center speaker
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,262
Likes: 3
From: One of them
Yes, I did it to mine. You have to pry up around the top for the clips that hold it down. It requires I think a 7mm socket with ratchet to undo the screws. Once that is done. Just disconnect the speaker, and stuff it back in there.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 373
Likes: 2
From: White Plains NY
Mike
NCM Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 2
From: Dumont NJ
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
Before tanking the car apart and disconnecting wires, I'd test this out first.
I did by taking an old mouse pad and covering the center speaker while I played a familiar song to gauge the difference.
I didn't like how it sounded "disconnected/covered". But again we all hear things differently. Plus it's free and didn't afford me the opportunity to scratch my dash.
I did by taking an old mouse pad and covering the center speaker while I played a familiar song to gauge the difference.
I didn't like how it sounded "disconnected/covered". But again we all hear things differently. Plus it's free and didn't afford me the opportunity to scratch my dash.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,578
Likes: 36
From: RI
St. Jude Donor '14-'15, '17, '19
Before tanking the car apart and disconnecting wires, I'd test this out first.
I did by taking an old mouse pad and covering the center speaker while I played a familiar song to gauge the difference.
I didn't like how it sounded "disconnected/covered". But again we all hear things differently. Plus it's free and didn't afford me the opportunity to scratch my dash.
I did by taking an old mouse pad and covering the center speaker while I played a familiar song to gauge the difference.
I didn't like how it sounded "disconnected/covered". But again we all hear things differently. Plus it's free and didn't afford me the opportunity to scratch my dash.
Thanks, thats a great idea. I am going to try that today.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 501
Likes: 4
From: Deep in the Heart of Texas
I took out the center speaker and upgraded the 3 1/2's in the doors. Much, much improved; good sound and actual stereo separation!
Do a search on "center speaker remove disconnect"; lot's of good advice and instructions available.
Do a search on "center speaker remove disconnect"; lot's of good advice and instructions available.
Last edited by Wezel; Jun 17, 2009 at 12:13 PM. Reason: typo
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,464
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Before tanking the car apart and disconnecting wires, I'd test this out first.
I did by taking an old mouse pad and covering the center speaker while I played a familiar song to gauge the difference.
I didn't like how it sounded "disconnected/covered". But again we all hear things differently. Plus it's free and didn't afford me the opportunity to scratch my dash.
I did by taking an old mouse pad and covering the center speaker while I played a familiar song to gauge the difference.
I didn't like how it sounded "disconnected/covered". But again we all hear things differently. Plus it's free and didn't afford me the opportunity to scratch my dash.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 486
Likes: 6
From: Southern New Jersey
That may be dangerous
Once you disconnect a speaker from any amplifier, the amp sees a zero-ohm impedence and will most likely get very hot and burn out, or be in constant protection-mode.
Either way, I think just pulling the wires off of a speaker and not addressing the amplifier issue is kind of asking for trouble, and it's never something I would do.
I have heard that the Bose system uses seperate amps for each speaker, maybe then only the center amp would fry, but if it's amp is in the head unit, it may end up being expensive to fix.
Personally, I don't like the Bose speakers because of a much-to-pronounced mid-range -- even though I have the mid band on the EQ pulled down a few ticks past center. The cones appear to be just paper -- something I would never dream of putting in a high-end car, let alone a convertible with possible exposure to the sun.
Right now, until I really get tired of it, I'll leave it, but I know it could be so much better. The problem is, since each speaker location is EQ'd to try to make that cheap paper speaker sound flat (which is what we want), then if you put in another driver with different specs, it still will not sound correct. I don't know if Bose EQ'd each location specifically though. Does anyone know?
Thomas
Either way, I think just pulling the wires off of a speaker and not addressing the amplifier issue is kind of asking for trouble, and it's never something I would do.
I have heard that the Bose system uses seperate amps for each speaker, maybe then only the center amp would fry, but if it's amp is in the head unit, it may end up being expensive to fix.
Personally, I don't like the Bose speakers because of a much-to-pronounced mid-range -- even though I have the mid band on the EQ pulled down a few ticks past center. The cones appear to be just paper -- something I would never dream of putting in a high-end car, let alone a convertible with possible exposure to the sun.
Right now, until I really get tired of it, I'll leave it, but I know it could be so much better. The problem is, since each speaker location is EQ'd to try to make that cheap paper speaker sound flat (which is what we want), then if you put in another driver with different specs, it still will not sound correct. I don't know if Bose EQ'd each location specifically though. Does anyone know?
