Audio set up

[lowd239]

I realized my stock tape deck wasnt cutting it anymore so i splurged and bought a CQ-C7413U pioneer deck.

Well it arrived today and Im about to put it in before I realize I might as well bite the bullet and buy new speakers before I waste my time rewiring all the stock speakers and have it sound terrible.

So now im at best buy and to be honest with you the sales clerk wasnt all that helpful, but it looked like the best speakers they had were alpine sps-17c2 for $104 dollars a pair. On ebay they are going for about 60 shipped.

should I look for better speakers online if im going to spend $100 a pair? I dont mind doing a little dremel work but will 6.5's be hard to fit? One last question, should i use the stock tweeters or use a pair of 400w cheap no names tweeters that came with the head unit?

thanks, Jeff

[DSchultz325e]

With the larger speakers it's not so much the hole cutout, but that's one issue, it's more the issue of the clearance you get from the grills protruding and blocking the hood release and the glovebox. The larger speakers will usually have a larger motor (magnet) and not allow fitment inside the stock pod unless you build a little baffle for them to fit on.

It doesn't really matter what the hell speaker you put in the stock pod, because the pods are pretty shitty and disallow any midbass to be produced whatsoever. The small space gives a shitty response, and is halfway airtight, leaving you with the same effect you'd get from 4" speakers in for the most part: only midrange. You can build a baffle to help somewhat, but most aftermarket speakers like more of an infinite baffle setup, or at least a large cabinet area like you'd get from a standard hollow door.

I'd put them in the door where the map pockets are, but that's just my take on the situation. I've never actually heard a setup in an E30 that produced good results in the stock pods without some major bass boosting, which is what I have to do in my case. I'm sure there might be, but it just seems like it's way too much work.

I would look for better speakers online, and not use the "400w" garbage tweeters. I'd wager they sound like shit and if you really did give them an actual 400 watts you'd be smelling burnt voice coils instantly.

[StereoInstaller1]

David is right about that crap at Shircut Shitty or wherever.

Rock the stock shit, but build your own crossovers...you will be shocked how good 20 year old "Premium" speakers sound.

Luke