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The following is a brief compilation of images that record the series of steps I took in installing new component speakers, two subwoofers, two amps, and eventually a carputer. I had previously documented my speaker and amp install here.
Thanks to all of you on e46fanatics.com for helping me bring this project to life.
The Speaker Installation:
Since I started off simply wanting to upgrade the stock 10-speaker setup, I installed two pairs of Infinity Kappa 60.9cs speakers as well as the Infinity Kappa Four amplifier. Clean and simple.
This was the original installation of the crossovers and amp. The amp location was chosen to avoid any excess space consumption and keep it cool.
Front Speaker Installation:
The only effective way to cleanly install speakers in the front doors is to mount them to the metal body, not the interior trim panel.
No rattles made the work worthwhile.
There’s a lot of ways to mount the tweeters, but since they create very little movement, I went with a simple application of some Dynamat to keep them in place.
Rear Speaker Installation:
I wanted to save some money by not purchasing a bracket, but also ensure a very solid mounting point for the rear speakers, So I used some ½” hardwood to create these horseshoe brackets. Here’s the link to the extensive write-up I did on that part of the install: DIY: 6.5” Rear Deck Speaker Mounting
The install left no room for rattles in the back.
A lot of people will recommend getting coaxial speakers in the back, or mounting the tweeters near the woofers, but since I hadn’t read too much into it and wanted to give my passengers the ability to hear the high notes clearly, I prepped the rear doors to hold my tweeters.
By luck my tweeter’s diameter was a near perfect fit for a very snug install in the existing mounting holes.
Subwoofer Installation:
I eventually decided that even though the bass response was good with the upgraded speakers, I needed more—but not too much more. I found a pair of 8” subwoofers (JL 8W3v3-4) that fit the bill to be paired pretty well with the Infinity Kappa One amplifier (I wanted the trunk install to look very clean, so buying an amp that matched aesthetically was key.) The subs small depth and their custom matched grills made them a good choice for the small enclosure I wanted.
I was happy with the bass I got from the two speakers, but after removing a rear deck speaker to allow the bass to get to the cabin, I decided to try to find a way to get rid of some of the bass isolation I was getting in my e46. I popped out the ski pass and put some holes in the front façade. They’re hardly visible, but seem to augment the sound transmission a bit.
The size and design of the box allowed for me to easily access the full-sized spare I have as well as remove them quickly and easily with the use of two large thumbscrews at the top.
The following is a brief compilation of images that record the series of steps I took in installing new component speakers, two subwoofers, two amps, and eventually a carputer. I had previously documented my speaker and amp install here.
Thanks to all of you on e46fanatics.com for helping me bring this project to life.
The Speaker Installation:
Since I started off simply wanting to upgrade the stock 10-speaker setup, I installed two pairs of Infinity Kappa 60.9cs speakers as well as the Infinity Kappa Four amplifier. Clean and simple.
This was the original installation of the crossovers and amp. The amp location was chosen to avoid any excess space consumption and keep it cool.
Front Speaker Installation:
The only effective way to cleanly install speakers in the front doors is to mount them to the metal body, not the interior trim panel.
No rattles made the work worthwhile.
There’s a lot of ways to mount the tweeters, but since they create very little movement, I went with a simple application of some Dynamat to keep them in place.
Rear Speaker Installation:
I wanted to save some money by not purchasing a bracket, but also ensure a very solid mounting point for the rear speakers, So I used some ½” hardwood to create these horseshoe brackets. Here’s the link to the extensive write-up I did on that part of the install: DIY: 6.5” Rear Deck Speaker Mounting
The install left no room for rattles in the back.
A lot of people will recommend getting coaxial speakers in the back, or mounting the tweeters near the woofers, but since I hadn’t read too much into it and wanted to give my passengers the ability to hear the high notes clearly, I prepped the rear doors to hold my tweeters.
By luck my tweeter’s diameter was a near perfect fit for a very snug install in the existing mounting holes.
Subwoofer Installation:
I eventually decided that even though the bass response was good with the upgraded speakers, I needed more—but not too much more. I found a pair of 8” subwoofers (JL 8W3v3-4) that fit the bill to be paired pretty well with the Infinity Kappa One amplifier (I wanted the trunk install to look very clean, so buying an amp that matched aesthetically was key.) The subs small depth and their custom matched grills made them a good choice for the small enclosure I wanted.
I was happy with the bass I got from the two speakers, but after removing a rear deck speaker to allow the bass to get to the cabin, I decided to try to find a way to get rid of some of the bass isolation I was getting in my e46. I popped out the ski pass and put some holes in the front façade. They’re hardly visible, but seem to augment the sound transmission a bit.
The size and design of the box allowed for me to easily access the full-sized spare I have as well as remove them quickly and easily with the use of two large thumbscrews at the top.