Thomas
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Clermont Florida
Let me start by saying that I'm no expert. But, When I used to compete in stereo competitions with systems that I built myself, I dealt with the impedence of speakers on a regular basis. If you were to disconnect a speaker, you are not putting a zero ohm impedence on the amp. If you were to connect the two wires that go to the speaker together, then you would have a zero impedence situation. If this speaker were set up as a mono center speaker, that is one of the wires from the left channel and one of the wires from the right channel, then simply disconnecting will cause no harm either. The only way to do any potential harm is if you had two speakers running off of one amp, left and right, and then you disconnect one of them. You run the risk of an unbalanced output. Most amps today can deal with this situation with no problems.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 501
Likes: 4
From: Deep in the Heart of Texas
Once you disconnect a speaker from any amplifier, the amp sees a zero-ohm impedence and will most likely get very hot and burn out, or be in constant protection-mode.
Either way, I think just pulling the wires off of a speaker and not addressing the amplifier issue is kind of asking for trouble, and it's never something I would do.
I have heard that the Bose system uses seperate amps for each speaker, maybe then only the center amp would fry, but if it's amp is in the head unit, it may end up being expensive to fix.
Personally, I don't like the Bose speakers because of a much-to-pronounced mid-range -- even though I have the mid band on the EQ pulled down a few ticks past center. The cones appear to be just paper -- something I would never dream of putting in a high-end car, let alone a convertible with possible exposure to the sun.
Right now, until I really get tired of it, I'll leave it, but I know it could be so much better. The problem is, since each speaker location is EQ'd to try to make that cheap paper speaker sound flat (which is what we want), then if you put in another driver with different specs, it still will not sound correct. I don't know if Bose EQ'd each location specifically though. Does anyone know?
Thomas
Either way, I think just pulling the wires off of a speaker and not addressing the amplifier issue is kind of asking for trouble, and it's never something I would do.
I have heard that the Bose system uses seperate amps for each speaker, maybe then only the center amp would fry, but if it's amp is in the head unit, it may end up being expensive to fix.
Personally, I don't like the Bose speakers because of a much-to-pronounced mid-range -- even though I have the mid band on the EQ pulled down a few ticks past center. The cones appear to be just paper -- something I would never dream of putting in a high-end car, let alone a convertible with possible exposure to the sun.
Right now, until I really get tired of it, I'll leave it, but I know it could be so much better. The problem is, since each speaker location is EQ'd to try to make that cheap paper speaker sound flat (which is what we want), then if you put in another driver with different specs, it still will not sound correct. I don't know if Bose EQ'd each location specifically though. Does anyone know?
Thomas
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 542
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
If you disconnect the speaker wires you do not have zero ohm impedance. You have an infinite impedance because there is no current flow. The output of the amp would be the open circuit voltage with no current flow thus no power output. Cannot see how this would affect the amp at all.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Before tanking the car apart and disconnecting wires, I'd test this out first.
I did by taking an old mouse pad and covering the center speaker while I played a familiar song to gauge the difference.
I didn't like how it sounded "disconnected/covered". But again we all hear things differently. Plus it's free and didn't afford me the opportunity to scratch my dash.
I did by taking an old mouse pad and covering the center speaker while I played a familiar song to gauge the difference.
I didn't like how it sounded "disconnected/covered". But again we all hear things differently. Plus it's free and didn't afford me the opportunity to scratch my dash.
This is the ticket because there are conflicting opinions about whether it sounds better without. Some like it, some don't. So cover it, drive it for a week and see what you like best.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 5
From: Brea CA
Well....
To be fair... you don't JUST cover the speaker... you need to then adjust the sound... BECAUSE when the tin-muddy center sound is gone, you can turn up the Mid, Bass, Treble, and volume... so it sounds crisper... and you can hear Left and Right, as well as Front and Rear, for the first time... Really 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 0
From: Marlton NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Guy I know has a tucked-away switch that allows use of the center per his discretion.... windows up, top up, lower volume, it's off.... top down, noisy, it's on.. obviously, just a preference, but it'd give you an option.
PHOTOSHOP SPECIALIST
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 16,433
Likes: 40
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 486
Likes: 6
From: Southern New Jersey
If you disconnect the speaker wires you do not have zero ohm impedance. You have an infinite impedance because there is no current flow. The output of the amp would be the open circuit voltage with no current flow thus no power output. Cannot see how this would affect the amp at all.
Thanks for setting me straight!
TomZ