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Ditching the Bose... Have speaker question...

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Old Nov 18, 2006 | 03:01 AM
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Default Ditching the Bose... Have speaker question...

My front speakers are shot and I've decided to scrap the Bose system in my 1988 C4. I know all about the external amps and the need to run new speaker wires, but before I go out and buy anything I have a fitment question.

The C4 Audio FAQ says I can mount 6X9 rears and 6.5 rounds in the front. I assume some cutting might be necessary for the 6x9's and I've seen speaker adapters on eBay to put the 6.5 rounds in the front.

I'm a big fan of Infinity speakers (bang for the buck), but I'm concerned about the speaker covers.

I'd like to retain the factory Bose speaker grilles but many of the speakers I've seen (2 and 3 way) have the tweeters mounted very high above the main cone. Will I have problems with putting the factory grilles back over them?

If anyone has any thoughts, suggestions, or experiences I welcome them.

Thanx,
Jim

(1988 35th Anniversary, Coupe - of course)
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Old Nov 18, 2006 | 09:33 AM
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I have Infinity 3 way 6x9's in the rear of my 90, and they fit fine.

Good Luck

Randy
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Old Nov 18, 2006 | 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by AnniversaryJim
My front speakers are shot and I've decided to scrap the Bose system in my 1988 C4. I know all about the external amps and the need to run new speaker wires, but before I go out and buy anything I have a fitment question.

The C4 Audio FAQ says I can mount 6X9 rears and 6.5 rounds in the front. I assume some cutting might be necessary for the 6x9's and I've seen speaker adapters on eBay to put the 6.5 rounds in the front.
I also have a 1988 35th Anniversary Edition #1725.

No cutting is required to mount 6x9 speakers in the back. All you have to do is remove the Bose pod. You will see a plastic trim ring screwed onto it that holds the pod to the car. You will notice that ring is in the shape of a 6x9 speaker. Just unscrew that from the pod and you can mount your 6x9's in the back, easy as pie. Oh, and run new speaker wire for all of your speakers. Do NOT cut into the stock harnesses!

Originally Posted by AnniversaryJim
I'm a big fan of Infinity speakers (bang for the buck), but I'm concerned about the speaker covers.

I'd like to retain the factory Bose speaker grilles but many of the speakers I've seen (2 and 3 way) have the tweeters mounted very high above the main cone. Will I have problems with putting the factory grilles back over them?
Yes, you will have problems getting the factory grill back on because the factory grill angles inward like a "V". It may take some experimenting.

Originally Posted by AnniversaryJim
If anyone has any thoughts, suggestions, or experiences I welcome them.

Thanx,
Jim

(1988 35th Anniversary, Coupe - of course)
Again, I recommend you run all new wires and do not cut any of the stock harnesses. It isn't that hard to do and will save your investment.

Here are some pics of the system I put in my 35th Anniversary Edition:





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Old Nov 18, 2006 | 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by RandyJ75
I have Infinity 3 way 6x9's in the rear of my 90, and they fit fine.

Good Luck

Randy
Reference? Kappa?

I'm looking at the Kappa 693.7's but that's what scares me... The Mids and Tweeters sit way up high and appear to actually become part of the Infinity Grille....

I have some Kappa Speakers in my home with 10" woofers and the emit ribbon tweeters, 20+ years old and still going strong.

Jim
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Old Nov 18, 2006 | 02:18 PM
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_Nomad_

No cutting is required to mount 6x9 speakers in the back. All you have to do is remove the Bose pod. You will see a plastic trim ring screwed onto it that holds the pod to the car. You will notice that ring is in the shape of a 6x9 speaker. Just unscrew that from the pod and you can mount your 6x9's in the back, easy as pie. Oh, and run new speaker wire for all of your speakers. Do NOT cut into the stock harnesses!
Yeah, I'm leaving the factory stuff in place as much as possible, hoping that my choice to invest in another 35th was a good choice (I've owned 2 now).

Yes, you will have problems getting the factory grill back on because the factory grill angles inward like a "V". It may take some experimenting.
This is the part that concerned me most. Did you have to create some spacers or something to drop the speakers down a bit or was the factory grille modified in any way?


