STEREO AND SPEAKERS HELP

[Spiderferg]

Would like suggestions for make/model/speaker size etc for installing a stereo into my 78 Spider?

Any recommendations for installing and location of speakers also would be helpful?

Thanks-

Bob

[Michael N. Marcus]

I have a '78 and went for sound quality over stock look, with Boston Acoustics below the dash and Pioneers on the rear seat. See http://www.michaelsmuseum.com/spider-audio.htm

[Spiderferg]

mike- thanks for sending your reply, i like what you did! can you send me some more detail on how you mounted the front speakers and how you ran wires? any lessons learned (if you were to do it over again) like different speakers or mounting technique etc?

Thanks-

ps where did you get speakers and what were approx cost?

Bob

[mbouse]

Bob,

If you want to go for a more sedate look, many people put 5 1/4" speakers in the front kick panels above the map pockets. There is a hole in the sheet metal large enough to support this addition.

I'd not recommend the door as a place for speakers, as I think it ruins the look of the panel.

I've seen applications where guys have mounted speakers in the rear quarter panels, but only on web pages. No first hand experience at the sound quality.

And, if you go with the rear seat as a location, think about how you will secure the speakers. Unsecured, they tend to roll around; especially during 'spirited' cruising.

And, if sound / volume is an issue....the addition of a wind deflector is EXTREMELY beneficial. My wife and I love our wind deflectors.

[mbouse]

oops, clicked submit too many times

[Spyderbuddy]

any body try those overhead speakers that go on a jeep. just thinking when the top is let back the y would almost be like rear deck speakers

[bandit]

Hey Spyderbuddy

I have setup many sound systems and have a tip for you , if you
use the same speakers front and back not just the brand name
here but same model and size dollar for dollar that will sound the
best ! if you choose really good speakers for the front lets say
Boston Pro 6.5 for the front and Alpine for the rear a cheaper
matching 4 speaker setup might sound even better .

The front kick panel is not a bad spot ( above map pocket like
the other guy was talking about ) and the side panel can take
51/4 even 6 ¹/2 inch if you select a slim enough speaker .
The rear side panel you can cut out with a jig saw or Dremel
as for the Radio A Din size will fit in Factory location .


Daniel

[Mad-Machine]

just remember, the area above the map pockets is not totally sealed from the elements. On the early pre-2000 spiders there was a "flitch" panal that was body puttyed into place between the wheel well and the rest of the fender... it was a notorious dirt and water trap and made that are a really bad rust area.

The 2000s did away with this panal and just ran with a plastic wheel well liner... a better solution to be sure (it allowed anything that got back there to drain out and dry) but still did not seal the area.

you will need to put some sort of "cone" around the speaker to keep it safe from moisture

[Spyderbuddy]

the reasons i went with the bostons in the head rest is be cause i feel i would not have to replace sooner and since the seats were being recovered i felt in was a good investment. now my speakers did not come in the kick panel but in the doors of the car. i replaced them with a cheap set of 5.25 sony explodes. mine car came from whomever with 5.25's in the doors and that was all it had other than a am/fm radio that when i got the car did not work. i replaced the radio with an old but still works sony cdx 3160 i got for about $10.00 at a garage sale with the twoo 5.25 speakers. it sounds okay and i don't have to worry about the components being stolen. the visual portion of the system is cheap plus i can always store the faceplate in the glovebox win i go to wal-mart

[jasongibson]

Here's my set up
Speakers Installation

[Gerard Del Monte]

Oddly enough, while I play my radio and use my CD all the time in my Accord coupe, I NEVER use the radio/tape player in my Spider... at highway speeds you can't hear anything anyway, and at lower speeds I am thoroughly entertained by my lovely exhaust 'song'.

[bandit]

with out 4 speakers it is going to be over powered by the road , engine
and other elements of the car the best sound you can get for your
money is 4 of the same speakers lets say 5 1/4 all around and a
good Head unit with 50 watts or more built in .
I've installed theses in cars and had great sounding systems with out
tons of cash .
The Radio i sugguest is Clarion and speakers Power Coustic these are
cheap and good .

Daniel

[bandit]

with out 4 speakers it is going to be over powered by the road , engine
and other elements of the car the best sound you can get for your
money is 4 of the same speakers lets say 5 1/4 all around and a
good Head unit with 50 watts or more built in .
I've installed theses in cars and had great sounding systems with out
tons of cash .
The Radio i sugguest is Clarion and speakers Power Coustic these are
cheap and good .

Daniel

[bandit]

with out 4 speakers it is going to be over powered by the road , engine
and other elements of the car the best sound you can get for your
money is 4 of the same speakers lets say 5 1/4 all around and a
good Head unit with 50 watts or more built in .
I've installed theses in cars and had great sounding systems with out
tons of cash .
The Radio i sugguest is Clarion and speakers Power Coustic these are
cheap and good .

Daniel

[mdrburchette]

One car I have has the speakers in the quarter panels and the other has them in the map pockets. I can hear the one with the speakers in the front far better while driving and I don't have to worry about stuff in the back seat blocking the speakers. The only problem with this version is I can't use the map pockets for my vent window latches.