Speaker/deck installation. Options

[RickJamesBish]

I know there's been several threads about this, as well as stickies, but I would just like some opinions on this. My birthday is coming up and in light of that, I'm buying myself/asking for money towards a deck and probably speaker replacements for the front.

I've found some at Best Buy (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?sk...d=1199494647257) (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?sk...d=1198888991061).

So from the reading I've done, 6.5" speakers fit in the front? And also, are these hard to install for a guy that isn't all that handy? I could spend the money to get it installed, but I wouldn't want somebody scratching/messing up the interior in any way. I could do it myself potentially, but likewise I don't want to mess anything up, either the install or my car itself.

Also, only the left front is blown and the other three are fine. If I do replace the fronts, it wouldn't necessarily matter that the back ones aren't as good right?

So what's the best route to go? Thanks for the input guys.

This post has been edited by RickJamesBish: Aug 22, 2008 - 7:24 PM

[zero07]

Save all that money and do a manual swap on your car.

[RickJamesBish]

A manual swap = ~$300?

[zero07]

Save more.

[RickJamesBish]

Hahaha.

No, I think I'd rather do this.

[goferris]

I have found that the best place to buy speakers and such is ebay
for example
save almost $20 on your speakers.
That's just an example. I'm considering new subs that I can get for almost half price on ebay. It's a wonderful thing.

[spolski07]

Save all that money and do a manual swap on your car.

x2 automatics suck

edit:
working at best buy i can tell you both the deck and speakers you posted are bottom of the line products, good luck with the user interface on the pioneer


This post has been edited by spolski07: Aug 23, 2008 - 2:10 AM

[goferris]

Save all that money and do a manual swap on your car.

x2 automatics suck

edit:
working at best buy i can tell you both the deck and speakers you posted are bottom of the line products, good luck with the user interface on the pioneer

I have to agree with this
I would definitely save up and get better equipment.
I would also rather do a manual swap cuz the auto tranny sucks manual is so much better . You could just buy my car then you would get the best of both worlds. Type R speakers and a manual tranny.

[RickJamesBish]

I have to agree with this
I would definitely save up and get better equipment.
I would also rather do a manual swap cuz the auto tranny sucks manual is so much better . You could just buy my car then you would get the best of both worlds. Type R speakers and a manual tranny.

Of course I'd rather have a stick, but IDK how long I'm keeping this car, maybe only for another 9 months since there might be a replacement at graduation.

Also, I don't have a budget for top-of-the-line equipment, and especially not your car. Although it does look sick, and sort of what I'd want to have...

But honestly, what I'd be getting would be better than a stock blown speaker, but if there's a better bang for the buck out there for not much more money, could someone refer me?

[spolski07]

alpine type s speakers and an alpine deck on some kind


This post has been edited by spolski07: Aug 23, 2008 - 10:56 AM

[RickJamesBish]

Those Alpines were just recommended to me, they sound pretty attractive for the price.

I'm pretty sure I'm set on a Pioneer deck already.

[njccmd2002]

my alpine is woonderful. i need speakers, will get elpine

[RickJamesBish]

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Ges8VwI3SpP/A...p;s=0&cc=01
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Ges8VwI3SpP/A...p;s=0&cc=01

Look's like it's gonna be these.

[RickJamesBish]

Purchased for $158!!!

[spolski07]

nice base line deck
hope you never wanta do 4channel amp and a monoblock

the alpine decks IMO are much easier to use without having to look at them
and the sub/bass/treble/balance/fade controls are leaps and bounds easier to use
but to each his own

did you get the rim spacers? or are you going to cut the factory brackets off the old speakers and use those?

[RickJamesBish]

nice base line deck
hope you never wanta do 4channel amp and a monoblock

the alpine decks IMO are much easier to use without having to look at them
and the sub/bass/treble/balance/fade controls are leaps and bounds easier to use
but to each his own

did you get the rim spacers? or are you going to cut the factory brackets off the old speakers and use those?

Yeah, I think I'll be pretty satisfied with the deck.

I didn't get any spacers, the 6.5's drop in without much modification right?

And for anyone else reading this thread, I might drop in a sub...either a 10" or 12." Could it work without an amp?

[DEATH]

here's my how-to:
http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=57246
Seeing as you say your not that handy I'd say it's not much work and you should be able to pull it off easily. Just take your time and be careful with the cones while your screwing them in - I've seen alot of first timers stick a screwdriver through brand new cones [Put your hand in the way - it'll heal the speaker won't]
Good luck man.

[RickJamesBish]

I'll definitely try to be careful.

So who knows about the sub question?

[RickJamesBish]

[spolski07]

the front speakers will need a bracket to fit

you will need an amp to run the sub


This post has been edited by spolski07: Aug 31, 2008 - 1:32 AM

[RickJamesBish]

I have the brackets that came with them, but I know there's other modification necessary.

And I know about the amp, whoever told me I didn't have to doesn't know too much, apparently...then again, I didn't know whether or not I needed one either.

[LastOfTheSTs]

Hey, i've just done my front and rear speakers too - it's a pretty easy job just set aside a few hours to do it.

