Thread: '95 D1 aftermarket door speaker replacement

Originally Posted by streaky

I can also vouch for the JL Audio speakers. I replaced the SONY front speakers with a set and was just amazed at the difference. They are only a 30 watt 2way speaker but can handle more power than most people throw at them.

In my current configuration I have JL's in the front doors. Infinity's in the rear pillars, a 10" sub tube in the rear side panel where the dicky seats used to be.
The other side houses the three Denon Pro Amps.
1 x 125watt mono amp.
Two amps of 2 x 160 watt per channel for back and front.

None of this encroaches into the rear load area either.

You gotta love Ipods! I use the i-Touch with a 500GB hard drive for iTunes.

I'd love to see some photos of this setup!

Hi guys.

I used to run a car audio outfit that did all the work for BMW & Rover in CHristchurch round 1999-2000, so thought I'd offer 2cents here.

If your going to simply replace your factory speakers and maintain a factory headunit, then top of the line speakers are not going to help much. Most high speakers are designed to handle much high power as opposed to factory units. This is done by increasing the voice coil size, and magnet size. The flip side of this is if you are only using a factory head unit there is often not enough power to drive these, essentially not enough power to over come the resistance of the magnet. The end result is while the head is trying like mad , the cone does not move enough to generate the intended frequencies, (particularly bass). The natural reaction is to turn the volume up, but this just prematurely overworks the head unit.

Often the factory speakers will produce a better sound in these situations because they are a more efficient speaker for the factory headunit and produce the sound more easily.

If your going to up grade the lot then generally more power = better quality sound, particularly at lower volumes. This is when a lack of power will cause the bass will drop out , ie not driving the speaker sufficiently.

General rule match the speaker with the power available, wether it comes from headunit or external amp.

For diso's, natural size for D1 front door is 4", spacers will allow 5-6".
Pioneer, Sony etc DO make good speakers for specific applications. Just remember whats driving them.

Have a listen in the shops or other peoples cars for the sound u want. 6" speakers can lack a little of the mid range sounds, (ie vocals), 5's are better at this, but not so much bass. 4's obviously are at the other end of the scale. The most difficult choice is when u want one speaker to do all these jobs. Best option are components as each speaker has the opportunity to do one job well. The tweeters tend to produce better treble and let the main drivers do their thing, rather than having to try to produce the entire freq range.
The tweeters will also lift the sound out of the foot wells, and give better direction (stereo effect) to the sound. Note If you have no back seat passengers, then tweeter components in the rear may not add much as they are a directional speaker.

IMO the most well balanced setup is a component set of 5" and tweeter. Good treble and midrange. An 8"- 10" sub for bass. 12's have their place, but The bigger the sub, generally the better quality it has to be to produce the wider freq range your going to ask of it as opposed to the 8 or 10" units.

Nick.