Speaker Project

I was really not happy with the audio performance of the rear speakers on our C5 Convertible.  I had the occasion to take off the passenger side speaker grill when running the "antenna down/by-pass"  switch wires and found this!

Mounted in a real joke of an enclosure:

And covered by this!

The problem is these speakers are mounted in a poor location, too small and relatively cheap... other then that they are great!   To verify what I thought was the case, I checked the DC resistance of the speaker and found 3.7 ohms.  Anyway, I started out by trying to determine how much space was available immediately behind the seats.  I had this box laying around and it helped me find the volume and location opportunity.

and for the record, this is the test box...

This is enough space for 6x9's!   I did a quick search and found some Polk Audio Tri-axial (EX693a) on sale, ran out and purchase them.  Refined the model a little.  The design objective was to end up with much better sound, provision to add an amp (later if it turned out the HU could not drive the speakers well); and an installation the did not touch the top as it goes or down; and cleared the lid.  

A short trip to Home Depot for some particle board, glue, and screws,  To Fry's for some banana jacks and receptacles, the upholstery store for com black speaker carpet.  

Cut, screw and glue...

in process enclosures..

Check to make sure everything clears... no rubbing.

And that everything clears with the lid down...

more test fit pics...

I chose to mount the enclosures on this large of a plate for stability and to provide space to mount an amp later should I want

Ready to add the electrical connections and test drive it.   I was very pleased with the sound.  What an improvement!

I finished up the assembly by gluing (contact cement) black speaker carpet to all of the exposed surfaces before the final final assembly. 

Well that's it!   The improvement in the quality of the sound was worth the cost and effort.  I can hear the tunes now with the top up or down and the volume does not have to be way up there. 

Months later, I am still not happy and thinking about picking up a signal at the head unit to drive an amp back here and give these units a full signal (not just the mid-range that they get now).