For the fronts I bought these some adapters from ebay to save having to modify the existing / make custom brackets to fit them:

Celica 94-99 Front Speaker Adapters The guy doesn't always list them but if you mail him he'll put them up for you.

Enjoy your new sysetm!

[RickJamesBish]

Thanks man! I just put in the head unit, and it already sounds great...with replaced front speakers, finally non-blown ones, it's gonna sound mad narsty.

About the adapters, I'm gonna try to fit them without...if not, I'll order those. Thanks for the heads-up.

This post has been edited by RickJamesBish: Aug 31, 2008 - 1:50 PM

[RickJamesBish]

Never mind on the adapters. The harness didn't even fit, so I'm returning these for ones that are made to fit the front.

[RickJamesBish]

This post has been edited by RickJamesBish: Aug 31, 2008 - 5:45 PM

[LastOfTheSTs]

Hey Bud - what harness didn't fit- how are you trying to wire this all up?

[RickJamesBish]

I ordered from crutchfield.com knowing that they wouldn't fit in the front, so the harness they sent me (only option was to select rear fitment) was for the rear, not the front. The only wiring I needed was from the speaker to the connections in the door, so I could've spliced the wires and connected them that way, but I was also told that they wouldn't line up right with the grill, therefore I just decided to return them.

These are gonna replace them.
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Ite...nwood&tp=94

This post has been edited by RickJamesBish: Sep 1, 2008 - 7:42 PM

[Por2geezcelica]

did you need to buy a car specific harness to install the headunit? If so, do you have a link to what it looks like?

[LastOfTheSTs]

Hey, I guess i'm not too clear on what you are referring to as a harness, me being dumb and I couldn't access the link.

The stock door mounts are for 8" speakers, i've seen a number of posts where people have talked about fitting an 8" sub in here so I guess there would be no reason why you wouldn't be able to fit an 8" 2/3 way speaker but one of the more experience guys would be able to give you some advice there.

My 6.5" worked fine and sits perfectly behind the stock door grilles:



Though I do need to properly mount that crossover unit.



This post has been edited by LastOfTheSTs: Sep 2, 2008 - 1:28 PM

[RickJamesBish]

I'm not talking about the harness for the head unit, I'm talking about the harness for the speakers. The head unit installed just fine.

What I meant was that the only option was to order the speakers to fit in the rear, since there was no other option, hence, for that speaker they don't make a harness that fits the front, so I couldn't make the connection between the speaker and the existing wires in the door. Like I said, I could've spliced the wires and connected them that way, but I would've also had fitment issues.

The speakers wer 6 1/2", not 8 1/2." I guess I needed 6 3/4."

[LastOfTheSTs]

Ahh, i see what you mean now - I didn't have that problem as I'm using a cross over and had to cut the white connector off and attached the wires directly to the unit. If i wasn't though I would have still done the same thing but used a small terminal block instead of the cross over.

Personally I wouldn't worry about the harness / connector but I suppose it does make it all nice and factory fit style.

In regards to speaker size the only unit you are going to get to fit directly in is a 8"/20cm - these should just screw straight in with no problems. With the 6 1/2" you are either going to have to modify the existing adapter the stock speakers are mounted in, buy a ready made adapter or make your own from a sheet of MDF.

[RickJamesBish]

Okay guy, I was stupid enough not to listen and now I'm paying for being an idiot. Once again, they don't fit (I realize you told me) and I'm ordering the adapters you recommended now. Now I just have to decide whether I wanna keep the Alpine's or the Kenwoods.

[LastOfTheSTs]

I don't know much about Kenwood to be honest but from brand strength I would say Alpine all the way. Previous comments on this thread also recommend them but I doubt there is really too much in it and either will be a massive improvement on the stock's. When you fit the adapters remember to use the silicon sealant to prevent rattling! Good Luck!

[RickJamesBish]

Yeah, I'm gonna keep the Alpines...I figured they were the better deal.

Just regular old silicone sealant? Okay. You're talking about in between the adapter and the old speaker housing?

[LastOfTheSTs]

Good choice.

I just got some regular silicon sealant from the local B&Q - I used it between the speaker and adapter but you could use it where ever 2 parts join!

Probably won't matter too much unless you are amping the speakers but if your going to do a job best to do it right!

[RickJamesBish]

That is true...I'll probably just throw them in first, if I find that they rattle I'll seal them and also buy some baffles.

[RickJamesBish]

So, there was a problem at Crutchfield and they sent me the wrong order, so I only have the fronts for now. Waiting on the rears for a couple days max.

I put them in yesterday with those adapters and they fit beautifully, except for the tiny bit of rattle...I'll redo with silicone in a couple days. The sound is so much better though, my stock speakers in the back just sound like rattling cans in comparison.

[LastOfTheSTs]

Yeah - i was amazed on the difference new speakers made. I went for component speakers upfront which upgraded my 4-speaker setup to 6. The clarity is awesome.

[RickJamesBish]

So, I put in the rears today. It was a bitch to take the panel off and to get any access to the bolts and screws. But, they're in and that's all that matters in the end. As far as I know, they don't rattle, however the fronts rattle massively. After I seal the speakers to the adapters, I'm sure there will be more...just the age of the car I guess, not to mention all the screws and whatever else that are loose in there.