Upgrading rear speakers

[jbailer]

When I move the fader to the rear, I get almost no sound at all. I have the 201a Shaker Pro. I'd read where others had changed the rear speakers and got better quality sound so I figured I'd give it a try. I also read about the rear speakers being cheap paper ones. For the Shaker Pro, that wasn't the case, mine actually looked like decent quality cones.

I saw the JBL GTO638 was good quality and had a fitment ring that matched our car and for about $50 couldn't go wrong. It's a 2 ohm speaker just like the factory with a 92 dB sensitivity. For anyone that hasn't replaced rear speakers in the S550 yet but is considering it, it isn't like the old days, you have to gut almost all of the rear interior to get the speakers out.

I don't like to go by ear just like you can't measure power from your butt. I got a pink noise MP3 and a sound level analyzer I used on my iPad (I know it isn't the best). I measured the stock speakers before removing them and then the JBL GTO638. You could literally lay the 2 graphs over each other and not tell the difference. I couldn't hear a difference either.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear that adding an amp like others have done would improve the sound, I just don't want to go there. Was hoping to just upgrade speakers. From my testing, I'd say save your money.

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[billross77]

I upgraded the front 3.5's, and can tell a substantial difference in the high tone clarity of the sound. I also changed out the 6.5's, but with no amp, it the low end actually sounds a little worse.

 

[jbailer]

That's good to know. I actually bought a full set of JBL speakers a while ago, just haven't gotten around to installing them yet. I replaced the rear speakers because I needed to stop a rattle on the rear deck. Since I was already there, I went ahead and replaced just the rear speakers. Maybe I should start working on the others.

I bought:
Front 3.5's. GTO 329
Front 6.5's. GTO 628
Rear 6.5's. GTO 638
Tweeters GTO 19T

 

[Jramirez114]

Jbailer so the rear jbl speakers are a direct plug and play? Minus gutting the rear. Just want to know because I do not like the speakers in my pp my moms accord hits harder than it. Thank you!

 

[Chef jpd]

I upgraded the front 3.5's, and can tell a substantial difference in the high tone clarity of the sound. I also changed out the 6.5's, but with no amp, it the low end actually sounds a little worse.

What is the frequency response of the 6.5 speakers you replaced.
The stock units are dedicated woofers, so you probably lost bass by using full range replacements.

 

[Redcruzer]

That's good to know. I actually bought a full set of JBL speakers a while ago, just haven't gotten around to installing them yet. I replaced the rear speakers because I needed to stop a rattle on the rear deck. Since I was already there, I went ahead and replaced just the rear speakers. Maybe I should start working on the others.

I bought:
Front 3.5's. GTO 329
Front 6.5's. GTO 628
Rear 6.5's. GTO 638
Tweeters GTO 19T

329s will make the most difference followed by the rear638s. I would test without replacing the door woofers first. I'm considering putting the stock 6.5 door woofers back in. Someday. When I'm really, really bored. Speakers will help but the amp is the real issue.

Did you notice a difference in bass after your tune?

 

[Redcruzer]

Good info here on installing JBL's

http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40420

 

[DB23]

I thought about this too (have the 9 speaker shaker). Decided instead to delete the 2 rears and do a shallow mount free air sub and amp in their place under the rear deck for a clean, space saving install. That's next week's project.

 

[vnzbd]

So DB23, what speakers will you be going with for the free air application? I looked into that and had trouble finding anything suitable.

 

[DB23]

[MENTION=20079]vnzbd[/MENTION]

Pioneer TS-SW2002D2 sub with Alpine MRV-M250 amp. The sub is optimized for open air use and depth is only 2.675".

Not expecting miracles, just something to give some bottom and wake things up.

 

[vnzbd]

Interesting. Are you going with one sub or two? Will you use a 8" mdf speaker ring to mount it?

 

[DB23]

Just 1 sub, was going to do 2 but I decided to leave the other side of the deck free to mount the amp so everything is up and under and it's very clean.

And yes, an 8" speaker ring and gasket/sealing tape should do the trick to mount the sub up.

 

[vnzbd]

Sounds interesting! Please post about your results. Very curious and optimistic on this install.

 

[tcman54]

First mod I ever did was to upgrade my speakers, I don't matter, all the headend units in these Stangs are horrid.

TC

 

[jbailer]

Jbailer so the rear jbl speakers are a direct plug and play? Minus gutting the rear. Just want to know because I do not like the speakers in my pp my moms accord hits harder than it. Thank you!

Yes it was a direct replacement. I also used the Metra 72-5602 adapter so i didn't have to cut the connector off. I would say that without changing anything else (amp), it did very little. I didn't think it was really worth the time or money. I still haven't gotten around to replacing the front 3.5s but I'm hoping for more out of those.

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