I'm purchasing a new amplifier soon but am unsure what that means for the stock speakers; would I have to unplug all of the stock speakers because the amp would be too powerful for them, or could some stock speakers also be wired into the new amp with the new speakers?

(Currently considering the Focal 165KR 6.5" 2-way or Focal 165A3 6.5" + 4" 3-way, not sure about the amp yet -- looking for something to handle fronts and a sub, possibly rears as well)

 

Depending on how many channel amp it is, run the aftermarket speakers on a different channel than the factory ones and adjust the power accordingly. You should be fine unless you crank the power up on the factory speakers. Replace them when you get a chance though.

 

bubblehelix,

If the amp is a single of dual channel amp for subwoofer use. then using the OEM amp and speakers is fine.

BUT if you are going to get a multi channel amp that is use d to drive the door speakers you are going about it in the wrong direction. No matter how good the aftermarket amp is it WILL NOT sound good on the stock speakers.

The stock speakers are the weakest link in the sound system.

Do what just about everyone else has said and take your time. Replace the speakers first listen to them for a few weeks the sound difference will be dramatic. Then if you still want even better sound then add an amp and or subwoofer.

The above is what is suggested in 99% of the threads out there about working on the MINI sound system.

 

The stock amplifier would be able to power Focal speakers adequately?

If I were to install the Focals I'm considering, would I have to disconnect the other six HiFi speakers?

 

I have Focal 165V3 in there now and the OEM amp drove them just fine. It sounded 1000 times better than the stock speakers

I also now have an Alpine PDX-5 in the car but i went all out with a full blown car computer so during a major project to win a contest. here is a thread of what went into my car. BTW i did win the contest, it was not the loaudest but it was teh best overall system there and it sounds great.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-upgrades.html

I would suggest that you install the Focals first and listen to it for a few weeks. I had mine in for almost a year before adding anything else. Then if you feel you need more power then add an amp and or subwoofer. The Focals aactaully did a very good job on the bass enhancement even with out an aftermarket amp.

 

Wow, that's quite a setup! Congrats on the competition -- that definitely makes me feel confident about the Focals! You bought the Focal 165V3E, right? How was it to install a 3-way system? I've heard concerns from other people that 3-way might be harder to install than 2-way... did you find it any more difficult?

Thanks for your help, I'm highly considering buying the Focal 165VR3 today but want to be sure I can install it properly, as the only installation experience I have is what I've read on this board!

 

If you have the HiFi system it just means replacing the drivers. And there are three drivers there already. 6.5 and 4 in door and tweeter in pillar.

If you have the base system then then it is more dificult as there is only room for two drivers in the door normally At least one person has also made a mounting for the tweeter in the door panel. I if remember correctly it was in he space just above the 4" driver

 

I have the HiFi system, so that should work well. I imagine that connecting the crossovers won't be too much trouble if I just follow the instructions. Thanks again, Schatzy.

 

I think you want to connect the crossover to the factory wires from the 4" (upper door) location. Then just connect the 4" midrange, and the tweeter to it.

Connect the factory wires at the 6.5" (lower door) location directly to the 6.5" woofer. The lower door wires are already filtered to just produce base.

 

Tweeter ----> crossover --> 4" factory wire
4" speaker ---^

6.5" speaker --> 6.5" factory wire

Like that? So you don't connect the tweeter to the factory 'tweeter wire'?

 

Like this:
Factory wire at 4" upper door location --> crossover input.
Tweeter --> crossover tweeter output.
Midrange speaker --> midrange crossover output.

Factory wire at lower door location --> 6.5" woofer.
The factory wire at lower door location connects to the factory speaker on the front side. To connect the Focal 6.5" woofer, this wire much be routed to the back side. You will find a round rubber plug that is just filling a hole. Punch a small hole though it and feed the wire to the back. You will probably have to solder an extension to the wire to have enough length.

 

Int eh case of the HiFi system you do not want to use the cross overs. The amp already has the crossover network built in.

The 4" and the 6.5" get different information such as the bass is cut off on the 4" and the 6.5" is cut off for higher frequencies.

Don not use the cross overs with the HiFi amp.

 

Don't the 4" upper door location wires just have a high pass filter to eliminate bass? Since he is using Focal 3-way speakers, doesn't he want to split that into midrange for the Focal 4" and highs for the Focal tweeter?