Speaker Newbie

Shamrock · 27 Jan 2006 at 11:58

Ok, so I've got 2 standard ford speakers in the front of my fiesta, nothing in the back and a panasonic 4x45w HU. At the moment I find that I can't hear my music very well over road noise unless the volume is pretty high or I'm not moving.

Anyway I'd like to buy 2 new speakers and put the others in the back. Is this difficult to do and what sort of speakers do I need, full range? Also, if my HU can support 4x45w what difference does the power make? Is it just loudness or is there greater clarity aswell?

My budget is £50-ish.

Thankee

Oracle · 27 Jan 2006 at 12:10

Your HU will not be a true 4x45w unfortunately, it is more likely to produce around 22w per channel. Are we talking about a pre 2000 Fiesta, as I'm surprised that road noise would be that noticeable at normal speeds in a newish one.

You can go for some components up front, but you will need to find a suitable location for a tweeter, in this case, you may be better getting some co-axials in the front door locations (they have built in crossovers and have a small tweeter mounted to the woofer cone).

If road noise is your problem, you may well want to purchase an amplifier. This can still be done at a later date even if you upgrade your speakers now, although upgrading your speakers will not make your system louder. They may be able to handle certain frequencies better than the standard Ford items.

Alpine SPE-1702 ( a 6.5cm coaxial speaker) with 150w ratting retail at around £45 in VAT, but consider a 2 channel or 4 channel (if you ever want to add a sub) Amplifier if you want to combat road noise. This will allow a greater volume of music whislt retaining clarity of sound.

Shamrock · 27 Jan 2006 at 12:17

Yeah, 1997 Fiesta Mk4.

I don't really want to spend a fortune, but if there won't be much improvement with just buying 2 speakers perhaps I'll wait until I can afford the whole shebang.

How can I find out what size speakers my car uses? Whip the ruler out?

Oracle · 27 Jan 2006 at 12:24

How can I find out what size speakers my car uses? Whip the ruler out?

Pretty much! I believe they are 5.25" or 130mm in dia. in which case believe it or not, those speakers I suggested wont fit. From what I can tell you also need a small adapter plate to fit aftermarket speakers to the Fiesta (this is common in a lot of cars now-a-days)

New recommendation................Alpine SXE 1325S - £40 inc. VAT (100w)

Shamrock · 27 Jan 2006 at 12:39

Thanks for your help.

On one website the SXE-1325S's are £24.99 and rated as 100w peak and 25w rms, but another which has them for £19.99 rates them as 200w/35w. :s

Either way, I can get 4 of them and the adapters for just over my 50 quid, worth it?

fonzee · 27 Jan 2006 at 14:06

Ive just upgraded the front two speakers in my 96' fiesta mk4...

The standard ford ones werent bad, however did become a bit distorted at higher volumes (i do like my prodigy

)...

so ive just fitted a couple of of alpine 150W peak, 30W RMS, coaxial 13cm jobbies (model number SPS-130A) Quality is a lot better, much more crisp sound and generally more clearer... They have tweeter built in the middle of the driver which i pointed upwards... However you may not need coaxial 2 way speakers as the mk4 fiesta already has a tweeter by the door handle...

Anyway the SPS-130As normally retail in my local halfords for about 50 bean however of the 'bay can be had for about 25-30 bean including P&P...

Get these as well as you need an adapter to fit a pair of 13cm jobbies...

'bay 13cm adapters

I considered putting something in the back but i will have to wait till im in the mood... lol