Here are some pics of the system I put in my 35th Anniversary Edition:
Looks great. I especially like the 35th emblem on the front. Nice touch.

Jim

One last question... did the addition of the soundproofing make much difference?
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Old Nov 18, 2006 | 02:32 PM
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I have some thoughts here, but don't have time to express them all! I will post later.
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Old Nov 18, 2006 | 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by bogus
I have some thoughts here, but don't have time to express them all! I will post later.
Thanx Bogus. I am waiting with baited breath (actually it's from the fish I had for dinner last night).

Jim
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Old Nov 18, 2006 | 03:46 PM
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I think I trimmed mine with a drimmel to fit. It shouldn't be that hard of an install.
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Old Nov 18, 2006 | 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by AnniversaryJim
Yeah, I'm leaving the factory stuff in place as much as possible, hoping that my choice to invest in another 35th was a good choice (I've owned 2 now).
Sweet

Originally Posted by AnniversaryJim
This is the part that concerned me most. Did you have to create some spacers or something to drop the speakers down a bit or was the factory grille modified in any way?
I made an MDF baffle and mounted it inside the door. Of course, the tweet in my speakers didn't stick up too high.

Originally Posted by AnniversaryJim
Looks great. I especially like the 35th emblem on the front. Nice touch.
Thanks Jim.

Originally Posted by AnniversaryJim
One last question... did the addition of the soundproofing make much difference?
Most definitely but if you aren't running subs and amps then you don't really need it.
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Old Nov 18, 2006 | 04:44 PM
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Kappas do have a higher tweeter protrustion then most
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Old Nov 18, 2006 | 08:44 PM
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Ok... the transmission is in and I have the time to respond!

1) I would go with straight 1-way 6x9s for the rear. Extra mids and highs would confuse the hell outta the sound stage. Infact, I think the 8" subs is the best bet.

2) Get the BEST front speakers you can afford. I would get a 6" mid bass in the door, and put a 4" and tweet up in the dash. Can you say a poor mans three way setup?

3) Get a good amp... something with some ***** to drive the subs and mids. The mids and tweets can be run by the head unit.

That's my thought on the subject.
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Old Nov 18, 2006 | 09:05 PM
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I too would tend to lean away from the 3 way 6x9's (if you must run a 6x9) for soundstage/imaging issues.

Side note the Emit tweeter owned.

I like the idea Bogus suggested .. or you could go a bit simpler and stay 2 way in the front with a 5.25 or 6" mid and tweet combo and do a 6.5 or 8" sub in the rear .. a 4 channel amp to run it and you would be gtg.

Fej
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Old Nov 19, 2006 | 07:05 AM
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Originally Posted by AnniversaryJim
Reference? Kappa?

I'm looking at the Kappa 693.7's but that's what scares me... The Mids and Tweeters sit way up high and appear to actually become part of the Infinity Grille....

I have some Kappa Speakers in my home with 10" woofers and the emit ribbon tweeters, 20+ years old and still going strong.

Jim

I have Kappa 693.7's also. Fit fine
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Old Nov 20, 2006 | 02:42 PM
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I took the covers off the rear and took a look inside. 6x9 makes real sense, and I can see that they will mount low enough that the tweets may not be a problem.

I read that you can put 8" rounds in there, but doesn't that take some cutting/hacking? I want the system to be able to go back to stock easilly for the next owner (if there is one).

Fronts look simple, after the adapters, and the hassle I hear about removing the whole speaker/amp combo.

Jim
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Old Nov 22, 2006 | 12:48 AM
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Would eiither of you 35th owners like to get rid of your Bose rear speaker amps, assuming they were in working condition when you replaced them??
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Old Nov 22, 2006 | 12:59 AM
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Originally Posted by 65Z01
Would eiither of you 35th owners like to get rid of your Bose rear speaker amps, assuming they were in working condition when you replaced them??
Mine work but I am keeping them for when/if I happen to sell the car.
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Old Nov 22, 2006 | 02:40 AM
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Fronts are shot. Rears are fine, But I too am going to hold on to them.

Jim
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