stereo-rear speakers

[matt-man]

Hi guys.

Loving my Tuscan but (and although its not the most important thing) the stereo system is utterly terrible!! I don't want to go overboard but do want to upgrade it.

I have upgraded the head unit to an alpine one which is much better but next is speakers.

I have seen a few cars where people have put speakers in the rear section (under the screen facing forward) but wanted to see if anyone had any advice or experience before I cut holes and put some speakers in!

Thanks

Matt

[Milky400]

I have front facing speakers as well as side and assume it was an offered upgrade as the original invoice States upgraded stereo. Cannot really comment as they are rubbish speakers. Looking and swapping them for a pair of these in the spring.


Had infinity's previously and have been a great product for the price.


http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...

Edited by Milky400 on Tuesday 20th January 21:35

Edited by Milky400 on Wednesday 21st January 06:33

[matt-man]

Nice woofer....! :he he:

That's what I'm thinking. How do they look from the other side??

[Richie C]

I've not got any direct experience, but I believe they will be mounted in a new panel in front of the fibreglass, no cutting required.

[Niftynoo]

Had a whole new interior last year and renewed an already upgraded stereo. A new sub woofer now sits behind a carpeted removable MDF panel (valcro'd to a couple of spacer blocks fixed to rear bulkhead), so no reason why you couldn't mount 2 speakers in the same way.

[Speed 3]

Hi Matt

Mine has a 5-speaker & power amp set up from new delivery. Not sure if it was done at the factory or supplying dealer. I have changed the head unit simply because the original CD player didn't work. Although I didn't pay a lot for the new Sony head unit, I wouldn't say either pre or post head change generated a really good sound (and I don't have a super sensitive musical ear) despite the amp and number of speakers. That may be something to do with a lack of forward mounted speakers but I had plenty of rear-only set ups in my early years cars that in hindsight sounded better. It must be better than factory standard though. I'll pop the cover off tomorrow and post some pictures of the installation and speaker types. You're always welcome to pop over the Downs to have a look and listen yourself.

Infinity speakers bring back some 80's/90's memories, had forgotten all about them.

[Milky400]

Not to sure, as said think it was done from new as they are pioneer I think, still has the side speakers as well.

Infinity's were the speakers to have in the 90's. My calibra use to vibrate itself along, loved it.

[tuscanturner]

In my 2S I have 3 speakers in the rear! also two 3" (I think)in the front I've never heard of the makers but they were fitted by the factory with a DAB radio. The sound is still not great though

[Speed 3]

Photos as promised. Centre is a Kenwood, the other 4 are Pioneer.

[Niftynoo]

I was lucky and inherited door speakers, although I have had to replace them with JL Audio C2s. Renewed head unit is an Alpine 175, new 433 amp and new Rainbow Intelli 8 sub. (Rear speakers over wheel arch as standard).

[dvs_dave]

I upgraded the standard side speakers, added some tweeters up front to bring the sound stage forward and put in an underseat style sub under the bulkhead carpet in the passenger footwell.

It works well, and is a decent upgrade.

[robsco]

Mine had rear speakers from factory, I thought the sound quality was ok. It's not worth throwing too much money at a stereo system for a car which will always be noisy and not very well insulated from road/tyre/exhaust noise inside.

[NCE 61]

,The rear speakers in the later models were moved to the rear bulkhead



Speakers were also fitted in the front as standard



Sound is actually quiet good, although it is not used that often.

[Dischordant]

Best sound stage I've found is from having the tweeters about here - and mids in doors. Woofer optional according to taste/space







Genesis speakers and amp - keeping it British! =)

Can get some bargains on Ebay or audio forums if you want to go high end.

Edited by Dischordant on Thursday 22 January 21:30

[matt-man]

Thanks for all the replies guys...glad to see it's not just me !

As a first attempt to improve things I have bought and fitted two upgrades.

First I changed the original pioneer 4" speakers behind the seats for infinity Kappas which are a much better speaker. They sounds significantly better!

Secondly, I have fitted a pair of Focal tweeters up front to try and lift the sound stage forward a little. They have certainly helped.I'll post a PIC tomorrow of what and where they are. The door cards in the front from car photos above look awesome...

Of course that has helped audio level out but of course still no bass at all. I need to fit a sub and good to see some options.

Either need to custom build a box for the rear o(which will be the best option) or try and hide something in the passenger foot well.

A great excuse for a Tuscan meet up once the weather improves to share stereo ideas.. (And go for a noon of course....rude not to!)

[Mustang Baz]

Matt - have sent you a mail re questions on your installation.

[matt-man]

Mustang Baz said:

Matt - have sent you a mail re questions on your installation.

Haven't got an email....

[topcat1]

My system is terrible on my early mk1, luckily the engine sounds so bloody good I don't miss the radio!

[matt-man]

topcat1 said:

My system is terrible on my early mk1, luckily the engine sounds so bloody good I don't miss the radio!

Mine is an early mk 1 (2000) and its pants! Bit better now but not great!

[Basil Brush]

The pioneers in the rear panel were a factory "upgrade" over the smaller ones in side panels on early cars. I've also fitted some tweeters on the ends of the alloy bar across the dash panel, as the earlier posts, which does help.