Sorry if this is a repost, BUT I was looking at "OutMotoring"s nice post of R56 speaker upgrades. The only problem I am having is What type of speakers are people replacing them with.
Both the Fronts have an odd bolt pattern and I have found no 3.5 in with this 12oclock, 4 oclock, an 7oclock pattern.
HELP I MUST have good sound!!!!

 

I bought a set of pretty good 6.5" component speakers (Polk db6500) for the front. I just put the tweeter from the components in the 3.5" location. I made an adapter bracket for the tweeter (and the subwoofer because of the aforementioned odd bolt pattern) out of Lexan. You can buy it at Home depot and it's easy to cut with a roto-zip. Plus, when you install it you don't see it. I didn't take any pictures, but I can take the door panel off and take some if you want.

 

I dont like the Idea of you troubling yourself for me....but if taking the panel off is easy for you and you could take pics....That would be absolutely wondeful

 

You put 6.5 in up front??!!! I understood they where 5.25 and fit was close?

 

6.5" easily fit.


my 3.5 inch speaker had 4 tabs. I cut one off and didn't have any problem.

 

Actually I had to make an adapter for the 6.5" speakers to fit. They were too small, but I think the size is smaller than 6.75", so you couldn't go there.

I'll try to get to it this week and post the pics.

 

Wunderbar

 

What 6.5s did you make a plate for?? My 6.5" focal mid bass didn't fit quite right, i had to trim the plastic on the door a bit.
Must be some REALLY small 6.5" speakers...

 

I had to make a small bracket for the Polk db6500s. Here's the link to them on Crutchfield:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-qsL3diW...500&c=3&tp=106

Sorry it took so long to get the pics, this was a busy week.

The bracket for the woofer is tough to see. I had to mount the speaker off center in the hole. The bottom of the speaker is screwed into the Lexan, then the Lexan is screwed into the orignal mount. For the top screw I went through both the Lexan and the plastic of the inner door panel.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Jim

 

How difficult of a job is this?

I really want to upgrade my sound, 1st by adding a small powered woofer under the seat or on the side of the boot with it's amp under the seat.

I'm not looking to wake hte neighbors, just want some nice crisp sound at higher than "normal" levels, and I like bass on my Bob Marley.

Technically, I could do it all, but I just don't feel like ripping the car apart... So the question is, what is easy to do? Just pop in some replacments in the front door?

 

The level of difficulty depends on your skill level and the speakers you choose. If you choose carefully, you can probably get by with minimal fabrication. I just got a good deal on mine, so I couldn't be too picky.

Pulling the door panels off is not a big deal. If you get components you have to find someplace to put the crossover.

All in all, I am happy with the way they sound. They're not audiophile material, but they improved on the stock system significantly. The most bang for the buck, I think.

 

Think I just want replacements, pop in and play to get rid of the paper.