How to properly install and connect tweeters to a radio (speakers) in a car without a crossover

During the process of installing a new speaker system, the owner may have the following problem: how to connect tweeters (tweeters) so that they work efficiently and without problems?

The essence of the issue is the complexity of modern stereo systems. For this reason, in practice there are often cases when installed tweeters either work with distortion or do not work at all. By following the installation rules, you can avoid possible difficulties - the procedure will be as quick and simple as possible.

In what places is it recommended to install tweeters?

Manufacturers recommend many places to place tweeters, most commonly at ear level. In other words, aim them as high as possible at the listener. But not everyone agrees with this opinion. This installation is not always convenient. It depends on the specific circumstances. And the number of installation options is quite large.

• Corners of mirrors. During the trip they will not cause additional discomfort. Moreover, they will fit beautifully into the interior of the vehicle;
• Dashboard. Installation can even be done using double-sided tape;
• Podiums. There are two options here. The first is to install the tweeters in a standard podium (which comes with the tweeter), the second is to make the podium yourself. The latter case is more complicated, but it guarantees a better result.

Where is the best place to point tweeters?

When designing car audio, you can choose one of two options:

1. each tweeter is directed at the listener. That is, the right tweeter is directed at the driver, the left one is also aimed at him;
2. Diagonal installation. In other words, the tweeter on the right is routed to the left seat, while the speaker on the left is routed to the right.

The choice of one option or another depends on the individual preferences of the owner. To begin with, you can point the HF speakers towards yourself, and then try the diagonal method. After testing, the owner himself will decide whether to choose the first method or give preference to the second.

Width selection

We’ve decided on the height of the stage, but what does the width depend on? The width of the stage depends on the angle of the tweeter. Just like with height, here you need to try all the options. The most popular version is when both speakers are facing each other.

Selecting the tweeter direction angle:

• to the salon;
• on reflection from the windshield.

The choice of radiation angle is one of the most important factors, since the matching of the HF and LF/MF speakers depends on it. The most favorable orientation when installing the tweeter height is the listener's mouth. If the angle of the tweeter is changed slightly, or the installation height is chosen, the stage will be disrupted and the sound quality will decrease.

It is important that when installing a tweeter in a car with your own hands, choose a location such that there are no reflective objects near it, within approximately a radius of 5 cm. This will make it possible to achieve a strong reduction in the number of standing waves in the RF path.

In the second case, achieving the correct scene will be much easier, since the physical location of the tweeters relative to the glass will be closer. The vast majority of tweeters play too harshly when directed into the cabin.

Connection features

A tweeter is an element of a stereo system whose task is to reproduce sound with a frequency from 3000 to 20,000 hertz. The radio tape recorder produces a full spectrum of frequencies, ranging from five hertz to 25,000 hertz.

The tweeter can only reproduce high-quality car audio with a frequency of at least two thousand hertz. If a lower-frequency signal is applied to it, it will not be reproduced, and if the power for which the mid- and low-frequency speakers are designed is high enough, the tweeter may fail. At the same time, there can be no question of any quality of playback. For long-lasting and reliable operation of the tweeter, you should get rid of the low-frequency components that are present in the general spectrum. That is, make sure that only the recommended range of operating frequencies falls on it.

The first and simplest way to cut off the low-frequency component is to install a capacitor in series. It passes well the high-frequency frequency band, starting from two thousand hertz and more. And does not pass frequencies below 2000 Hz. In fact, this is a simple filter, the capabilities of which are limited.

As a rule, the capacitor is already present in the speaker system, so there is no need for additional purchase. You should think about buying it if the owner decided to acquire a used radio and did not find a capacitor in the tweeter kit. It may look like this:

• A special box to which a signal is sent and then transmitted directly to the tweeters.
• The capacitor is mounted on the wire.
• The capacitor is built directly into the tweeter itself.

