P38 mid-range speaker replacement...HELP?

[Hoges]

Discovered that the foam surround on all the mid-range speakers has deteriorated. Two options, either replace the surrounds or replace the speakers. I have spent literally hours researching this and several other fora (incl BMW sites which had HK setups in the mid 90s) but no real progress.

I bought foam speaker surrounds for the subwoofers a couple of yrs ago and the repair was very successful. However, a 63mm notional speaker size is not real common (why am I surprised:eek:)

Also discovered that the black boxes in the doors AMR6355/6 are actually the power amplifiers. Apparently the 'big' central power amp behind the subwoofer was fitted to vehicles in 2000 beginning with VIN YA430702.

So, back to the question: Can anyone recommend a plug n play 2 1/2" which will fit with minimal adaption?

[TheTree]

Mate

I assume you seen this page?

Range Rover P38 Maintenance repair improvements and tips learned by experience by ownership. (http://www.stockholmviews.com/p38/index.html#audio)

63 mm is an odd size, do you know if they are 4 or 8 ohm?

Steve

[TheTree]

Hoges

Something like this would work, you could roll it off with a filter as Edward did with his midrange speakers

Steve

[Hoges]

Hi Steve
yep read the Stockholm View posts a while ago. Not real helpful though I admire his technical abilities! The speakers are all 4 ohm impedance. I even had a look at the "instructables website" and as a last resort I'll experiment with a cloth surround using a tight weave polyester material which needs to be very lightly doped to reduce air loss...but the problem with that approach is that it can significantly change the acoustic properties...

While I know the impedance, there's virtually no other specs available re. the speakers... might email H-K to see if they can enlighten me! I'm not interested in having the SSO at full volume so I guess 15-20W RMS would be OK if replacements are reasonably efficient.
Will haunt a few outlets in Bris tomorrow and see what may be available.

[TheTree]

Hi

I left the link out of that last post !:angry:

The Madisound Speaker Store (http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/approx-2-fullrange/peerless-tc7fd00-04-2.5-full-range-4-ohm/)

Steve

[UK_P38]

I had the same problem and fitted 2 Jaycar 6.5" Coax split Kevlar speakers ($90 - pair), sound great! Probably don't even need the Kevlar but you know how it is when you start researching something....

[wayneg]

I swapped mine out with some 4" ( I Think) kicker speakers on special in super cheap. As the originals were torn and useless this was a great improvement. Long time ago so cant remember what I did but I used the original grills so all looks stock. I have an aftermarket head unit and a separate amp. Did away with the door units, just used the original wiring.

[Hoges]

I had the same problem and fitted 2 Jaycar 6.5" Coax split Kevlar speakers ($90 - pair), sound great! Probably don't even need the Kevlar but you know how it is when you start researching something....

I'm wondering how to manage the hook up. I have door amps which include a cross over from which there are two cable pairs. The Jaycar speakers have one set of terminals which feed into a cross over which is built into the speaker enclosure... did you simply join both outputs from the door amp in parallel to the terminals on the Jaycar speakers?

[UK_P38]

Sorry, these were to replace the 'Sub' speakers, which are classed as 'mid bass' speakers. So only 2 cables for each and let the JayCar cross-over do it's thing. My mistake :)

There is a huge range of 4.5" speakers with separate tweeters. Best bet is the take the speakers into a store, see what they recommend then shop around for the best equivalent.. As for sound, speakers have come a long way in 20 years so I think any replacement you will notice improvement. In store tests will get you something that suits the sound you like.

Jaycar speakers are reviewed as a quality entry level speaker.

[Keithy P38]

I used Polk Audio 6.5" speakers in all doors and as replacements for the subs. The rear doors they went straight in, I had to make timber spacers for the fronts. They fit straight in place of the subs too.

All up only spent $200 from memory.

