Replacement speakers for stock radio?

[BRE-240Z]

I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation on some speakers that would work with a stock, original radio. When I bought my car from the PO, he had two plastic speaker boxes in the back, each of them with a blown and horrible-sounding speaker inside.

I tossed the speakers and left the wiring in place. Now I'm at the point in my restoration where I was thinking that it might be nice to be able to listen to the radio (or perhaps even to music from my iPod, since I have a Griffin iTrip that will broadcast to FM).

Does anyone have a recommendation on some speakers that would work well with a stock radio? It's my understanding that the original FM radio puts out about 3W of power, so I would assume that we're talking about ultra-low-powered speakers here....I probably won't even mount them behind the plastic panels, instead I was thinking that I'd create or buy some sort of a speaker box that would tuck up against each side in the rear cargo area....

Any advice would be appreciated.

[EScanlon]

Brian,

I just went looking for speakers today for one of my projects. Speakers in an enclosure are getting impossible to find. Every shop I spoke with wanted to cut holes, or use existing openings. The problem with our Z's is that our cars weren't designed with the 4, 6, 8, and higher multiple sets of speakers. As a result, you have to "settle" for what you can fit, and not what you want.

Add to that that the OEM stereo is very much an underpowered and very basic radio in terms of sound fidelity. It's a 3.5W Monaual AM/FM radio with THD of 10% (tell that to your audiophile friends to get them laughing ) powering a 4 ohm, 5 - 1/8" speaker (NOT a 5-1/4" - surprise!). You're simply NOT going to get HI-FI sound out of it.

If you've soundproofed the fenders, and the floors you will probably get adequate sound out of it... as long as you don't exceed what it CAN do.

If you put too large a speaker (i.e. Power wise 20, 30 or evern more watts), you simply will not have the power to run it. Double the number of speakers and you run into other problems ... Ohm ratings of the pair.

Your best bet is to buy a 10 or no more than 20 watt pair of 4 ohm speakers and run them in parallel (to reduce the overall resistance instead of doubling it as a serial connection would). Don't get fancy with co-axial, or tri-axial, you won't derive any better sound for it.

Or... you could opt for a newer stereo.

FWIW

E

[xray]

Hidden audio....

http://www.customautosounds.com/classic/secret.html

Keep the stock radio, put a better one under the seats!

[m4xwellmurd3r]

I saw something neat for VW's way back. it was a modern stereo system, but custom made to use the original face plate and buttons. it was really neat. I'm sure SOMEONE could make something like that, if they wanted to spend the time and money to make such a thing. it looks totally stock, and all the buttons work as if they were stock, but behind it is a very modern stereo.

[TomoHawk]

there was a company that would put digital radio guts into the older radio boxes.

[xray]

I saw something neat for VW's way back. it was a modern stereo system, but custom made to use the original face plate and buttons. it was really neat. I'm sure SOMEONE could make something like that, if they wanted to spend the time and money to make such a thing. it looks totally stock, and all the buttons work as if they were stock, but behind it is a very modern stereo.

Closest thing I know of so far....

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/LNP1/50-1290

That's why hidden/secret audio is so good. Totally separate components tucked under the seat, accessible via RF remote or installed LCD screen. Sounds good, and you can control your tunes from a distance if you're at a cruise-in or just hanging out.

[EScanlon]

I'm probably to blame for throwing in the "opt for a newer stereo.." line, but Brian's question deals with speakers.... lest we hijack this thread too far from it's original intent.

2¢

E

[xray]

It's not a threadjack...the underlying intention of the thread is "how can I enjoy my music while driving my Z?"

My answer is "Keep the stock look, but install a non-stock system." Listening to music via a 4W speaker powered by a 3W monaural stereo is not my idea of "enjoying" music while driving a Z. If you can hear it all before it distorts, that is.

I don't know if MSA or BD (or someone else) sells a correct replacement speaker...maybe someone else knows?

[Zak's Z]

Did anyone here keep their stock radio intact AND hide a newer stereo somewhere? I'd like to be able to show off the AM/FM but still be able to enjoy 4 speakers worth of sound. I was thinking hide the new head unit in the glove box, and put a pair of 3 1/2's under the dash somewhere, and maybe put one of those 6x9 boxes in the back that I could remove or hide another set of rear speakers somewhere. Again, not to threadjack, just thinking of ways to enjoy some music in a Z.

[Mike]

Guys, Brian was asking about speakers for the original stock radio.

Brian, I found an EXCELLENT speaker box from Motorsport Auto. I love it.

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/CTGY/SP

You'll have to pick up a pair of 6"x9" speakers to fit inside and they will sound a lot better than what you've got.

[sblake01]

Guys, Brian was asking about speakers for the original stock radio.

That would have been my take regardless of how much anyone tries to explain therr reasons for posting about different stereos if you consider the title of the thread. Replacement speakers for stock radio?

[xray]

Guys, Brian was asking about speakers for the original stock radio.

Brian, I found an EXCELLENT speaker box from Motorsport Auto. I love it.

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/CTGY/SP

You'll have to pick up a pair of 6"x9" speakers to fit inside and they will sound a lot better than what you've got.

...and if you try to hook up any 6x9 speakers to the stock radio, you'll probably be disappointed.

Technically, that box is an "alternative" to the stock speakers, not a "replacement" for the stock speakers...(poke poke)

I keed, I keed....