Anyone replace Carrera speakers recently? Looking for stock appearance..

[r-mm]

I really, really like that my 87 Carrera has its original Blaupunkt headunit. I do not like that all four speakers seem to be shot. I read a few past threads, many which point to dead links or are willing to accept non stock appearance for better audio. I want the radio to be audible when its on but I'm not very picky besides that. Anyone have a recipe for a very stock looking way to replace the 5.25's in the front and the 4x6's in the back? The rear speaker covers are cracked, so something that includes the grill/surround would work best. I for sure don't want to cut anything.

Thanks

[frannyB]

...and cane someone post a few photos of stock speakers? If the PO spent $5 on the speakers in my car I'd be surprised...

I just scored an older Chicago which looks older, but plays CDs. I'm looking forward to pulling out the Pioneer "Christmas Tree" POS someone put in. I had to take the face off and put it in the glove box because it was so distracting. Modern car stereos are such a mess...

Thanks,

Franny

[r-mm]

Sure, I'll take some pictures of my stock speakers in a bit. I'm nearly positive they're as installed, 1987

[frannyB]

That's great. Thanks!

The radio install is on my list for today

f

[r-mm]

Here's my starting point...

[Jack Stands]

I love the sound of the upgraded speakers that the PO had installed in my Targa, but I hate the cheesy speaker grills that came with the speakers. I wonder if some simple, plain metal surrounds like those sold by Parts Express would fit and look a bit more 'stock'.

Likewise, I wish someone would style their newer radios to have a more vintage look. Hate the boy racer graphics on most of the newer receivers, but love some of the iPod and iPhone connectivity. Bluetooth could also be nice as we will have a hands free law starting in 2014.

[frannyB]

All that original equipment really goes well with the car and adds a touch of class.

Mine is a cab so I think the rears are like the fronts? I'll have to go look.

Thanks for the photos. Looks great!

Franny

[Halm]

Are you sure the fronts are original? I have only seen round fronts from the factory.

[r-mm]

Nope not positive, but I've yet to find a non-stock part on my car so I presumed. Could have been replaced a while back.

[Halm]

Forget what I said. I only looked at 2 cars before I posted. I looked further and did see a couple of cars with speakers like yours.

Can you reuse the grills and find 3rd party speakers that will fit?

[r-mm]

I posted on a slightly older thread where the second poster says he got the factory grills over Polk db521s, which are reasonably priced... but have god awful grills as supplied.

Front Speaker question 87 Carrera

Amazon.com: Polk Audio DB521 5.25-Inch Coaxial Speakers (Pair, Silver): Car Electronics

[Ferraripete]

Originally Posted by Halm

Are you sure the fronts are original? I have only seen round fronts from the factory.

they look correct to me as the pictures depict the same units I have in my 87 930 front and rear. head unit looks similar too.

[86 ssinit]

I changed out my speakers and radio last year. I used sony 5.25 in the front and they fit great also used sony 4x6 in the back. The rear speakers were bigger than original but I found a nice set grills on Amazon. Will show some pictures later.

[Carrera3.2LG50]

Originally Posted by r-mm

I really, really like that my 87 Carrera has its original Blaupunkt headunit. I do not like that all four speakers seem to be shot. I read a few past threads, many which point to dead links or are willing to accept non stock appearance for better audio. I want the radio to be audible when its on but I'm not very picky besides that. Anyone have a recipe for a very stock looking way to replace the 5.25's in the front and the 4x6's in the back? The rear speaker covers are cracked, so something that includes the grill/surround would work best. I for sure don't want to cut anything.

Thanks

I also have an 87. Mine already had an aftermarket Sony head unit which is not too bad looking and sounds decent, so I left it alone. My car came with a set of speaker grills that had the same shape as stock, but were made out of aluminum. They are very well made. I'm guessing they were aftermarket since they were a bright blue on both sides - I sprayed the tops of them satin black.

As far as speakers... The car came with a set of Kenwood 4x6s that looked relatively recent and sounded OK. I replaced the fronts with a set of Boston Acoustics coax SC55 speakers that I've been very happy with and they fit perfectly in the stock location.

Paul

[r-mm]

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like a good number of 5.25" fronts should work.

Anyone know the difference between a "plate" and I guess non-plate 4x6? See some options from Polk here: 4x6 speakers at Crutchfield.com

What am I looking for in a 4x6?

[SoCalSK8r]

I put these in the door:
Focal Access 5.25" speakers.

They are hooked up to an amp under the seat, and that connects to my iPhone using a JL audio level controller and sound really great.

My only regret was installing them in the first place- I barely ever listen to it b/c I'd rather hear the engine.

[Michael T]

In my 1987, I replaced the speakers with Pioneer A series speakers. They are available on Amazon at very good prices. Plug and play 4x6 and 5.25's. The back speakers grills are unobtainium. I bought reasonably close ones on eBay for $15.

[uwanna]

[QUOTE= The back speakers grills are unobtainium. I bought reasonably close ones on eBay for $15.[/QUOTE]


The original grills rarely show up for sale used, and if they do, they are probably cracked and expensive!
Here's a rear speaker grill with EXACT replacement dimensions, made in Germany. They just have a different appearance. They look great installed though.
Available from a PP competitor, so don't want to post the link here! PM me if you want info.

[r-mm]

Thanks everyone.

Michael T - when you say the Pioneer A series were plug and play, do you mean that the original grills can be reused both front and back, or did you use the supplied grills?

[Michael T]

The fronts were the original, I just redid the paint. The backs needed new grills like yours. The ones posted above look good, a little more original than the ones I bought.