Recommended dash speakers for warm, rich sound

[Patriotic]

What 4” dash speakers will give you a warm, rich sound? Not a fan of particularly bright sound so tell me which ones are so I’ll avoid those.

For reference, when I think of warm, rich home sound, I think of Bose products. When I think of warm rich car stereo, I think of the Harman Kardon in our X5.

Thanks for your suggestions,

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[cmcbronco]

You’re about to get the “do a simple search” barrage…but I ended up going with kicker 47ksc404. It has a silk tweeter so it supposed to give a smoother less harsh sound. I’m replacing dash and rear pod speakers with them. I just got them today so i can’t comment how the hear to me but ive heard good things about them.
Also if you scroll down Tech threads there’s a link to all the audio related threads people have posted. There’s a lot of good info on there for what people have used and have either liked or disliked.
Good luck!

 

[EquusBronsis]

I had Harman in a former gen 2 BMW X3 and I have B&O in my current Audi. My wife's new Macan has Bose. I'd give the Polk DB series a listen. Oh yeah I have tubes in my home systems.

 

[BlueGhost]

A general rule of thumb, for more mellow tone go with silk or fabric tweeters instead of metallic/aluminum/etc.

Audio Frog and Morel are both known for a warm sound. Morels entry level Maximo line is around $100 a pair, Audio Frogs or Morels Tempo are around $300 a pair.

If you are looking around the $100 mark, and the paper cone on the Morels concerns you, Alpine type S or Kicker KS series might be good alternatives.

 

[Brock9281]

You’re about to get the “do a simple search” barrage…but I ended up going with kicker 47ksc404. It has a silk tweeter so it supposed to give a smoother less harsh sound. I’m replacing dash and rear pod speakers with them. I just got them today so i can’t comment how the hear to me but ive heard good things about them.
Also if you scroll down Tech threads there’s a link to all the audio related threads people have posted. There’s a lot of good info on there for what people have used and have either liked or disliked.
Good luck!

Have you installed these? How are they?

 

[mikey_photo]

Have you installed these? How are they?

I’m running the Kicker KS 4” in the front and rears of my Bronco. I’d say they definitely have a warmer tone due to the silk tweeter. They improve overall clarity quite a bit on the top end and I’m quite pleased with them overall. They do “come alive” once you add some amplification to them, which makes a huge difference. I think you have quite a few good options in the $100 price range as long as you keep in mind that it’s a 4” driver and they have limitations when it comes to frequency response.

 

[Brock9281]

I’m running the Kicker KS 4” in the front and rears of my Bronco. I’d say they definitely have a warmer tone due to the silk tweeter. They improve overall clarity quite a bit on the top end and I’m quite pleased with them overall. They do “come alive” once you add some amplification to them, which makes a huge difference. I think you have quite a few good options in the $100 price range as long as you keep in mind that it’s a 4” driver and they have limitations when it comes to frequency response.

Debating on these vs the Infinity Reference

 

[mikey_photo]

Debating on these vs the Infinity Reference

I can’t comment on the Infinity Reference speakers since I haven’t used them. In general, my thoughts on Kicker products is that they are far from the best, but generally a good value from a price to performance perspective. They are pretty much always going to be higher quality than most stock speakers, and in my experience that even includes “premium systems” like the B&O. I do think the Kicker Key products are amazing bang (pun intended) for the buck.

Most of the time the “premium systems” are designed by a particular company (brand appeal) but still fall short on component quality. This is what happens when the bean counters get involved.

Back when I was in college (about 20 years ago) I installed high end home audio components in NYC and the Hamptons, including a lot of Bang & Olufsen systems… back when they were truly special and far more boutique. B&O is now owned by Harman (a Samsung company) and just another brand for the portfolio.

 

[5280Bronco]

Just to throw another option in the ring, I installed jbl club 4" speakers in and am happy with the improvement in sound.

 

[cmcbronco]

Have you installed these? How are they?

They are a great speaker. They work well by themselves but with the kicker key they really come alive. Very clear but they won’t make your ears bleed like some speakers.
I had infinity reference in my keep and they were pretty good but for me the highs were just too much at higher volumes.

 

[Brock9281]

A general rule of thumb, for more mellow tone go with silk or fabric tweeters instead of metallic/aluminum/etc.

Audio Frog and Morel are both known for a warm sound. Morels entry level Maximo line is around $100 a pair, Audio Frogs or Morels Tempo are around $300 a pair.

If you are looking around the $100 mark, and the paper cone on the Morels concerns you, Alpine type S or Kicker KS series might be good alternatives.

How do you like the Morel’s? I’m looking at these now. Wanting something that can get loud, clear, and warm.

 

[Johnny Mo]

Infinity tend to be more on the bright side, I had the Reference series in my mustang years ago, but that said I have Infinity Reference series for my home theater setup. They are bright, but efficient and clear sounding.

 

[Lurker B6G]

As stated, silk or textile tweeter.
3/4 inch (not smaller) - 1 inch if component

Polk for budget
JL for higher budget
I would not personally look higher than this for such a poor listening environment.

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