If you do not see any of the options listed, you should purchase the capacitor separately and install it yourself. In radio stores their range is large and varied.

The range of filtered frequencies depends on the type of capacitor installed. For example, the owner can install a capacitor that will limit the range of frequencies supplied to the speakers at three or four thousand hertz.

Note! The higher the frequency of the signal supplied to the tweeter, the more detailed the sound can be achieved.

If you have a two-way system, you can choose a cutoff from two to four and a half thousand hertz.

Connection

Connecting the tweeter looks like this: it is connected directly to the speaker that is located in your door, plus the tweeter is connected to the plus of the speaker and the minus to the minus, while the capacitor must be connected to the plus. This is a practical tip for those who don't know how to connect tweeters without a crossover.

An alternative connection option is to use a crossover. Some models of car speaker systems already have it included. If not available, you can purchase it separately.

Installation and connection of tweeters.

Before you start choosing a tweeter model, it would be useful to decide on where to install them. Installing tweeters has several features that should not be forgotten so as not to be disappointed in their purchase:

• The human ear is very good at determining the direction of a high-frequency sound source, so tweeters should not be located at a great distance from the corresponding full-range speakers. If this requirement is neglected, a “floating” stereo effect may occur, in which the apparent direction to the sound source will change depending on the frequency. The maximum allowable distance is 6 inches - about 21 cm. Based on this, you should choose the location of the tweeter.
• if you have rear midrange speakers installed and they play at the same volume as the front ones, tweeters should also be installed at the back - to prevent the same “floating” stereo effect
• if the location of the tweeter is closer to the driver’s ear than the location of the wideband speaker, the tweeter should be selected with a sensitivity lower than that of the main speaker, otherwise the high frequencies will “crush” the rest with volume

• Many tweeters have a rather narrow directivity pattern, i.e., the sound quality deteriorates noticeably as the ear moves away from the directional axis. Therefore, both tweeters are either directed directly at the driver’s ears, or to a point between the front seats - then the deviation from the axes of both tweeters is the same, for both the driver and the passenger.
• there should be no obstacles between the tweeter and the listener
• The high-frequency sound of the tweeter is well reflected from the car windows, so the tweeters must be positioned so that the reflections of the sound cone from the windows do not enter the listener’s ears, distorting the sound picture. Imagine that instead of a tweeter you put a flashlight and you need to install it so that the reflection of the light from this flashlight in any of the glasses is not visible
• It is not necessary to place the tweeter directly in front of your ear, but it is worth raising it higher to reduce reflections that can occur (and degrade sound quality) when the tweeter is mounted in a door or at the bottom of the dashboard

In this case, options 3 and 4 are not the most successful due to the fact that part of the sound cone from the left tweeter is blocked by the steering wheel.

Based on the listed requirements, the most suitable places for installing tweeters are doors, mirror corners, dashboard, and side pillars.

Connecting a tweeter also has its own characteristics - tweeters do not like it when a low-frequency signal is supplied to them, especially a low-frequency signal with a large amplitude. If you connect the tweeters not to the amplifier's low-frequency crossover, but to the wideband output of the radio, then the tweeter can quickly fail.

Therefore, most tweeters are equipped with a simple crossover - an ordinary capacitor that filters low-frequency vibrations quite effectively. As a rule, such a capacitor is included in the package of the tweeter itself and is either already soldered to the terminal or to the mounting wires with which the tweeters should be connected to the amplifier (radio tape recorder). Before connecting tweeters, make sure that a capacitor is present in the circuit of each tweeter, otherwise the very first turn on of the acoustics may be the last for the tweeters. If there are no capacitors, it doesn’t matter - you can select them using the formula

and solder them to the positive terminals of the tweeter.

