Swapping front door tweeters (component speaker)

[stoopid]

The only weak link in the stock 9 speaker system are the front door tweeters. At higher volume they're harsh. This is a common symptom for cheaper tweeters, I've resolved this issue in past vehicles by swapping in some Focal or other higher end tweeters that would fit. Has anyone done this yet for their Stinger? I'm open to suggestions on tweeter brand/model, as well as any advice on mounting the aftermarket tweeter (assuming I may need ot use some hot glue). I might consider swapping in all new components (tweeter and larger speaker) on each door, seeing that I'm removing the door panel anyway.

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[mfenske]

Yup.My build log (so far)

 

[stoopid]

Yup.My build log (so far)

Interesting strategy (making your own mounts for the tweeters). I'd likely modify the stock mount, gluing the replacement into place (and just tossing the OE tweeters in the trash).

I assume most tweeters are going to have a similar frequency range, so whatever the crossover is set to in the component setup is going to determine the cutoff. This would mean just about any aftermarket tweeter would work(?).

 

[RedCal]

Yup it will all be about the size (size of the driver does dictate the frequency response a fair bit and quality of the tweeter) for the most part, the crossover is going to steer the frequency to the correct drivers, The only thing you would want to avoid is any gaps in the ability of the drivers... and that's pretty unlikely. It would be nice to know what the crossover points are but just for personal interest.

 

[stoopid]

Thanks for the input. I went ahead and bought the Focal TWU 1.5 tweeters. I've had a few sets of Focal speakers in the past, they're bright without being harsh which is important when cutting through road noise.

 

[mfenske]

I'm not so sure it's easy to pull the OEM's out of the mounts. If you've got access to a jig or bandsaw you can do what I did for under $5 and if you ever sell the car and don't want to give your gear to an owner who won't know the difference I'd keep the stock ones.

 

[stoopid]

Did the swap last night, had my first 20+ minutes drive time with the new Focal's installed and there's a noticeable improvement in the clarity of the highs, and almost no more harshness. I'm thinking the lone center speaker in the dash could be swapped, but just with the tweeters swapped I'm able to crank the volume and not have my ears pinned on certain tracks.

I ended up using hot glue smeared along the edge of the tweeter. It sat perfectly in the circular hole left once the old tweeter was removed. But it needed something to hold it in place and removing the stock tweeter from its mount would be a chore as mfenske explained. I also ended up using some extra washers I had from the latch rattle fix attempt, along with the stock two screws for the old speaker mount, to keep the speaker cover mount firmly in place. It wiggled a little and requires the old mount (or washers in my case) to hold it in place firmly/no rattle potential.

 

[mfenske]

Nice work @stoopid The center channel is a fairly simple replacement. I was able to shoehorn a 4" midrange in there with a 1/4" adapter I made. I think (take that for what it's worth) you could probably drop in a slightly smaller speaker (like a 3.5") without an adapter.

 

[stoopid]

I'm living with the system for now so I can sample a bunch of my music collection before deciding if more speaker swaps are needed. The tweeter swap alone has added a huge degree of clarity. The bass is solid with the dual under-seat 7" subs, for the music I listen to at the levels I listen to it. Mids (which are the primary frequencies left being handled by the single center and lower door speakers) tend to be less problematic with cheaper speakers, although a really nice set of replacements would yield noticeable improvement in clarity (especially at higher volume)... but at a cost. $100/pair door speakers aren't going to sound much better, and I can't see spending much more due to the amount of NVH. On top of all that, there's the overarching limiting factor of the stock amp and head unit EQ controls, which are adequate at best.

At least the harshness seems gone.

 

[stoopid]

Quick, likely final update -- the new tweeters have resolved 99% of my issues with the base GT 9 speaker system. Wide variety of music over the past week at various volumes, including some Perfect Circle today cranked and zero issues with sibilance/harshness. Conclusion: the OE tweeters suck, swap them.

