Thread: P38 mid-range speaker replacement...HELP?

Was able to source new foam surrounds from All you need to repair your speakers, foam surrounds, rubber surrounds, diaphragms etc. . 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. 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.... ) 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!

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.

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

Steve

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.