Read also:  How to set the ignition on a VAZ-2105: step-by-step description, settings

Other Features

Today, the most common tweeter option is the electrodynamic system. Structurally, it consists of a housing, a magnet, a coil with a winding, a diaphragm with a membrane, and power wires with terminals. When a signal is applied, current flows in the coil and an electromagnetic field is formed. It interacts with the magnet, mechanical vibrations occur, which are transmitted to the diaphragm. The latter creates acoustic waves, and sound is heard. To increase the efficiency of sound reproduction, the membrane has a specific dome shape.

Car tweeters typically use silk membranes. To obtain additional rigidity, the membrane is impregnated with a special compound. Silk is characterized by its ability to more effectively cope with high loads, temperature changes and dampness.

In the most expensive tweeters, the membrane is made of thin aluminum or titanium. This can only be found on very prestigious speaker systems. They are found quite rarely in a typical car audio system. The cheapest option is a paper membrane.

In addition to the fact that the sound is worse than in the two previous cases, such equipment has an extremely short service life. And this is not surprising, since paper cannot ensure high-quality tweeter performance in conditions of low temperature, high humidity and high load. When the car increases engine speed, an unusual sound may be felt.

Don't forget that you can also set up the tweeter using the radio. Even the cheapest models have the ability to adjust the high frequencies. In particular, mid-price models have a built-in equalizer, which greatly simplifies the task.

After installing the tweeter, you need to configure the audio system, and how to do this, read the article “How to configure a radio.”

Tweeter characteristics.

Prices for various tweeter models differ tens of times – from a thousand rubles to tens of thousands. Both the brand of the tweeter and its characteristics contribute to the price - you can choose a model to suit any budget, but you should keep in mind that the class of the tweeter must correspond to the class of the other components of the audio system. Just as there is no point in installing expensive tweeters next to simple cheap broadband speakers, there is no point in saving on tweeters in a Hi-End audio system.

The diameter of tweeters varies from 2 to 10 cm, models with high power usually have a larger diameter, but there is no obvious relationship here, and the diameter of the tweeter should be considered as a purely geometric characteristic: a small tweeter, as a rule, has an easier place to find.

The maximum tweeter output power (PMPO) is the short-term (up to 2 seconds) signal power that the speaker can withstand without damage. If the maximum power of the amplifier is higher than the maximum power of the tweeters, you should refrain from listening to music at close to maximum volume - especially music with sudden and prolonged changes in volume. But it should be borne in mind that there is no standard procedure for measuring maximum power and when choosing speakers it is better to focus not on it, but on the rated power.

The power rating of a tweeter (RMS) is that at which it can operate for an hour without danger of damage. It is this characteristic that should be used when selecting. You should also focus on the power of the amplifier to which the tweeter will be connected. The tweeter power should be comparable to the power of the amplifier (radio tape recorder). If there are large differences in the power of the tweeter and amplifier, you should refrain from listening to music at high volumes: if the power of the amplifier exceeds the power of the tweeters, loud music can simply burn the latter. And if the tweeter power exceeds the amplifier power, it can enter “clipping” mode, delivering an extremely harmful high-frequency high-power signal to the speaker. When wheezing, crackling and clicking appear in the tweeter sound - clear signs of “clipping” - you should immediately reduce the volume and do not increase it further to this level. For high-power systems, it is better to use tweeters with ferromagnetic fluid suspension - in such tweeters, thermal energy is removed much more efficiently and it is better able to withstand peak loads.

Tweeters are highly sensitive - even the cheapest models provide 95 dB. But if the sensitivity of tweeters is greater than the sensitivity of full-range speakers, then the volume of high frequencies will be noticeably greater than the volume of other frequencies. In this case, either the tweeters should be moved further from the listener's ears, or the level of high frequencies on the head unit should be reduced.

impedance or internal resistance must be exactly matched by the amplifier. If you connect a speaker with an impedance of 2 ohms to an output rated for at least 4 ohms, the amplifier's output stage may burn out, unable to withstand twice the current. If, on the contrary, you connect an 8 ohm load to an output designed for a maximum of 4, then the sound of the speaker will be much quieter than if the connection were made correctly.

