speaker question from an extreme novice

[msubullyfan]

Request for help from some of you car audio experts from someone who is a novice...

I'm looking to replace the 2003.5 Protege5 factory door speakers with some aftermarket ones. Crutchfield has many 6x8 speakers listed as E-Z fit for the front, but none listed for the back (all requiring a mounting bracket).

The Crutchfield agent I spoke with recommended the following speakers...

Front -- Rockford Fosgate FRC3268 6x8 for the front
Rear -- Rockford Fosgate FRC4205 5-1/4 for the rear

I know that opinions on speakers vary widely, but do these sound like good choices to you guys?

Also, Crutchfield doesn't have custom instructions for the Protege5. Is the door panel removal on this vehicle pretty straightforward, or are there some things I need to know beforehand?

By the way -- what's so weird about the rear door speakers that you can't get a relacement the right size?

Thanks,
Robert B.
msubullyfan

(silverp5)

2003.5 Protege5 -- Sunlight Silver Metallic

 

[seth]

well the sizing is correct for sure, I like alpine but rockford makes a good speaker.

there is nothing weird on the right side it is just like the left I am not sure where you got that.
the doors come off from a few screws and the plugs that look like the rest of the door skin use a flat head screw driver carefully not to scratch anything.

to remove the door panel you are going to have to pop off the black piece that is at the edge of the window toward the front of the car.
I wish I lived near you i would just help you but I don't think I do.
post any questions in here and I will try to get to you as soon as possible.

 

[1sty]

Request for help from some of you car audio experts from someone who is a novice...

I'm looking to replace the 2003.5 Protege5 factory door speakers with some aftermarket ones. Crutchfield has many 6x8 speakers listed as E-Z fit for the front, but none listed for the back (all requiring a mounting bracket).

The Crutchfield agent I spoke with recommended the following speakers...

Front -- Rockford Fosgate FRC3268 6x8 for the front
Rear -- Rockford Fosgate FRC4205 5-1/4 for the rear

I know that opinions on speakers vary widely, but do these sound like good choices to you guys?

Also, Crutchfield doesn't have custom instructions for the Protege5. Is the door panel removal on this vehicle pretty straightforward, or are there some things I need to know beforehand?

By the way -- what's so weird about the rear door speakers that you can't get a relacement the right size?

Thanks,
Robert B.
msubullyfan

(silverp5)

2003.5 Protege5 -- Sunlight Silver Metallic

You should only buy speakers you listen to first, no exceptions.

6.5" speakers will fit in the rear without a bracket.

The rear doors have some tricks but if they have it, the regular protege has the same doors so they can give you the info for a regular sedan 2002-up.

 

[servoeyes]

Check out the sticky in this section for all your sizing needs. 1st did a hell of a job on that! As for install...here's what I would suggest for a novice:

1) Make sure you listen to the speakers you want first. Hit up Best Buy, Tweeter, or Circuit City (or whatever else you have near you..even if it's a small place!) and listen to a bunch of stuff to find what sounds best to your ear.

2) see if that store can cut you a better deal than Crutchfield (i bet they can...Crutchfield's expensive..usually) and include install. That way there's less hassle, and maybe they'll let you watch.

or

3) if you want to learn about the install then have a friend who knows how to do it help you (or even a board member, which might as well be the equivalent of friend the way we treat each other around here! ) install the pieces from where ever you can get them cheap AND with a warranty.

 

[msubullyfan]

Thanks for the great advice -- all of you!

servoeyes -- I'll definitely listen to them first, and will see what kind of deal they can give me at a local audio shop!

Seth -- thanks for the other choices. I meant "right size", not "right side". My bad if my wording was confusing.

1st Mp3 -- That's interesting about the 6.5" not needing a bracket. Crutchfield only had one 6.5" available, and it needs one. Maybe I should look for others?

I've got someone I work with that used to do this for a living, and he said he'd help me out with installation. So, I may not have much problems.

Again, thanks for the advice!


Robert B.
msubullyfan

(silverp5)

2003.5 Protege5 -- Sunlight Silver Metallic

 

[1sty]

Crutchfiled will also tell you that the alpine headunits won't fit in our cars!!! Which is BS considering all the models they say won't fit have already been installed in proteges.

