Premium sound?

[E30nate]

so i picked up some tweeter pods the other day, and when i pulled off the little mirror cover things, i found that my car was pre wired for the tweeters. my question is, should i just be able to plug in the tweeters and have them work, or is ther something else i need to do?

[StereoInstaller1]

Nate, the tweeters are prewired in every single E30 I have ever seen...trust me, that would be lots of them, but some could be different.

However, the wires are not connected to anything behind the speakers.

[E30nate]

so could i hook the tweeters straight into the stereo, or should i pick up the stock amp thingy? or another type of amp?

[Jean]

Nate, the tweeters are prewired in every single E30 I have ever seen...trust me, that would be lots of them, but some could be different.

However, the wires are not connected to anything behind the speakers.

Wish my 318i was pre-wired, but it isn't. my 89 25 is though

[StereoInstaller1]

Wish my 318i was pre-wired, but it isn't. my 89 25 is though

See? I don't allow early 4 bangers in my shop.

Just kidding, Jean.

OP, you need to use crossovers with those tweeters. The stock PS speakers have them built into the front speakers, but nearly all aftermarket component speakers come with them.

Find a set of used crossovers. Your demands are low enough that damn near any of them will work.

I recommend walking into the installation bays of the local car stereo shop with $20 in your pocket, in 5 dollar increments.

Walk up to the oldest installer you see and ask if he might have some passive crossovers for sale...see what you get.

Like I said, most any will do. Look for big yellow tubular things (Mylar capacitors) on the circuit board, and light bulbs are best for tweeter protection, so if you see them, that is generally a good sign.

GL!
Luke

[E30nate]

so what if i still have the stock speakers in the front? would i need the crossovers still, or could i jsut connect to the front speakers? i probably will just find a decent set of component tweeters or a set of used crossovers.

[Jean]

You can't just connect the tweeters to the front speaker if the speaker doesn't have a crossover (really all it is a simple inline non-polar( sometimes not even that) or bp capacitor that will block the bass from the tweeters.

So, swap the front speakers to premium ones with the crossover on them and connect the tweeter wires to it OR b) wire a passive crossover like Luke suggested inline before the tweeter.

[E30nate]

i see now. i thought that he was saying all the stock speakers had the crossovers in them, but only the premium sound ones do. i guess i will have to get some crossovers from somewhere.

[StereoInstaller1]

i guess i will have to get some crossovers from somewhere.

I might have a set or three sitting around somewhere.

I will be back in my shop next week, can see if I can find something.

If you want some really fine speakers I do have 3 sets of the Exile components left, and at $120/set, they are an absolute bargain.

Luke

[E30nate]

it would be a bargain if i had $120. i think my brother might have some components laying around that i could use. thanks though. if anything changes i will definately let you know. thanks for all the help.

[Jean]

Or ask someone with a set of oem premium speakers to take a picture of the capacitor on it, and I am sure i'll have something of the exact value or close that you can pick up from me free and wire in series with your tweeter to act as a first order high pass filter for your tweeters.

[E30nate]

that would work. i could go to pick n pull and get some premium speakers too. i know theres a few sets at a yard in antelope.

[StereoInstaller1]

Jean, if you are gonna be helping, you guys are in a large enough city to find caps and coils locally, if not use someone like www.partsexpress.com.

Do a 12db/oct high pass using mylar caps, just 2 caps and 2 coils total, might cost $8. Screw any kind of protection, keep it simple, it sounds best.

The audio snobs call this a "2nd Order Linkwitz-Riley"

5Khz should be good, if you can't find the right parts don't go lower.

Personally, I would hit up an installer and buy a pair of these:

[Jean]

Partsexpress, Digikey and Mouser catalogs are on my shelf ;)

[StereoInstaller1]

Partsexpress, Digikey and Mouser catalogs are on my shelf ;)

OK, so now go to http://www.carstereo.com/help/Articles.cfm?id=14 and input your values.

Run the midrange fullrange, you will have a bigger vocal presence. Cut it at 4.5Khz @12db/oct if you want a smoother mid and are OK losing a bit of SPL.

I left them fullrange on the wifes car, but she has a decent amp and sub.

Just a simple 6db/oct will need to be at about 9Khz or the tweeter will handle no power, so 12db/oct is the best compromise IMO.

Tear it up, man!