Very recently I’ve been on a quest to replace the speakers in my 2003 Accord, and began seeking out what would fit the car. I also wanted to keep the stock head unit and not install any amps or add any subwoofers, so I was concerned about the efficiency/sensitivity of the speakers I chose.

Unfortunately, finding places to actually hear a variety of speakers is not as easy as it used to be (or else I am just way out of touch), so I was basing most of my research on the online sources (mainly Crutchfield’s “what fits” to limit the selection, and then visiting the manufacturer’s web sites for more details.

Initially, I was all set to buy Infinity speakers for my car, all around, based almost solely on the "published" efficiency/sensitivity numbers. But upon closer examination, the rating which Infinity chooses to publish is not the normal "apples to apples" rating.

I’ll limit my discussion to the front pair I had initially chosen, which was the Infinity Reference 6022si rated as having a published sensitivity rating of 93.4 db, which looks VERY good. However…

The advertised sensitivity number for the Infinity speakers is NOT rated at the normal 1w rating, but instead at 2.83 volts. Most other manufacturers advertise the sensitivity at the more normal 1w (1 watt) power output.

Looking closer at the product manual I downloaded from the Infinity website, the comparable sensitivity of the Infinity 6022si speakers (1watt @ 1meter) winds up only being 87.7 db at 1w (far less than the advertised 93.4 db)!

By way of verification, as everyone has noted in the forums, and as advertised, the Infinity speakers are only 2 ohms. Using Ohm’s law, and the above numbers for voltage and resistance, you’ll find that the 93.4 db rating actually comes at the higher wattage output of 4w (yes, that is 4 watts), which is quadruple the power!! :jawdrop:

As known to audio enthusiasts, and noted in other messages on the forum, a 3 db (approximate) increase in sound output requires a doubling of power, and likewise and 3 db decrease in sound would require a halving of power. That means at 2w (2 watts) power input, the Infinity speakers would be approximately 90.4 db, and cutting that down to 1w (1 watt), we’d be at approximately 87.4 db, which is pretty close to the stated 87.7 db that Infinity lists in the product manual.

I’m not trying to bash any brand, or anyone’s choice of speaker, only to educate those who, (like me) are on a quest for new speakers and wish to make an educated & truly informed choice.

I'm glad I caught this "discrepancy" before I ordered any Infinity speaker for my car!

The advertised sensitivity number for the Infinity speakers is NOT rated at the normal 1w rating, but instead at 2.83 volts. Most other manufacturers advertise the sensitivity at the more normal 1w (1 watt) power output.

Looking closer at the product manual I downloaded from the Infinity website, the comparable sensitivity of the Infinity 6022si speakers (1watt @ 1meter) winds up only being 87.7 db at 1w (far less than the advertised 93.4 db)!

By way of verification, as everyone has noted in the forums, and as advertised, the Infinity speakers are only 2 ohms. Using Ohm’s law, and the above numbers for voltage and resistance, you’ll find that the 93.4 db rating actually comes at the higher wattage output of 4w (yes, that is 4 watts), which is quadruple the power!!!



yessir!

good post

have you ever listened to a set of infinities?

have you ever listened to a set of infinities?

Yes I have. But, since I stated in my post my goal was to stick with the stock head unit and not add any amps, and since it requires almost 4 times the power to play as loud as the Boston Acoutics or Clarion speakers which are both rated at 92 db/1w/1m, the Infinitys lost me as a customer, and I felt I should make the community here aware of the exagerration surrounding their "high sensitivity/efficiency" numbers.

Yes I have. But, since I stated in my post my goal was to stick with the stock head unit and not add any amps, and since it requires almost 4 times the power to play as loud as the Boston Acoutics or Clarion speakers which are both rated at 92 db/1w/1m, the Infinitys lost me as a customer, and I felt I should make the community here aware of the exagerration surrounding their "high sensitivity/efficiency" numbers.

yeah i was going to say forget the ratings and loudness. in general they lack midbass and sound like trash, that's enough imo to say no to infinity :thumbsdow

i have the infinity's they are clean. im not complaining. plus i got a killer deal for the 2 pair.

with the reqiurements your asking have you found any speakers that you are looking for?