The 6.5s are no different. the factory size is 6" but a 6.5 will fit fine. The screw holes won't line up but that doesn't bother me a bit .

 

[msubullyfan]

1st MP3 -- do you think that any 6.5" will fit? Crutchfield's site says they won't. Why does it say that? Do you think it might be because they don't have a mounting bracket for it?

Just curious. Man, I'm lost here.

 

[UBlink]

What about components replacing the stock 6x8's and the stock tweeters? Is this feasible? I've seen others talking about mounting tweeters next to the speaker on the door, but if there's already a tweeter mounting up high next to the mirrors why not use it? Has anyone installed aftermarket components in the original stock locations?

[4 question marks in one post!]

 

[1sty]

1st MP3 -- do you think that any 6.5" will fit? Crutchfield's site says they won't. Why does it say that? Do you think it might be because they don't have a mounting bracket for it?

Just curious. Man, I'm lost here.

Crutchfield has to ensure the most novice and un helped Monkey out there can make the swap. Thats what they are all about. It is not a direct drop in but it takes only a littl time and effort to fit it. It not very hard. Not to mention Crutchfield has some retarded info on the proteges for some reason. I have already called to change it.

 

[1sty]

What about components replacing the stock 6x8's and the stock tweeters?
Is this feasible?
I've seen others talking about mounting tweeters next to the speaker on the door, but if there's already a tweeter mounting up high next to the mirrors why not use it?
Has anyone installed aftermarket components in the original stock locations?

[4 question marks in one post!]

Sure
Yes
Tweeters down low are better as they are closer to the mid and keeps a better point of reference. Not to mention metal tweeters up high can be very annoying. It really depends on your listening tastes.
Yes

 

[Sir Nuke]

1st MP3 -- do you think that any 6.5" will fit? Crutchfield's site says they won't. Why does it say that? Do you think it might be because they don't have a mounting bracket for it?

Just curious. Man, I'm lost here.

dude....I upgraded my stockers with the RF FRC series myself...and YES the 6 1/2" fit perfectly....

get the FRC 3206 to match the fronts....you won't be disappointed with them. they sound great.

 

[Esteban Toledo]

Also, Crutchfield doesn't have custom instructions for the Protege5. Is the door panel removal on this vehicle pretty straightforward, or are there some things I need to know beforehand?



Thanks,
Robert B.
msubullyfan

(silverp5)

2003.5 Protege5 -- Sunlight Silver Metallic

Request instructions for the '99 sedan. They'll send them to you. Thats what I did. I had no problems.

 

[RyanPitch]

Tweeters down low are better as they are closer to the mid and keeps a better point of reference. Not to mention metal tweeters up high can be very annoying.

Wow, I'm about to install components in the front in a couple of days. I'd be interested to hear more about this. Should I mount 'em in the door? I was planning to cut my black plastic piece that's inside the mirrors and mount 'em in the same places that the '03 P5's have 'em. This is the first time I've heard the suggestion to mount 'em lower. Any additional thoughts since you last posted about this?

 

[ForesterES]

Wow, a three year old thread brought to the top!

Basically, you mount the tweeter close to the woofer to improve imaging and SQ.

My tweets are mounted in my door panels about 2 or 3 inches above my woofers. It's not hard to do, just buy a hole saw at your local hardware store, and make sure you cut the holes in the same place in both doors. For me, the hardest part about it was just making the decision to actually cut my door panel!

 

[chuyler1]

If cutting holes is not something you want to do with your car you can always create a bracket to mount them over the drivers. The metal bracket that comes with most head units to brace the rear works great for this.

 

[MSnyder]

I personally just installed a whole new set of speakers in my 2003 protege 5 without much hassle. I tested a bunch speakers and was looking into alpine, untill I was shown a set of Hertz energy 6.5"s. (http://www.hertzaudiovideo.com/default_en.htm) These speakers looked and sounded amazing. and I couldn't resist buying them and the matching 5x7 component set. I installed them myself with the help of one of my friends in only a couple hours. As to what size to get, I would go with 5x7 over 6x8, they are completly interchangable and you will be getting more for less with 5x7s as they are a more commmon speaker size, meaning more competition to keep the speaker companies on there toes to keep producing a good product.