Upgrading standard speakers - is it worth it?

[Conrad]

Is this worth doing? I wonder see, if the buzz and rattle I get at high volume are the speakers (esp the door mounted) or the way in which they are mounted. I do not want to fit a sub in the boot and rattle windows or cut holes in the parcel shelf, just fit some nice 3rd party speakers in the existing mounts.

Would I be wasting my time and money?


If not, what diameter speakers are needed for the rear, door and tweeters?

Any recommendations as per brand and model of speakers?

Any advice greatly received

Conrad

 

[thomas]

Is it worth doing? Yes.

Give us an idea of your budget and i at least will throw some ideas your way.

 

[Anonymous]

Budget, well possibly £150 to £200. If I have to stretch that a bit to make it worth while, so be it.

Ta

 

[thomas]

Ok, thats a decent enough budget. A few questions:
1. what head unit have you got?
2. do you have an extra amp?
3. do you mind having components (seperate tweeter as per the original speakers)?

 

[Conrad]

I have the single CD player head unit from a Marea

I would like to fit new tweeters in the place where original ones are on the dash. I don't mind what I fit as long as the car looks the same as with the standard speakers, (a bizzare way to mod, I know )

Not really thought about an amp. I wasn't thinking of fitting one. I am after sound quality if that helps your deliberation, but nothing excessive.

 

[thomas]

sorry i'm slow mate!

You really need to spend 100 pounds on an aftermarket cd head unit first! Combined with the original speakers, this will give better SQ than any upgraded speakers you could afford with the Fiat CD unit. gives you more options for future upgrades too.

The cones on more expensive speakers weigh more than those of the stock fiat ones so using the power from the unit you have will result in some sloppy bass!

 

[Conrad]

Hmm, this may turn out to be more expensive than planned. Anyway, what sizes are the speakers and who makes good ones, may as well get that info to store whilst I investigate head units.

Ta

 

[Anonymous]

You really have two options...

With either option you will need the following...
Change the Head-unit, for around £70 you could could get a single CD-radio unit, that will give you much better quality than the standard Fiat one. (If you go for option 2, you will need a head-unit with at least 1 pre-out for the amp, most do these days)

You will also need a fascia for around £15.

Option 1.
A good set of components for around £115.
A set of speaker adapters £10

Total £210

Option 2.
An ok set of speakers for around £75
A small 2-channel amp for around £75

Total £235

Daz

 

[Paul R]

@Daz... you forgot wiring costs! for the amp on option2!!!!

@conrad, you can pick up decent stuff up second hand easily enough! the problem is trying to get the right size speakers! IMO go for option 2! you will get more sound and better quality, however, the more you can invest in a decent Head uni the better, as this is argueable the most important part of the system! this will dictate how good the sound quality is more than anything else!

Paul R

 

[Anonymous]

How could i forget the wiring?

Probably the same way i forgot to include the speaker adapters in option 2

Daz

 

[Paul R]

...lol @ Daz