 

[CKeeler]

I’m not sure if I caught it or not. Did you just straight swap the tweeters or did you install a new crossover also?

 

[stoopid]

I’m not sure if I caught it or not. Did you just straight swap the tweeters or did you install a new crossover also?

The tweeters I bought came with a wired crossover. The OE tweeters had a similar inline resistor for the crossover.

 

[mfenske]

The OE tweeters had a similar inline resistor for the crossover.

Splitting hairs here-it would be a capacitor.

 

[stoopid]

Splitting hairs here-it would be a capacitor.

Yes! [splitting hairs, and correct ]

 

[stoopid]

Nice work @stoopid The center channel is a fairly simple replacement. I was able to shoehorn a 4" midrange in there with a 1/4" adapter I made. I think (take that for what it's worth) you could probably drop in a slightly smaller speaker (like a 3.5") without an adapter.

Today I played an album I like but haven't listened in the car yet, and the dash/center speaker was way too harsh (bright) for this particular mix (the mix is fine, I'm familiar with its sonic properties on other playback equipment).

I poked around crutchfield, which has low stock on smaller mid range speakers, so I found this on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B8TKWS1

I'm open to other suggestions as well.

 

[stoopid]

While checking out what's there, I disconnected the center speaker and did some testing. It sounded pretty good without, and there was a time center speakers weren't a thing in cars so I don't really feel like it's necessary. Going to leave it installed but disconnected for now and will decide later if I'm going to bother replacing it.

**Update - after a commute to work, things seem fine without the center speaker. I'm going to run with this for a while, suspect I'm going to be fine without the center speaker and won't likely need to upgrade/replace it.

 

[B1ackAlloy]

While checking out what's there, I disconnected the center speaker and did some testing. It sounded pretty good without, and there was a time center speakers weren't a thing in cars so I don't really feel like it's necessary. Going to leave it installed but disconnected for now and will decide later if I'm going to bother replacing it.

**Update - after a commute to work, things seem fine without the center speaker. I'm going to run with this for a while, suspect I'm going to be fine without the center speaker and won't likely need to upgrade/replace it.

I am thinking of replacing the tweeters at some point as well. I noticed on some songs that the stock cannot handle it whatsoever. Aside from that the stock system definitely gets the job done.

 

[Aarvix]

The door midranges and tweets play from the same speaker wire and do not have a true crossover.

The tweeter has a capacitor that crosses it around 8k, but the mids are full range, resulting in way too much treble and a bad peak at 8k.

I'm currently working on the speaker replacements that @andrew tay recommended in his thread, along with some dayton tweeters.

I modeled and 3d printed some adapters for the peerless midranges and they fit great. I can post the stl if anyone else is interested.

My tweeter adapter did not turn out so hot, so won't be posting that one.

 

[stoopid]

The door midranges and tweets play from the same speaker wire and do not have a true crossover.

The tweeter has a capacitor that crosses it around 8k, but the mids are full range, resulting in way too much treble and a bad peak at 8k.

I'm currently working on the speaker replacements that @andrew tay recommended in his thread, along with some dayton tweeters.

I modeled and 3d printed some adapters for the peerless midranges and they fit great. I can post the stl if anyone else is interested.

My tweeter adapter did not turn out so hot, so won't be posting that one.

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You have 3 speakers on each door? That's the HK, not base system (only 2 speakers per door). Speaker part numbers are different, but not sure if what's being used actually is.

Agree on the 4" mid range which is the 'center' lone dash speaker in my base 9 speaker system, if we do indeed have the same speakers. There's an abrupt harshness only very specific music/instruments illuminate.

 

[Aarvix]

Whoops, I missed that this was a discussion for the base system, not HK.

I'd bet it's the same center channel speaker though. I'll pull mine one of these days (currently have my hands full with another mod).
I'll probably replace mine with a good coaxial speaker and I bet that would tame the harshness.