FAO:Taurean - Leon Speaker Upgrades

[Dean Bufton]

Taurean,

Spotted that you have changed the factory fit speakers on your Leon (Leaking Doors thread). I want to do the same but have hit upon a few problems, see this thread (http://www.seatcars.net/forums/showthread.php?threadid=2272) .

How did you sort out the rivets?

Any info on the 4 cables going into the mids?

Where is the best place to run power cable through the bulkhead?

What guage power cable have you used?

Sorry for the questions Taurean - it's just that I have a JBL component set for the front doors, JBL 3-way coaxial's for the rear doors (all powered by JBL P80.4) plus a hifonics 12" (powered by a Kenwood KAC714) just waiting to go in.:devil: :D :devil:

[Taurean]

Sorry for delay in replying but only just found your message.

To remove the Mids I did as you suggested in your thread have to drill the rivets out, this was very easy.

I also unclipped the tweeters from the front doors (only as the spkrs for the rear are 2 ways). In order to mount the replacements mids with sufficient depth for the magnets not to interfer with the window coming down I purchased a replacement spkr spacer kit. I got mine from a trade outlet but I have seen similar items in Halfords - Autolead is the brand name (as long as the have a semi-pro audio section - if your local one doesn't, then ask them where their nearest outlet is that markets the Ripspeed product line).

You will have to bend the tabs round slightly (heat gun and pliers) as you will be mounting them to the aluminium door panel which is angled in several places. Then drill holes accordingly, I found silicone an effect sealant for the gaps that remain. Also if your speakers have a crossover unit then I mounted mine to the wiring side of the aluminium panel and drilled holes in the plastic spacer to enable me to connect to spkrs.

With regards to the wiring for the power I used 4 gauge cable as I have two high power amps in the boot. The cable goes into a 4 way splitter and I have used 8 gauge cable from here to the amps. The place that I have pushed the wire through is between the inner wing and the pollen filter for the air box. Passenger side near bonnet hinge. You will see a very small grommet beside the filter box this comes out between in inner kick panel and the ventilation system. Try and get hold of some braiding rod or stiff wire and push through this will make finding it easy and you could attach your wire to it and pull back through the hole. Slice and dice the grommet to allow the cable to go through (of a fashion) and then when cable in place and settled push grommet into place as best as you can and finish with silicone to replace the water tight integrity of the joint.

Hope these help, sorry if I waffled a bit but once I get going my fingers get a life of their own.

Any more questions please do not hesitate to reply and I will be notified and will view and respond.


Pls let me know how you get on and if you are pleased with the results because mine is awesome.

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

:devil:

PS - with regards the four wires to the mid - Two of the wires are the spkr feed and two of the wires are outputs once they have passed through the on board crossover unit (you will see a small capacitor attached to the magnet side of the mid spkr - this is part of the crossover gubbins), these two wires go back into the loom and reappear for connecting to the tweeter. - Hope this has clarified.

[Dean Bufton]

Thanks for your reply Taurean.

The replacement speaker spacer kit (Autoleads?) - was this specifically for the Leon or was it a multipurpose version?

Did you earth your amps in the boot or did you run a cable back up the car? If you grounded in the boot, how did you do this?

I'm itching to get started on this but am waiting to get my leaky doors sorted under warranty first (don't want the dealer saying it was my fault for removing the factory speakers etc).

I'm also thinking of putting in a false floor to mount the amps on and keep the sub box in place - have you done this?

Sooo many questions, sorry 'bout that mate ;)

[genesis]

if you are going to put amps in your car then you need a good solid earth to do this
its no good attaching it to the body someplace and hoping for the best

once you have found a suitable location the area needs to be cleaned up and dressed to get rid of the paint in that area
i have actually drilled a new hole in my boot for this purpose
but most people wouldnt dream of doing this so as a few alternatives i would suggest

1.the spare wheel well (even the bracket if its got good contact)
2. the rear slam panel sometimes has fixings allready on there on certain models
3. do what i did and make one yourself i drilled through between
the exhaust heat shield and the body
(you may have to drop the exhaust for this)

these will all give you good earthing points
try and kep the earth lead as short as possible and earth all the parts of your stereo kit to this point otherwise you could end up with a nasty noise coming through your stereo