A while ago... I used to have Infinity Kappa's (cs5???) in my 88 accord... .they were WAY too bright... No midrange at all.

So which ones are you planning on going with Bob. I was also looking into the infinitis but wasn't sure either. Had them on my last car but and they sounded okay but not great. I'm not looking for any lows up front but highs and mids would be what I'm looking for.

I suggest do-it-yourself combinations

check out:

partsexpress.com
madisound.com
solen.ca


home speakers sound great in vehicles and those 8ohm mids are very efficient. Be sure you get a good tweeter and crossover. You can build your own components for less than these big companies offer. Look into Seas and Vifa (builds Infinitys) speakers.

but if you dont like the idea of building your own setup I recommend the Alpine Type-X and OZ Matrix Elite components. Also look into the Pioneer Premier components.

So which ones are you planning on going with Bob. I was also looking into the infinitis but wasn't sure either. Had them on my last car but and they sounded okay but not great. I'm not looking for any lows up front but highs and mids would be what I'm looking for.

For the rears, I went with these:
http://www.clarion.com/us/en/products/2009/audio/speakers/platinum/SRP6920M/us-en-product-pf_1172408778631.html

I found them by accident in a car stereo shop, liked how they sounded and got a real deal on them! :D (They list for $280, but I got them out the door, including tax for $60 and change!) :banana:

I am holding comment on how they sound until the fronts are replaced also.

I'm planning to go with Boston Acoustics S65rc speakers for the front, unless I stumble onto something else as efficient with good specs and about the same efficiency/sensitivity as the S65rc.

Boston Acoustics have great sound! Only one pair I ever owned(babies mothers car) surround separated from basket within a year. Very dissappointing.

I would never purchase or not purchase a speaker based on a number. Some of the best on paper sound the worst and vice versa.

I would never purchase or not purchase a speaker based on a number. Some of the best on paper sound the worst and vice versa.

I agree, the sound is what matters most, but still, the amount of power required to drive them to a reasonable output does matter, and is more than just a number.

I ordered the Boston Acoustics S65RCs today from Crutchfield, they will be here tomorrow, and I hope to get them installed before the weekend is over! :)

For the rears, I went with these:
http://www.clarion.com/us/en/products/2009/audio/speakers/platinum/SRP6920M/us-en-product-pf_1172408778631.html

I found them by accident in a car stereo shop, liked how they sounded and got a real deal on them! :D (They list for $280, but I got them out the door, including tax for $60 and change!) :banana:

I am holding comment on how they sound until the fronts are replaced also.

I'm planning to go with Boston Acoustics S65rc speakers for the front, unless I stumble onto something else as efficient with good specs and about the same efficiency/sensitivity as the S65rc.



Funny enough I spoke to a crutchfield rep yesterday to get there recommendation on speakers for the front and he recommend I go with the Polk Audio db 651s. Said they sound great and would be my best bet.

Why would you choose speakers based mainly on theoretical sensitivity? I don't get it.

NOTE: I agree that Infinity speakers are overpriced crap, but for other reasons.

Why would you choose speakers based mainly on theoretical sensitivity? I don't get it.


when choosing speakers, this is not the first thing that I look for.....but the purpose of this thread is to inform buyers that are searching for speakers with high sensitivity that these Infinity speakers are not as efficient as stated.

BTW...nice setup :)

Funny enough I spoke to a crutchfield rep yesterday to get there recommendation on speakers for the front and he recommend I go with the Polk Audio db 651s. Said they sound great and would be my best bet.

I considered them, but couldn't find a place to listen to them, and in my opinion "The genius of Matthew Polk, is getting people to pay those kind of prices for his speakers". :)

Anyone who's a longtime reader of audio magazines will recognize the "Genius of Matthew Polk" reference.

Speakers are totally subjective, and a personal thing. WHat sounds good to listener A may sound awful to listener B, while sounding stupendous to listener C.

I am not basing my purchase off the specifications, but rather using them to limit my initial search, and then going and finding a place where I can actually hear those left on my short list.

Why would you choose speakers based mainly on theoretical sensitivity?

It is not theoretical, it is an actual measurement.

