Changing Speakers

[KingSlayerBess]

Hey guys,


The front left and right door speakers in my car are still the factory original units, and honestly—they’ve had it. I haven’t bothered to measure them yet, so I don’t know their exact size. My mechanic reckons a new 13 cm speaker might fit, so I’m considering installing the KENWOOD KFC-S1366 (link below). What I’d like to ask is: What’s the standard front door speaker size on an MK3 Astra? Does it fit as a straight drop-in replacement, or does it require drilling or adapting the bolt mounts and similar fiddling?


Car speakers KENWOOD KFC-S1366 13 СМ, 30 W

Thanks in advance for your help.

Edit: Ended up going with Pioneer TS-G1620F (300W / 40W RMS) instead of the Kenwood I mentioned earlier.

 

[TubaMagna8]

You’ll most likely need an adapter mount to allow the speaker to clear the electric windows, I fitted some JBL ones if you look on my build thread you should be able to find them.

 

[DavebGsi]

Yea I think i made mine out of wood, you need to space aftermarket speakers out from the door as mentioned

 

[KingSlayerBess]

You’ll most likely need an adapter mount to allow the speaker to clear the electric windows, I fitted some JBL ones if you look on my build thread you should be able to find them.

I’ve checked out your build thread, thank you. You’ve really shared some great and informative content. What I’m curious about is, when you install the inner door panel, does the grille that lines up over the speaker fit properly? The speaker I’m referring to is JBL’s 16.5 cm version. Did you have any issues with it in your case?

 

[TubaMagna8]

I’ve checked out your build thread, thank you. You’ve really shared some great and informative content. What I’m curious about is, when you install the inner door panel, does the grille that lines up over the speaker fit properly? The speaker I’m referring to is JBL’s 16.5 cm version. Did you have any issues with it in your case?

I think if I remember correctly they’re a bit tight against the door card, and you only notice it when your pushing them hard and it occasionally clips the speaker cover, may look into 3d printing a cover that has a cut out for the speaker

 

[81sguy]

I changed the factor speakers years ago, not sure if they are 13" or 16", but one thing I know for sure you need speaker adapter cable (in my opinion cutting the wires would not be a great idea), and indeed you need speaker adapters, because the door isn't thick enough to install better speakers, with the ones I have I could still fit the original speaker grill.
In the back in the estate there is not enough room to install other speakers, not sure about the placement, but why didn't they install the speakers in the back door?
I think you can order the adapters et cetera cheap via Ali Express.
Also make sure you have enough new door plugs if you remove the door cards (they will brake).
It's a pretty hard job though to take everything apart. I also installed some extra heavy damping material... Everything was loose so I should say do the job properly...

 

[KingSlayerBess]

I changed the factor speakers years ago, not sure if they are 13" or 16", but one thing I know for sure you need speaker adapter cable (in my opinion cutting the wires would not be a great idea), and indeed you need speaker adapters, because the door isn't thick enough to install better speakers, with the ones I have I could still fit the original speaker grill.
In the back in the estate there is not enough room to install other speakers, not sure about the placement, but why didn't they install the speakers in the back door?
I think you can order the adapters et cetera cheap via Ali Express.
Also make sure you have enough new door plugs if you remove the door cards (they will brake).
It's a pretty hard job though to take everything apart. I also installed some extra heavy damping material... Everything was loose so I should say do the job properly...

Hey mate, thanks for the heads-up! It’s been about two months since I fitted the speakers actually. I went with the Pioneer TS-G1620F (300W / 40W RMS), and just like you mentioned, I got a pair of plastic adapter rings. They fit perfectly into the door speaker slots — no contact with the window inside the door or the speaker grille on the trim.


I also refreshed the door plugs using a few dozen spare ones I already had lying around, and as you said, doing the job calmly with two people really helped — would’ve been a bit tricky on my own anyway Taking the door off and putting it back together took a bit of patience since I didn’t want to risk damaging anything.


Now the only thing left is to get a decent 1-DIN head unit, because the factory Blaupunkt one’s RMS output is way too weak — it even crackles a bit on some tracks, which is kinda funny.

 

[81sguy]

Well, the RMS output does not say much nowadays. I have a "decent" JVC head unit with 4x50 watt, but if I crank up the volume it's very distorted.
The speakers I fitted are at least 15 years old, so that also could cause the distortion. ;-)
They are 3 way, with a separate tweeter, I removed the factory tweeters and could just fit the crossover between the door and the doorcards, a hell of a job, never will do it again haha...
Back in the days I fitted a bass tube for the lows, and that sounded pretty good. Better than buy a head unit and speakers which are more expensive than the car itself..
The factory "paper" speakers already sounded pretty good, for such an old car, but I blew them...
Blaupunkt is not wat it was in the past, think it's some kind of Chinese brand nowadays.
Would buy a Pioneer or a JVC....