installing rear 6X9 speakers

[florida_gators]

This might have been covered in the past, but...

I bought a '00 last October, and I replaced the front door speakers with Sony 2 ways. The sound is adequate, as I don't need a sub or amp. However, how much better will the sound be if I have 6X9s installed in the back as the Insights now come standard with? I heard that replacing the front speakers will make the biggest difference as compared to adding back speakers, but is it worth the expense to also add rear speakers? (I would not do it myself, since it involves cutting into the car, which I'd prefer over speaker boxes that would take up hatchback space.) Also, is it possible to have a '00 modified for speakers (simply buy cutting behind the seats from a template) as is standard in the '04 Insights, or did Honda have to shift some other things around in order to make room for the rear speakers to fit? Thanks for any advice!

Rob

[Billy]

2000-2003 Insights are factory wired for rear speakers. The rear speaker kit from Honda includes a paper template, showing you where to cut away the carpet on the vertical bulkhead. Underneath, there is a small amount of insulation, then a hole in the aluminum structure for a pair of round 6.5 inch speakers. I think 6x9's could be used, with some modication/fabrication to the holes. billy....

[Rick]

Ehhh, I'd be afraid to try and fit 6X9's in the space where the factory rear speaker kit goes. The drivers side one probably has enough clearance, but on the passenger side where the intake vent for the IMA cooling is a duct runs right behind where the speaker magnet would go. You'd only be able to get a very skinny speaker in there, and I don't think your going to fit a 6X9 in there.

If you want to get a batter look for yourself there are a few plstic clips on the top of that little wall that hold that piece of carpet in. Carefully wiggle them loose (I broke most of mine doing this), then you should be able to pull the carpet down and out from the trim pieces on either side. There is also the row of clips on the bottom, but I wouldn't remove them unless for some reason it's necessary. Where the speaker spots are located there are two removable plastic covers.

Now that said, rear speakers ruin the sound stage in an Insight. Add a small subwoofer to the rear of the car instead and you'll get much better sound. Also, if your using the stock deck I'd highly recommend replacing it before trying to add any more speakers. It's well.... junk, and junk going to the speakers is not going to make very good sound. I had my Infinity door speakers powered by the stock deck for a very short period of time and the sound was only marginally better. Once I had my Kenwood deck in with some good power going to the speakers they sounded much better.

[florida_gators]

Thanks for the replies. I was under the mistaken assumption that 6X9s were the standard size for rear speakers in the Insight, but considering the small size of the cabin, 6.5s do make more sense.

It's good to know the older Insights come ready for rear speaker installation. Honda definitely covered all the bases when making this car.

I did replace my factory cassette deck since my cassette tapes from the 80s no longer play well , and I had made the transition to cd's a long time ago. A new radio did make a big difference. I think I'll try the small sub in the back. Thanks again!

Rob

[b1shmu63]

Oval speakers are generally a bad idea. The oval shape is technically inferior. Higher quality speakers are a good idea. Doubling the Gauss density in the voice coil gap by doubling the strength of the magnet will give you double the volume per Watt, improve damping and lower distortion. To get full benefit you need a speaker with twice the throw. (excursion) High quality speakers have more powerful magnets and longer throw. You will get more sound, and better sound, using a higher quality circular speaker than using a larger questionable quality 6X9 speaker.

I agree with Rick regarding the sound stage. Multiple sources for the same signal result in phase and amplitude distortion that destroys the brains ability to correctly interpret sound direction. It is like putting a gourmet meal into a blender.

On the other hand, anything is an improvement over the OEM system, and some types of modern music have already been through the blender in the recording studio. So..... If you like what you are hearing, just ignore what I said above.

That said, a "poor man sub woofer" can be made by using a low pass filter on the speakers behind the seats. This will give you a certain degree of body shaking bass without the expense and effort of a discreet sub woofer box and won't trash the "sound stage". A low pass filter can be purchased, or built using an appropriate coil and capacitor circuit.

Good luck and enjoy the ride.

[RickM]

After messing around with many speaker combinations, I put a pair of good quality speakers in the front and a pair of 'mid-bass' in the rear holes. Ricky is right, the passenger hole has little room for a big magnate, so I fabricated a spacer out of a commercial jelly bucket and covered it with grey felt. It kicks the speaker out an inch and provides the clearance neede.
With my stereo i can filter the sound so the bass goes to the rear and the higher sounds to the front. Adjusting the fade I can get a perfect sound stage without an amp or losing space in the rear deck.
This is only when I have a passenger, usually i'm alone on long trips and I plug in my Bose noise cancelling headphones. This is the best way to listen to music at a low level with little road nosie.
Rick

[miecz]

I am convinced that the rear speakers are not necessary, contrary to conventional wisdom which says, here is some holes in the rear of your car. Put some speakers there.

What I am not so sure on, is what quality sound difference is going to be noticed if replacing the front speakers and head unit. I added the Eclipse amp and 8" JLAudio sub per John Wayland specs and built a similar cabinet. This has been a great improvement in bass response. Sometimes, however, I wonder if the type of amp used was overkill. I have the gains turned almost all the way down and I can only tolerate the volume on the head unit about 1/4 of the way up. Anyway, before I spend any more money, I would sure like to know if anyone has tested first, a sub and amp, then added front speakers, and then maybe a new head unit, to see if a significantly greater sound quality has been achieved?

Thanks.