Hi:
I just bought a 2000 XK-8 convertible with original (not alpine) audio and both sets of side speakers need replacing. In checking sites that "verify" speaker compatibility nothing is coming up. As a decent speaker I'm looking at the Infinity Reference 6032cf 6.5-Inch 180-Watt High-Performance 2-Way Speakers but want to make sure the switch is relatively painless. So I have the following questions:
1. Can anyone verify that there is no problem with these fitting? Or are these the wrong speakers altogether ? (I am not an audio freak-I listen to classic rock, jazz and some classical and don't overdo the bass)
2. Do the front door covers just "pop" off or is there a particular way to remove them without damage?
3. Same question regarding the back ones-except I did see threads regarding removing seat belt bracket etc. and can follow those instructions.

Thanks for your replies. I've wanted one of these starting with the E's when I was a kid and finally decided if I don't do it soon I'll be dead before I do!!!

Dave

 

Welcome to the forum Dave,

When you get a minute, please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some info about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see.

In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

 

Front covers are easy. Two screws underneath and pull down and out. The speakers are right there. The rear are a PAIN!! You have to remove the whole panel. I pulled off the metal with fabric and there are tabs that fold behind. I could never get them back in and bent the covers to crap.

 

If you are careful on the back ones you can remove the top caps and reach behind the panel to bend the tabs for the covers. I plan to tackle the fronts this spring. I went with Polk components for the front.

 

I'm working on a rear seat delete and plan to do some speaker work then. I think I'm covering a new panel to fit over the existing speaker indentation. I want it to match what I did in the front.
When I covered my door inserts and speaker cover with ultra suede, I don't realize hoe it distorted the sound so I cut a circle out over the speaker grille and found some speaker covers that looked a little vintage and used them to cover speaker. Then used a couple wheel centers to hide screws in the middle. Actually turned out to be really nice detail!!

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Now I just need to find out if 6 1/2" is the right size for both sets and that the Infiniti's will fit properly. I hate going through the return deal at Amazon!

 

I always like to use the Alpine G Series component speakers, they fit nicely into the original pods and sound good too

 

6.5" or 6.75" will fit in the front doors...with a spacer, and the rears are 6" subs only. I second the recommendation for Polk Audio components. The MMC (previously called MOMO) are very good. I found the best place for the new tweeter is the dash, and not the A-pillar.

 

I replaced the head unit last year with a JVC unit. This year the project is the speakers. I've come across this setup from Polk. The DXi6500. 2 midrange drivers and 2 tweeters with a crossover. Anyone know if this would be a good fit? I can't seem to find anything smaller than an 8" sub from Polk.. Would that work? I still have the factory amp. It's an '05 with the Alpine system. Would this require a lot of re-wiring, or would it mostly be plug and play? Thanks for any input!

 

For a sub, try to find a unit that works decent in free-air...JL audio has a 6-3/4 inch, as well as Kicker 2-ohm or 1-ohm units, which alot of the members around here have installed and mentioned it with good reviews.

 

We use JL Audio, I think its 8" fits in no probs, a good mid range sub

 

How did your system sound leaving the amp? I also went with a JVC avx77
Ans the installer said he amp wouldn't work and replaced it. He ran the front speakers through the head unit and rears through the amp. I've never been happy. It's ok but I lost the rich sound from the original set up. I still think the factory amp would have been better.

 

Overall, I've noticed that I've had to have the volume at higher levels now than before I installed the AVX77. However, it's hard for me to make an accurate comparison. With my original setup, my CD changer wasn't working properly so I could only listen to the radio or my iPhone through a crappy tape player adapter. So comparing the sound from the radio/tape on the old setup to MP3s via USB on the new setup wouldn't be fair; too many variables changed. I'm still not 100% satisfied with the sound as it is, regardless. So in addition to changing the speakers, I'm going to do something about the amp. I'm not entirely sure how my installer wired things, so I'm not sure which speakers are currently using the factory amp anyway.

On a related note, any suggestions for the dash speakers?

 

By installing speakers other than 2-ohm, which I believe most OEM systems are designed for, you'll need more power to get the same volume as the original head unit. If you install a 4-channel amp, it'll make all the difference in the world. I installed the JVC ADV49 in my xk8.

 

Thanks for the advice.. sent you a PM, maybe we can discuss what components you used in more detail.

 

Well, I just ordered the Alpine SPS610 6 1/2" two ways for the front. The backs still work but I haven't taken the rear apart yet to check them out. I wouldn't call the sound there great although it works.

After a bunch of research it seemed to be a tie for me between them, The Infinity Reference and JBL's that are pretty much the same as the Infinity. They all seemed to have similar rated performance and were all priced right on Amazon, and my local "discount" electronics store had a much higher price. Since I have some other things to get done on her I cheaped out and settled for free shipping so I'll have to wait a week to get them in.
One of the deciding factors, besides the high reccomendations for Alpine, is the "multi position" attachment slots so I won't have to drill new holes (not a big deal but why do it if you don't have to) and the "aimable" adjustable tweeter. Infinity has that as well, and should be a plus for the door mounted speakers.

On another note, one of the small problem items on the car was the CD changer not working. It didn't recognize a disc in the slot so wouldn't load, and a little research here let me know it was toast. Last week I ordered one through "Jagparts" store on E-Bay and it came in yesterday. Wouldn't you know that it had a loose part in it and it wouldn't load either! I will hand it to the seller though, as he had an actual phone number on his invoice and when I called him yesterday afternoon he told me he would ship out another on Monday and let me know what to do with the first one after he found out if he could make a claim for shipping damage and if they wanted it. So far, so good. Hopefully it ends well.

 

bleeth - the cd changer not recognizing the disc is often times a simple fix of readjusting a plastic worm gear. There are threads in the forum discussing the repair rather than replacing the cd changer itself. hopefully the ebay seller will come through with a functional second unit