XK8 Conv - Rear Subwoofer Replacement
#1
XK8 Conv - Rear Subwoofer Replacement
After some searching I found a subwoofer to replace the blown rear units without breaking the bank or the need for major surgery to get them to fit. The replacement speakers are the Kicker 10 CVT65, 4-Ohm, CompVT Subwoofer. Nice sound.
The mounting holes match and the required depth is less tham the original equipment. Retail they would have been $100 a piece. On the Internet, I found them for $66 each.
Another alternative, the JL Audio 6w3v3 would have been about $120 over the net and may have needed modification to interior of the subwoofer boxes to accomodate their mounting depth.
Installation on the Kickers only required removal of the speaker grills and then trimming of the plastic rim that surrounded the original speakers. Dremel makes a neat attachment to cut or form things like plastic (cost $16.00). The removal, modification and installation took maybe 40 minutes or so. FYI, the solid black wire is the positive & black with white stripe is negative.
Not the audio system sounds better than the day I drove her home the first time.
Later
Ed K
The mounting holes match and the required depth is less tham the original equipment. Retail they would have been $100 a piece. On the Internet, I found them for $66 each.
Another alternative, the JL Audio 6w3v3 would have been about $120 over the net and may have needed modification to interior of the subwoofer boxes to accomodate their mounting depth.
Installation on the Kickers only required removal of the speaker grills and then trimming of the plastic rim that surrounded the original speakers. Dremel makes a neat attachment to cut or form things like plastic (cost $16.00). The removal, modification and installation took maybe 40 minutes or so. FYI, the solid black wire is the positive & black with white stripe is negative.
Not the audio system sounds better than the day I drove her home the first time.
Later
Ed K
The following 6 users liked this post by ek_mundo:
ipurr2 (10-21-2011),
JeffereyGreen (05-07-2011),
Markmbaha1 (09-20-2021),
reb1999 (06-12-2014),
TedV (08-22-2020),
and 1 others liked this post.
#2
Good job Ed, I agree with you about those stock subs, almost anything would be better than what came with the car. If you did get a bigger sub, like the JL you mentioned, it only takes a 1/2" spacer in front to bring the speaker out so that depth isn't an issue.
Good for you, now...what's the next project?
Good for you, now...what's the next project?
The following users liked this post:
reb1999 (06-12-2014)
#3
Hello
The next TWO projects ... replace the rear view mirror. The oil in the mirror isn't leaking but it doesn't work. I emailed a firm about a remenufactured peplacement. The second project is figuring out how to replace the light bulb or LED that lights up the radio. The LCD works with the channel or CD number, but no backlighting when the headlights are on. So, it's darn near impossible to see in low light situations. I have no experience at getting the radio out to even look at it.
Later
Ed K
The next TWO projects ... replace the rear view mirror. The oil in the mirror isn't leaking but it doesn't work. I emailed a firm about a remenufactured peplacement. The second project is figuring out how to replace the light bulb or LED that lights up the radio. The LCD works with the channel or CD number, but no backlighting when the headlights are on. So, it's darn near impossible to see in low light situations. I have no experience at getting the radio out to even look at it.
Later
Ed K
#5
#6
I bought some 194 LED dashboard bulbs at Pep Boys and they sucked. They were just way too dim. When I got back from my 7000 mile trip I replaced them with some regular bulbs and the difference was amazing. The incandescents are far superior IMHO.
#7
Originally Posted by ek_mundo
Regarding the rear speakers, the failure on mine seemed to happen rather quickly and was perhaps correlated to my son using the Jag for the prom. Oh well. I don't consider myself an avid sound person. Once the old speaker was floating, things were a mess. I adjusted the system toward the front, but was concerned about eventually damaging them as well.
The photo series using the JL Audio speakers was my inspiration to look in earnest. I was looing for a fit (size, specifications and price) that worked for me. When I ordered the Kicker 6w3's I thought that they may fit without any plastic surgery. They were very close. However, with the Dremel tool, the removal of the plastic rim on the subwoofer box took only a few minutes.
