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I'm not an audiophile but I would like to be able to listen to some music without crackles and distortions that I think are coming from degraded speakers... So I assume replacing all four speakers on my base unit will improve things! I'd like to add an aux/iPhone- in at some point and wondering about picking up a premium amp down the line...
should be a direct replacement for the rear speakers? I've also read that the front, door speakers can be replaced with the same size... So can I put the same speakers in the front, replacing the Phillips 5.25 units?
Thanks!
On the Harmon-Kardon-era base system you have, all 4 speakers should be exactly the same speaker. Usually what fails is the foam speaker surrounds. If you still have the original OEM speakers replacing the foam surrounds is usually the easier/better approach for the non-audiophile who just want it working acceptably. I had it done by a speaker repair shop near me on my HK premium system and it works fine. If you do it yourself, it can be a very cheap repair. Look this site for bluetooth options, be careful to order the right one for your car (I think there was a switch in connector types midyear in 97 or 98). https://www.discountcarstereo.com Timothy
^^ Agreed. You can order new foam surrounds from www.simplyspeakers.com. I replaced the 15-inch woofer foam surrounds in my giant vintage home audio Altec Voice of the Theatre speakers (built in 1975) more than ten years ago. I ordered the appropriate foam surrounds kit from these folks, did the job myself on the kitchen table in a couple of hours, and my Altecs still sound like new today. In fact, they are booming Robert Earl Keen's classic "Merry Christmas from the Family" as I type these words....
In my base/normal system, I took the option of upgraded speakers all round. I too went for Kickers but found that the rear speakers ordered (that supposingly fit the XK8) had a fitting issue. Pics below.
Someone had already replaced the originals with Sonys which were very "tinny sounding".
Ended up having to enlarge the hole and drill new tapping holes.
As I'm not really an electrical guy, it was this Forum's MichaelH who told me how to wire up the speakers to keep I think the 4 OHM to prevent blowing the Radio Head Unit (Base system).
New Speakers all around
