So...I'm happy, and I wanted to post. Even though it's not quite done yet, I have successfully attained happiness with the stereo in this car. And it'll only get better from here, so...while I hate bragging...I had to post in jubilation.

So far, the stock mid-bass speakers in the doors have been replaced by DLS 8" Iridium mid-bass speakers. They are driven by a Zapco Reference 750.2 amp.

The stock tweets, right now, are still powered by the Bose amp...but that'll change once the kicks are done being textured, painted, and clear coated. Then I'll get pics. This install should satiate me for a couple months while I decide what to do for processing and sub set-up and build my wallet back up again.

I'm hoping that Wednesday the other 2/3 of the Iridium 3 way component set will be installed in the kicks. Boy, was that a fun project. Pull the factory kicks and glass them for both reinforcement and to shape them for the 3" mid and 1" tweet. Then, since I didn't want to lose any dead pedal, we had to cut a chunk into the wheel well down by the kick to allow us to sink the mid for a nice flush mount. I think the guys at the shop hate me...they probably broke over 6 blades trying to get through the metal.

Anyway, all I can say is...wow; and I'm sure it'll just be better Wednesday. Level 25 on the volume **** is actually usable now without low-end distortion. Further, while the highs are still harsh, the powerful mids-bass really helps tame them. I really can't wait to see what will happens once the factory tweets and Bose amp are gone all together!

 

So, the door speakers are 8"? Cool. I thought they were 9? How much time/effort does it take to replace just those speakers?

 

We built an MDF ring to fit them...the stock cone is not really 9", but the outside of the speaker ring probably is about that.

Anyway, we did this:

1) Remove door panels...not too hard

2) Build MDF ring to fit new speaker mounts:
2a) Trace stock speaker onto MDF board
2b) cut out template
2c) mark hole locations
2d) pilot holes

3) Install ring onto factory location

4) Install new speaker onto ring

not too bad...it was about 2 hours of work and we were putzing around a bit.

 

Doors are 9" for the bose set up. You can't change them without replacing the amp because they run at .5 ohms.

 

Untrue.

I measured the factory speaker at 1ohm and ran the 4 ohm DLS midbass off the Bose amp for about two weeks before the new amp was installed. They were actually a more efficient woofer too, so I really didn't lose too much volume in the process.

 

There are no stock tweets. They are MID-RANGE speakers (mounted high up on the doors).

Glad you're happy with your changes, though. Get a sub in there now!

 

Well, I'll have real tweets and a midrange in a couple days :D.

As for the sub, to be honest, these two DLS 8" speakers sound like subs! They don't have overwhellming bass, but they sure can excert like crazy. Once I do get a sub they'll probably still play from about 35 or 45hz up to their crossover point without issue! I'm really amazed at their output so far!

 

Interesting, what was the efficiency of the replacement speakers?

 

Would using higher-ohm speakers harm anything? Or just lose a bit of volume? Could this be at least partially overcome with higher-sensitivity speakers?

 

i thought teh speakers had to be compatible (ohm wise)..with the power supply in theis case teh stock head unit...if you change the speakers ohm (at which it opperates at)..won't this cause problems?

btu i'm a sterio noob..someone post up who knows the truth :D

 

To answer:

Rotary Rasp: The efficiency of the DLS 8" speakers is 90.4 db 1w/1m

vectorwolf & army_rx8: Higher resistance (ohm) speakers wouldn't hurt anything. Lower, however, could due to a higher demand on the amp's power supply. You will lose volume by installing higher resistance speakers, but yes, if the efficiency of the speaker is higher then you can compensate to a point.

Let's put it like this, by doubling the resistance you'll *about* half your power. I say about because it depends on the amp and how its biased.

Now, if you could manage to get a 3 db 1w/1m more sensitive speaker then you'd *about* double the level because every 3 db is a theoretical doubling of power.

Therefore, a speaker that's doube the resistance but is 3 db 1w/1m more sensitive would "theoretically" lose no SPL.

 

So...I finally got the kicks installed. They look very nice, IMO. The paint match is great, I took the passenger side pic with the flash to expose any bad match and the difference between the black on the kick and black on the side panel is minimal to me.

The driver's side kick is also pretty well integrated so I don't lose much of the dead pedal, which was absolutely required. My feet aren't too big (8.5 size shoe) so they fit there nicely still.

As for the sound, its pretty sweet. Still needs some tuning work, but the drivers need to break in and then I'll start decided on what processing equipment to buy once my bank roll is back in line. Definately improves greatly on the Bose sound!

 

One more, here's the trunk for now. Its not extravagant at all, in fact its not even finished. It'll get prettied up and better integrated into the car once I decide what to do with the sub box. It could also use to be vacuumed lol.

 

Nice kickpanels & still with room to spare! Once you get the subs in, it'll be a sweet system.

 

Thanks...the shop owner hated me during their install...cutting the wheel well out to fit the 3" mid was a PITA!

It sounds pretty great now but the mids are punchy and the highs are a bit muddled, it needs some tuning so...the next upgrades will probably be:

Tuning and full active control via EQ, X-over, and a 4 channel (50x4) amp for the mids and highs. So, it'll likely be 2 1/3rd octave EQs (indepedant L/R) and a 4 way X-over.

This should complete my front stage and give me a bit more power. Then I'll integrate the sub based on how it sounds then.

Right now I can tell you the 8" in the doors can make some crazy bass. They're crossed at 45 hz and they rumble the doors pretty well even with 2 to 3 sheets of sound deadening in each of them.