I am replacing my head unit and front speakers. I attempted to replace just the head unit however something wasn't right. The wires were proper but I had low static and of course over amplification to the stock amps
How are the factory speakers setup? Amp- crossover- then tweeter woofer or are individual wires run to each. I am trying to figure if I can use the stock wires that run to the speakers and connect them to my new Sony head unit
Or should new wire be run as best measure ?
From memory the wires run from the head unit/amp to the main speaker then to the tweeter. The main speaker has a very rudimentary crossover built into it.
IMO the stock speakers like in many cars are woeful, you really don't have to spend a lot to make it sound much better. £50 will get you a set of half decent component speakers and a roll of flashing tape to deaden the doors. If you want to go the whole hog then amp up the speakers too.
I used the original wires from the head unit to the new crossover. I think it sounds ok. I'm running the speakers off the head units amp and not their own and I'm sure you may get a better sound quality with new cabling throughout but with the roof down are you really going to notice it?
Have a look at the sticky at the top of the section for details s:) :) s:)
I'm presuming, based on the fact you have mentioned stock amps, that you're referring to the Mk2 MR2. We're a forum based around the Mk3 Roadster version I'm afraid. MR2OC or TOC would be a better bet.
I'd say though that it depends what level you're going for. Me personally, I'd replace the lot with my own stuff and use uprated cabling. I love having my music on full blast in my car a lot though so that's my preference. If you're wanting to retain the stock speakers etc then check out the two forums above.
Just for clarification, the Mk3 headunit sends its signal into the doors and to a resistor (very crude crossover), and from there to the speaker and tweeters.
Quote from: "AmeR"Just for clarification, the Mk3 headunit sends its signal into the doors and to a resistor (very crude crossover), and from there to the speaker and tweeters.
Correction: the mk3 send the signal to the door main speaker (no inline resistor) then the wiring tees off to the tweeter. The tweeter has an inline capacitor on the +ve feed that acts as a crap/basic crossover fitlering out the low frequencies.
Same difference. No correction
seeing as how a resistor and capacitor are totally different things
same difference it isn't :-) :-) :-)
Quote from: "markiii"seeing as how a resistor and capacitor are totally different things
same difference it isn't :-) :-) :-)
Very true, In lamens terms...
A resistor reduces the current in a circuit. So it would just make your speaker queiter. A capacitor stores charge and when full it stops current flow. Like pushing down on a trampoline, It'll go so far down but when you reach its limit you stop. Then stop pushing down it launches you back up (charge released) Now in audio we have an alternating current signal like someone jumping up and down on that trampoline. So the capicitor on the tweeter is a small one so little pushes and pulls (hi frequency/or a small person) can pass through as they never make the capacitor/trampoline hit its limit. A bass frequency (big push) can't pass through as it does hit the limit. A bit like a big fat bloke jumping on the trampoline and it hitting the ground s:mrgreen: :mrgreen: s:mrgreen:
Anyone tried these Pioneer speakers (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_891567_langId_-1_categoryId_265870#tab1), not much more than the Edge ones (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_723485_langId_-1_categoryId_265870#tab2) (which are the others I'm looking at), my mate's looking at buying a stereo so thought I can get him to use the 20% off speaker off to make them similar price to Amazon.
I'll just be running them off my Sony MEX-BT3900U head unit, no external amp (my doors are sound deadened). I'm also looking at hopefully re-using the stock wiring (soldering on) and gutting the spare speakers I have to use for brackets.
Not sure which ones to go for or whether there'll be much difference, the Pioneer's are online only.
Would I be right in thinking the pioneer's don't come with a crossover, just a non adjustable high pass filter?
Had a quick look at the manual on their web site and it had no mention of one?
I think the edge ones do which you can probably adjust the level on it for the tweeter position.
A quick look on the bay and you can get them for £36 delivered?
For me that would put the edge speakers ahead. I think stargazer fitted a set of the edge ones and was pretty pleased with them.
I've got Focal165a1's but their double the price, I run them off my JVC head unit and I'm happy with it. I would try that first and if you don't like it, buy an amp?
Cheers for the reply, I can't say I know much about speakers so without the crossover (I thought it was just a capacitor on them from previous reading, so like a fake one?) I best go for the Edge's.
With the 20% discount I can get the Edge speakers for £36 from Halfrauds this evening and the Pioneers are £38 from Amazon so not much difference anyway. I knew stargazer was using the Edge's which's where I first saw them, I also bought some old stock speakers to gut off eBay and the box they sent them in was the Edge box (may have been someone on here) so looks like they might be popular.
The RMS on the Edge ones is a lot higher too 80w vs 45w so they look to be better ignoring the max output. I'll go for those, thanks.
Both the Edge 306 and these Pioneers run with a simple inline capacitor crossover. At that price range you won't get a decent separate crossover. I looked over the specs on the pionner and to be honest I don't really believe them they seem exagerated which is common on the cheaper makes.
Maximum output power 280 Watt
Nominal output power 45 Watt
45w RMS is a bit low but not bad, doesn't fit with 280w peak though?
Frequency response 26 - 38,000 Hz
Sensitivity 89 dB
Yeah right, a 6cm speaker dropping as low as 26hz and at 89dB sensitivity?
I don't think they will be much worse or better than the edge 306s but since I've fitted the 306s I know they fit okay. The pioneers the pic makes the tweeters look very big so maybe a concern.
If you could afford it I'd stretch to a set of Focal A165s you can get them new for £96 on the bay and they are very good, name brand speakers with real crossovers.
Quote from: "stargazer30"If you could afford it I'd stretch to a set of Focal A165s you can get them new for £96 on the bay and they are very good, name brand speakers with real crossovers.
I have just installed Focal 165 A1 and they sound fantastic, just like a pair of expensive headphones. I got them from Road Radio http://www.roadradio.com/Focal/165-A1/ @ just under £90. They are a local dealer (local to me) the nice thing being that you can go into the shop to see things and get advice. Turning the head unit up to close to full volume with anything bass heavy does cause distortion but that is because the amp in the head unit is underpowered - next HiFi mod is a good quality 2ch amplifier.
I can give you some installation ideas/tips if you chose these - it was not difficult but did require a bit of hacking and re-use of the old woofer plastic surround.