Replace front speakers but not tweeters?

[dividedsky319]

Is it a problem to just replace the front speakers but leave the factory tweeters in? Is there some sort of "factory" splitter to split the frequencies between the tweeter and the woofer?

I assume if I do this and replace them with 2 way speakers that the new speaker's tweeter will just go unused since I assume highs aren't sent to the front woofer?

Sorry, I'm new at this... well, not completely new, I put in a component system in my '05 3 when I first got it but I forget what it was like in there...

 

[bootman]

Is it a problem to just replace the front speakers but leave the factory tweeters in? Is there some sort of "factory" splitter to split the frequencies between the tweeter and the woofer?

I assume if I do this and replace them with 2 way speakers that the new speaker's tweeter will just go unused since I assume highs aren't sent to the front woofer?

Sorry, I'm new at this... well, not completely new, I put in a component system in my '05 3 when I first got it but I forget what it was like in there...

The ideal setup would be to get a 2way speaker system with a tweeter and 5 1/4 woofers.
There is enough room to mount the crossover in the door panel.

 

[dividedsky319]

I suppose this is an entirely different question, but is a 5.25" woofer better than a 5x7/6x9 woofer?

They really won't be played too loudly so it's mainly average volumes I'm worried about. I know ovals will distort at higher volumes, but should I go with an oval speaker for more bass at lower volumes because of the larger surface area?

 

[bootman]

I suppose this is an entirely different question, but is a 5.25" woofer better than a 5x7/6x9 woofer?

They really won't be played too loudly so it's mainly average volumes I'm worried about. I know ovals will distort at higher volumes, but should I go with an oval speaker for more bass at lower volumes because of the larger surface area?

A good 5x7/6x8 will do fine. (a 6x9 won't fit)
Infinity (for example) makes excellent 5x7 2 way systems.

 

[OldDave]

To answer the original question: the factory wiring sends the same full-range amplifier output to the main speaker and the tweeter. The tweeter assembly includes a small capacitor to block the lower frequencies from reaching the tweeter (a 'first order' or 6db/octave filter, for my fellow geeks).

 

[thaxman]

To answer the original question: the factory wiring sends the same full-range amplifier output to the main speaker and the tweeter. The tweeter assembly includes a small capacitor to block the lower frequencies from reaching the tweeter (a 'first order' or 6db/octave filter, for my fellow geeks).

So the main door speaker is full-range then? With a whizzer? If my assumptions are correct, then a good replacement will do fine. If the replacement is a 2-way or 3-way, the tweeters also have capacitors to block the low/mids, so you will enhance the highs with not only the high-mount tweeters, but also a little more clarity near the knee.

 

[OldDave]

So the main door speaker is full-range then? With a whizzer?

To be honest, I don't know. Our '07 Sport came without the tweeter assemblies, which I added myself. I've not had the main inside door panels off the car. I looked at the wiring diagram in the service manual to determine there wasn't a full up two-way crossover on the higher trim levels.

 

[bootman]

...so you will enhance the highs with not only the high-mount tweeters, but also a little more clarity near the knee.

High frequencies are very directional.
Unless your knees also have ears, replacing the tweeter also will give you the best results.


A system like this would be ideal.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1086820CS/Infinity-Reference-6820cs.html?tp=106

 

[dividedsky319]

What's the best way to install new tweeters, then? I get weary about actually cutting factory gear, so in my 3 I simply took out the old tweeters, and taped the new ones in place in the same "hole" ... yeah, probably not the best way considering like you said they should be directional, haha...

 

[Heat]

...A system like this would be ideal.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1086820CS/Infinity-Reference-6820cs.html?tp=106

Thanks for the reminder, I have those speakers but they are sitting on my garage shelf. I picked them up along with rear speakers and a new head unit (a package deal through Crutchfield, no longer available). I got the rear speakers and head unit installed but shortly after that I bought a new house which sidetracked my audio project. Here is a thread I did on the head unit / rear speaker install: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123752412

I'll try to get them installed in the next week or so, will post some pictures of the install as well as what I think of the sound quality.

 

[dividedsky319]

Heat, curious why you put in your rear speakers but not the fronts?

I ask because I really don't even hear the rear speakers from the front, so I haven't considered changing the rear speakers... I'd like to get a little bit better sound out of the stock HU while spending under $100 and it seems like the front speakers are the best bet.

 

[thaxman]

High frequencies are very directional.
Unless your knees also have ears, replacing the tweeter also will give you the best results.

My knees hear just fine, thank you. It helps to have a cricket in the family tree. (dance)

 

[Heat]

Heat, curious why you put in your rear speakers but not the fronts?...

Because replacing the rear speakers was a quicker job.

 

[beldecca]

To answer the original question: the factory wiring sends the same full-range amplifier output to the main speaker and the tweeter. The tweeter assembly includes a small capacitor to block the lower frequencies from reaching the tweeter (a 'first order' or 6db/octave filter, for my fellow geeks).

Would it help then to install a BassBlocker or similar cut out if you were working in your doors?

 

[OldDave]

Would it help then to install a BassBlocker or similar cut out if you were working in your doors?

I've delayed replying because I have no real opinion on this -- our car seems to run out of amp before the front speakers have run out of capacity, but I don't boost the bass at the radio and tend to listen to not particularly demanding music(*). IMHO unless you're augmenting the existing system with an external subwoofer I'd not bother.

(*) Most demanding: Dire Straits' "Brothers in Arms", but mainly because the volume mysteriously keeps going up.

 

[jimp]

to Old Dave:
you indicated above you looked up the wiring diagram in the service manual, could you look up which color of wire are positive and negative for all of the speakers, I could use the breakdown for the fronts but others could use the info for all speakers. I'm gonna install new comps in the front doors soon. Thanks

If your 5 didn't come with tweets from the factory, and wanted them, all you need to do is buy the component set you like, they will come with a woofer & tweeter, and the crossover you need to seperate the signals between the woofer and tweeter and run some wiring accordingly. you would need new panels to mount the tweeters or just cut the ones you have and mount the tweets flush. It's scary to do, but not all that hard.