting), but I would say up on the tower you want clarity not so much the bass so that kind of caught us off guard again because we were leaning towards the DB's, but if we would have bought right there we would have gone Kicker after the demo. So of the choices which would you go with and why if I may ask. Also if there were any other choices that you would think would be better we would love to hear them. Thanks ahead of time.

Also do you think we shoud Dynamat the cans?

yes definatly dynamat the cans and also check out www.gooddeals18.com got some kickers from there and they ran me about $40. they got some damn good deals.

Cant go wrong with the Kickers, I've got 4 KS65.2's on my tower right now. 2yrs old now, crystal clear and loud.

Disadvantage of a 2ohm: amp will run hotter/work harder then with a 4ohm load.

if you're only gonna run 4 speakers, my vote is to go with a good set of 6x9's.

I've got 4 focals speakers that are a couple of years old and they are in great condition. Focal is one of the best speakers out there. I would let you have all 4 for $200. They are easily $200 a piece. PM me if interested

MB Quarts or Focals would be excellent choices second to them I'd go with Polk. I do have db650's in my boat and love them. I replaced some Kenwood's with them and there was a substantial difference. You may still be able to find db650's for around $50 that's what I paid.

Jeff,
I'm also in Socal so getting them to you would be no problem.

Why would you want to Dynamat the cans?

Dynamat the cans so the don't reflect the sound inside the bare aluminum cans. Speakers emit sound both ways. So the dynamat does 2 things it absorbs the sound waves inside the can to prevent interference and also lets the speaker run smoother by doing that. W/O it you would have the waves pushing against the cone after reflection which may cause some distortion.}

If the cans are made of the same aluminum I see most of them made out of, there is no flexing at all and Dynamat would be wasteful. I bet if you did a blind test with and without, you couldn't pick the one with. Sound cannot be "absorbed" by anything. It does reduce in amplitude over distance or through mass because it is converted to energy. If you stuffed with polyfil or lined with open cell foam, I could see it attenuating the sound in the can, but not Dynamat. Dynamat would work if the cans rattled or flexed, but there is no way any cans I have seen are going to flex one bit. Also pressure inside the can is going to be nil wheter stuffed or not.

The reason audio rooms line with acoustic material is to deaden the sound inside the room for the tech working inside. One benefit is that the wall gets thicker, increasing the amplitude drop to the outside.

IMO poly, foam, or dynamat inside a can is wasted.

(Message edited by olSkoolTige on January 31, 2008)

Here was my layman excuse. When I yelled into the can w/o Dynamat it echoed. When I yelled into the can with the dynamat and foam we put in there very lilttle to no echo!


I prefer the no echo. Maybe its just a wasted idea, but it makes me feel better.