Author Topic: Mounting rear speakers  (Read 8247 times)

carlos318is

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Receive: 0
  • Posts: 320
    • View Profile
    • http://www.bimmerowner.co.uk
Mounting rear speakers
« on: February 28, 2010, 07:34:50 AM »
I may have asked this before

I am trying to mount some rear 6x9 speakers in the back but not to sure how I am going to mount them does anyone have a idea :confused:

Many thanks
[SIGPIC]www.bimmerowner.co.uk[/SIGPIC]

DesktopDave

  • Administrator
  • Legendary
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Receive: 60
  • Posts: 5076
  • Lives in the 80s
    • View Profile
    • The Iconic BMW
Mounting rear speakers
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2010, 08:24:02 AM »
Unless they're really shallow you'll have to mount them a bit above the deck.  There's very little space under the deck.  They also have to mount pretty close to the stock position...the only well for a speaker magnet is there.

I'd just cut holes & use a speaker enclosure.  Just be careful of the boot lid springs.
'08 Karmesinrot 128i 6MT
'86 Zinnoberrot 635CSi (M30B32/G265/3.46 torsen LSD)

Sold: '97 Montrealblau 318iS, '91 Brilliantrot 318i, '91 Brilliantrot 318iS

carlos318is

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Receive: 0
  • Posts: 320
    • View Profile
    • http://www.bimmerowner.co.uk
Mounting rear speakers
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2010, 08:26:20 AM »
So you are saying cut the rear bulk head I thought that was structural
[SIGPIC]www.bimmerowner.co.uk[/SIGPIC]

DesktopDave

  • Administrator
  • Legendary
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Receive: 60
  • Posts: 5076
  • Lives in the 80s
    • View Profile
    • The Iconic BMW
Mounting rear speakers
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2010, 08:44:12 AM »
I'm not sure how structural it is, but a few small speaker holes can't do that much damage.  IIRC those lid springs are really in the way, it'd take some clever placement to get it perfect.  Alternatively, you might want to try the BMW Premium Sound housings.  They give a little height and an extra tweeter but aren't big enough for 6x9s.
'08 Karmesinrot 128i 6MT
'86 Zinnoberrot 635CSi (M30B32/G265/3.46 torsen LSD)

Sold: '97 Montrealblau 318iS, '91 Brilliantrot 318i, '91 Brilliantrot 318iS

jgraves

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Thank You
  • -Receive: 0
  • Posts: 86
    • View Profile
Mounting rear speakers
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2010, 03:23:44 PM »
I had some mounted in mine back in November.  I had a professional car stereo installer do it.  The rear dash pad and rear seats have to be removed.  They have to actually cut the metal in the rear dash in order for the speakers to fit, because the original are only 5 1/4.  The dash pad and metal have to be fitted so the speakers will fit flush and ensure they don't cut the metal rods for the trunk closing gears.  It took them about two hours and it cost me about $125.00, but it was worth it in the long run.  The sound now is incredible.

carlos318is

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Receive: 0
  • Posts: 320
    • View Profile
    • http://www.bimmerowner.co.uk
Mounting rear speakers
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2010, 04:35:11 AM »
I might take a look in to cutting some of the metal away and seeing if I can fit them

Thanks guys
[SIGPIC]www.bimmerowner.co.uk[/SIGPIC]

jgraves

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Thank You
  • -Receive: 0
  • Posts: 86
    • View Profile
Mounting rear speakers
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2010, 12:57:50 PM »
I was skeptical about actually having the metal cut out at first, but once they were in the vast improvement in the sound quality and massive bass response made it worth it in the long run.

///m42 sport

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Receive: 1
  • Posts: 331
    • View Profile
Mounting rear speakers
« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2010, 01:59:59 AM »
imo your gonna regret cutting the metal out later. Why make permanent mods to your car to fit speakers when there are aton of speaker choices?  get a speaker that fits.  

Other option is to build ontop of the shelf.  this gives you more clearance if you want 6x9
« Last Edit: March 07, 2010, 02:03:44 AM by ///m42 sport »
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Chalino

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Thank You
  • -Receive: 0
  • Posts: 229
    • View Profile
Mounting rear speakers
« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2010, 02:34:38 AM »
If cutting the metal does not affect anything else, I say go for it.
1991 318is
2001 IS300

"Now, me and the mad scientist got to rip apart the block... and replace the piston rings you fried."

carlos318is

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Receive: 0
  • Posts: 320
    • View Profile
    • http://www.bimmerowner.co.uk
Mounting rear speakers
« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2010, 04:26:34 AM »
I am going to have a play about today and see what I can do

I am also thinking about making some custom pods for the rear shelf:confused:
[SIGPIC]www.bimmerowner.co.uk[/SIGPIC]

DesktopDave

  • Administrator
  • Legendary
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Receive: 60
  • Posts: 5076
  • Lives in the 80s
    • View Profile
    • The Iconic BMW
Mounting rear speakers
« Reply #10 on: March 07, 2010, 07:50:09 AM »
Both good options.  I'd build an enclosure to raise the speakers over the stock deck, but it's a toss-up.  Cutting is definitely easier and you can use the trunk cavity as an acoustic chamber.
'08 Karmesinrot 128i 6MT
'86 Zinnoberrot 635CSi (M30B32/G265/3.46 torsen LSD)

Sold: '97 Montrealblau 318iS, '91 Brilliantrot 318i, '91 Brilliantrot 318iS

longtallsally

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Receive: 0
  • Posts: 255
    • View Profile
    • http://www.longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/
Mounting rear speakers
« Reply #11 on: April 04, 2010, 02:23:32 PM »
I'm in the camp of cutting is a bad idea.  I'd either make a spacer for the 6x9s or do what I did and put premium speakers in with the intention of eventually filling them with nice components.  For bass I'm trying to decide the best and least intrusive means of adding a subwoofer.  I have a very nice head unit that I really like and I'm not needing to shatter windows with thunder, but I'd like a little more low end at times.  I also don't want a big box wasting space in the trunk.

My current thought it to add a sub and amp on the driver's side of the trunk and just fab up something to fit there, but am not sure.  I've also thought about putting a pair of drivers in the rear cards and using the space as the enclosures, but dunno about that.

BlueBMW

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Receive: 0
  • Posts: 397
    • View Profile
Mounting rear speakers
« Reply #12 on: April 04, 2010, 03:40:31 PM »
What about something like those infinity bass link subs?  They seem pretty simple and small and maybe they'd offer just enough low bass to satisfy.
1991 318is (Sold to brother :()
1995 530i (Daily driver til I find another 318is!)


///m42 sport

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Receive: 1
  • Posts: 331
    • View Profile
Mounting rear speakers
« Reply #13 on: April 05, 2010, 12:07:23 PM »

some pics of my 6x9 pods.

I cut out the speaker surround with MDF, then put some washers until it was level with the rear panel.  Bolted down.  Then had it covered. You can do the same thing for $40 or less.  Just spend some time on it and be creative.  Doesnt require a professional.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

carlos318is

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Receive: 0
  • Posts: 320
    • View Profile
    • http://www.bimmerowner.co.uk
Mounting rear speakers
« Reply #14 on: April 06, 2010, 03:39:19 PM »
Thanks for that mate I have to get my rear seat out at the weekend so I will have a look
[SIGPIC]www.bimmerowner.co.uk[/SIGPIC]