Upgrading BA Speakers

[RupertPupkin]

Looking to swap my BA speakers and keep the stock look for the stereo (14 ss w/ Nav). Just looking to do some Kenwoods or Pioneer, since I’m just looking to get some background noise. Do I need to do anything special? Best Buy is doing the install for free, and now I just need to see what’s needed or what speakers would work.

Pioneer:
6.5” speaker Model TS-G650
6x9 speaker Model TS-G690

Kenwood:
6.5” speaker Model KFC-1666R
6x9 speaker Model KFC-6966R

[AlanRubin]

The DECK speakers are Bi-Amp, a four wire connection. One pair is for the woofer
cone, the other pair is for the tweeter, HI-side.


Your replacements are not Bi-Amp configured.

You would, essentially, need to cut the wires that go to the two small speakers,
and wire them to the HI-side, then the woofer cone to the lo-side wires from the
4-way connector.

Will be interested to see how your installer does this, for FREE...

[RupertPupkin]

Originally Posted by AlanRubin

The DECK speakers are Bi-Amp, a four wire connection. One pair is for the woofer
cone, the other pair is for the tweeter, HI-side.


Your replacements are not Bi-Amp configured.

You would, essentially, need to cut the wires that go to the two small speakers,
and wire them to the HI-side, then the woofer cone to the lo-side wires from the
4-way connector.

Will be interested to see how your installer does this, for FREE...

I bought new appliances. So I got their “total tech support” so I can get shit discounted. So their in store services are free. The installers are trained, certified etc. so they do legit work.

I’m looking for the most cost efficient route without buying extra stuff.

[Cheap Guy]

Man, just be careful, sometimes FREE, isn’t exactly FREE. Our cars aren’t complicated but the installer really has to be familiar with how they’re set up, as mentioned above. The fronts aren’t too bad - if they understand the stock components have built in crossovers. Many aftermarket components have a separate crossover “box” and it’s not a simple process of mounting it in a good location.

The rears? If you’re comfortable with a BB tech basically disassembling the rear interior of your car for free...have at it. Then they have to understand the rear speaker set up as mentioned above.

I bought a winter beater last fall with a BB basic radio install by the previous owner. The steering wheel controls didn’t work so I took it apart. It was a complete mess. The USB was just laying on the floor, some connections weren’t right and screws were missing. I ended up taking it all apart and redoing it. The parts they used were fine - the install was the problem.

I just checked out the speakers you listed. Honestly I doubt you’d notice much sound difference from what you have.

[RupertPupkin]

Cheap Guy. My whole driver side is out, so I’ll hear an upgrade. lol better than buying stockers

[Cheap Guy]

Originally Posted by RupertPupkin

Cheap Guy. My whole driver side is out, so I’ll hear an upgrade. lol better than buying stockers

Oh, ok. Definitely you'll hear a difference. In that case at least try to get a true component speaker even if you have to spend a little more. If you get the integrated crossover, that would be the easiest route. Absolutely leave the rear alone if you can unless you really want a big upgrade.

You say the entire driver's side is out - both front and rear? It's rare that both would go out with the stock system. Might want to check for other problems if that's the case. BTW, I went with a set of RockfordFosgate with integrated crossovers - basically plug and play. Unfortunately BB doesn't carry those but see if there's any that they sell that do.

[RupertPupkin]

Originally Posted by Cheap Guy

Oh, ok. Definitely you'll hear a difference. In that case at least try to get a true component speaker even if you have to spend a little more. If you get the integrated crossover, that would be the easiest route. Absolutely leave the rear alone if you can unless you really want a big upgrade.

You say the entire driver's side is out - both front and rear? It's rare that both would go out with the stock system. Might want to check for other problems if that's the case. BTW, I went with a set of RockfordFosgate with integrated crossovers - basically plug and play. Unfortunately BB doesn't carry those but see if there's any that they sell that do.

Do you have a model number?

[Cheap Guy]

Originally Posted by RupertPupkin

Do you have a model number?

I was like you - I had some BB rewards and tried to buy from them but I ended up getting RockfordFosgate R1675-S which are a good mid priced speaker. I just checked and the Kenwood KFC-P71 have the integrated crossover:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/kenwood...?skuId=5577930

I obviously can’t vouch for them.

Some people will argue that the separate crossover is better, which may or may not be true, but again PROPERLY mounting the box is a bit of a pain. From what I’ve read, integrated crossovers are fine and this is the best and easiest way to swap out speakers with the least amount of work IMO, speaking from experience.

[RupertPupkin]

Thanks. Just did some quick testing. Rear L/R speakers are good, center is good, Right front door is also good. Just seems like the the left door speaker and tweeter is a no go.

[Cheap Guy]

Originally Posted by RupertPupkin

Thanks. Just did some quick testing. Rear L/R speakers are good, center is good, Right front door is also good. Just seems like the the left door speaker and tweeter is a no go.

Good show. Let us know how it works out and what you decide. This should be an easy job for BB with no hacking up anything.

I’m actually swapping out the amp in the next week or two. I’m not an audiophile but without a doubt the stock BA system is one of the weakest systems I’ve had in recent cars. I’ve changed out the HU and front speakers and added an amplified sub box which all helped but it still doesn’t sound nearly as good as my other vehicle. Hopefully a new amp will get me there.

[RupertPupkin]

Originally Posted by Cheap Guy

Good show. Let us know how it works out and what you decide. This should be an easy job for BB with no hacking up anything.

I’m actually swapping out the amp in the next week or two. I’m not an audiophile but without a doubt the stock BA system is one of the weakest systems I’ve had in recent cars. I’ve changed out the HU and front speakers and added an amplified sub box which all helped but it still doesn’t sound nearly as good as my other vehicle. Hopefully a new amp will get me there.

So I’m assuming this is just going to be plug and play. How does your tweeter mount up? I really want to stick with the factory look.

[Dusk_2SS]

I thought my BA in my 2013 2SS was weak as well. Then I used an o'cope and probed the factory amp output pins for the sub channel out. To my suspicion they were enabled. Learned a long time ago a lot of features are present between models, wires are just not connected. Since the convertible came with a sub, I knew it had to be there. Used a high to low converter and connected to a Rockford Fosgate sub amp and three 10" Kickers; and been satisfied ever since. Hits so hard, I could probably vibrate home if I ever run out of gas.

[Badbubba]

To get to the rear speakers, there's quite a bit of disassembly. Front seat belt mounts, rear seat, rear side panels rear deck. Lots of potential for scratching and flexing the panels.

[Cheap Guy]

Originally Posted by RupertPupkin

So I’m assuming this is just going to be plug and play. How does your tweeter mount up? I really want to stick with the factory look.

The tweeters are pretty much pull and replace. It’s not an exact fit so it might need a bit of modifying the mount that comes with the new tweeters but it should fit without hacking up the stock enclosure. I used a little bit of foam rubber and snapped it back together and it’s fine.

I’m like you - with the obvious exception of the aftermarket HU, I wanted to reasonably keep mine stock looking. That’s why I have a small powered amp instead of a huge box in my trunk. I literally can strip everything out and go back to stock in about an hour if I want to.