[deheld]

Hi,

I have the Audio 5 system in my B180CDI.
The radio is good enough for me, since I mostly use my Ipod carkit.
But the rear speakers are beginning to annoy me, they produce a very weak sound.
So I want to change them for something better, maybe the Harman/Kardon ones from the soundsystem.

Has anyone done this ? What speakers can you recommend ?

Thanks

Dennis (Netherlands)

 

[skoubri]

Hi, my next project is this.. to replace the rear speakers.. I have noticed that they are too small to have good sound even they would be a good model/part/brand... So the first thing is to put bigger diameter which is probably possible by removing the factory plastic base and put the speaker direct, or using a custom one. I think that these speakers are 13cm diameter long instead of front which are 16,5cm and they have much better sound...

I will try all this as soon as i have the time and of course will post many pictures, but if you do this first please let us know and with pictures if possible!

Cheers!

 

[deheld]

Yes, the rear speakers are 13 cm in diameter.

I think that the 13cm is enough for me, I just want different 13 cm ones

But it should be possible to remove the standard speaker, make a bigger opening, maybe fit an MDF panel for extra stiffness and fit a bigger speaker.
I've read that the depth in the door is a problem when fitting speakers...

 

[skoubri]

There are special types with lowest depth that can be fitted but for sure an MDF solution as you said could be better and more economic..
Anyway, one thing is for sure... the original rear speakers suck!! They are very poor quality compared to the front ones... Also another one good project would be a pair of tweeters a little bit higher maybe where the seat belts are coming out as the version with 12 speakers has...

 

[deheld]

I removed the doorpanels today. I used a small crowbar for this (Stanley Wunderbar) and I didn't even broke a clip. I drilled out the speakers only to find out that I need adapter rings or MDF to fit other speakers.
I'm not in the mood to spend hours making MDF rings so I ordered two adapter rings (14 Euro's) to fit other 13 cm speakers.
Story will continue soon...

BTW, the removal of the doorpanel is quite easy, just use a wide bar and short but hard pulls to loosen the clips.

BTW2, the caraudio-shop recommended Focal Speaker but they charge 100 Euro's ($133) for a pair. Blaupunkt/Sony/etc are much cheaper, say 40 Euro's ($55) a pair. Are focal speakers that much better and will I actually notice the difference when they are fitted in the back ?

 

[deheld]

DEVOURS,

So basically I don't need my adapter rings to fit a 13cm (5.11") speaker.
I should be able to fit a 6" (or 15,3 cm) speaker. Without adapter rings.
Could you post a picture of the new speaker attached to the door ? So I can see how you attached the speaker and the spacers.
How did you construct the spacers ?

I think that the standard spacer ring provides some sort of enclosure to use the door itself to amplify the lower sounds.

 

[skoubri]

a BIG THANKS! to both of you for all this info as this is my next project also...
Yes DEVOURS, i thought that my words came true when i saw the photo with the capacitor!!!!! I wondered what on earth they want this capacitor there? , for a single way speaker which will "speak" like a bad mid-range or damaged tweeter?

Anyway as it seems its possible to fit much better speakers there and i will do this on my first chance because in combination with my active subwoofer i believe that i will reach the sound result that i want.

BTW the Audio system power (from my experience on Sony headsystems servicing) seems to be about 4X30 Watts and because original front speakers play much LOUDER than the rear its another proof of the quality of the back speakers!!! I think also that any speaker of the size of 6'' would fit there (no sub but normal 2 or 3 way speaker) because usually these series are in the same wattage zone... Only split type systems could proved insensitive due to low sensitivity of high input power...

I'll also post some photos when i find the time to do this!!

Thanks again!

 

[DEVOURS]

Hi George, I think they put that capacitor there because, with my Audio 20 radio( of 100 or 130 watts), that original crappy speaker would be blown apart when we cranked the sound up. That might be the same speaker that is supplied with the Audio 5 radio, which is somewhat weaker than the Audio 20. Why not just put in a balanced speaker for the radio output. Noooo!!! That would be too easy!!!

 

[kdbcom]

As Tristan5 says 'it's built to a price' & these are your economies

 

[deheld]

As Tristan5 says 'it's built to a price' & these are your economies

True, the guy in the car audio shop told me that the standard rear speakers in the B are sold in bulk for 10$ a pair.
Makes me want to look at the front speakers too...

 

[skoubri]

OK, maybe a little bit late but here is the step-by-step guide for replacing these superb(!) speakers...

** Note that this is copyrighted material so its for illustrating purpose only **

 

[skoubri]

..............I put paper inside the door while drilling so that all rivet pieces are removed and not left to possibly block the drain holes.( I know,I know,I'm too fussy)............

Cheers, DEVOURS

If you read step 5 you will see you were right to remove the rivet pieces!!

Here is also the door lining removal guide...

** Note also..this is a copyrighted material so use it wisely (!) **

 

[DEVOURS]

True, the guy in the car audio shop told me that the standard rear speakers in the B are sold in bulk for 10$ a pair.
Makes me want to look at the front speakers too...

They paid too much!!! And thanks again George, for the great documents to help us do the job safely and properly!

Cheers, DEVOURS:eclipsee_steering:

 

[qlaval]

Thank you GSP1 for these great infos!

 

[deheld]

Project completed.
I removed the old ones and installed two JBL Grand Prix 13 cm speakers.
I used space rings I bought in a car hifi store.
I think the spacer rings were for installing 10 cm or small 13cm speaker, I had to make some adjustments to fit the JBL's.
Sound is much better, the high is actually improved and the bass is deeper.
Pictures will follow.

 

[deheld]

Here are the pictures of the old and the new speakers.
Sound is better, a little bit too deep so I had to adjust the equalizer.
The adapter ring was not big enough so I had to put the screws on the outside.

 

[DEVOURS]

This is a good time to bring this speaker mod back.
We have new people in the forum and they will probably consider this mod thanks to the great pics and descriptions.
This speaker mod is a must if you don't have the super sound system.

 

[A.N.]

I want to change out the rear speakers as well and I want to go out shopping for some new ones. What do you recommend for the base radio (single cd)? I guess that it's the Audio 5? (I don't get the Audio 5, 20 , APS stuff) but I'm not sure? DEVOURS I see you got JBL speakers, are you happy?

Anthony

 

[DEVOURS]

Yes Anthony, I'm very pleased with the Cerwin Vega Hed 6.5" speakers I've installed in the rear.
They're probably too much speaker for the Audio 20 that we have in our B(you have the 20 also which is an Alpine unit).
I moved a lot of the fade to the rear to compensate for the Cerwin Vega's extra load.
We still need a sub to round the sound out and give it the punch it sometimes needs.
Ask your best Auto Audio Tech and see what he recommends when the system only has 100 or 130 watts total.
He'll probably want you to go with at least 200 watts.
Please tell us what you decide to do.
Cheers, DEVOURS

 

[psampa]

I ll try to do the mod also. I bought a pair of 13cm sony xplode speakers and I am thinking of tweaking my star
I read that I ll have to drill the rivets, is this possible with a normal battery charged drill/screwdriver or it requires something more powerful?