Question for the ICE gurus...

[Feeble]

Hi all

I've just bought a set of component speakers ( PS 165 V1 component kit - Focal ) and was hoping to hook them straight up to my head unit ( DEH-X8700DAB - Car Receivers ).

Is this actually possible using my existing stereo wiring (W202), or would I really need to use an amplifier? I'm not overly worried if I need an amp as I installed a decent wiring kit when I had the seats out the other month. I just thought it would be nice to get a half decent sound in the meantime. I've got some high quality speaker cable to install from the amp to the speakers when the time comes as well.

I've always been interested in component speakers but have never gotten my head round how you should actually be wiring them up.

Any advice kindly received.

Matt

 

[popuptoaster]

If the car didn't have an external amplifier mounted separately from the head unit then the stock wiring is probably OK to use, Wiring components isn't that hard, wires from the headunit/amp go to the crossover which is then wired to the individual speakers, it will sort out which signal goes to which speaker.

Your headunit will power speakers without an external amplifier if you want to go that way, some people chose to run the front speakers off the head unit and the rears off an amplifier, there are loads of variations.

My advice is to watch some tutorials about mounting speakers (The ones you bought if possible), a badly mounted speaker will sound terrible no matter how good it is while a really good install can make mediocre gear sound very nice.

 

[Feeble]

Thanks popuptoaster. I hadn't thought about looking on YouTube, I'll have a gander now. Doesn't sound too complicated from what you say though! Nice job for the weekend!

 

[91dm]

I've 2 way components in a 202 using the original locations, door and above the air vent. You can use the original wiring but install the crossover to suit the new components.

You'll need an external amp to get the best from them though. Your Pioneer headunit is probably around only supplying 1/4 the power they can be used at (20wRMS compared to 80wRMS)

 

[poormansporsche]

Its been a while since I rewired my 202 but the first thing to say is your car will be 20 years old so the front door wiring will be $hite and its best to renew but its a bit of a job.

So to reuse your oem wiring the first thing to do is pop the covers from the front dash mounted tweeters and disconnect them. Do not try to put your new tweeters in this spot as they are pointing straight up and do literally bugger all. Mount your new tweeters on the little triangle above the front door cards. When you take the door card off you will see the wires that go to the big speaker. Cant remember where exactly but the wires split and go back up to the oem tweeter. As you have disconnected the oem tweeters you should now be able to just cut off the rectangle plug that goes into the old speaker. Google what colour wire is positive and what is negative, as these are different on the pre and post facelift. Make sure you buy the correct mounting adaptor plate for your speakers, the spe3akers you have bought are 6 1/2s and are a bit of a squeeze to fit a 202, most mounting kits are 6" for a 202. Some kits actually come with convertor blocks so you dont have to cut your oem wiring but ive never been bothered with them. Join the oem wiring to the crossover. Your speaker kit should come with all wiring to then wire up the tweeter and woofer to the cross over. Gaffer tape the cross over to the back of the door card.

You may actually find once you take the door card off that the speakers have already been changed beforehand as the oem 202 speakers are crappy paper ones and just die over time !!!!

Take your time as dead simple really

 

[poormansporsche]

By the way, I was never happy with the sound from my 202 despite loads off faffing about, until that is I did the Ski Hatch mod, google it

 

[Ted]

Unless your HU/amp is running an inverter, you’re never goind to get more than around 30w per channel into 4 ohm speakers anyway.

Stands back and awaits inbound.

 

[popuptoaster]

I've had systems in cars that required two extra batteries and giant power caps to run 'em, i agree you can always use more amps and more power, but a dude asking about wiring up component speakers is probably going to be happy enough with the head unit powering them to start with.

Maybe fitting his new gear will get him interested in improving it further, was just keeping it simple for him while also prodding him to look at some tutorials that should help get good results which is always a nice way to get started in any hobby.

 

[Feeble]

Thanks for the advice fellas. I'm hoping to build a more complete set up in the long run, just wanted to see if I can use the component speakers while I save up some spare cash for an amp.

Good advice from all sides!

Not sure whether I want a sub box in the boot or free air subs on the parcel shelf, but that's something for me to worry about at a later date!

 

[popuptoaster]

Thanks for the advice fellas. I'm hoping to build a more complete set up in the long run, just wanted to see if I can use the component speakers while I save up some spare cash for an amp.

Good advice from all sides!

Not sure whether I want a sub box in the boot or free air subs on the parcel shelf, but that's something for me to worry about at a later date!

Subs in a box is much easier but will take up more space than a built in set up of the same size, having said that, in theory putting anything to bulky in the boot will effect the sound, not that i ever could tell the difference. Generally i used a box unless i was trying to get really big subs in the boot.

ICE equipment has come a long way since I started, me and my cousin were "famous" locally when we were young as we were both running twin 15" subs and 400w amps in the boot's of Ford Cortinas, Back in the 80's that was a big deal for non show cars. My mate built a tuned sub tube from yellow gas pipe, a pioneer sub and MDF with a port in it for the other end, went below human hearing level so we couldn't hear it and started shaking things off the shelves in his garage, again, pretty amazing for the time, way more impressive than anything you could buy but it's all easy to buy and much cheaper these days.