[festo702]

So I decided to replace my speakers in the front and rear after changing out my head unit because the factory speakers sounded like crap. It wasn't too terribly difficult, but there were some extra steps I didn't plan on. I took pics of the entire install so I could help anyone out there who wants to tackle this in their car. The door panels come off easy, just a couple of pins that you push in near the back of the panel, 1 screw behind the door handle, and 2 screws under the window controls. The rest is just retainer pins behind the panel and just takes a good pull out on the panel. I had to be very careful about the front speakers because the ones I put in were much bigger speakers and the window rolls down behind the speakers so you run the risk of breaking the window if not done right. I actually had to destroy the factory speaker so I could use it as a spacer to keep the new speaker away from the window (see pictures). I actually used gorilla glue to mount the speaker to the spacer. The rear was more straight forward but still a little painful because you have to take the entire rear interior apart. Everything is clipped together and there are 4 bolts behind the seats that have to be removed, once you get all the panels off, its a breeze from there. I am posting a bunch of pictures from this. If anyone has any questions, just ask.

Door with the panel off:

Inside of door panel (in case someone wants to see it):

Junk factory speaker:

 

[festo702]

Door with speaker taken out:

Destroying the factory speaker (I just cut it with wire cutters):

New speaker mounted to the old:

 

[festo702]

And finally, the back with all the panels taken out:

 

[Silver LTZ]

Good pics and info....did you add an amp to power them?

 

[festo702]

I have an amp, but have not added it yet. The speakers sound pretty amazing compared to the junk factory speakers though, even without an amp. So at this point I'm happy with the sound.

 

[elcompaLalo]

Thank you for sharing the pics and info. Care to specify on the speakers you added?

 

[festo702]

I put Eclipse component SC8264 6.5" speakers up front (even though I said I wasn't going to) and actually in the back I just put some Sony 3 way 6x9's for now. The front speakers sound amazing and are extremely clear even though I just have them running off the head unit. The back ones don't sound too bad either, but I will upgrade them later and add an amp. The only reason I did the back now is because I had the Sony's already and I wanted to replace the factory paper 6x9's. Also, for some reason the rear 6x9's were 8 ohm which made them sound even more like crap. Overall, especially after actually seeing the factory speakers, this was a must do.

 

[elcompaLalo]

I think that stockers don't sound all that bad but if given the opportunity to swamp em out I would do it in an instant. Sometimes anything aftermarket can be an upgrade from OEM. Can't wait till I can upgrade all of the sound system in the Bu, for now it is on the back burner but I have not lost hope. Your pics and info will definitely come in handy when the time comes to do my swap, thanks again festo702!

 

[Silver LTZ]

I guess you didn't have the premium sound? I've seen my door speakers and they looked different then yours.

After I do my spoiler, I'm either doing lowering springs or some stereo upgrades. Not sure yet....

 

[festo702]

No, they were definitely not the premium speakers, just a basic setup.

 

[2010 ltz]

Great post - thanks for taking all of the pictures. For the Eclipse components, where did you install the tweeter? Did you replace the factory ones in the pillar or did you mounth them down in the door somewhere? If the pillar, was it difficult to do - how much space is in there?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Alan1976]

I put Eclipse component SC8264 6.5" speakers up front (even though I said I wasn't going to) and actually in the back I just put some Sony 3 way 6x9's for now. The front speakers sound amazing and are extremely clear even though I just have them running off the head unit. The back ones don't sound too bad either, but I will upgrade them later and add an amp. The only reason I did the back now is because I had the Sony's already and I wanted to replace the factory paper 6x9's. Also, for some reason the rear 6x9's were 8 ohm which made them sound even more like crap. Overall, especially after actually seeing the factory speakers, this was a must do.

Hi festo,

I have three questions;

1- I own a Malibu 2009 LT with the basic sound system and I'm currently using an amp with a sub and I'm usign the sound signal of the rear speakers to feed the amplifier, and I've red that the rear speakers are 8 ohms, this could affect in any sense my amp?, should I change the setup or the amplifier?

