Focal ps165 f3 install question

[Kjuagutt]

Hi, I am a long time lurker who has learned alot from many here in this forum. Very grateful for that. Right now I am in the process of installing an aftermarket sound system in my 2004 2.5 z4 after my amp suffered water damage. To retain the oem look of the dashboard my plan is to install the new headunit hidden between the seats where the cd-changer is. Even though it will be a little impractical, it seems worth it to me.

Now to my question. I have the HI-FI system (non carver) originally. Does anybody know if the tweeter and midrange in the doors use active or passive crossovers? I originally thought there would be a passive crossover along the tweeter wires in the door panel, however after taking a look it seems to be a regular wire all the way through the door grommet. Does this mean that there are two separate wires running all the way to the back in the battery compartment? If so, would I then benefit from using both in parrallell from my new amp to my new crossover, and then split them into two separate channels after the x-over? Thank you in advance. :?

 

[ph001]

Passive xover...there is a small capacitor glued to the side of the tweeter.

 

[Magicarcher]

If you are going with the three way Focals you wont need to worry about the existing crossovers because as PH001 has said they are part of the speaker not the wiring. The focal comes with its own three way crossover so you will can use the existing wiring for the tweeters.

What I did was as follows:

• fit crossover in cabin

• run two new wires to the footwell for the bass speaker and connected to low output of crossover

• run two new wires across the doors for the mid range (i found spare cavities on the connector then bought the appropriate pins) and connect to mid output of crossover

• use the existing wires for the tweeter and connect to the crossover high output

Re

my plan is to install the new headunit hidden between the seats where the cd-changer

. I am glad to see I am not the only one with obscure ideas

 

[Kjuagutt]

Thank you very much for your replies. Now I should be able to get everything back together.

. I am glad to see I am not the only one with obscure ideas

:rofl:
Are you saying that you did the same?

Best regards

 

[Magicarcher]

Are you saying that you did the same?

Best regards

Not yet, I have the head unit, the amp and the 6.5" sub drivers. Just don't have the time at the moment, will aim to do it over the Xmas holiday, just hope wife isn't reading, she is fed up with my Z4 at the moment. The rear centre console needs to come out, which I am told isn't the easiest thing in the world, although I don't see why it should be that difficult. I will also be doing a fair few wiring changed to create a distribution system for the boot, so i need to allow a couple of days.

 

[Kjuagutt]

Sounds like you have quite the project ahead of you.

just hope wife isn't reading, she is fed up with my Z4 at the moment.

:lol: that makes two

Just removed the complete rear centre console now. Looks more dramatic than it is. A lot of annoying bits and pieces to keep track of. Took me a little more than an hour in the dark in -1 degrees C. Only broke two minor things in the process. One was that i cracked the hinge for the little door because I overlooked the part where the instructions said to remove both screws AND rivets. So stupidly enough I yanked it out with the rivets still in. The other thing I broke was one of the covers for the seatbelt guides. Seems that you have to pry them outwards from beneath and then slide them upwards/forward. Oh well, back to work. Will update when further progress is made. Have a good night.

 

[Magicarcher]

Will update when further progress is made.

I would be interested to hear how your project progresses, it may be worth creating a dedicated post to fitting radio in rear cubby, as it has crept a little from your original post and may not get the visibility it deserves.