Tweeters are often connected in parallel to a full-range speaker. It should be remembered that the overall impedance changes! It is calculated using a formula corresponding to the connection type.

When selecting a tweeter, remember that the minimum frequency of the tweeter should be lower than the maximum frequency of the full-range (or mid-range) speaker - this will ensure an even amplitude-frequency response of the entire system.

The maximum tweeter frequency cannot be lower than 20,000 Hz. As a rule, all tweeter models meet this standard. But some have a much higher maximum frequency - 22,000, 30,000 and even 50,000 Hz. What's the point of this? Of course, the human ear cannot hear such frequencies. Such frequencies are rather an indicator of the perfection of the equipment and some guarantee that in the audible region up to 20,000 Hz the frequency response of the tweeter will be as smooth as possible.

Before purchasing a tweeter, pay attention to the diffuser of the selected model. Dome-shaped diffusers provide a wider sound cone and reduce the requirements for maintaining the direction at the listener's ear, but they also generate more reflections in the space of the car. The diffuser itself can be made of silk (most often), paper (a budget option, fraught with a short service life) and metal (the most expensive option).

How to connect beepers in a car is one of the most common questions when planning the audio system of your car. The difficulties are due to the specifics of modern stereo systems. It is their complexity that often leads to serious distortions or malfunctions in the operation of high-frequency speakers.

Such “surprises” are not included in our plans, so the work must be carried out taking into account possible difficulties and aspects. Some dexterity and theoretical preparation are enough to not only buy acoustics in a car, but also to reveal its full potential when playing your favorite compositions.

Video on how to install tweeters

Almost every motorist tries to equip his car with music, but does not always adhere to the rules for installing and connecting speakers. To ensure satisfactory sound quality, it is important not only to choose speakers, but also to know where to install them and how to connect them correctly. If the goal is to independently install a speaker system in a car, then you should familiarize yourself with the possible nuances of this procedure in advance, after which you can begin step-by-step actions.

What kind of speakers are there?

Today, almost every car has a radio with speakers located in the front and rear and capable of pleasing the owner with decent sound. The market offers a variety of speaker systems that can satisfy the needs of even the most demanding music lovers. One simple option is to purchase a radio complete with speakers. A more difficult way is to correctly select and install acoustics that will match a specific car.

To get truly high-quality sound, you need to find out what types of dynamic heads exist. They are conventionally divided into:

• broadband;
• coaxial;
• component.

Wideband speakers reproduce the entire spectrum of sound frequencies that human hearing can perceive. It is precisely this kind of acoustics that, in most cases, is equipped with cars from the factory today. If you are a lover of good sound, then preference should be given to coaxial dynamic drivers. The set consists of several columns, the installation of which is carried out along one axis. The entire frequency spectrum, divided into low-frequency (LF), mid-frequency (MF) and high-frequency (HF), is reproduced by separate speakers. By dividing and expanding the frequency range, the sound quality can be improved. For lovers of high-quality music with powerful bass, you should consider a component system, which is usually used as front speakers. In addition to different types of acoustic systems, speakers are divided by standard sizes, the choice of which depends on the installation location and the goals pursued.

Acoustic systems are divided into broadband, coaxial and component. You need to give preference to one or another speaker depending on your goals.

What are tweeters used for?

Car audio systems often use tweeters or tweeters. Their main purpose is to reproduce high-frequency sounds. You can purchase the elements either separately or as a set with a multi-component system. In appearance, such devices are small speakers that can improve the sound in a car, making it even louder and more voluminous. They are usually installed at the back or front, which depends on the speaker system circuit used.

Tweeters in a car are designed to reproduce high-frequency sounds, and they are installed in the side pillars of the windshield, doors, and dashboard

Purpose

The main purpose of installing tweeters is to reproduce high frequencies. They are small speakers that are installed in the front and rear of the car (or in one of them), depending on the audio system. For maximum effect, they are used as part of multi-component audio systems, but can be found in retail sales (for example, from Pioneer). The advantages of the speakers include ease of installation - every car owner can connect the tweeters correctly.

