Speaker size and other questions

[74Opel1900]

My 1974 2 door Ascona never had a radio and the dash is uncut. I have a couple of questions. What size are the stock speakers and where are they located. I don't plan on cutting the dash. I just want to put two speakers in the back deck, an amplifier in the trunk and run a cable to the console for an mp3 player. I've never installed a stereo before so any additional information would be welcomed.

[manta73wi]

I like the idea of leaving your dash uncut and using an mp3 player. I use a set of battery powered computer speakers with my iPod when I don't want to go with the stock AM in my '73 Manta. As far as I know, the only stock speaker in the US Manta/Ascona models would be a single speaker which would be located right above where the radio would be, facing down towards the floor. I believe this would be a dealer installed option. It is an oval shaped speaker, and there are a series of small holes in the dash to let the sound out. I'm guessing the dashes all came with the holes, but all of my Mantas have had the dealer installed radio at one time. I don't know what the size of that speaker would be. Some folks do put speakers in the rear deck and in the door panels. My '75's PO put them there, so I cannot help much with what he did.
-Jeff W.

[74Opel1900]

There are no holes in my dash for a speaker. Does anyone have a picture of speakers installed in the rear deck? Also, if anyone installed speakers in the rear deck, what size did you use? Any suggestions on where to run cabling would also be welcomed.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by 74Opel1900 There are no holes in my dash for a speaker. Does anyone have a picture of speakers installed in the rear deck? Also, if anyone installed speakers in the rear deck, what size did you use? Any suggestions on where to run cabling would also be welcomed.

The front speaker mounted behind the dash, on that flat area just above where the radio goes. You can see perforations if you look under there, or run your hand along the flat surface. As for the rear deck, pop the trunk and look up at the shelf and you'll see factory cut outs.

[74Opel1900]

I had a feeling you would reply BQS4. From inside the trunk I've seen those factory cut outs in the rear deck. My car is in the shop so I can't measure the holes. Guess I'll have to wait until I measure them to order speakers. I'll also need to make a new rear deck since mine is falling apart.

[74Opel1900]

The holes measure 4 inches so only 4 inch speakers can fit in the deck without cutting to make the holes larger. It's going to be hard to get halfway decent sound with only two 4 inch speakers in the rear deck. Looks like I'm going to have to explore options for kick panels or door panels. You were right, there are a series of small holes above where the radio mounts. Does the dash have to be removed to install a speaker there?

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by 74Opel1900 The holes measure 4 inches so only 4 inch speakers can fit in the deck without cutting to make the holes larger. It's going to be hard to get halfway decent sound with only two 4 inch speakers in the rear deck. Looks like I'm going to have to explore options for kick panels or door panels. You were right, there are a series of small holes above where the radio mounts. Does the dash have to be removed to install a speaker there?

What you can do, if you don't want to cut the back deck, it just build some simple "surface mount" enclosures, out of wood, then you can put 6X9's back there. As for the dash speaker, no the dash does not have to be removed. Just remove the glove box and it's right there to the left.

[74Opel1900]

What size speaker fits in that area of the dash?

[deaner]

Resist any speaker that is oval in shape.

I put 6.5 JL Audio speakers in the door panels and also in the rear deck. I cut the sheet metal in the doors and the rear shelf.
If you want bass you'll need to install a sub. There is plenty of room to install a killer system.

Just remember, you can use cheap speakers on a high end radio and get terrible sound, you can use high end speakers on a cheap radio and get good sound.

[74Opel1900]

Got any pictures of your install? That goes for anyone that has an aftermarket audio system in their Ascona. Let's see some pictures.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by 74Opel1900 What size speaker fits in that area of the dash?

It's a real weird size, but, with a little engineering you might be able to slip a couple of tweeters in there, or maybe one dual cone.

[BQS4]

You can also go this route, from J C Whitney:
Audiosonic DELUXE OVERHEAD SPEAKER SYSTEM - 200-WATTS : JC Whitney: Auto Parts & Accessories
I have this system in my Sportwagon and there should be no reason it wouldn't work in your Sedan. Here's a thread about it, and a pic of the system in my Sportwagon in post #15
http://www.opelgt.com/forums/sound-s...locations.html

[74Opel1900]

Those are interesting, good to know there are other options.

[RallyBob]

I've done angled spacers for the rear deck (better acoustics than flat mounting) with 6 x 9 speakers. And I've made custom front kick panels with angled spacers and 5.25" round speakers. Amps I've either mounted on the rear axle hump, or conversely I've hung them from the underside of the rear speaker deck with spacers (for air flow).

I typically have avoided cutting holes in the door panels. They're not getting any easier to find!

[74Opel1900]

Got any pictures of your setup Bob?

[74Opel1900]

I was told by a local car audio installer that there is a bracket where by two 3 inch speakers can be installed into the dash where there is usually a single stock speaker. I'm going to look into this option.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by 74Opel1900 Got any pictures of your setup Bob?

Nope, nothing digital. I could take some pics of the rear deck (I have one car at my shop now) and look for some 35 mm pics I have of the forward kick panels.

Bob

[74Opel1900]

No need, just curious what your setup looks like. I think I got it all figured out, thanks.

[RallyBob]

Downloaded some pics of the Ascona speaker mounting options.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by RallyBob Downloaded some pics of the Ascona speaker mounting options.

As usual Bob, excellent craftsmanship. Question though, you've mounted the speakers so that they look level to me. Isn't the back glass used to bounce the sound forward? It's my understanding that bass is non directional while the midrange and treble are directional and either need to be aimed toward the listeners or as an alternative can be bounced off hard surfaces.

Harold

[74Opel1900]

Nice installation. I will consider doing this when the time comes.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr As usual Bob, excellent craftsmanship. Question though, you've mounted the speakers so that they look level to me.

Harold, I wont pretend to know much about stereos, it's not my thing! All I know is, when the speakers were mounted totally flat on the rear deck, it was tough to hear them at highway speeds over the tire noise, wind noise, and exhaust noise. Angling them upwards a bit made it easier to hear at a lower volume level.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by RallyBob Harold, I wont pretend to know much about stereos, it's not my thing! All I know is, when the speakers were mounted totally flat on the rear deck, it was tough to hear them at highway speeds over the tire noise, wind noise, and exhaust noise. Angling them upwards a bit made it easier to hear at a lower volume level.

Sounds to me (no pun intended) like you made an improvement then. As long as you're going forward I reckon that's all that counts.

Harold