My stock speakers on my Hi-Fi system are rattling a bit with enough volume and bass. I'd like to get rid of them and put in something decent. I am not an audiophile when it comes to my car, but rattling speakers == a sad Tu13es, and if the stock Hi-Fi speakers really are as bad as everyone says, I might as well upgrade.

That said, I *just* want to replace the speakers. I assume that's something I can do myself, yes?

My main question - what should I be looking at for speakers? And what are some good places to buy them?

Thanks, all.

 

You saw the sticky at the top of this forum correct? Should help you through your process.

 

Yes, I did, though a lot of it seems to focus on the non-HiFi system (or I'm just missing it). Or is it the same?

Also, I don't see much on specific speaker recommendations, but I could also be missing something there too.

 

Check out post #24, someone did a replacement on their HIfi, the difference is going to be the crossovers depending on what you decide to go with for location/placement. Might want to think about where the rattles are coming from is it the cone or might it be something in the door? Sound deadening might be something to think about as well.

Anywho...Focal is recommended, but you might look into other brands for the highs and mids...low end should always have a sub. there are other posts on people who have added a sub in with what I remember minimal pain and agony.

 

The sticky at the top has a lot of information on both hifi and non HiFi you may want to carefully read all the posts in that thread.

Here is another thread on that subject.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=157952

and another post

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...1&postcount=29

Also your budget is something to consider as well. I am willing to spend X amount would also tell us where to point you for quality. Polk makes good speakers but at a lower price and quality than say Focal.

The big thing its to decide what you are doing for amps? Are you installing another amp or not?

If no to the amp then you can get component speakers and just use the crossover system provided by the amp. Three way components are hard to find though. Focal is one brand but i think all the other brands have dropped to two way components.

If yes to the amp Then you would want to go with component speakers that have a crossover with them. Same applies here for 2-way/3-way

You could also go with a coaxial speaker in the font door 6" spot and then just not use the 4" in the door or the tweeter in the pillar

There are many options.

My suggestion for you is to replace the front speakers with a 3-way component set and then replace the rears with a very high efficiency pair of 6x9's. But again that is just my suggestion.

 

I have a HIFI system with swapped front speakers. I bought JL Audio 4" (TR400-CXI) and 6.5" (TR650-CSI).
The 4" speakers are two-way with tweeters, the 6.5" are not. I think this combo gives a good balance without being too bright. The TR650-CSI comes with separate tweeters that I may eventually use to swap out the stock tweeters above the dash.

The speakers sound great. The bass is deeper and more even. There is no overdriving of the woofer compared to the stock speakers. Very nice.

I bought them on ebay.
TR650-CSI $99
TR400-CXI $79

You can definitely do this yourself.

Brent

 

Aha, looks very nice.

So, I'm a bit unsure concerning component speakers. Do I just have to stick the tweeter on the pillar or something? Or do I remove the old tweeter and pop the new one in? If possible, I'd rather just swap the speakers and keep the existing tweeters, not sure if I can do that, though.

As for my budget, I'm not exactly sure yet, but at a very max $500 or so. I'm not interested in installing a new amp, or a subwoofer, at least at this point.

 

The tweeters in the car are not as bad as the other drivers.

I would suggest changing the other drivers and leave the tweeters alone to start with. If you like it then yo do not have to replace them. If they do not sound right to you then you can go a head and replace them later

 

That's what I'd like to do.

So, still trying to get straight what I need. For the front doors, a 4" and 6.5", and for the rears, a 6x9? Is that it?

 

That is what fit in my car. So that is what you should try for.

 

Awesome, thanks schatzy!

 

Just one note though.

The 4" OEM only have three screw mounting all replacements will propably have 4 screw mounting.

The 6.5" have a 4 screw mounting but it will not match the replacement holes.

You will have to drill new holes for mounting in either case.

 

Aha, good to know. I'll see if I can find a howto on replacing the hifi speakers...

 

Brent - I'm really NOT stalking you and perhaps others have the answers anyway.

For those of you using a coaxial 4" speaker in the HiFi midrange speaker location - Do you:

1. Disconnect the stock tweeter in the a-pillar and rely on the tweeter in your new coaxial?
2. Use the coaxial tweeter in addition to the stock a-pillar tweeter?
3. Disconnect the tweeter in the new co-axial speaker and just use the stock a-pillar location?