Speakers for better sound

When installed in speaker systems, motorists install tweeters through a crossover - this is a device that provides operating ranges for the speakers. It separates frequencies when working with a multi-component audio system. This allows you to get the maximum effect from the system and ensure high-quality sound quality in the car.

Connection diagram via crossover

Connecting tweeters to the crossover is quite simple, and to do this, you only need to read the audio system instructions. But there are times when you need to connect the tweeters in your car directly to the radio.

Connecting tweeters to the radio

Attention: installing tweeters without a crossover or other filters may affect the sound quality! The signal coming out of the radio is the same and will not be distributed across frequencies. It is not recommended to connect speakers this way, but it is possible.

It is possible to connect tweeters to speakers that are already installed. To do this, you will need a 1st order filter (capacitor). The capacity will depend on the installed speakers and is selected individually in each specific case.

How to connect speakers to a car radio

Before you begin installing and connecting the speakers, you need to decide on the location of their installation. Depending on the vehicle, there may be space provided for the speakers from the factory. It is recommended to mount the front speakers on the edges of the dashboard or in the doors. Both options are good, but the second is the most popular, since the dynamic heads can be secured more reliably. In addition, an acoustic podium can be built into the door body. The diameter of the columns must be measured, after which the dimensions are transferred to the doors, for example, with a sharp knife. It is advisable to use patterns to transfer dimensions.

As for the second pair of speakers, they are located in the rear of the cabin. Basically, the rear shelf or doors are used for these purposes. In any case, installation requires some modifications. The standard shelf of the car is a decorative element and to install the speakers you will need to remove it and install speakers with podiums. Only in this case can you count on high-quality sound and the absence of squeaks, rattles, etc.

Wire selection

To connect speakers, it is recommended to use speaker wires with a cross-section of 1.5–4 mm². Despite the fact that compared to a radio and speakers they are low in cost, their quality should not be neglected. First of all, you need to know and take into account that the wires that come with the speaker system are unsuitable for normal operation of the speakers: they have a cross-section of 0.25–0.5 mm². Such wiring will be sufficient only for connecting low-power dynamic heads (up to 15–20 W). The thing is that the RF signal in the wire spreads across its surface. Using wires of small cross-section, not only the quality, but also the volume of the sound deteriorates.

Speaker wires should be selected with a cross-section of 1.5–4 mm², which depends on the signal strength. You should not use the wires that come with the speakers due to their small cross-section, which will negatively affect the sound quality

It is also necessary to take into account the fact that the speaker wires are marked, can have either two or four pairs, be plain or with a black stripe. The connection of a single-color conductor is made with a wide contact of the speaker, with a black marking - with a narrow one. If the acoustics have low power (up to 20 W), then the minus for the side and rear speakers can be used. For higher power systems, “+” and “-” must be supplied to each speaker separately, while the negative wire cannot be connected to the car body. Otherwise, the sound will be distorted. The main materials used for making acoustic wire cores are copper and aluminum. It is preferable to use copper, since it oxidizes less on connections, but it is also more expensive compared to aluminum. There are also more expensive wires - silver.

The speaker has positive and negative terminals that differ in size. When connecting, you must observe polarity

Soundproofing doors

When deciding to install speakers in the door, you should take into account that it will not be possible to achieve good sound without sound insulation. In this case, the following conditions must be met:

• carry out measures aimed at vibration isolation of doors, which will avoid rattling when playing low frequencies;
• a closed volume is made inside the door, which will provide detailed sound;
• the speaker is securely fixed to the surface of the door;
• soundproof the door to reduce noise levels from outside;
• they carry out treatment against vibrations and squeaks of the door trim, which will avoid rattling and overtones when listening to music loudly.

