Installing 6.5 Speakers on E46

[MaVrk]

I'm intending to install Focal K2P 165W 6.5 component speakers in my beemer.
Heard from some installers that it requires extensive mod to the panel. Might go even to the extent of cutting into the panel, depending on the mounting depth, also heard that there have been cases of leaking due to damage done to the structure.

Would any of you guys happen to have done it before. If so, please share your experiences or how to go about doing it correctly. Cheers!

 

[cab_driver]

I did focal speakers as well but they were the thinner version which does not need a panel cut. Forgot the model no. You can enquire from Tye Elect

 

[Ghostrider]

Can't tell you much cos I am using the same speakers (good choice dude !!) but mine is a old E34

 

[emiffy]

http://www.focal.tm.fr/gb/car/polyglass/165vslim.htm

I can confirm that these fit in the E46 sedan front door without any cutting...

make sure you get the slim(mer) versions. Tye or Nam Huat should have them.

 

[Jin]

Gentlemen, thanks for your inputs.

Understand that the slimmer versions lack rms power. Actually looking at speakers with a minimum of 100rms. But however, the bigger rms speakers require deeper mounting depth.

Apart from having the speakers mounted on the stock panel (outisde-in), is there any way I could get round it. i.e still having the 6.5 mids squeezed into the original panel (inside-out).

Any recommendations buds? Or perhaps from your experiences, has anyone used any other particular brands that pumps in sufficient rms without the requirement for a change in the stock set-up looks.

Cab-driver, you mentioned that you had the slimer 6.5" Focal versions fiited into your panel, how was the bass? I'm sure that your SQ was great, just need some feeback on the bass quality.

Cheers!!

 

[piggyboyz]

I think u can safely put the Rainbow or the dynaudio on the front door of E46 w/o modification or cutting the door.

I have the 6.5" Dynaudio on my front door. But then again, the gap between the door and the panel is only mm away and when u blast it really loud, there will be metallic rattling sound....putting dynamat is impossible cos the gap is too minute..

hope this helps...

 

[__iceman__]

Does anyone know whether the space for the 6.5" is similar for the E46 4dr and the coupe?

 

[yendor]

Sama sama.... Same same...

Anyway, would you like to put a mid bass 6.5" down the bottom and a 4" in the middle before the tweeter at the top? I saw the space on the door panel that usually fits the mid range speaker in the Hi-Fi speaker option. The original size id about 3" but i think 4" possible cos these guys are quite flat. :thinking: :thinking: :thinking:

 

[__iceman__]

You mean 6.5" midwoofer at the bottom, 4" mid in the original tweeter location, and dashmount the tweets?

That would mean that the 4" is gonna be closest to your ears... I'm just afraid of very tricky staging because of such unequal distances... "rainbow effect", unless you have very dedicated time alignment?

Can consider... Tweets and 4" mid in custom fibre enclosure, and mounted on A pillar, with 6.5" mid woofer in usual location. Distances will be nicer, and easier to manage.

 

[yendor]

Boh.... there is a moulded cut out on the door panel just beside the door handle...I think it should be a good compromise

 

[sunrise]

http://www.focal.tm.fr/gb/car/polyglass/165vslim.htm

I can confirm that these fit in the E46 sedan front door without any cutting...

make sure you get the slim(mer) versions. Tye or Nam Huat should have them.

Looks good May I know what is the rough costs incl. install?

 

[oneHeadlight]

Try the focal polyKevlar...better than polyglass which does have a slim version but not very well received.

if u are willin to cut the door panel, then get better speakers. Morel Hybrid is slim enough , no need to cut. They are the OEM for DLS.
those interested, i can try arrange a group buy and see if we can get better prices direct from israel.

those who are willin to cut the door panel, pinliang does a rainshield which i m not sure is 100% waterproof and leakproof cos i have not done it. One bimmer did, but not sure if he's from this forum.

 

[piggyboyz]

Boh.... there is a moulded cut out on the door panel just beside the door handle...I think it should be a good compromise

Rodney, indeed u can have the 4" mid range at the door panel. But it's not too deep and also, u have to cut the leather...

Was comtemplating that when i first got my car...

Check out the BMW brochure, they have it as an option for 3 ways speakers..

Cheers

 

[Derektvy]

So does anyone noe the max mounting depth (MD) to look out for when shopping for a speaker for E46??

I've got a PDF from Sony with great illustrations + dimensions of the orig BMW parts. Extract below. Not sure what MD consists of. From the PDF, is the MD 14+49=63? Anyone can clarify?

Check out the website. Has other illustrations for other BMW models. Reminds me of those instruction leaflet for those Tamiya kits.
http://www.mobile.sony.co.jp/fit/fit.html

 

[oneHeadlight]

to be safe...about 63mm... its possible to file abit on the door and on the mounting panel..

 

[yendor]

alan...

What do you think quite cool to have 3 way component speakers on front doors right?? Sort of like the hi-fi speaker package.

Guys, the drawings are quite correct. It is interesting to note that for the E46, the speaker mounts on the door cover panel rather than the internal metal frame.

If anybody like, i got the original speakers at home to do measuremts. I am quite confident that speakers up to 65mm thick can be fitted.