Speaker Upgrade Question

[BioHzrd]

Ok its been covered but not what i want to know....

I want to upgrade the front speakers with some Focal components but ive never turned my hand to Audio installs before so the question is how do i go about wiring these up properly ?

Do i need to run new cables if so where from and two etc etc

Any help would be grand.

 

[Freeza]

If they have a separate crossover then yes you will need to run cable from the x-over to the amp (you are using an amp?) and then to each mid/tweeter

If they have a built in x-over, usually a resistor on the tweeter then you will have to run cable either from the mid to the tweeter or from the amp/headunit to the tweeter and mid individually

So it depends on what equipment you have

 

[BioHzrd]

Got a Alpine IDA X100 headunit atm.

No amp just looking to replace the fronts with the focal units so how would i wire these in ?

Its a stand alone cross over that comes with the speakers.

 

[Freeza]

Headunit speaker out to x-over

x-over outputs to mids/tweeters as marked on the x-over unit

It will be major ball-ache to run fresh wire through the doors into the x-over, assuming you hide them under the dash somewhere. You can get away with splicing/scotch locking into the original wires to save running new cable.
It's a lot of effort for what will be a negligible increase in sound quality as you aren't using an amp.

Have you considered ditching the Focals and buying some custom fit speakers? A lot less hassle and would be a better match for the Alpine's power output

something like this

http://www.pioneercaraudioonline.co.uk/products/24/368/Pioneer%20TS-Q131C/

 

[jack_kemp]

Ditching Focals for Pioneer Renault speakers? You're off your rocker mate..... lol

Focals are the greatest speakers known to man. fact.

I wouldn't use the standard HU speaker cables, it's crap. Just follow the standard wire through the car and run some decent stuff through exactly the same route.

However, I would definitely think about amping them, as said, you'll get a whole lot more out of them. Is there any reason that you don't want to amp them?

I'd also suggest Dynamatting and sealing the door properly, silly not to with a speaker of this quality.

 

[Freeza]

Dynamat? lol

The OP just said he's never done an audio install before.. what next, split charging system and deep cycle batteries?

 

[BioHzrd]

The reason for no amp is what i said to start with never turned my hand to Audio, to be honest seems like its going to cost a fortune for negligible improvement....

 

[jack_kemp]

Dynamat is hardly complicated! lol. It will make a huge difference, especially with the wonderful French doors.

For me, with audio stuff, do it properly, or don't do it at all. You spend soooo much time back tracking and replacing stuff otherwise.

Your best off saving up, getting an amp and getting it all installed properly.

With car audio, it's 10% equipment, 90% installation IMO

 

[BioHzrd]

Meh ill live with it for now, ill spend the money on more power 290hp 340lbft here i come

 

[Freeza]

Doesn't have to cost a lot to get improvement, just need to know where to spend the money. If you're going to run only the Alpine HU then absolutely change the crap paper-cone Renault speakers for something else. I guarantee you will hear the difference.

Keep the Focal components for if/when you get an amp, because at that point you'll discover why you need Dynamat

 

[jack_kemp]

Meh ill live with it for now, ill spend the money on more power 290hp 340lbft here i come

Damn you turbo folk.... lol