2- I want to change and amplify the rear speakers because as you said, the sound is awful, should I use a special amplifier or special speakers beacuse the oem rear speakers are of 8 ohms???

3- front speakers are of 4 ohms?

Thank you!!!

 

[fbirdformula]

how did you get the rear speaker panel back on, and the 2 side pillar covers? i'm having problems w/ the sides

 

[mixdawg1]

Nice speakers man. Do you plan on adding a sub-woofer?

 

[JROC]

What Dose The Ltz Sound System Come With Meany Brand Cause Am Not Sure If An Upgrade Is Necessary They Sound Good Even Has A Built In Tweeter Up By Widshield

 

[elcompaLalo]

What Dose The Ltz Sound System Come With Meany Brand Cause Am Not Sure If An Upgrade Is Necessary They Sound Good Even Has A Built In Tweeter Up By Widshield

I believe they come with a premium system, my 2LT sounds pretty good and don't know if they are the same as the LTZs but I'm happy enough with em.

 

[festo702]

Great post - thanks for taking all of the pictures. For the Eclipse components, where did you install the tweeter? Did you replace the factory ones in the pillar or did you mounth them down in the door somewhere? If the pillar, was it difficult to do - how much space is in there?

Thanks in advance.

Sorry, didn't see your post until now. I put the new tweeters where the old ones were. It was actually fairly simple. There was plenty of room, I just had to push a few wires and stuff out of the way while putting the pillar panel back on. I actually just bought some plastic strapping (from Lowes in the plumbing section) and used it to mount the speakers on with the existing screws from the other speakers. Here is a pic of what that actually looks like:

 

[festo702]

Hi festo,

I have three questions;

1- I own a Malibu 2009 LT with the basic sound system and I'm currently using an amp with a sub and I'm usign the sound signal of the rear speakers to feed the amplifier, and I've red that the rear speakers are 8 ohms, this could affect in any sense my amp?, should I change the setup or the amplifier?

2- I want to change and amplify the rear speakers because as you said, the sound is awful, should I use a special amplifier or special speakers beacuse the oem rear speakers are of 8 ohms???

3- front speakers are of 4 ohms?

Thank you!!!

Ok, first of all, Yes the factory front speakers were 4 ohm. Second, taking the sound signal from the rear speakers should be ok, Ohms from those speakers will have nothing to do with the amp running your sub. I take it you have the factory deck still installed, so this is probably how you have to run it. The lower the ohms the more current the speakers draw and lower ohm speakers always sound better. If you are using the factory deck, I'm pretty sure you will have to leave those speakers in though because, you can use higher ohm speakers but if the deck is made to run 8 ohm speakers, you cannot go lower on ohms or it could damage your deck. Usually you see 8 ohm speakers in house speakers, not usually in car speakers. So the only way to upgrade the rear speakers will probably be to run another amp to those speakers or replace the deck as I did. Those speakers really were some of the worst speakers I have run into. I put cheap Sony's in the back and they sound 1000 times better now. I hope all this makes sense and helps you out some. If you got any other questions, feel free to ask.

 

[festo702]

how did you get the rear speaker panel back on, and the 2 side pillar covers? i'm having problems w/ the sides

It was kind of a pain in the @$$, but once I figured it out I could do it again with ease. I did have to take a couple of bolts out from behind the seat (those were the only screws or bolts) and the rest was just pins and clips. Just takes some good pulling. Basically every panel from the the rear door back had to be removed. I had to take the bottom of the rear seat out but not the seat backs. Sorry, I didn't really take any pics of that part of the install. If you actually took the entire rear seat (back and bottom) out, it would be extremely simple from there, but that really is more than you have to do. Let me know if I can help any more.

 

[gust_1980]

this is very helpful as i plan on doing something to mine soon. still not sure how to access the headunit area. was also disappointed to find the battery was up front; hoping it was under backseat or in the trunk.