Speakers for a C3
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Riverside CA
Speakers for a C3
I have a 1972 C3 with the original AM/FM stereo radio. I realize that there is only so much that I can do with this soundwise but thats ok. The radio is 10 ohm per channel and the car is set up with speakers in the dashpad. The kickpanels are also set up for speakers but the 72 came only with the two speakers in the dash.
I think I can fit two 5 1/4 or 5 X 7 speakers in the kickpanels and two more 4 X 6's in the dash. I have been told that I should use two two-way 4 ohm speakers per side wired in series. Correct me.
Two questions:
1.) Who makes good speakers for this?
2.) How should I wire these? From radio to dash speakers then pigtail to the kickpanel speakers? To wire corectly do I wire + to + and - to - from radio to the dash speakers then + to - and - to + from dash to kickpanel speakers?
Probably totally screwed up on the wiring so tell me.
Thanks - John
I think I can fit two 5 1/4 or 5 X 7 speakers in the kickpanels and two more 4 X 6's in the dash. I have been told that I should use two two-way 4 ohm speakers per side wired in series. Correct me.
Two questions:
1.) Who makes good speakers for this?
2.) How should I wire these? From radio to dash speakers then pigtail to the kickpanel speakers? To wire corectly do I wire + to + and - to - from radio to the dash speakers then + to - and - to + from dash to kickpanel speakers?
Probably totally screwed up on the wiring so tell me.
Thanks - John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,572
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles Ca
quick question....are you sure you meant 10 ohm...and not 10 watt? most car audio gear is 4 ohm, some are 8 ohm (i have 8 ohms drivers) but that is more rare. even home audio gear is normally 8 ohm. I've seen odder things but i just wanted to get this clear before we go further.
's
's
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Riverside CA
Scott,
I have not yet taken the dash apart but the consensus in the C3 Tech Forum is that the two dash speakers are 10 ohm speakers in the 72. A couple of the guys have added a second set of speakers as I want to do and have used a pair of 4 ohm speakers per side instead of the single 10 ohm. They have used speakers from Wallmart and Napa. I just wanted to check with you in this forum to see if there is something slightly better quality that I can use and I want to be sure to wire them properly.
I have not yet taken the dash apart but the consensus in the C3 Tech Forum is that the two dash speakers are 10 ohm speakers in the 72. A couple of the guys have added a second set of speakers as I want to do and have used a pair of 4 ohm speakers per side instead of the single 10 ohm. They have used speakers from Wallmart and Napa. I just wanted to check with you in this forum to see if there is something slightly better quality that I can use and I want to be sure to wire them properly.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 278
Likes: 2
From: Wellington Florida
I have a 1972 C3 with the original AM/FM stereo radio. I realize that there is only so much that I can do with this soundwise but thats ok. The radio is 10 ohm per channel and the car is set up with speakers in the dashpad. The kickpanels are also set up for speakers but the 72 came only with the two speakers in the dash.
I think I can fit two 5 1/4 or 5 X 7 speakers in the kickpanels and two more 4 X 6's in the dash. I have been told that I should use two two-way 4 ohm speakers per side wired in series. Correct me.
Two questions:
1.) Who makes good speakers for this?
2.) How should I wire these? From radio to dash speakers then pigtail to the kickpanel speakers? To wire corectly do I wire + to + and - to - from radio to the dash speakers then + to - and - to + from dash to kickpanel speakers?
Probably totally screwed up on the wiring so tell me.
Thanks - John
I think I can fit two 5 1/4 or 5 X 7 speakers in the kickpanels and two more 4 X 6's in the dash. I have been told that I should use two two-way 4 ohm speakers per side wired in series. Correct me.
Two questions:
1.) Who makes good speakers for this?
2.) How should I wire these? From radio to dash speakers then pigtail to the kickpanel speakers? To wire corectly do I wire + to + and - to - from radio to the dash speakers then + to - and - to + from dash to kickpanel speakers?
Probably totally screwed up on the wiring so tell me.
Thanks - John
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Scott
C3 Setup
Original speakers were 10 ohms. As you know, the impedance is nominal. Some later 70s radios used in Corvette came w/ 2 10 ohm speakers & sometimes these had 4 speakers from the factory.
Many replaced the 2 factory speakers w/ aftermarket 4 ohm car stereo speakers in the mid 70s. I have done it w/ no problems. They sounded better & played louder.
I disconnected the dash speakers in the 70s. The kick panel is a better location than the dash & is in the birdcage so there is more air space behind than indicated by the opening about 5 3/4" H X 4" W X 2 1/4" D. Some 5.25 can be mounted in the kicks properly (solidly mounted w/ a plate) w/o mods to the kick panel. While one would normally want the tweeters near the primary front speakers, the dash location can work for tweeters.
John
Home speakers are normally 8 ohm & available.
Series is a loop as Radio + to +speaker- to +speaker- to -radio.
In general 2 sets of front speakers should not be run. One set for clean sound. If you want to run oval co-axial then Alpine has some 5x7 w/ adj. tweeters that seemed good. Radio Shack has sold special 8 ohm resisters for audio.
Kenwood eXcelon mask CD & 5.25 components in kick panels. Amp. in rear center compartment.
C3 Setup
Original speakers were 10 ohms. As you know, the impedance is nominal. Some later 70s radios used in Corvette came w/ 2 10 ohm speakers & sometimes these had 4 speakers from the factory.
Many replaced the 2 factory speakers w/ aftermarket 4 ohm car stereo speakers in the mid 70s. I have done it w/ no problems. They sounded better & played louder.
I disconnected the dash speakers in the 70s. The kick panel is a better location than the dash & is in the birdcage so there is more air space behind than indicated by the opening about 5 3/4" H X 4" W X 2 1/4" D. Some 5.25 can be mounted in the kicks properly (solidly mounted w/ a plate) w/o mods to the kick panel. While one would normally want the tweeters near the primary front speakers, the dash location can work for tweeters.
John
Home speakers are normally 8 ohm & available.
Series is a loop as Radio + to +speaker- to +speaker- to -radio.
In general 2 sets of front speakers should not be run. One set for clean sound. If you want to run oval co-axial then Alpine has some 5x7 w/ adj. tweeters that seemed good. Radio Shack has sold special 8 ohm resisters for audio.
Kenwood eXcelon mask CD & 5.25 components in kick panels. Amp. in rear center compartment.
