GR86 Premium front speakers was goooood?

Two biggest impacts on "loudness" will be:

1. the speaker efficiency measured in decibels (db) usually at 1 watt at 1 meter
2. and as SJM mentioned, the Ohms

For the first one on that list there will be some measure of efficiency which is a measure of how efficient the driver can convert electrical impulses into air pressure or Sound Pressure Level (SPL). A typical driver will have a rating of something like 87db watt/meter. Said another way with 1 watt the speaker will output 87 decibels measured one meter away from the driver. The higher the efficiency the louder the speaker will play at the same power level (in watts). Typically the larger the speaker the more efficient it is. Which when you set a target listening level of something like 85db means the larger the speaker you have the smaller the amp you will need (counter intuitive I know!). Typically doubling the power with add 3db to the output of the speaker and halving the power will reduce the output by 3db. If the speaker is 87db at 1watt/meter then at 0.5 watts it will play at 84db, at 2 watts it will play at 90db, at 4 watts will play at 93db, at 8 watts will play at 96db all the way up to the max power handling of the driver.

The second biggest impact on how loud a speaker will play is the OHMs. Typically an amplifier will output a certain power level at a certain resistance or load level. An example may be a typical amplifier that has an output of 50 watts max at 4 OHMs. The power out from an amplifier is inverse to the resistance or load. Typically an amp that outputs a peak of 50 watts at 4 OHMs will output 100 watts at 2 Ohms and 25 watts at 8 ohms.
The math is pretty easy V=I*R where V = voltage, I = current (measured in Amps), and R = resistance or load (measured in Ohms). The unit "watt" is watts = V*I.

So if you have a 4 ohm speaker rated at 87db at 1 watt/meter with 1 watt you will get 87db output
Without changing the volume, if you replace the speaker with a 8 ohm 87db speaker will output 84db output
Without changing the volume, if you replace the speaker with a 2 ohm 87db speaker will output 90db output
Without changing the volume, if you replace the speaker with a 4 ohm 90db speaker will output 90db output
Without changing the volume, if you replace the speaker with a 4 ohm 84db speaker will output 84db output
and so on...

From other posts I've read the front speakers are in a 2 ohm configuration which puts you at a disadvantage. Adding more power as GusChiggins mentioned may be the way to increase the output to match the rest of the system.

GusChiggins said:

"with dedicated jbl amp"

i think you're on to something, OP..

Click to expand...

I really believe the stock amp was "okay" as they play the stock speakers loud enough but yep you're definitely right it's no substitute for something rated eg. 60-65 watts per channel etc

cfast said:

Two biggest impacts on "loudness" will be:

1. the speaker efficiency measured in decibels (db) usually at 1 watt at 1 meter
2. and as SJM mentioned, the Ohms...

From other posts I've read the front speakers are in a 2 ohm configuration which puts you at a disadvantage. Adding more power as GusChiggins mentioned may be the way to increase the output to match the rest of the system...

Click to expand...

Thanks for that informative assessment, I picked a 4ohm speaker (3ohm with wire resistance 4ohm) because it has a high sensitivity @ 93 db's and thought the little amp "should" be able handle it. When I took out the stock speaker I noticed it had 2ohm on the back welp... I'm not sure how it's connected to the dash speakers and total ohms etc but I'll find out when I pull the dash speakers.

EmperorJJ1 said:

another option is taking out or replacing the dash speakers as well, or adding an amplifier to bypass the stock amp

Click to expand...

I'm thinking this is the way.. however I would prefer to not bypass the stock amp as I already went all in with my jbl spare tire sub.

Thanks for all the explanations and ideas - truthfully it isn't all that bad as I can set volume to 20 on the radio (which is around half) and that's loud enough. My next steps are that I'm going to disconnect the dash speakers to hear the infinitys stand alone then probably look for better dash speakers.


PS. Oh I also realized I had the speed volume control set to 'LOW' so pretty sure while I was driving it took away some utz's

Honestly I think the premium system is gr8 AS IS for most people but won't work for me as the clarity and fullness just isn't there. If you're happy with yours DO NOTHING (for whomever is looking at this lol)

I had some time to ponder, 2 ohm door speakers are quite uncommon and finding something in the range of stock is difficult so I've decided to take the system that step further everyone suggests..
1. Purchased a tiny decently priced amp to replace the stock (pioneer?) one - the KENWOOD KAC-M1814 is a class D 4 channel amp and should fit nicely in the stock spot, will use it to power the 4ohm 6.5 inch door speakers that I already bought (amp is also bridgeable for more powa if needed)
2. Purchased a wiring harness Metra 70-1761 and will re wire it to work with the stock amp harness and provide speaker level input and power to the kenwood as well as cleanup my existing jbl spare tire sub wiring
3. Purchased some Infinity Reference REF-4032CFX 4" speakers to upgrade the dash speakers - these match the 4ohm ones currently there and should work just fine with the oem head unit just have to figure out the mounting but saw some guys do it in the large audio thread. (also those dash speaker connectors for the tweeter was a PAIN in the @ss to remove)
4. Retune everything

Will work on it all this weekend but I think it'll be fine with this setup.
I always like to have my mods reversible and this way covers it.

Thanks for the ideas and suggestions.