Update - Finally fitting my 3 way speaker system

CrazyBaptie · Post by **CrazyBaptie** » Wed Apr 29, 2020 3:12 am

Got to love some 3D printing - its looking good so far cant wait to see it finished.. off I go to look at speakers now

Z4C_er · Post by **Z4C_er** » Wed Apr 29, 2020 5:30 pm

Newbers wrote: ↑Tue Apr 28, 2020 10:35 pm I must commend you on your 3D printed adapters. They make a really tidy job and are greatly preferable to even the most carefully crafted MDF equivalents.

Thanks. Mounts V2 on their way. When I'm happy with the design I'll upload the file.

Z4C_er · Post by **Z4C_er** » Wed Apr 29, 2020 5:31 pm

CrazyBaptie wrote: ↑Wed Apr 29, 2020 3:12 am Got to love some 3D printing - its looking good so far cant wait to see it finished.. off I go to look at speakers now

Ta! Just waiting for some connectors and then I can reinstall the door card.

Darkangelv2 · Post by **Darkangelv2** » Thu Apr 30, 2020 7:08 am

Z4C_er wrote: ↑Fri May 04, 2018 10:48 am Magic, you mention "I ran two new wires (1mm csa from memory) for the new focal mids, the door connectors were not fully populated and I found a couple of spare cavities I could use"
I'm guessing you wired up some pins to sit in a connector block? What pins did you use? Are they easy to obtain?

Hi Z4C_er

Are these the pins you’re waiting for? Did you identify them in the end? I have a 3 way set of Hertz that are waiting to install with the crossover too so the pinned setup seems ideal - just don’t know what pins the connector block uses!

Z4C_er · Post by **Z4C_er** » Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:43 am

Darkangelv2 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 30, 2020 7:08 am
Z4C_er wrote: ↑Fri May 04, 2018 10:48 am Magic, you mention "I ran two new wires (1mm csa from memory) for the new focal mids, the door connectors were not fully populated and I found a couple of spare cavities I could use"
I'm guessing you wired up some pins to sit in a connector block? What pins did you use? Are they easy to obtain?
Hi Z4C_er

Are these the pins you’re waiting for? Did you identify them in the end? I have a 3 way set of Hertz that are waiting to install with the crossover too so the pinned setup seems ideal - just don’t know what pins the connector block uses!

I had a look at this post ( viewtopic.php?f=26&t=12153 ) and this OP mentioned there were blank spaces to be populated if you wanted. But I don't have the BMW pin connectors, so have bought a small roll of cable and will feed it through this space shown below. I bought some 76 strand OFC underfloor speaker cable which is super flexible and the connectors I'm waiting for are a more generic kind, called XT30, normally used for small battery packs:

: xt30.JPG (19.1 KiB) Viewed 1379 times

Door loom gap:

: loom space.JPG (51.79 KiB) Viewed 1381 times

Z4C_er · Post by **Z4C_er** » Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:47 am

So, I have updated my 'Focal' 3D model and also made a new universal adapter. Both for 3 inch units only, obviously. As soon as I can get a slot on the 3D printer (currently printing PPE visor elements for the NHS) and verify the model, then I'll post it up.

Focal model:

: speaker mount focal.JPG (65.2 KiB) Viewed 1380 times

Larger, more universal 3" adapter:

: speaker mount large.JPG (62.15 KiB) Viewed 1380 times

Z4C_er · Post by **Z4C_er** » Thu Apr 30, 2020 6:07 pm

OK, so the new plates worked well. If you want the part, PM me and I'll post it to you. I don't seem to be able to add them here.

: IMG_20200430_170304_1.jpg (150.64 KiB) Viewed 1360 times

: IMG_20200430_170318.jpg (99.63 KiB) Viewed 1360 times

Darkangelv2 · Post by **Darkangelv2** » Thu Apr 30, 2020 6:22 pm

They look great

Z4C_er · Post by **Z4C_er** » Fri May 01, 2020 3:36 pm

Another annoyance. The Focal tweeter is much higher than the OEM unit, so clearance at the back against the door panel is reduced.
So reduced in fact, that I changed the bolt for a lower item.

: IMG_20200501_144918.jpg (151.6 KiB) Viewed 1334 times

: IMG_20200501_144911.jpg (163.32 KiB) Viewed 1334 times

: IMG_20200501_144639_2.jpg (82.27 KiB) Viewed 1334 times

Bolt comparison:

: IMG_20200501_144822.jpg (109.81 KiB) Viewed 1334 times

Z4C_er · Post by **Z4C_er** » Mon May 11, 2020 9:59 am

So recently I asked about the amount of space behind the lower 'A' pillar. Yesterday I finally got my under dash and trim pieces off and had a look around. So now time for an info share. There is oodles of space under there!
Firstly, the crossover I have is a sizeable unit:

: IMG_20200511_092500.jpg (171.18 KiB) Viewed 1279 times

If desired, it can actually fit above and behind the woofer panel:

: space co.JPG (120.92 KiB) Viewed 1279 times

The space above the underdash panel is good as well, and there is quite a volume ahead of the ashtray and main console body:

: IMG_20200511_092710.jpg (242.5 KiB) Viewed 1279 times

: IMG_20200511_092722.jpg (231.58 KiB) Viewed 1279 times

If desired, the crossover could fit there:

: IMG_20200511_092653.jpg (196.26 KiB) Viewed 1279 times

I hope this helps, and whilst I have the panels off, if anyone wants some measurements or photos taken, let me know.

Z4C_er · Post by **Z4C_er** » Mon May 11, 2020 3:13 pm

Subwoofer fitted. I used the original boxes and made spacer blocks to distribute the load of the screws. I screwed into the boxes, and then used the original screws/mounts. Feels rock solid.

: IMG_20200511_115335.jpg (182.72 KiB) Viewed 1264 times

: IMG_20200511_145534.jpg (289.05 KiB) Viewed 1264 times

Z4C_er · Post by **Z4C_er** » Wed Aug 12, 2020 5:32 pm

I'm going to provide an update, seeing how 'veryvery' has provided a link.
So, firstly, cables through the door cards worked OK. Happy with the choice of underfloor cable:

: IMG_20200516_132205.jpg (164.81 KiB) Viewed 1086 times

The crossovers were fitted laying on their side up against the front wall behind the radio (obvious ppt file image):

: co.JPG (77.99 KiB) Viewed 1086 times

I bought one of these bluetooth modules and fitted it into the CD changer block. Super easy and all functions work as they should:

: bt.jpg (124.86 KiB) Viewed 1086 times

Not happy with the size of the mic, I bought a smaller one and fitted it up at the top of the a-pillar:

: BTmic.jpg (257.81 KiB) Viewed 1086 times

The A-pillar BTW, is super easy to pull off. All wiring was a doddle.

telthedog · Post by **telthedog** » Fri May 14, 2021 8:32 pm

Hi saw that you made the 3D print speaker mount from 3inch to the 4inh mount great work btw. also not sure if your still around I am looking to see if you can print one for me and COST

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Fri May 14, 2021 9:25 pm

This really is superb work. Hats off to you sir. I'm playing around with the rear subs at the moment - really struggling to get good bass from such a limited volume of air. I realised yesterday that the port in to the top of the oem enclosures actually connects right through to the speaker on the other side! So essentially left and right speakers share a similar airspace. Doesn't seem ideal... I might get the squirty foam out!

paulc_bkk · Post by **paulc_bkk** » Tue May 25, 2021 4:37 pm

Great thread

I’ve been meaning to get around to installing a set of 3-way focals but there’s always been something else that got in the way

Great info for when I finally get my act together

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