I hate asking noob questions, but here goes. I REALLY REALLY appreciate any responses...TIA. I read some of the links in the FAQ and looked at the first couple pages of threads, but I wish I had search so I didn't have to ask some of this...but here goes.

Current Setup: Pioneer Premiere P900 HU, Alpine 300x1 amp, JL Stealthbox, Pioneer Changer, stock NON BOSE speakers.

I want to add speakers to my system. A while ago I went to the shop that did the HU, Amp and sub, and they recommended speakers. After looking online and seeing that I can get the speaks for HALF of what they would charge me, and wanting to start doing this stuff myself, I am going on my own. They recommended JL speakers...XR in the front and TR in the back. I would like to do an amp for them, but I don't think I'll have the money now and the P900 is pretty powerful anyway. So my first round of questions is...

I plan to go with the XR-650CSi in the front, and I'm not sure about the back. The shop is pretty good and said it wasn't worth putting XR in the back, but I really don't want to replace these speakers. Would it be worth putting the XR-650CXi's in there? And, do you see any problems with these speaker choices? Anything I should know or do I just disassemble and pop them in? Stock grilles should fit over them no prob? (Tan interior)

I am pretty comfortable with electronics, so doing the work shouldn't be too bad. I swear there were some stereo install tutorials floating around here with directions on how to disassemble the doors and all that...but I can't find it. If anyone has a link I would appreciate it. If not I have the factory manual. This IS my first time dealing with car speakers (big home theater guy though) or really messing with the back of my HU though, so my next round of questions is...

What else do I need? New speaker wire is obviously a must. I saw people talking about crimping connections in back of the HU...what connections? I will probably add an amp at some point, so I want to leave it open for that. I have some Dynamat from my half finished trunk, so I will probably dynamat around the speakers....any tips? What about disassembly in the rear? How much do I have to take apart? Seems like the speakers are right there (good a good look after spending 4-6 hours laying in my trunk doing the dynamat and changer). I know how to take the bottom of the back seat out so I can run the wire under there....anything else? Any suggestions on where to mount the crossovers for the fronts? I don't care about seeing them even though they're nice looking, I just want them to be secure...and possibly accessable.

I know some of these questions are specific to the speakers, so I appreciate any level of answer people can give. I'm not nervous about doing this myself at all, but I do want to be prepared and be able to give people a compelte list of what I need for Christmas (keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have to buy this stuff msyelf hehe). If there is ANYTHING else I need or anything horrible that I might run into? I would really appreciate a heads up. Like I said I am a total noob to this, so if there's anything beyond, disassemble doors and lift up back seat, remove old speakers, screw in new speakers (I think I heard that I have to drill new holes?), run wires, hook up wires, test before reassemble, reassemble then please let me know.

I know some of this is probably covered elsehwere, and I will keep reading, but I really appreciate any help. TIA.

 

here's some good sites with pictures

Removing front speakers

removing rear speakers

 

Those are the links I was looking for, thanks! Looks like more disassembly in the rear for me.

Keep em coming...

 

I've got the 650Csi in front and 650CXi in the rears, and while I know that the rears are just fill sound, I gotta say it sounds SWEET. If you're really into SQ, and willing to spend a little extra $, then I'd say go for it.

I had minor fitment problems with the fronts, but that's because I came off a Bose system. You shouldn't have any problems. The rears fit right in. Taking off the rear deck is a real B*TCH though. Be careful when you try to remove it. Find directions in the forum before you try it.

Regarding crimping behind the headunit, yes, you will need to crimp your speaker wire (assuming you put in new wire) to the back of the head unit. When you replaced your HU, you probably got an adapter that just plugs into the current wiring. When you run your wires, you have to match up the wires coming out of the HU to the corresponding speaker wire. You can use a variety of different crimping connectors. I like quick disconnects (They look like a bullet on one end and a socket on the other that plug into each other). You can get them at radio shack along with a crimper, or try Home Depot, they have it too.

If you're planning on putting in an amp, then you're actually better off waiting til you get the amp before you replace the speaker wire. If you replace the speaker wire now, you have to run wire from the four speakers to behind the HU. Then, when you install the amp, you're gonna have to re-run speaker wire from the speakers to whereever your amp is mounted (usually in the trunk).

I just did my whole setup with the help of my friends, so if you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

Hope this helps....

 

For an SQ system I would worry less about the rear speakers. The volume should be so low that slight variations in tone and phase won't have much negative effect. Also with the rear speakers directly under the rear window the phase will be off anyway and you'll have direct and reflected sound to compound the issue. Save money on rear speakers by getting something more affordable or nothing at all.

If you typically use your car to impress friends then you may want some high power rear speakers. As they will be easier to hear because of their placement.

Listen to speakers before you buy. Make sure that all the tone controls are set neutral on the headunit, eq, and the amp. Then remember that the car adds a lot of good and bad to the sound of the speakers. It is impossible to duplicate speaker sound in the showroom or even a car unless it is the exact same car and set-up.

 

my .02

First, I think that its nice you know what you want to put in. Secondly, its not that hard to install any of this equipment it just takes time (as does anything). Thirdly, I wouldn't be spending a lot of cash on rear fill unless u plan on sitting in the rear. Most drivers only hear the front speakers in a properly aimed car system...so the rear truely doesn't matter. Adding an amp will definately be more work, involving a complete re-wiring the entire car

 

Guys, all of these responses are EXTREMELY helpful...thanks.

In the thread above this they;re saying that our speakers are actually oversized (6 3/4") are the JL's going to fit properly?

Hmm...I've got some thinking to do about the rears. What you guys are saying about it not mattering is what the shop said as well...hmmm...

I will def use the quick disconnects damadmonk recommends. As far as the wiring, yea...it's a real *****. There's no way I am getting an amp right now though...so I may have to just rewire the car eventually. Luckily the P900 is pretty powerful...I can't get clipping with my stock speakers...so I might end up being satisfied with it anyway.

Thanks again...VERY helpful.

 

most 6.5s come with some sort of adapter to fit the 6.75 openings. when i bought my alpines, they came with these metal bracket things that made sure it was a good fit.

 

man...just put the speakers in...already... Rewiring the car is not even that bad...takes a couple of hours max, your most time consuming thing is probably going to be mounting your amplifier in a position you want it..at least it was for me.

 

Haha, thanks guys. I appreciate all the advice...I am definitely just putting them in...now I just ahve to get a hold of the speakers...