Hooking up speakers without a crossover can be a little challenging, especially if you are a beginner. In this step-by-step guide, we will help you through the process hassle-free.
If you are a beginner, you will soon understand that this kind of connection is not an expert’s job.
With this guide, you will find it more enriching and cheaper to launch a DIY speaker installation in your car without crossover.
Step 1: Assemble The Right Materials
Planning your installation correctly will save you the time you may need to move here and there trying to find the missing tools. Assemble the suitable materials with you before you can begin the installation process.
Some critical materials to bring include a soldering gun, wrench, nuts, and bolts. Check that the materials you assemble are of the correct measurement and quality. It is so embarrassing to find out that some bolts or nuts can’t fit your installation in the middle of the installation.
Step 2: Safety Precautions
The process of installing component speakers is never very safe unless you put the proper safety measures in place.
Securing the car, wearing protective equipment such as gloves, and ensuring that the main supply is switched off before you begin the installation are some of the things to do to make the process safe.
Turn off the car’s ignition, and disconnect the negative cable in your car’s battery to prevent short-circuiting. Wear gloves to secure your hands from sharp objects and protective clothing to protect you from spillages.
Step 3: Identify Ideal Location For The Speakers
Because you are installing the component speakers without crossover, finding the best location to install them is essential.
Whether you find it more ideal to install them on the dash, the sail panel, or the “A” pillar, you will need to remove some panels and other obstacles to clear the location.
The location you choose depends on the model of your car, your level of expertise, and your preference, among other factors.
However, the location should be one that will deliver the best sound experience and bass response while providing stable and secure installation.
Step 4: Install The Speakers (And Woofers and Tweeters If You Have Them)
Once you have removed all the panels from the chosen locations, it is time to install the speakers.
Remember, there are many ways you can mount the speakers depending on their sizes, shapes, and weight. The speakers can be bottom mounted, flush-mounted, or even flush-mounted.
If you have woofers and tweeters, here is how you should go about installing them:
Woofer Placement
Woofers will mainly be installed in the dash, doors, or kick panels. If your car has unused factory speaker locations, you can mount the speakers there. This will be easier as minimal adjustments will be required.
Confirm that your speakers will fit well without requiring significant changes to the car mechanisms.
Door Mounting Woofers
It is common to find most car woofers mounted on the car doors. Besides, most component speakers will easily fit into the factory speaker holes in your car. Here’s the procedure to follow:
Step 1: Remove The Grille
This is the first step in wall mounting component speakers. Using a flathead screwdriver, pry off the grille of the existing speaker.
You should see a notch provided by the manufacturer to make this much easier. If the grilles are secured or attached by friction fittings, unscrew them with a screwdriver or pry them more aggressively.
Step 2: Remove The Door Panel
In some instances, you will need to remove the door panel to access the factory speaker. Remove the screw or spring clip to disassemble the window crank. You can do this with a flathead screwdriver or window-crank removal tool.
Depress the door panel to expose the area behind the crank. Turn the lever until it exposes the clip’s prongs, and push the crank off gently using the screwdriver. Be careful as the clip will pop off in the process.
Step 3: Remove The Armrest And Rest Of Panel
Now unscrew the armrest screws and remove trim fittings around the handle. Once the screws are removed, pry off the door panel from the bottom corner with a panel tool or putty knives. Lift the trim to free the panel.
Step 4: Remove The Old Speaker
Check if the old speakers are secured with sealant foam and cut it off with a utility knife. Set aside the factory wiring harness and remove the factory speakers.
Step 5: Adjust The Mounting Hole and Mount The Speakers
Commonly, most component speakers will easily fit into the factory speaker holes in your car. However, you should confirm that the speaker fits well and adjust the hole if this is contrary before installing the speakers. Secure them with sealant foam or screws.
Tweeter Placement
Also, if you need to install tweeters in a vehicle without factory tweeter munts, you will need to modify the panel to fit the mounting method to be used.
How To Flush Mount Your Tweeters
Step 1: Drill a hole in the door panel that is the same size as your tweeter.
Step 2: Put the base cup into the hole and fix the tweeter inside it.
Step 3: Secure the tweeter with nuts, bolts, and plastic strips to ensure that it is tightly held and will not come out when you drive.
How To Bottom Mount Your Tweeters
If you use this method, you will need to use a wrench to affirm the tweeter in the speaker grills that exist in your car.
How To Surface Mount Your Tweeters
Choose surface mounting if your car does not have enough deep spaces left for mounting tweeters. Select the right location, put the tweeter inside a cup, and secure it with screws on top of the location selected.
Step 5: Wire The Speakers
Wiring your speakers to the car audio system should be well thought out and done carefully not to damage the audio system. Use a multimeter to check the polarities of your speaker wires to ensure they are correct.
Also, check that your car factory speaker wires are ok and are working correctly. Otherwise, you can buy and install new wiring.
Step 6: Test Drive The System
Now listen to your component speakers to make sure it works just as intended. If satisfied, clean the system and keep away the tools.
Conclusion
The process of installing component speakers without a crossover is straightforward. However, incorporate tweeters in your car audio system for the best and most accurate sound reproduction without crossovers.