My Adventures in Upgrading the Subwoofer and Center Speaker

[Junkyard Dog]

What?

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[RedRocket]

I installed that exact Dayton and it us a vast improvement.

 

[KFishohio]

I installed that exact Dayton and it us a vast improvement.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Cobrakit]

I installed that exact Dayton and it us a vast improvement.

Same here, agree. I first installed Pioneer (4ohm). It installed easier and sounded fine, but didn't realize issue with 8 versus 4ohm. B&O system uses 4ohm speakers everywhere but center. If anybody wants the Pioneer 4ohm, let me know.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

I played it safe and also swapped 8 ohm for 8 ohm, but not being an audio expert, I have no idea if changing to a 4ohm makes too much difference for such a small speaker. It might not be that bad?

 

[RedRocket]

4oh has twice the resistance. So it will work the amp harder, perhaps to a fault. Some folks report it’s ok to run a 4ohm there.

 

[dusman59]

Actually 4 ohm has less resistance than 8 ohm. I believe Ford used the 8ohm so it does not have as loud of volumn making it blend with the rest of the system.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

Dusman is correct. The lower the ohm, the less resistance there is. In high power applications, it can strain the amp trying to power the lower ohm speaker becuase it is drawing more power than designed for the amp.

Now for a tiny 12.5w center speaker, probably not a huge difference in strain on the amp. I just stuck with 8 ohm to not screw anything else up.

 

[steveo1960]

Well the "ohms rating" on a speaker is technically not pure resistance but impedance because it has a reactive component which is an inductor and is the speaker coil itself.
Most speakers, not all, are rated with what is termed "nominal impedance" and that is because the impedance will change with the frequency of the input signal. So it's sort of an average and based upon the resonant frequency of the speaker.

Bottom line, in theory, you want to replace like for like as far as impedance is concerned.
So 8 ohm with 8 ohm etc.

Put a lower impedance speaker, say a 4 ohm speaker, in a circuit looking for an 8 ohm speaker and it will not only play louder drawing more current from the amplifier but the frequency response will also be skewed.

All that being said, I installed the Infinity center speaker and yes it is a little louder than the stock but it's also a million times crisper and clearer which my 65 yo ears like. I've cranked it a few times just to test and nothing exploded so my conclusion is the amps can handle the extra current. Others may not like the sound so going to the Dayton 8 ohm for 8 ohm might be a better solution.

Much unlike the Mach 1000 system in my 2003 GT in which the amps simply would not tolerate speakers with a different impedance which is why many folks seeking better sound gutted the entire system.

HTH..

 

[Starship Enterprise]

well said steveo!

I had the Shaker 1000 system in my 06 GT, and it cranked. Sounded good even when I pulled the subwoofer out (was bad weight behind rear wheels). The best part was the 6 CD changer, but my year had no bluetooth. But CD’s sounded so good.

 

[Cobrakit]

Again, if anybody wantsvto try the 4ohm Infinity soeaker, I have one available. It is easier to install than the Dayton.

 

[System]

Good recommendation on the center channel speaker OP. I went a bit further on my sub with a Hertz and Audison amp sent through a Wavetech LOC. The lows were unreal after that. But highs and clarity were lacking. This cheap upgrade that took me literally 10 minutes was a big improvement....

 

[Starship Enterprise]

Glad it worked out for you!

 

[ugasouthernpride]

If you just replace the sub and center speaker, You might just notice enough of a difference to make your ears happy. Start with those 2 and see how it sounds. At this point I am extremely happy with my sound system now!

What exactly improved with replacing this center speaker in your opinion? Are voices more clear?

 

[Starship Enterprise]

The new center speaker helped. But in reality replacing the center speaker and sub wasn't any earth shattering difference, but there was an improvement.

The sound is just a bit clearer and less muddy.

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