Thanks,

Rex

 

It is really the same as doing the non HiFi for the front doors and the rears.

see this thread

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=95211

 

Tu13es -
I would start with the front speakers and see how you like them. They are easy to do and inexpensive. If you think you want to go further, then you can do the rears. I like the JL's and they definitely upgrade the sound. I had actually ordered the TR650 coaxials and the TR400 coaxials, but what was delivered to me was TR400 coaxials and TR650 components. I called to exchange the 6.5" component set with the coaxials. But then I started to wonder if two sets of coaxials with two more tweeters would be too much treble (the HIFI has tweeters in the front A column and in the rear with the 6x9's, I understand, so that would be 8 tweeters). So I got on the R56 speaker swap forum and asked for opinions and I was encouraged to keep what I had and try installing the 4" coax's and the 6.5" component woofer. The idea being that I probably have enough treble. So I did just that and it sounds great. Not too much treble, much better bass. I really don't know if I will try to switch the tweeters, I hadn't planned on it unless someone were to step up and tell me it was worth doing. If you go with both coax's and feel there is too much treble, someone suggested that you could cut the wires to the small capacitor on the speaker that goes to the tweeter (on the coax speaker) to disable it. So, you would not have to touch the stock tweeters if you don't want to... I may not either.

Now I did install an 8" powered sub in the spare tire well of my clubman, but even with it disabled, the fronts alone sound awesome. I'd start with that and see if you even feel the need to do the rears. I do not think I need to swap my rear speakers.

Rex - It's good to hear from you! I am using my 4" coax with tweeters in addition to my stock tweeters. I have not disconnected anything. My setup is not too bright. As above, I was told you could disconnect the coax tweeters if you wanted to though.

I am also very new at all of this, and do not have near the knowledge some of these other guys have. I am just speaking from my experience and what I have picked up from reading the various message boards. Three weeks ago, I knew nothing of any of this. I have much gratitude to several others who have "mentored" me as I have worked through upgrading my system and I am happy to pass it on!

Good Luck!

 

Aha, good point. I forgot I don't need to replace them all at once. I probably will end up replacing them all, but it's easier on my budget at the moment if I don't have to dump down all that cash.

I'm looking at some Infinity reference speakers, though I was mostly limiting my search to Crutchfield. Any other suggestions for speakers or retailers?

 

Careful. Crutchfield and Budget rarely should be used in the same thought.

 

Very true but in some cases (not the 2nd gen mini's though) they provide lots of info free of charge that no one else has written up and that is worth something.

And yes there are others that give a better price on the same speakers but the others also have zero (0) support after purchase.

 

After I replaced my front non-hifi speakers, I started to get a rattle due to the increased bass. I fixed it with foam weatherstripping tape along the edge of the door panel piece removed during the speaker install.

 

I ordered my Infinity Kappa 693.7i speakers from Crutchfield because I wanted the tech support. Unfortunately, Crutchfield gave me bad advice regarding the amount of air space these speakers needed in a custom cabinet. They also promoted speaker baffles that cut down the air space even more. It was all refuted by a tech at Infinity who said these speakers were designed for "free air" such as on a back shelf with the back exposed to the full trunk. In a cabinet, they needed twice what Crutchfield told me. Less space would cut off bass response. As another poster learned from experience, the baffles are murder on bass.

So, I purchased the Infinity Kappa 60.7cs, and 42.7i through Amazon for considerably less. They actually went through some company like Global Bazar or something. However, Amazon keeps changing their supplier. So, check the reviews on the seller.

I just looked and Crutchfield has some excellent prices on the 6x9 Kappas right now.

Infinity Kappa 693.7i 6"x9" 3-way car speakers $69.95 (I paid $200)

Infinity Kappa 42.7i 4" 2-way car speakers $70 (I paid $58)

However, their price on the Infinity Kappa 60.7cs 6-1/2" component speaker system is not so good at $220. I paid $120.

 

i do my reserach, ebay search the model number find the cheapest place with shipping check there ebay score and order. not once in tons of stuff have i ever had a single issue

 

IIRC, both Infinity and Focal warn that counterfeits of their speakers are being sold on ebay.

 

gotta know who the legit sellers are, realize prices too good to be true

focal website shows u how to spot fakes, and IMO anyone putting focals into a car needs an amp and sound deadner to go with it

idk why someone would try to sell knocked off infinitys, as they are cheap enough and IMO have teh harshest tweeter ever