As I stated previously, I am not choosing the speaker based solely on this measurement, but am using this to help limit my initial search, and then go where I can hear those which remain on my short list.

Sensitivity of the speaker is important to me because I do not want to add any external amplification to the system, and I would prefer to not have to crank the volume way up into distortion levels just to get the speakers to be audible.

As was stated previously, the point of this post was to inform all those who tout the "high sensitivity and efficiency" of the Infinity speakers, that it is a misleading number being presented, and they need to look deeper into the specifications

I'm not trying to disparage Infinity products, they are not the only ones who do this type of thing. I'm just trying to help educate those on a similar quest, to look closely at what they are buying, and not just grab hold of the hype.

Well, I got the Boston Acoustics S65RC speakers installed today, and the replacement from the stock units definitely provides better, more balanced sound, and is, perhaps a little louder than stock, as I am running the volume down a number or 2 from what I used to.

No more over-emphasized or exaggerated bass, it is far more accurate and cleaner than before. After I get more ear time with them, I'll comment further on the sound, if anyone is interested.

My biggest disappointment in this whole experience is that there is not a company out there which makes a speaker bracket for the fronts, which mirrors the mounting method of the factory front door speakers! I'd be willing to pay $50 for a pair of brackets which simply slipped in just like the original ones. This would make installation far easier and faster, and would guarantee proper alignment with the speaker grille in the door panel.

Think of it, you could buy your brackets, and speakers. Install the speakers in the brackets in the comfort of your favorite easy chair, attach the wiring adapter, and then when you go the car, all you have to do is to pop the panel off, pull the factory speaker out which is pretty simple and fast, and slide your new speakers attached to that factory type bracket, snap it in place, put the door panel back, and be done with both doors in less than 45 minutes in the garage!!! This would be awesome!

The brackets supplied by Crutchfield were useless in my opinion, and I just used the spacer rings supplied by Boston Acoustic in the box with speakers, but I still felt like it was hit or miss on having the speaker properly aligned with the speaker grille opening in the door panel, so I was not happy about the whole issue of being totally on your own for proper alignment. (No templates were supplied!) While the door panel fits, I'm not confident that the placement and alignment are "dead-on".

glad you like the Bostons, they are awesome speakers


Im going to mount my mids on 3/4" mdf rings

So how do the speakers sounds?

I'm pretty happy with the speaker choices. Took a little while to break in and mellow out a bit (initially things were too bright, or at least seemed too bright). Even my teen aged daughter likes them much better. (She hooked her iPod up, cranked it a bit and liked the bass in particular).

If I had it to do over, I think I would have gotten the Clarion 6.5 speakers (SRP1620M) which if I recall could have been ordered for a little less than the Bostons cost me and should be a perfect sonic match to the rears.

I disconnected the dash tweeters, and configured the crossover on the rears to a -3 dB cut on the highs, and have not investigated changing it back to 0 db now that they've broken in.

I really like these Clarion speakers, and would recommend them to anyone looking to replace the stock rears. :thmsup:

Welcome to the world of false advertising; years back, some car audio companies also advetised their amplifiers in peak power rather than RMS. They do not do that that much anymore, since many people caught on.

Infiniti speakers sound terrible (although, I have not heard any of their home audio products). Why on earth do they get so many good reviews? I guess people just do not know what good sound is.

Good choice speakers Bob; I've never really looked at any measurements of a speaker, other than the tuning figures for a ported/slotted subwoofer. Heck, some companies are considered underrated (like Orion amplifiers - RMS wattage output).

Man I feel so stupid I just bought two front 6.5 and two back 6x9 infinity speakers :( the front models are the 6002i and the rears are 9622i. I read nothing but good reviews about them and all four total were $98 BRAND NEW! So am i going to be disappointed even for the price? Also did I read correctly that these won't fit my car? and what adapter am I going to need? (i believe i read i will need an adapter). I'm a little down on my purchase now even though i felt i got a great deal.

According to Crutchfield, neither pair of speakers will fit (at least in the 2003). The issue is the height of the tweeter.

According to Crutchfield, neither pair of speakers will fit (at least in the 2003). The issue is the height of the tweeter.

:paranoid::paranoid::paranoid::paranoid:

This is not going to be nice