HK Front Speaker Blown - need a cheap replacement solution?

[scorcher]

When I bought the car, I noticed the front passenger side midrange speaker was distorting, and probably blown.

So have had the fader adjusted so most of the audio is in the rear.

But that's not so good when my kids are in the back, as they don't like the bass from the sub - (pah - 6 year olds eh?)

I know I can get replacements from BSW or Rainbow, but also know they cost a fortune.

Are there any reasonably priced (sub £100) options to replace the fronts that will work fine with the HK amp? I guess tweeters and mid range would both need replacing.

(Think they may have to be 3 ohms, but may have made that up entirely)

Can't afford / don't want to rip out all the speakers and amp, as I'm not that much of an audio fanatic. Don't really want to replace it with an identical item, as they aren't the greatest of quality in the first place.

I wil be changing the headunit for an Alpine one in the coming months, so Alpine speakers would be nice?

Ta!

[MEGA]

Any set of £100 components of the same impedance would probably sound better than what you have to be fair and much improved again once you go to the aftermarket head unit.

What is the size of the current speakers? 5.25?

Personally, I know what I'd buy... (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JL-Audio-VR525-CSi-2-Way-13cm-Speakers-1-Tweeter-Kit-/300574242743?pt=UK_Audio_TV_Electronics_In_Car_Ent ertainment_GPS_Car_Speakers_PP&hash=item45fb9ef7b7) :) (Albeit used) but that does depend on the impedence.. Obviously you can run these anyway assuming the amp is 2 ohm stable as well?

[scorcher]

Now I understood this bit...

"Any set of £100 components of the same impedance would probably sound better than what you have to be fair and much improved again once you go to the aftermarket head unit."

...but the rest IS LIKE FOREIGN INNIT - you should have remembered my lack of knowledge in the audio department!

I can build you a brick wall though? ;)

[scorcher]

Aha - speaker sizes:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=233878&highlight=definitive+speaker

[MEGA]

Ooh it's 3 way up front right now? Interesting

You know what speak to Andy or the SCR boys :D Because it being 3 way right now raises questions about how you'd wire in a different brand 2 way crossover etc etc. I don't really know enough about the HK set up to offer constructive advice...

[scorcher]

I've just fired them an email :)

I'll take the door panel off in a mo and run a test tone CD to try and identify which speaker is knackered - might be easier to get a direct replacement from a breaker in the short term if it's going to be a major bit of work

[scorcher]

Right, took the door panel off, and have ascertained it's the tweeter & mid module that is knackered and crackly

Door Panel

http://www.peppermintproperties.co.uk/images/hk2.jpg

Tweeter & Mid

http://www.peppermintproperties.co.uk/images/hk3.jpg

Low range

http://www.peppermintproperties.co.uk/images/hk1.jpg

Quality gear eh?

There does seem to be a decent amount if space there - the current tweeter module is 45mm deep and 50mm in diameter, and the sub is 60mm deep and 160mm in diameter.

The original speakers are indeed 3 ohms, and after market ones tend to be 4 ohms - will 4 ohm ones strain the amp, or just be underpowered?

[MEGA]

they'll be slightly underpowered as you said as the wattage through to the driver will be lower.

This is why you really need to replace the whole door: You can then up that channel slightly at the amp to compensate. Just replacing some of the components to the channel on the amp though that won't be possible.

See if you can get OE replacement parts, I guess.

NB are these speakers hard wired to the amp or is there a crossover unit somewhere. Furthermore if there's a crossover is it for just the mid/tweet or does it also run the low range speaker?

[scorcher]

Looks like I can fit 13cm components with an adapter ring.

Would rather spend £35 on these

http://www.alpine-electronics.co.uk/products/product-singleview/custom-fit-speakers/sxe-1350s.html

Than the same on one second hand shitty HK direct replacement

Good question about the crossover -

These ones don't come with a crossover at all

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/506.html

[MEGA]

That's got an in-line crossover but the question is still valid therefore as you need to wire this in to what you have right now.. The issue is replacing mid/tweet whilst keeping the low (unless they are on different channels in which case no biggie)

I'm sure this has been done before btw, is there any info on bmwland ?

[scorcher]

Can't see anyone has just replaced / upgraded the speakers - they've either retrofitted it or binned the whole lot and started again.

Reckon I'll try out those cheapo Alpines or maybe these Pioneer ones

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/1268.html -

they are designed for retrofitting into an E46 so worth a shot. Can always bung them back on eBay if they don't work properly!

[scorcher]

Have just asked on Bmwland too

[scorcher]

Oh poo

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=697097&highlight=hk+speaker+blown

[bigshout]

thought of calling a breakers for a cheap replacement?

[scorcher]

Yeah, looks like I might have to - damn.

[singh]

I have some OE speakers from a Non-HK vert if they are of interest/use.

[scorcher]

Thanks mate, but they need to be the HK ones :(

[singh]

Figured that might be the case.