Hi brickboard, long time no post. We just got a 1997 855 T5, and the speakers are blown: RF-ok, LF-no bass, RR-ok?, LR-popcracklepopspit. It has the 815 stereo.

Crutchfield lists 4" as replacements, that's madness. 5.25" or 6.5" would be great if they'd fit. We don't want to spend big bucks, just get decent sound.

I understand from this post http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=807379 and the surrounding thread that the drivers and tweeters are 8ohm each in parallel. But I also gather that it's not a problem to wire in 4 ohm replacements.

Is there a crossover network in place, or is it full range to the door speakers?
Can anyone recommend an inexpensive replacement speaker for the doors, I figure I need to replace all four of them.
Will the tweeters work okay (assuming they're not blown up) with 4ohm replacement drivers in the doors?

Many thanks!
--
Kyle
Santa Rosa, CA

1980 242GT 198K
1990 744Ti 115K
1972 Riviera 130K
1972 240Z 1K (since restoration)
1972 Datsun Pickup 87K(187K?)

Strongly recommend that you get the wiring diagrams before you plan your replacements! Your SC 815 probably is running 4 channels;thus, if you have more than four speakers, you have at least 2 pairs of 8-ohm speakers wired parallel. Replacing parallel-wired 8-ohm speakers with parallel-wired 4-ohm speakers can be hazardous to the innards of your sound system. (cruise around the search function with terms like 4-ohm and see more learned expositions of the process)
You can, of course, replace a component set including a crossover with a single 4-ohm co-ax speaker, but there the wiring diagram will help you greatly in deciding what you are gong to do to avoid the frying sound and picturesque curls of smoke issuing from the dashboard. Should be as simple as skipping past the crossover and going straight from the stereo output to the co-ax speaker.
Re the replacement geometry: As I recall, you can reach the speakers on the 850 by removing the grilles; that's where your hangup on size of speaker comes into play first. You should also be able to remove the door panel to get wider access to the whole speaker assembly and mounting area, which will give you more lattitude in measuring and installing.
Good luck, and post anything interesting you find, to help the next guy.
--
We have met the enemy and they is us. [Pogo] S70 T5 cop car : Rough Rider tires& suspension, Walmart fog lights, eBay speakers, ambiance by Pall Mall, trim by Le Duc d'Tape, 8-channel THD by OEM amps

I replaced the speakers in the rear doors of my 97 850 Wagon a year ago. Just like you, I was shocked by Crutchfield's 4" recommendation. They are correct though in that nothing bigger will easily fit in the opening. However, I ended up buying Crutchfield's Polk GXR5A 5-1/4" 2-way Speakers, item # 107GXR5A. I see these are now out of stock; perhaps another retailer still carries them? It took some "special attention" to get them installed. Anyway, hope this helps, just wanted to let you know it is possible to fit certain 5 1/4" speakers in the rear door opening. Let me know if you need details on the install. Good luck.

Thanks for the info; did you do anything with the rear tweeters, assuming you're running an 815?

I've found some Audiobahn 5.25" midbass that look like a perfect replacement...

Thinking of ohms and whatnot, an 8ohm tweeter + 8ohm woofer in parallel (/2) = 4 ohms. Change it up to a 8ohm tweet + 4ohm woof /2 = 3 ohms, probably not a fatally big difference. But I wonder about sound balance; would the woofer wind up being twice as loud as the tweeter?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14941&item=5712612308&rd=1

As of now, I'm hoping to salvage two of the four woofers and replace the other two with something like that.
--
Kyle
Santa Rosa, CA

1980 242GT 198K
1990 744Ti 115K
1972 Riviera 130K
1972 240Z 1K (since restoration)
1972 Datsun Pickup 87K(187K?)

I have a basic cassette radio, I forget the model # but it's not an 815. No tweeters in the back, instead teh car has an undocumented OEM void that comes in handy as a secret compartment for stashing peanuts or emergency cash :-)

I found the front door speakers to be one-way four ohm speakers, roughly 5.25" size. The rear doors were two-way eight ohm jobbies, closer to 6.5" (more like 6";-) The LF had a break at the wire from the terminal to the voice coil, I resoldered it and we're now good to go. The LR had a big tear in the cone, so I replaced both rears with some old Sony 5.25" one-ways with wizzer tweeters. Sounds fine. I think the balance might be off between the rear tweeters and woofers, but the front's more important in that regard anyway...

I'm calling it done for now, though if anyone reads my other thread about using 8Ohm replacement woofers (likely from home stereo speakers), I'd be interested in hearing about it.
--
Kyle
Santa Rosa, CA

1980 242GT 198K
1990 744Ti 115K
1972 Riviera 130K
1972 240Z 1K (since restoration)
1972 Datsun Pickup 87K(187K?)

Sooooo..... another odd question, thinking about Ohms and whatnot.

What about something like these, from http://www.speakerworks.net/woofers_midranges_tweeters.html
5 1/4"
5 3/8" OD
4 3/8"Cutout
8 ohm Vifa Style 5.25" Woofer/Midrange
* 12oz Magnet * 3/4" voice coil * 30 watts RMS * Butyl rubber surround * Poly cone * Freq. 60Hz-10kHz94dB

Any reason that wouldn't work?
--
Kyle
Santa Rosa, CA

1980 242GT 198K
1990 744Ti 115K
1972 Riviera 130K
1972 240Z 1K (since restoration)
1972 Datsun Pickup 87K(187K?)