Later
Ed K
The photo series using the JL Audio speakers was my inspiration to look in earnest. I was looing for a fit (size, specifications and price) that worked for me. When I ordered the Kicker 6w3's I thought that they may fit without any plastic surgery. They were very close. However, with the Dremel tool, the removal of the plastic rim on the subwoofer box took only a few minutes.
Later
Ed K
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#8
The "over the counter" LEDs don't seem to perform like the ones you can get on the Net at LED specialty shops.
#9
Perfect thread for me right now. I just pulled the rear subwoofers from my '97 XK8 convertable and took them to Best Buy to match up a replacement set. As you already know, they have no such thing, so now I have to shop. Going to start with the recommendation here.
Also, I have a radio with the same problem - no backlighting at all. I can't see anything at night or day. Otherwise it works fine. Looking for a replacement.
Finally, I did replace my center console bulbs. Check out <Autolumination.com> . I believe their #79609-S5A-003 Type B is what I got. Double check the dimensions first as I can't put my hands on the order or receipt right now. Fit perfectly and costs all of $1.49 each. I got clear and transfered the blue bulb cover over. Still works great.
Mark R.
Also, I have a radio with the same problem - no backlighting at all. I can't see anything at night or day. Otherwise it works fine. Looking for a replacement.
Finally, I did replace my center console bulbs. Check out <Autolumination.com> . I believe their #79609-S5A-003 Type B is what I got. Double check the dimensions first as I can't put my hands on the order or receipt right now. Fit perfectly and costs all of $1.49 each. I got clear and transfered the blue bulb cover over. Still works great.
Mark R.
#11
#12
If it helps, the Kicker subwoofer that I mentioned was the 4 Ohm, 6 1/2 inch model CVT 65. My son & I cranked up some tunes while cruising around this weekend. They sounded fine to us for the money.
As I did my looking, there were few units that stayed under the 3 1/2 inch mounting depth. This Kicker is 2 7/8, so there's plenty of room. Good Luck.
Ed K
ModelCVT65
Size (IN.,CM)6-1/2, 16.5Impedance (OHMS)2 or 4Max Rec Amplifier Power (WATTS PEAK/RMS)*300/150Frequency Response (Hz)25-350Mounting Depth (IN.,CM)2-7/8, 7.3Mounting Cutout (IN.,CM)5-9/16, 14Min Rec Sealed Box Volume (CU. FT., Liters).2, 5.7Max Rec Sealed Box Volume (CU. FT., Liters)3, 85
ModelCVT65
Size (IN.,CM)6-1/2, 16.5Impedance (OHMS)2 or 4Max Rec Amplifier Power (WATTS PEAK/RMS)*300/150Frequency Response (Hz)25-350Mounting Depth (IN.,CM)2-7/8, 7.3Mounting Cutout (IN.,CM)5-9/16, 14Min Rec Sealed Box Volume (CU. FT., Liters).2, 5.7Max Rec Sealed Box Volume (CU. FT., Liters)3, 85ModelCVT65
Size (IN.,CM)6-1/2, 16.5Impedance (OHMS)2 or 4Max Rec Amplifier Power (WATTS PEAK/RMS)*300/150Frequency Response (Hz)25-350Mounting Depth (IN.,CM)2-7/8, 7.3Mounting Cutout (IN.,CM)5-9/16, 14Min Rec Sealed Box Volume (CU. FT., Liters).2, 5.7Max Rec Sealed Box Volume (CU. FT., Liters)3, 85
As I did my looking, there were few units that stayed under the 3 1/2 inch mounting depth. This Kicker is 2 7/8, so there's plenty of room. Good Luck.
