Need to replace my front speakers

gillis

Junior Member
Messages
77
I just received 5x7 focals (570ac) to replace my mid rear speakers. They won't fit. Can't get them through the inside panels. Do I need to remove that panel first. Is there any guide on that?
 

Spartacus

Member
Messages
3,184
Ah yes . I forgot thats the factory speakers are an odd size . I made a MDF adaptor ring to lift the speaker forward about 10mm to allow for the larger magnet and cone . The easiest thing to do is to fit spacer washers behind the speaker on the screws and pack the gap with Dynomat strips before you screw it down to seal the speaker to the wing panel .

You will have to do this for the fronts aswell . But it will sound much better .

I have take my front door card off anyway . Ill take a picture of how to pack the front speaker and what depth spacers you need .
 
Last edited:

gillis

Junior Member
Messages
77
Ah yes . I forgot thats the factory speakers are an odd size . I made a MDF adaptor ring to lift the speaker forward about 10mm to allow for the larger magnet and cone . The easiest thing to do is to fit spacer washers behind the speaker on the screws and pack the gap with Dynomat strips before you screw it down to seal the speaker to the wing panel .

You will have top do this for the fronts aswell . But it will sound musch better .

I have take my frot door card off . ill take a picture of how to pack the front speaker and what depth spacers you need .

Sounds doable. I might 3d print a adapter ring to move it forward. Any idea about the thickness of the ring?
and how did you remove the trim panel (rear)?. Because the trim hole is also not big enough to get the speaker through.
 

Spartacus

Member
Messages
3,184
I will have a look tonight for you . I made a ring out of MDF because its dense and probaly better that printed ones .

And if it wont fit through you have to take the rear seat base out and then remove the side interior panel . Don't try and remove the side panel with out taking the seat base out , you will snap the side panel in the bottom corner !

I seem to remember that the rear seat base is on two strong spring clips that need levering upwards with a crow bar . It sound a pain but its quite easy . If you stick your head down and look unfder the bench you will see the two clips. the seat comes straight upwards off of the floor
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,071
A sharp tug upwards at the front in line with the clips is usually enough to get the seat base out. You can see where the clips locate below.

66340
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,654
You will have to do this for the fronts aswell . But it will sound much better .

I have take my front door card off anyway . Ill take a picture of how to pack the front speaker and what depth spacers you need .

And I thought the fronts were a like for like swap..!?
They are the same size at least...right ?
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,654
Sounds doable. I might 3d print a adapter ring to move it forward. Any idea about the thickness of the ring?
and how did you remove the trim panel (rear)?. Because the trim hole is also not big enough to get the speaker through.

If you go the 3D print route, Id be potentially interested in a set. Front & mids, if that's the way its got to be anyway....?

cheers
 

Spartacus

Member
Messages
3,184
The fronts are the same size but factory speakers are raised up on pillars at the 4 screw mounts due to the door card . This is terrible for sound . Best to pack the gaps inbween to seal the cavity . The screw fixings are the same .
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,654
The fronts are the same size but factory speakers are raised up on pillars at the 4 screw mounts due to the door card . This is terrible for sound . Best to pack the gaps inbween to seal the cavity . The screw fixings are the same .
Ah- got cha'...!
 

gillis

Junior Member
Messages
77
Just tried to fit the font speakers with focal 615 ones. They also need to be brought forward with 2-4cm. The back of the speaker is hitting the window frame holder. Couple of rings might help, but the standard screws are too short now. Need to replace those.
 

gillis

Junior Member
Messages
77
I have successfully replaced the front and the mid rear speakers with focals. Sound is amazing and so much better than the original paper speakers.
The fronts actually fit well without mods.
For the mid rear I went for the easy way. I took a dremel and made the hole slightly bigger. I covered everything with damping material. I also took the original connectors from the old speakers and glued them to the new speakers.
 

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TimR

Member
Messages
2,654
I have successfully replaced the front and the mid rear speakers with focals. Sound is amazing and so much better than the original paper speakers.
The fronts actually fit well without mods.
For the mid rear I went for the easy way. I took a dremel and made the hole slightly bigger. I covered everything with damping material. I also took the original connectors from the old speakers and glued them to the new speakers.
Did you just disconnect the factory tweeter and leave the wires hanging up front...?
 

gillis

Junior Member
Messages
77
Did you just disconnect the factory tweeter and leave the wires hanging up front...?

I left the tweeters intact. They both still work fine. I did not fiddle around with wires. Just took the connectors of the old speakers and put them on the new ones.
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,654
I left the tweeters intact. They both still work fine. I did not fiddle around with wires. Just took the connectors of the old speakers and put them on the new ones.
I see...thanks.
I went for a different speaker for the front doors apparently. A speaker with a directionally adjustable , central tweeter in the cone...
Do you have any more pics of the front door card install at all...?
 

Dukes426

New Member
Messages
27
Buy Focal component door speakers . I did . They are exellent and far superior to Apline for about the same money . Replace the mids (back seats) and dissconnect the shelf speakers altogether . Also Dynomat the insides of the doors and you will not believe the differance in sound .

View attachment 65970
Hi Spartacus,
I am looking into these at the moment - are they are straight swap in terms of disconnecting the original door speakers (both speakers on each door) and connecting these or do the connectors need to be changed?
Many thanks
 
Messages
1,117
The simplest route is a car audio specialist. They will be up-to-date on options versus your budget.

Forget buying new or secondhand original speakers. Aftermarket options will be much broader and you can set a budget - stripping out the old header unity and subwoofer and speakers is a 4-figure budget including installation. Replacing the speakers, a few hundred budget.
 

Dukes426

New Member
Messages
27
The simplest route is a car audio specialist. They will be up-to-date on options versus your budget.

Forget buying new or secondhand original speakers. Aftermarket options will be much broader and you can set a budget - stripping out the old header unity and subwoofer and speakers is a 4-figure budget including installation. Replacing the speakers, a few hundred budget.
Thanks. I was looking at getting brand new Focal 165AS door speakers and just wanted to know if they were simple to connect or if I needed some sort of converter or something to allow the standard Gransport plugs to connect to the new speakers as I was hoping to just buy them online and install myself. I didn’t really want to have to go to a car audio store as I don’t have time but that’s fine if that’s what I have to do. Cheers
 

urquattrogus

Member
Messages
838
I can also second Audiofile in car if you want a company to do a full upgrade, have used them on another car.

With regards to replacing the OEM speakers, something I would be looking out for is the sensitivity figure of the new speakers in DB. A higher number means that the standard head unit’s watts/power will go further and play louder. OEM speakers are usually very high sensitivity, so if you were to go for some top quality ones that have a low sensitivity figure the head unit might struggle to drive them to an adequate volume.

And yes agree about the Dynamat, although going too crazy with that will add quite a bit of weight.