Speaker install...go it alone or trust a pro?

[QuikSilver]

Hey guys n gals...was just curious if anyone has attempted to toss in some aftermarket speakers in their sonic. Was it an ordeal best left to a pro, or something and average joe can do? I'd like to get some advice before I put down cash for the speakers. I've got a 2015 ltz if it helps your opinion..


Thanks,
Jay

 

[carsNskis]

Pick the right speakers, use panel removal tools. Easy to do of you take the time to learn what you're doing.

Or screw it up really bad and fix it nice, that's the best teacher right there

 

[QuikSilver]

My biggest obstacle is time lol...I've done installs before, but I was just curious how many have done it themselves and who have had to pay to get it done..

 

[sonic007]

Im an installer and have done a ton of them. Its really easy to do. But there is the factor of warranties and time obviously.


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[QuikSilver]

Warranties?? As in factory warranty?

 

[harrisrwe]

Warranties?? As in factory warranty?

If you have the 3 year/36000 (or the 6 year/60000) warranty, speaker replacement is covered (if they're deemed bad of course). I've done it about 3 times, no issues.

 

[sonic007]

Meaning if somewhere like Best Buy does it, you get a lifetime warranty on the worksmanship at any Best Buy across the nation. As well as free removal at any point and put back to stock.


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[QuikSilver]

Im an installer and have done a ton of them. Its really easy to do. But there is the factor of warranties and time obviously.


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Is there an online guide for it?

 

[sonic007]

Is there an online guide for it?

I dont think so. Im sure there are a few write ups of people who have done it at home. I just dont know where. Im sure a quick google search can find it fast.


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[Thesd45]

Are you looking at just replacing the door speakers or adding a sub as well? I just replaced all 4 of my door speakers and added a 10in sub in the hatch. The four door speakers took me about an hour total. The door panels on the sonic are actually pretty easy to remove. The most difficult part was wiring in the new speakers, which isn't hard. And for the sub I just added a line out converter and kept the MyLink. The wiring is all in the harness under the drivers side door trim and the sonic has a nice big grommet thru the firewall under the drivers side dash.

I read over a few of the threads on stereo installs here. Also I ordered the speakers from Crutchfield. They supply brackets for free with the speakers, and also sent step by step instructions with pictures, what they call Mastersheets.

 

[RMinNJ]

Will upgrading just the rear-speakers gain one much ? I do need to fix/tighten one as it vibrates under heavy bass and stops if you press on the the rear door.

 

[sonic007]

It will help a little. But being back behind you it wont do too much without an amp to increase volume.


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[mcanderson0]

Passive Crossover Networks

Start to finish, a great read. This guy covers audio everything from the engineering design perspective, equations and all. Its a rather condensed read, but in a good way.

 

[QuikSilver]

Are you looking at just replacing the door speakers or adding a sub as well? I just replaced all 4 of my door speakers and added a 10in sub in the hatch. The four door speakers took me about an hour total. The door panels on the sonic are actually pretty easy to remove. The most difficult part was wiring in the new speakers, which isn't hard. And for the sub I just added a line out converter and kept the MyLink. The wiring is all in the harness under the drivers side door trim and the sonic has a nice big grommet thru the firewall under the drivers side dash.

I read over a few of the threads on stereo installs here. Also I ordered the speakers from Crutchfield. They supply brackets for free with the speakers, and also sent step by step instructions with pictures, what they call Mastersheets.

Yes, just the door speakers as of right now..gonna wait on sub and head unit.

 

[ThatDieselGuy]

Take your time and research before hand to get it right the first time, it isnt that hard to do. But honestly the labor for installing a doorspeaker was cheap ($20 if I recall). I had one blow while I was out of town and needed a quick repair on it.

Also if you can not find any good threads on how to do it, make sure to take pics and notes and post a thread once your done

 

[pbkn1p]

Hey guys n gals...was just curious if anyone has attempted to toss in some aftermarket speakers in their sonic. Was it an ordeal best left to a pro, or something and average joe can do? I'd like to get some advice before I put down cash for the speakers. I've got a 2015 ltz if it helps your opinion..





Thanks,

Jay

Hey I'm also interested in doing this. I have a 2016 RS. If you do it I would like to know as well. Thanks in advanced. Oh my car is stock. Nothing done to it. I would like to upgrade the speakers


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[mcanderson0]

Be someone. Learn something. Install yourself.

Even after the 80PRS head unit install, the 14Wrms per channel wasnt enough for aftermarket speakers (had Pioneer coaxials at first, but switched all that out). Then I got a 4 channel amp and WOW what a difference. Crystal clear sound.

I ran all new speaker wires to all doors and installed coaxials in the back doors. Installed a component set in the front, with crossovers installed inside the center console against the kick panel.

I had to remove the front doors from the car to drill a hole in the door jamb pillar (on the car side) to run the new wires. Dont just drill thru the outer wall, theres a second interior wall to drill thru. Take your time and clean up the burrs on the drill hole. Use at least a 1/2" drill bit, although I recommend larger. I ran two runs of 12ga wire thru there, one for tweets, one for mids. The rear door is a cake walk since there are plastic grommets on both the door and the car-side door jamb.

The rear door speakers are in an awful stock location, but they make a big difference once theyre amplified, as 007 pointed out.

I lost all the install pics from that portion of my sound install bc my phone wigged out. Although, I can post a pic of the crossover mounting location and the speaker wire runs thru the door jambs if anyone is interested (when I get home on Thursday).

 

[troy_audi0]

I do not think you need to drill any holes in the door area..
as a 15 year vet in the car audio industry I would bypass and drilling if possible.

You can do it yourself, If you have not already I can do a write up this week..
Here is what I have so far..
https://www.flickr.com/photos/troy_audi0/albums/72157666440467183

 

[17RS]

And for the sub I just added a line out converter and kept the MyLink. The wiring is all in the harness under the drivers side door trim and the sonic has a nice big grommet thru the firewall under the drivers side dash.

So, did you tap of the rear speaker wires under the drivers side door panel and also run the power wire for the amp alongside those wires to the back?

Just asking because in previous installs, on different vehicles I always ran the RCAs or speaker wires on the opposite side of the car from the power wire for the amp because of feedback or whatever.

I'm just curious because I'm about to crack into mine this weekend and; the battery, the hole in the firewall (to run the power cable thru) and the speaker wires I need to tap... are all drivers side. It would be great to just run everything on the drivers side under the door jam panels, but I don't want feedback/crossover/interference... etc.

I was wondering if it would even be worth it to run the power on the passenger side.

Have you had any issues?

 

[TurtleOverlord]

So, did you tap of the rear speaker wires under the drivers side door panel and also run the power wire for the amp alongside those wires to the back?

You can also find the rear speaker wired behind the b piller before they head out to the door.

So you can pick it up on the right side and send it back.