Cheers
Keithy

[TheTree]

Hi,

Now you have me thinking of a speaker upgrade :angel:

Steve

[Hoges]

Was able to source new foam surrounds from All you need to repair your speakers, foam surrounds, rubber surrounds, diaphragms etc. (http://www.speakerrepairshop.com/index.php?action=home&lang=EN) . Expect them to arrive in a couple of weeks... which won't be in time for upcoming long trip this Christmas to visit rels. So to get it fixed so to speak, I bought two of these: Buy Speaker Drivers Visaton Speaker Driver FRS 7 4 OHM, 8W, 4©, 15W Visaton FRS 7 4 OHM online from RS for next day delivery. (http://australia.rs-online.com/web/p/t/3643341/?cm_mmc=AU-PPC-0411-_-google-_-3_Suppliers_U-Z_MPNs_Jun2013-_-frs+7+4+ohm_Phrase) for $60 delivered to the door.

Obviously the attachment holes etc were different, so using the original speakers as a template, I got the trusty Dremel and cut two faceplates from sheet metal (cabinet of a long dead Sony VCR... never throw stuff away...you'll never know.... :angel:) and simply attached the new speaker to the faceplace with double sided tape, soldered on some speaker wire etc and put them in place. Took about 2 hrs all up incl. cup of coffee!

The Visaton FRS 7 has a frequency response from 200 Hz-20kHz. To test them, I tuned in to classical music FM, the cross-over units attached to the door amplifiers did their thing very well and I was pleasantly surprised at how well the FRS 7s performed. They are an excellent fit with the existing H-K 6.5" base speakers. They are clear in the treble and mid-range and do an excellent the job for the price. I'll repair the originals and ultimately put them back, and then use the Visaton pair for the camper trailer...

While hunting in a couple of car sound workshops I was gobsmacked at the $$$$ being spent on sound systems for otherwise "shopping trolleys". For example: There was a non-descript Peugeot sedan which had been stripped out and sound deadened to remove ALL engine and road noise (incl special sound proof glass for all windows!) Then there came the 'sound stage' design ...I got lost when the bloke started talking about surround sound image... Over 20 speakers, metres of 2 and 4 gauge cable, liquid cooled amplifiers (2)... not a lot of change out of $20k ...apparently.. I suspect he thought "Range Rover...$$$$"

I thanked him for his time and went in search of my $60 package ...besides I need to listen to my engine!:D

[davidsonsm]

Great result. And the pug will only ever play drum and bass or some such crap rap. Probably shake it to bits. The occupants will be deaf. I know I'm sounding old.

[TheTree]

Hoges

Great stuff mate ;-)

As someone who has worked in some of the best recording studios around, (many moons ago now) the "sound stage" in these cars is complete and utter crap :twisted:

Steve

[peter51]

To update this thread - there are 2 alternatives if you cannot get a good second hand set. Apparently they are no longer available as a new part in Australia.
1. The surrounds/ suspension can be purchased at speakerbits in melbourne - the part number is 0251 and they are about $15 each.
2. You can buy a pair of Kicker brand 3.5 inch coaxial speakers 4 Ohm - part number CSC35 - they fit nicely - albeit very snugly.

I went with option 2 and the resulting sound is better than the original.

Regarding the rear sub woofers - you can repair them by buying the surrounds from speakerfix. It is not a difficult job. One of the owners there has a P38 and knows which surrounds fit. The big issue is that the cones will have sunk down due to the surrounds falling to bits, and so when you get the new surrounds it looks as though they are the wrong size - however if you move the cones to their correct position the new surrounds can be glued in place.

[prelude]

Thanks a bunch mate!

I know that resurrecting old threads is sometimes frowned upon but I would never have scrolled this far back I think... and thus never have found this. Turns out the company you linked to in your 2012 post is still in business and is local for me :) I have had a really hard time finding a speaker that is a plug and play replacement and re-coning (well, the surround) is a fairly cheap and I think bulitproof option that I will be going for. I am considering going for the rubber surround in stead of the foam one since it'll be more sturdy but I am afraid it will influence the performance of the speakers.

Cheers,
-P