Buying some new speakers! Any tips?

[ANIMAL]

I know some of you will want to burn me at the stake for posting this, because even though I did search (I swear I really really did) I couldn't quite get the answer I was looking for. But, I'm prepared for the flaming if I did miss a common thread.

Okay, so basic question is I wanted to find speakers for the front and rears for my 05 elise with touring/sport.. I'll be keeping my Blaupunkt (yuck) receiver for the moment (budget) so they have to work with the stock receiver. I need speakers that just drop in no fuss what so ever. I don't want to mod a thing or even add mounting rings (I'm picky I know). I heard there is a brand of JL that can do this, but I can't find out what type of JL speaker. Anyone know what speaker model number is? Because budget is a concern if there are any other speakers that accomplish the above and sound better than stock please let me know. I just want something better than the stock ones which are causing my ears to bleed.

I heard some of you guys are able to replace the rear speakers without removing the seat. Has anyone made a guide on how to do this(what tools you need)? Looking at the front speakers it looks to me like replacing those could be a 5min. job. Am I missing something in the mounting that could make this into a big project?

Thanks guys!

[aschen]

The stock alpine speakers from an exige are a HUGE improvement, can be installed with no fuss, and can be found cheap here as take offs.

[ANIMAL]

Originally Posted by aschen

The stock alpine speakers from an exige are a HUGE improvement, can be installed with no fuss, and can be found cheap here as take offs.

Thanks man I'll take a look at those. I was looking at getting these for the front:

Amazon.com: Polk Audio DB401 4-Inch Coaxial Speakers (Pair, Silver): Electronics

It looks like alot of people are placing those in without any issues or modding. I just hope the blaupunkt grills can be reused. Those grills that come with that speaker are ugly.

The only thing is I don't know what everyone is using for rear speakers? Anyone have any recommendations that don't require any modding?

Will these work without any modding? Polk Audio DB521 5.25-Inch.

Oh and I heard with a really stubby screwdriver you can replace the rear speakers without removing the seats? anyone ever done this have any tips? BIG THANKS for any help!

[txdude]

If you're willing to remove the seats, you can actually install bigger speakers in the rear. I want to say I replaced mine with some 5 3/4" Kickers (does that size sound right? Anyways, whatever size is just below 6").

With the seats removed and a powered drill, you can drill new holes for the larger speakers in the back. All you have to do it cut out enough insulation to make room. Nothing else needed. Can't help you with the fronts, I'm still rockin' stock.

[txdude]

Edit: I only removed my passenger seat. The driver's seat is able to slide forward enough for you to barely get in there with a standard powered drill.

btw, once you remove those front blacrap grills you'll probably never get them back together properly! Mine are still jacked.

[gpheck]

ok this is it..


-def get jim's speaker rings (forgive me if I'm wrong - pretty sure thats who makes them.. if not a quick search will find it) for the front so you can fit 5.25" speakers with no hassle.. thats a very quick easy install

-then you need to decide if you want to use an amp or just the headunit to power the speakers

-if you use the headunit just buy some polks (or speakers with iridium magnets i believe - whatever material it is.. they always have very shallow mounting depths) just whatever you do - dont buy high quality speakers if you plan to use the headunit to power because they will require lots of power

-if you use an amp then get some higher end speakers (I went with jl audio 5.25vr.. although there are much better speakers out there for $75 per pair on ebay they are tough to beat)

-keep in mind that if you use any of the higher powered speakers you will need a spacer ring for the rear... I just took the template that came with the speakers to a stereo shop and they cut rings for the speakers out of 1/2" mdf for about $30 bucks spraypainted black

any further questions just pm me

[V-RAPTOR]

I would recommend jim-clayton front rings to fit some 5.25 but you said you do not want to do that.

I have JL Audio VR525-CXi both front (with the rings) and rears. I did not need to have a template made to fit the rears, I just had to cut the foam insulation from the touring pack for the magnets and they fit. I did go ahead and removed the passenger seat only for the install. I would recommend this as its a great time to clean up any crap that has gathered under there.

I also recommend if you want to go with the JS's to find them on ebay for about half the price of a car audio shop.

I hope some of this has helped.

[MattG]

I was able to use the stock Blaupunkt rings with the Polk DB401 speakers. I think the best speaker upgrade though is a subwoofer.

[ewalberg]

Darn, i lost my edits before my computer self destructed. I looked more into it and the polk DB651s would seeming require a bare minimum of only modification to the screws holes in the rear plastic trim. Ovalizing them isn't a big deal becuase the screws actually tighten into little steel clips that slide onto the trim panel, so an ovalized hole changes nothing. The POLK 651s have been reported to work without trimming of the touring foam, or spacers, or the main mounting hole, just the screw holds. My JL600cxi's require a 5" mounting hole and they were a snug tight fit in the hole... (so i had to make a tiny bit of space for the 4 clips) but the the Polks db651s need a 4.9" mounting hole (thus the drop in) and they're only 2" mounting depth... i really think this is your greatest bang for the buck if you ask me. I would have done it but i wanted the same speaker all around, so i've got the JL vr525-cxi's with Jim's rings for the front, and i wanted the shallow speaker grills of the VR's in the rear because i keep my soft top back there occasionally.

you will not be able to run the Polk or JL 525's in the backwithout modification. You will have to do something... removal of foam and spacers rings. You wont have to modify the plastic back panel though... but i think that's that's the first thing that you should be willing to modify to fit.

I just test fit my jl VR600cxi's (with touring foam) and they're fitting well, I had slight modification of the mounting hole was required for the 4 clips, without the clips the speaker fit in the stock mounting hole in the back panel. the holes needed to be opened up. no spacers required, only had to remove foam around the perimiter (associated with width) but left it in place behind the speaker. It is 2.37" deep. The JL and Polk 5.25's are 2.5 inch deep i think. I wanted to keep the foam, or something, behind the speaker so it doesn't slap the aluminum fire wall when they're playing loud, or i have stuff shoved back there. 2.37" depth is a snug fit with the foam behind the magnet.

If you're already going through the trouble of researching, buying, and changing speakers then you should do it a little better than straight drop in where there are some good options like those Polk DB651s in the rear. There's a reason why people keep doing slight modification to get something better in there. Look at the VR-400's in the front... maybe those are drop in and the grill is very clean and simple.

[skottoman]

Here is a thread I started around the Polk Speakers. I have had them in for quite some time now, and they are fine for the $ I spent.

Polk DB 501

Cheers,
Skottoman