During installation work, one must strive to preserve both the appearance of the interior and the integrity of the trim, which requires care when removing the trim material. Standard speakers are attached directly to the trim. This option is not correct, since the required rigidity is not provided. The casing sways during sound, overtones and resonance are created, and the response to the low frequencies decreases. To achieve the required level of vibration and noise insulation, a Bimast spacer is applied to the outer part of the door body. The section of metal located opposite the hole for the standard dynamic head is covered with bitoplast to avoid standing waves.

In order for the sound to be of high quality, it is imperative to prepare the doors, namely soundproof them. This process will avoid rattling, squeaking and extraneous noise.

Tools and materials

To install the speakers you will need the following tools and materials:

• high quality speaker cable;
• plastic and rubber corrugation;
• multimeter;
• insulating material;
• drill and drill bits;
• spacer rings;
• wire cutters;
• Screwdriver Set.

How to lay wires

If the doors do not have holes for laying wires, make them yourself, while avoiding contact between the wire insulation and metal or plastic. For these purposes, special rings or rubber corrugation are used. To lay the cable to the rear speakers, it is most convenient to place the wires parallel to the standard wiring, which will require removing the decorative interior trim and disassembling the dashboard. The procedure is labor-intensive, but it is better to do everything wisely right away than to later face possible problems by laying wires, for example, under a rug.

Connecting the speakers

Installing speakers to the radio is an important point. To prevent mistakes, during the repair process there should be a speaker connection diagram nearby, which marks all the points of correct installation. When connecting the front or rear speakers, pay attention to the markings on them, thanks to which you can find the positive and negative terminals. Manufacturers usually make the positive output wide and the negative output narrow.

If you accidentally decide to connect your speakers incorrectly, it can result in a large loss of quality, up to 80%. First, this will damage the speakers, and then the audio system will also fail. If there are no markings on the speakers, during installation you can first connect one element, and then activate the audio system at full power. Then the next element is connected, if after connecting the sound increases, then you are on the right track, you can continue. But if the sound remains at the same level, this means that an error was made in the process.

Important! You cannot connect speakers in parallel, because all radios are designed for 4 ohms resistance, and if you connect approximately 2 ohms in parallel, there will be almost a short circuit. With this connection, the radio amplifier will fail faster.

Wiring selection

Wires for speakers or loudspeakers are marked - there can be 2 or 4 pairs. If the wire is a single color, it is positive; if it has a black stripe, it is negative. A single color must be connected to the wide terminal of the speaker, and with a strip - to a narrow one. The negative wire can be common to the side or front speakers (up to 20 W). If the speaker system is more powerful, each channel should have its own negative and positive wires. These cables cannot be swapped or connected to the car body, that is, grounded, as this will lead to a deterioration in sound quality.

Types of speakers for cars

Any speakers intended for use inside a car belong to one of the following types:

• broadband - manufacturers usually equip their cars with such speakers at the factory;
• coaxial (coaxial);
• component.

The single speaker of a wideband speaker reproduces the entire spectrum of sound frequencies. This is the cheapest solution, usually used in standard audio systems.

The single speaker of a full-range speaker is capable of reproducing a wide range of sound frequencies

The sound quality will improve if you divide the sound spectrum into several bands and entrust the reproduction of each of them to a separate emitter.

The coaxial speaker has several sound emitters installed in a single housing, which significantly improves sound quality

In a coaxial speaker, several (2–5, usually 3) emitters are installed in a single housing, usually on the same axis, along with filters that highlight the audio frequencies that are optimal for each head.

The speakers of the component system are spaced throughout the vehicle

Component speaker systems have the widest range of high-quality reproduction capabilities. In them, as in coaxial speakers, the sound signal is reproduced by several emitters, but each is made in the form of a separate speaker.

