Car Speaker Upgrade
From "Car Care & Repair"
episode CCR-104 -- More Projects »
In the reproduction of sound it's widely held that the transducers -- the loudspeakers in this context -- are the most critical component and the ones carrying the greatest burden in terms of accuracy and clarity. The same can be said for the recording of sound, in which the most critical element is another type of transducer: the microphone. Given this information, it would make little sense to upgrade the electronics of your sound system and ignore the element that actually produces the sound itself -- the speaker system. There are numerous brands, sizes and types of speakers available in car audio, and the best method for selection is to listen to a wide range of them and find the ones that best suit your ears with the type of music you enjoy. Name-brand speakers generally use technologically advanced materials in the construction of their cones, stronger magnets and dedicated high-frequency drivers -- things that can add up to quite an audible difference. Upgrading from the mediocre speakers that are standard on most vehicles to some of higher quality is likely to give very satisfying results. When selecting speakers, be certain that you are aware of their power requirements. Your speakers must have a power rating that is properly matched with the receiver or amplifier with which you'll be pairing them. Most speakers list a recommended power range (in watts) to use as a guideline. If your current amplifier is not powerful enough to run the speakers you've selected, you may need to consider buying smaller or more efficient ones or moving up to a more powerful amp. In this demonstration we replace factory-installed speakers, constructed with inexpensive paper cones, with after-market speakers made with more durable and better-sounding rubber cones (figure A). In order to keep the installation simple, our replacements were of identical size to the factory originals so that they fit in the existing mounting holes. The front speakers mount beneath the grill in the lower door panel (figure B). Installing them requires removing the interior door panels. Materials for installation: Speaker and installation hardware
Panel tool
Pry tool
Cordless drill and screwdriver attachment
Screwdrivers, flat and Phillips Important: As with any project involving electronic work on an automobile, before you begin this installation disconnect the vehicle's negative battery cable to avoid electrical shock or equipment damage. - Use a panel tool to remove the electronic console from the driver-side door ( figure C). (In lieu of a panel tool you can use a flat screwdriver, but use extreme caution not to gouge or damage the panel. They are expensive to replace.) Disconnect the wiring from the rear of the console.
- Remove the necessary screws and the entire door panel, being careful not to scuff or scratch it.
- With the door panel removed, use a screwdriver to remove the old grille and speaker (figure D). These are generally held on with four screws. Remove the bottom screws first so the speaker doesn't fall forward. Retain the old screws since you may need them for installing the new speaker.
- Disconnect the speaker wires from the back of the speaker. In this case, it's a snap-on connection (figure E).
- Connect the speaker wires to the rear of the new speaker (figure F), making certain that you don't confuse the positive and negative leads. In this case, the speaker comes with a snap-on adapter that connects to the existing wiring on one end; it has connectors on the other end that prevent the positive and negative cables from being hooked to the wrong posts.
- Install the new speaker in the existing mounting hole (figure G).
- Reattach the door panel and electronic console (figure H).
- Reconnect the vehicle battery cable and test the speaker.
- Repeat the steps to install a speaker in the other door.
If you are mounting rear speakers, the process will be essentially the same in most cases: - Remove the factory grill and speaker; disconnect the old speaker and plug in the new one. Reverse the procedure to mount the new speaker. In some cases you may need to remove the rear deck or the rear seat. In our case, installation required removing some plastic pins with a pry tool (figure I) in order to pull back the rear interior panel to access the mounting location (figure J).
Important: Follow the wiring and installation instructions that come with your speakers exactly. There is likely to be some variation between installations, depending on the speakers that you are installing and your individual vehicle.
RESOURCES :
Crutchfield Car Audio
Crutchfield is not only a catalog retailer specializing in a wide array of popular audio equipment, they excel at providing information and resources for audio-system installation by car owners. Their Crutchfield Guide: Car Stereo Installation offers valuable information on installation of components in most vehicles. Their free catalog offers advice on selecting the best type of system for your tastes and the most suitable equipment for your vehicle.
Crutchfield Corporation
Website: www.crutchfield.com
Vehicles provided by McNelly-Whaley Ford Lincoln Mercury
750 Dolly Parton Parkway
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: 865-453-2833
Web site: www.ford4u.com
How to Design and Install High Performance Car Stereo: A Beginners Guide
Author: Joe Pettitt
Publisher: Car Tech, Inc. (1996)
ISBN: 1884089178
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Auto Audio
Model: 0071346899
Author: Andrew Yoder
Publisher: Tab Books
Order this title from Amazon.com.
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