Aftermarket front speakers for original 70' dash

[Born_Fast]

Just these days i installed a new aftermarket stereo unit in my Challenger. The original radio was replaced by some cheap 80s cassette player anyway.

My new unit is a Pioneer DEH 2020 MP with green display, to match the instruments lightcolor. It plays MP3s and puts out 4x50 watts, which should be enough for my needs. I'm not planning to go for award winning acoustics or loud basses - just some decent background music to make relaxed cruising even more enjoyable.

When i connected the speakers, i found that the factory frontspeaker was basicly ROTTEN underneath it's plastic cover.  So obviously i need to replace it, but 4x10 speakers in that shape are nowhere to be found in todays electronic stores. Let alone high quality ones.

Now i read in another thread, that it is possible to replace the factory frontspeaker with two smaller high quality speakers, which would also provide left-right balance and use BOTH of the headunit's frontspeaker-exits.

Can anyone please enlighten me what exact type and dimension of speakers match that factory dashboard? Btw i don't want to cut the original dash's opening, just to make new speakers fit in. And i doubt that drilling new holes would be possible without removing either the dashboard or the windshield.

Thanks for your feedback!

Cheers,
Ralph

[Born_Fast]

 

Just thought about this:

If you connect the two 3" speakers with a small connection-plate, it should be possible to install them both with just two screws in the stock holes of the dash. Maybe even the metal-frame of the factory frontspeaker could be used for this.

Anyone ever done something like that? Other ideas?

[Carlwalski]

Lanzar speakers. I have 4x10 in mine. They required around 10mm in total trim off the metal at each end, no where near the speaker itself. They are real loud bastards too, perfect for the small abnormal sized dash space. You get 2 per pack, I used one for my Challenger and will use the spare I kept ages ago for my 'Cuda. I have known of these for some time now, probably should have told a few people. 180watts is pretty good for where and what the speaker is.


http://mobile-emotions.com/lanvx4x10thr.html


Carlwalski 

[Born_Fast]

Thanks Carl! That Lanzar looks good and trimming the speaker frame is much easier than trimming the dashboard. 

However i'm not sure if two 3" speakers or one 4x10 speaker would actually provide better acoustics.

The 4x10 speaker uses the full space for one large membrane and should thus have better basses, whereas the 3" would sound more like tweeters.

On the other hand you can only connect one of the two front stereo channels to a single 4x10 speaker and the two smaller ones would play both channels.

Guess it all depends on the quality of the 3" speakers and their output, compared to the Lanzar. I'll go check my local electronic retailer for some good 3"s and then decide what to do.

Any additional opinion and experience is welcome and appreciated.

[Carlwalski]

Personally I'd go with the 4x10 for sound quality. It will provide better mid tone than 2 x 3" speakers. You could mount the 4x10 in the factory location and house/mount the 2 x 3" else where if you were after sound. For me, I just wanted a modern unit to fit into the factory location to replace the old and low output factory spec speakers. What I'm saying is I didn't go for all out sound or an all out sound system. Just something better than factory is all I wanted. I hardly listen to the CD. 440 reasons not to lie under the bulge hood.

[FJ5_440]

I cut a sheet metal plate the size and shape of the 4x10 speaker and then cut the holes for two 3" speakers in the plate.  I wanted to center the speakers, but had to crowd nearer to the drivers side to avoid the metal structure of the dash.  It worked out fine and sounds far better than stock, but the 4x10s Carlwalski used are easier and probabbly sound almost as good.

[Robb]

4 x 10 speakers were meant to fit dashes and package trays, not to sound good.     Actually you should get better quality from the 2 smaller ROUND speakers.

You arent going to get ANY stereo information running 2 speakers side by side in the center of the car, and it would be better to run them in mono.   Often times if there is different signals going to two adjacent speakers when running in stereo 2 channel. they can have the problem of cancelling sound waves on each other, making things even worse.

Mount some mids in the dash side by side in mono, then try mounting the tweeters in the dash, a pillars or kickpanels


the best setup is to get some tweets and mids in the kickpanels but these Ebodies arent a slam dunk for that.   I think Goody has done it successfully though, and it is very much worth a look. 

[Jacksboys]

I cut a sheet metal plate the size and shape of the 4x10 speaker and then cut the holes for two 3" speakers in the plate.  I wanted to center the speakers, but had to crowd nearer to the drivers side to avoid the metal structure of the dash.  It worked out fine and sounds far better than stock, but the 4x10s Carlwalski used are easier and probabbly sound almost as good.

I have the plate in mine with two small speakers and they sound good.  Just remember that since they are small speakers, you will not get the BASS tones like larger speakers provide.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

  I think Goody has done it successfully though, and it is very much worth a look. 

Here is my little setup.

When i first put them in. I bought already cutup kickpanels


I've since painted the covers black, looks better. In person you can still see the white in the speaker, unlike the picture

[wally426ci]

I have one for my car that came out of a 78 D150, it was mounted on a bracket behind the seat in perfect condition....

[Jacksboys]

I am not sure if you have a center console, but if you don't, Cannibal94 had this idea for his car.  It is not bolted down, so it can be removed for any show.

[73challenger_TN]

I put speakers in my kick-panels like goody. You just have to space the emergency brake out some.

[jims challenger]

Do you think this would sound like sh*t? I as thinking of 2 - 3" speakers myself until I saw this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4x10-STEREO-Dual-Voice-Coil-SPEAKER-use-in-classic-car_W0QQitemZ270355509821QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item270355509821&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

dual voice coil....stereo sound

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Do you think this would sound like sh*t? I as thinking of 2 - 3" speakers myself until I saw this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4x10-STEREO-Dual-Voice-Coil-SPEAKER-use-in-classic-car_W0QQitemZ270355509821QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item270355509821&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

dual voice coil....stereo sound

As long as you aren't using a hi-powered amplifier, that should work. It's good it has the screw holes on the ends like the originals did.

[BarracudaDave]

Do you think this would sound like sh*t? I as thinking of 2 - 3" speakers myself until I saw this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4x10-STEREO-Dual-Voice-Coil-SPEAKER-use-in-classic-car_W0QQitemZ270355509821QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item270355509821&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

dual voice coil....stereo sound

Have you made a decision on this speaker yet?  Would appreciate any feedback.  I have a Cuda, not sure if the speaker locations are the same as the Challenger?