The installation process for car speakers will vary depending on whether they’re coaxial or component speakers.
The coaxial speakers are easier to install because you just need to install them into their mounting locations and connect the wiring.
On the other hand, component speaker systems are complex.
You have to mount tweeters and woofers into their respective locations, install a crossover to send different frequencies to their individual speakers, and then connect their wirings.
In this post, we’ll thoroughly discuss the installation process for both speaker types.
Should You Upgrade Car Speakers?
Most stock car audio systems are only suitable for producing low/medium volume sound.
The aftermarket car speakers give you a much-needed boost as they’re designed to power much more power which results in a louder sound.
Other advantages include a better bass response, more sound customization options, and more durability than factory speakers.
That being said, these aftermarket speakers have some downsides too.
The main problem is the amplifier. These speakers are designed to work with beefier amplifiers, so your factory amplifier might not be good enough for them.
Other disadvantages include extra cost and vehicle body modification (in some cases only, where speakers are not compatible by default).
Must Check: How much does It Cost To Install A Car Stereo (2023)
Car Speaker Installation: DIY vs. Mechanic
If you’ve decided to upgrade car speakers, you need to determine whether you’ll complete this entire process on your own or hire a mechanic.
There are pros and cons to both of these approaches.
If we talk about DIY installation, the first advantage is cost savings. Car mechanics easily charge up to $100 for coaxial speakers installation. This cost can increase depending on your area or if you want to install component speakers instead.
Also, installing car speakers by yourself will improve your car maintenance skills which can be handy when diagnosing other problems down the road.
That said, there are some scenarios where hiring a mechanic for this job becomes more reasonable.
For example, if you’ve got a brand-new car and want to upgrade the factory speakers, you want a cleaner and professional-looking installation job. Or you’re a wealthy individual, for which time is more important than money.
In both these cases, hiring a mechanic would serve you better.
Tools and Safety Precautions
In case you’ve analyzed the merits and demerits of both approaches above and still want to install speakers on your own, these are the tools you need:
- Screwdrivers
- Socket wrench
- Panel popper
- Wire strippers
- Wire connectors
- Electrical tape
- Electric drill
- Wiring harness
How to Install Coaxial Car Speakers
These speakers have a tweeter, woofer, and midrange driver combined into a single speaker. Here’s how you can install these speakers:
Disconnect the Battery Terminal
The first thing you need to do is disconnect the negative battery terminal. This is primarily done to avoid any electrical accidents.
Remove the Door Panel
To access the factory speakers, remove the door panels first.
While the actual process is different for every vehicle, here’s a brief overview:
If your vehicle has a sail panel, remove it with a panel tool. It’s usually held in its place with retaining clips. That’s why you may need to apply some force.
Then, remove the door handle with window buttons. You may need a screwdriver to remove the screws in some vehicles. The door handle may have some connectors at the back. Therefore, you need to disconnect them carefully.
After that, you can access the door panel’s screws. Unscrew these screws and the ones behind the reflector lens (if your vehicle has any).
Once you’ve removed all those screws, pull the door panel out. Make sure you carefully disconnect the back connectors of the panel.
Some vehicles have retaining clips around the edges, while others can be lifted off the surface. If your vehicle has those retaining clips, you’ll need a panel tool to release those clips first.
Remove the Factory Speaker
Once you’ve removed the door panel, you get full access to the factory speaker.
This speaker will be secured through different screws around the edges. Remove those screws, disconnect the factory harness, and pull the speaker out of your vehicle.
Install New Speaker In the Vehicle
Connect one end of the wiring harness to the new speaker (ensure the polarity is correct) and the other to the factory harness plug.
After that, you need to check if the screw holes of the speakers match that of the vehicle. If not, you’ll need a mounting bracket in between.
Lastly, tighten the screws with a screwdriver to keep the new speaker in its place.
Reinstall the Door Panel
After installing the new speaker, you’ll need to reinstall the door panel.
This process will be the opposite of what we did earlier.
Put the door panel back on, and connect the back connectors. And tighten its screws. Then, put the reflector lens and window panels back and then tighten their screws, too.
Lastly, reinstall the sail panel.
Reconnect the Battery Terminal
As we’ve completed the installation process, reconnect the negative battery terminal.
Test New Speakers
Start the vehicle. Then turn on the radio and test the speakers to check if they work.
How to Install Component Car Speakers?
These are the speakers where the tweeter, woofer, and midrange driver are physically separated from each other. While these speakers give you more customization options than their coaxial counterparts, they’re expensive and more complex to install.
Although many of their installation steps are similar to what we did with the coaxial speakers earlier, there are some obvious differences.
The first difference is the multiple mounting locations. As component speakers have a woofer, tweeter, and midrange driver separated from each other, you have to mount them in different locations individually.
After that, cut the wiring harness connector from the factory tweeter and solder it with the aftermarket tweeter’s wiring.
If your component speaker system comes with an external crossover, you’ll also have to make an additional mounting location for it.
Once you’ve mounted all these components, run speaker wires from crossover outputs to the tweeter and woofer terminals.
Related: How to Wire a Car Stereo from Scratch?
Conclusion
When it comes to car speakers, installation is a severely underrated aspect.
That’s because no matter how top-end speakers you’ve got, they’ll sound distorted and muffled and lack any detail if the installation is incorrect.
In some cases, it can cause electrical problems in your vehicle or even damage the speakers themselves.
That’s why you should follow these steps carefully and consult a professional mechanic in case of any confusion.
FAQs: How To Install Car Speakers?
Does Best Buy Install Car Speakers?
Yes, Best Buy offers car speaker installation by certified professionals for $79. If you have a slightly complex installation, such as component speakers, the price will increase to $129.
Where Can I Get Speakers Installed In My Car?
Depending on your vehicle, there are many locations where you may or may not install a car speaker, such as the door, trunk, front pillars, and dashboard. You should check your vehicle’s owner’s manual or consult a mechanic for more info.
Do You Have To Disconnect The Battery To Change The Car Speakers?
Yes. As we’re replacing our existing speaker with a new one, we must disconnect the negative battery terminal to prevent electrical damage and electrocution.
Can New Speakers Drain The Car Batteries?
Yes, aftermarket speakers can drain the battery if they remain turned on for too long when the engine is not running.
Do I Disconnect The Positive Or Negative Battery Terminal First?
When disconnecting the battery terminal, you should disconnect the negative battery terminal and then the positive one. On the other hand, when reconnecting these terminals, the order would be reversed. First, connect the positive terminal and then the negative one.
How do you break-in new car speakers?
You don’t need to do anything special to break-in car speakers. Listen to various music genres, with a medium volume level at first, and then go higher over time. After 25-30 hours, your new speakers will successfully break in.
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