Often on new cars the standard audio system is, without beating about the bush, rather poor. Fortunately, the speakers available on the market are not only a relatively affordable way to improve the functionality of your car stereo, but they are also usually quite simple to install (clearly the large number of models available means that some will be more complicated to assemble than others. others). Read the procedure below to learn how to install the new speaker set that will make your car vibrate!
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Preparing to Install the New Implant
How to Choose the New Speaker Set
Step 1. Consider the type of stereo system you will need to install the new speakers on
Some of these audio systems have limited wattage and only two or four channels, so fitting 100-watt speakers or adding eight or more wouldn't make sense. Trying to improve the power of the audio with a large number of speakers can, in fact, decrease their quality, as well as damage the system.
Step 2. Check the dimensions of the speakers already present, to avoid having to make major changes to be able to insert the new ones
Car speakers come in different shapes and sizes, so a well-planned replacement - knowing that the original case was oval (15x22cm) rather than circular (10cm in diameter) - will help you choose the most suitable model.
Step 3. Take quality into consideration
Speakers with composite or fabric cones are generally preferable to those with paper cones, and speakers with permanent ceramic magnets will perform better - at the same power level - than simple electromagnetic speakers.
Step 4. Choose speakers that appeal to you
There are many different styles, finishes and colors within the same price range, so it makes sense to buy a product that is aesthetically beautiful, as well as quality.
Step 5. Look at the technical characteristics of your speakers
Some have linear resistors to prevent discharges and interference, others allow you to connect a configuration of circuits in series to be able to add subwoofers and tweeters where you need them, still others can be connected only in the terminal phase to maintain the correct impedance of the plant.
Step 6. Consider the power requirements of the new speakers, as they will affect the electrical system
High-wattage speakers may not work with stock wiring, and making changes to the cables involves hard work, being inside the car's structure.
Prepare to Install the New Speakers
Step 1. Get everything you need
As mentioned in the introduction, there are thousands of options to choose from. For this reason, any list of instruments risks being incomplete for some types of speakers and excessive for others. What you'll need to assemble your new sound system will probably include most of the tools on the list, but it doesn't have to be limited to these:
- Various types of screwdrivers (flat head, Phillips, etc.)
- Cutters / wire strippers
- Pliers
- Allen keys
- Socket wrenches
- Pocket knife
- Welding machine
- Electric drill
- File
- Torx screwdrivers
- "Panel lever" tool
- Insulating tape
Step 2. Make sure the speakers you have chosen are suitable for the car
Many products reflect the factory speaker measurements, while others require some minor modifications, such as installing a mounting bracket, creating new screw holes, etc. Remember to take this into account when you buy your new system - mounting boxes of different shapes or sizes can be more or less complicated.
Many speaker dealers offer online tools to determine which of their products will suit your car best
Step 3. Prevent damage to the electrical system by disconnecting the car battery
Like any repair on an electrical system, it is important to protect yourself and the electrical system before starting. Disconnecting the negative pole of the battery prevents the risk of electric shock injury and damage to the machine's electrical system due to a short circuit, so be sure to do this before you get your hands on the system.
Step 4. Follow the instructions in the product packaging
Since there are so many different types of speakers available, it is virtually impossible to write a guide that talks about each of them. The instructions given here are very generalized and may not apply to every single speaker set on the market. When necessary, please follow the instructions included in the package, as they are made specifically for the product you have purchased.
Part 2 of 2: Install the New Speakers
Step 1. Remove all panels and bezels
Almost all the speakers inside a machine are covered by some sort of protective panel or bezel. Before the loudspeaker can be modified or replaced, this barrier must be removed. Pry it up with an appropriate tool, such as a flathead screwdriver, removing any screws and bolts holding it in place.
The work you will need to do to get to the stock speakers varies from car to car. In the worst case, for example, you will even have to remove the seats, crawl all the way to the trunk to get to the cables or main bolts, or even remove entire panels inside the door
Step 2. Remove the stock speakers
Remember that a speaker - often but not always - is connected to a bundle of wires, so be careful not to tear them as you remove them. You may also find that you need to unscrew one or more bolts and / or remove the sticky foam or glue that holds the speaker.
If you think you will need to refit the stock speakers in the future (for example, in case you have to sell the car), don't forget to save any screws you remove
Step 3. Connect the new speakers to the machine's electrical system
Usually, this is simply a matter of connecting the wiring harness of the new speakers to the car's wiring system. However, if your car doesn't have this simple connection system, chances are you need to weld.
- Make sure you match the polarities of the car with those of the speakers. Usually, the loudspeaker positive pole is the larger of the two, and is marked with a "+" or a dot.
- Electrical tape can be a risky choice for connecting wires, especially inside the dashboard, as temperature changes can weaken the tape and cause problems over time.
Step 4. Test the audio system
Now that you have connected the system, it is important to check that everything is connected perfectly, avoiding wasting time in the future to solve some problems. Reconnect the negative pole of the battery and turn on the car stereo. Hear the sound quality coming from the new system, and check for noticeable vibrations at high volumes. If no sound comes out of the speakers, there is certainly a problem with the electrical connection.
Step 5. Solder the new implant
Once you are sure that the system is working properly, weld it inside the door or dashboard. If you are lucky, you will not have to make any changes to the spaces already in the car. However, you may need to install a special mounting bracket (usually included with the product), create new holes, and / or use glue to hold the speakers in place. Follow the instructions in the package.
Step 6. Mount and check the operation of any subwoofers
Subwoofers are responsible for the lower frequencies, the "boom" exalted by some car owners. If your car was already equipped with stock subwoofers, installing new ones should be quite simple, just place them in the appropriate spaces and connect the cables. If they weren't included, or you'd like to add more, you'll have to work hard. You will need to expand the mounting holes of the stock subwoofers, if not actually make significant changes to the machine to accommodate new ones.
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Subwoofers often have quite high energy requirements and quite complicated wiring systems. To simplify the connection process, you could purchase and mount an amplifier with a set of cables separately.
Otherwise you could also connect the woofer directly to the battery and car stereo, and ground it manually
Step 7. Install and check tweeters operation
Like subwoofers, tweeters - which emit very high frequencies - can be more or less difficult to assemble, depending on the components already in your car. If the tweeters were standard, it will probably be enough to mount the new ones in the existing housing and connect them to the cables. If, on the other hand, there are no spaces where you can install them, you will have to create them yourself (or expand those already present using a mounting support, etc. if smaller). Fortunately, tweeters are much smaller than woofers, so the changes are minor in comparison.
As for the woofers, if the car did not have any tweeters you will have to connect the new ones directly to the battery and the car stereo and place them on the body of the car
Step 8. Put the panels and bezels back in place
Once all the components of the new system have been installed, tested and securely fitted to your car, you can replace the panels and bezels you removed to install the new speakers. Make sure you've kept each screw so you can easily put everything back in place.
Congratulations - your new sound system is ready to use
Advice
- If you want to change the audio quality of your car, you can do two things. Replace the stock car stereo with one to buy in a shop, in order to have more power. Or, if you want to keep the appearance of the existing car stereo, and perhaps have options such as steering wheel controls, you can connect your speakers to an amplifier.
- Replacing the stock car radio does not always lead to an improvement in sound quality. For example, you may miss the ultra-low frequencies, as the original speakers generally come with paper cones, which require less power to hear the bass.
Warnings
- Make sure the new speakers are compatible with your car's audio system. Many of these have specific impedance and wattage, for example 25w and 8 ohms.
- Screw everything securely; the vibrations produced by the speakers are considerable, especially at high volumes.