Ed K
ModelCVT65
Size (IN.,CM)6-1/2, 16.5Impedance (OHMS)2 or 4Max Rec Amplifier Power (WATTS PEAK/RMS)*300/150Frequency Response (Hz)25-350Mounting Depth (IN.,CM)2-7/8, 7.3Mounting Cutout (IN.,CM)5-9/16, 14Min Rec Sealed Box Volume (CU. FT., Liters).2, 5.7Max Rec Sealed Box Volume (CU. FT., Liters)3, 85
ModelCVT65
Size (IN.,CM)6-1/2, 16.5Impedance (OHMS)2 or 4Max Rec Amplifier Power (WATTS PEAK/RMS)*300/150Frequency Response (Hz)25-350Mounting Depth (IN.,CM)2-7/8, 7.3Mounting Cutout (IN.,CM)5-9/16, 14Min Rec Sealed Box Volume (CU. FT., Liters).2, 5.7Max Rec Sealed Box Volume (CU. FT., Liters)3, 85ModelCVT65
Size (IN.,CM)6-1/2, 16.5Impedance (OHMS)2 or 4Max Rec Amplifier Power (WATTS PEAK/RMS)*300/150Frequency Response (Hz)25-350Mounting Depth (IN.,CM)2-7/8, 7.3Mounting Cutout (IN.,CM)5-9/16, 14Min Rec Sealed Box Volume (CU. FT., Liters).2, 5.7Max Rec Sealed Box Volume (CU. FT., Liters)3, 85
#14
Ed,
Glad to help. And I ordered the speakers last night. Can't wait to get them. The good news is the weather is lousy (?) so the car is sitting in the garage just the way I took it apart for them. Missing nothing while waiting for delivery.
H20boy,
Yes, I would definitely be interested in the radio. As my car is a '97 and yours is a 03, are you sure it will fit and hook up? I guess if it's close it's worth a try.
Thanks all,
Mark
Glad to help. And I ordered the speakers last night. Can't wait to get them. The good news is the weather is lousy (?) so the car is sitting in the garage just the way I took it apart for them. Missing nothing while waiting for delivery.
H20boy,
Yes, I would definitely be interested in the radio. As my car is a '97 and yours is a 03, are you sure it will fit and hook up? I guess if it's close it's worth a try.
Thanks all,
Mark
#15
If anyone is interested, the subwoofers in my '97 Convertible were also trash when I bought the car, but I was able to sucessfully REPAIR them for about $20 by replacing the foam cone surrounds. The result is awesome! The proceedure is actually quite simple, but I should have videoed my efforts for the benefit of those here on this forum. I would be willing to repeat the process and video it this time, at my expense, if someone would be willing to donate & ship their OEM subwoofers to me.
ek_mundo, do you still have yours? Would you be willing to ship them to me for this effort? If so, send me a PM.
John
ek_mundo, do you still have yours? Would you be willing to ship them to me for this effort? If so, send me a PM.
John
#16
Subs in 2003 XKR
I have a 2003 XKR and removed one of the subwoofers the other day and found that it is 2 ohms. The Kickers and JL that are mentioned as replacements are 4 ohms. My questions is; are you replacing your stock 2 ohm subs with aftermarket 4 ohms or are your stock subs 2 ohms?
The following users liked this post:
Markmbaha1 (09-07-2021)
#18
#19
Hi Mark
When I undertook my search, I took the factory speaker to a car audio speacialty shop. There were no marjings on the speaker itself. The head tech took the old speaker and did some measurements on the impedence since I had the same question on 2 vs. 4 Ohms. He indicated that my old speaker was a 4 Ohm unit and then specified the model of the Kicker replacement units. When he gave me the price with installation, I decided to check elsewhere.
His price was high. When I took the specific model number and went to the Internet, prices were like 40% lower.
So, that's the source of the 4 Ohm.
I have installed mine and they're working great.
Hope that helps.
Ed K
When I undertook my search, I took the factory speaker to a car audio speacialty shop. There were no marjings on the speaker itself. The head tech took the old speaker and did some measurements on the impedence since I had the same question on 2 vs. 4 Ohms. He indicated that my old speaker was a 4 Ohm unit and then specified the model of the Kicker replacement units. When he gave me the price with installation, I decided to check elsewhere.
His price was high. When I took the specific model number and went to the Internet, prices were like 40% lower.
So, that's the source of the 4 Ohm.
I have installed mine and they're working great.
Hope that helps.
Ed K