I want to replace my stock speakers with some good aftermarket speakers. I'd prefer not to add a sub to the car, but if they're needed, I'm not against doing so.

I have a few questions...being a newb, and all.

1) What speakers/brands do you guys recommend? I know I'm really the only one who can decide which ones sound the best, but if you could give a ranking of quality of a few speakers, then that'd be great! ....kind of like a "these are great, but avoid those," etc.

2) Will changing the 4 stock speakers only make my stereo sound better? Or will I need to add an amp and/or aftermarket stereo just to make it sound better? I'd prefer to only change the speakers. If required, I could go for an amp as well.

3) What'* the stock wattage on the stock stereo and/or stock speakers? I see speakers on Crutchfield and other places listing speaker wattage. What wattage range should I shoot for?

I'll probably have more questions, but that should be a start.

Thanks for any info you can give!

well the first question I have is what is your spending limit, then we work off that.
Do you have the BOSE radio or regular delco?

If your looking for just somthing better sounding get yourself a new headunit and get new front and rear speakers and start there. If you want more bass add a subwoofer, if you want everything louder than you get an amp.

As for good brands Alpine, Kenwood, Pioneer, JL Audio, MB Quart, some Rockford Fozgate, there'* many more good brands

Me I try to avoid Sony in my car, try to avoid Pyle, Jensen, Roadmaster anything you can buy at Wal-mart.

There'* a start for you.

Lots of good info there Taylor... I started the same way: upgraded the HU and added a new set of 6x9'*. That alone made a huge difference, both were Pioneer and I am yet to have any problems with them. Then I saw a deal on a system that I could not pass up so I added 2 12" Rockford'*. They sound very nice, not as good as JL, but I like what I got for what I spent. Now with all of the bass, I am looking to upgrade to component'* in the front to get the mid/high tones across louder and clearer. Also, if you are not adding an amp, nor never really plan to... you do not have to get speakers capable of handling 250W or anything huge like that. Just throwing out some info... hope it helped...

In my Girlfriends car I've guided her into saving for a 5 channel amp and 1 10in, maybe 12. to save space, it will sound great and not take up much space. Her Nissan SER already has a factory Rockford Fozgate stereo with 8in sub it get'* a whole 60 watts to it. But I do have to say it sounds pretty darn good for stock, better than my factory 01 BOSE did.

Budget is probably $350 - $500. But I had only planned on buying speakers with that initial budget. It could increase if other items were necessary.

I didn't realize the Headunit was that important. I actually like the stock RDS headunit. The colors match the dash, and the larger screen displays all of the time/station/volume/EQ info well. I dunno, I guess I'm an "interface" guy. If it looks good, displays well, and is easy to use...keep it.

I also hadn't specifically planned on going for added volume nor added bass. I just want much better sounding speakers. I guess I assumed that speakers (with the added sound clarity) would at least seem to be louder and have more bass.

Any thoughts?

Also, any recommended places to buy from (Crutchfield, Best Buy, eBay, some other place)?

Great thread. Same kind of questions here. What would a quality amp and install cost me? Just trying to rought out some figures.

I just wanted to pump up my bass, while keeping my stock BOSE system. So, I caught a sale at Circuit City and got a little 280 watt MTX 2-channel amp, along with two Pioneer 10" subs and a free sub box...all for under $200. This setuip won't rattle the windows of the car next to you, but it made a HUGE improvement over the stock BOSE system. I also replaced the 6x9'* with Pioneer...again, big difference.

I would add a single ten or 12 inch subwoofer. I would then buy an inexpensive HU and a nice set of components for the front and amps for it all. i would take out the rear speakers or disconnect them, this setup would provide the best sound quality IMHO

OK. This project sort of fell off of my priority list. And since then, I've heard that an aftermarket headunit wouldn't connect with the special ribbon cables used for the Steering Wheel controls. Is that true?

I'd certainly like to keep the use of my steering wheel radio controls. :?

Not sure if it'll help to know what Head Unit I'm looking at, but here it is:
Kenwood KVT-715DVD

Anyone know the answer?

if you want to keep your steering wheel controls you can either: not get a new head-unit (dumb idea) or get this thing called the PAC SWI-X. But for this to work the head unit has to be remote control capable. It takes the commands for the head unit and saves them. you can find one at crutchfield for like $70.00 last time i checked. Im not quite sure how to install it thought. hope that helped