Two-component systems: tweeters and crossovers

Tweeters or tweeters are high-frequency speakers whose task is to reproduce the frequencies of the upper band of the sound spectrum. Conventional tweeters are flat or slightly convex. Horn tweeters are slightly larger than usual ones, as they are equipped with an element that forms a clear polar pattern - a horn.

Tweeters or tweeters are called high-frequency speakers

To highlight bands in component systems, crossovers, audio frequency separation filters made in the form of separate blocks, are used.

Crossovers can have from one to four stages: the more stages, the better the sound quality

Component sound systems are the most difficult to install. However, the separation of speakers in space provides the highest quality and surround sound.

What is a tweeter and why is it needed?

A tweeter (from English tweet - twitter, tweet) is a speaker designed for high-quality reproduction of high-frequency sounds in the audible range (2000-20000 Hz). Why is it needed?

Firstly, car manufacturers often skimp on the standard audio system and limit themselves to installing a pair of inexpensive full-range speakers in the doors. “Failure” of high frequencies on such speakers is a common occurrence. The problem can be solved by replacing the standard wideband speakers with coaxial ones, or by installing tweeters in addition to the standard ones.

Secondly, the presence of tweeters is necessary if you value good sound and decide to install component acoustics in your car, i.e., such acoustics in which each frequency band is sounded by a separate speaker: HF - tweeters, MF - full-range speakers, LF - subwoofers . Despite all the promise of coaxial acoustics, component acoustics are still considered the best solution for ensuring purity and sound quality.

Choosing the right speakers and radio

First of all, specialized audio equipment is intended for installation in the car interior. Manufacturers of car speakers take into account not only sound quality, but also difficult operating conditions: vibration, dust, temperature changes, etc.

Is it possible to install household or variety speakers in a car?

Computer and concert speakers are designed for more gentle conditions. They most likely won't last long in a car.

In addition, computer speakers usually require not only a sound source, but also a separate power supply, without which they will not work, while car speakers are connected only to the output of an amplifier or radio.

Car radio installation steps

It is no secret that the battery is the main source of power for the on-board grid of a car, but a battery malfunction can lead to damage to the car radio. To prevent equipment failure, you need to know how to properly connect the device yourself. During installation of the system, do not allow the positive contact of the battery to touch the negative or the speaker terminal. Experts do not recommend powering the device with plus or minus from the cigarette lighter or ignition switch.

Before connecting the speakers, it is necessary to take into account that the system connection will be optimal only to the battery. Thanks to this, you will be able to rid your speakers of various interferences and speakers, and it will be possible to operate them at full power. To make the connection, it is better to use a short copper stranded cable; its cross-section should be at least four mm2. On this wire, if it goes to the speakers or amplifier (not important), you need to install a fuse, which should preferably be located 50 cm from the battery. The wiring should be installed away from energy consumers; the wires should not be twisted - first of all, they are connected to the speakers, and then to the radio.

Installation of car speakers

In household speaker systems, the right and left speakers are usually located at the same distance from the listener and approximately at the level of his head. It is unrealistic to meet such conditions in a car, therefore, when installing a component speaker, the need to achieve possible approximation to the ideal comes to the fore.

Speaker placement options: where to install speakers

It was experimentally established that for front acoustics, the optimal placement of speakers is on the edges of the dashboard and the adjacent part of the A-pillars. In this case, you need to ensure that the speakers are brought forward as far as possible.

Experts also advise placing speakers of different frequencies belonging to the same channel in close proximity to each other. This will ensure sound integrity and consistency. The speakers can be oriented in opposite directions: one should be directed at the driver, the other at the windshield of the car, so that sound waves are reflected from it.

Unfortunately, large speakers are difficult to place along the edges of the dashboard. Therefore, many car owners choose a compromise option.

It makes sense to place the woofers and midrange speakers in the lower front corner of the door, and the tweeters on the A-pillar or in the same corner of the dashboard. This scheme provides acceptable sound quality with less time and money.

Only the most desperate music lovers will appreciate such a creative option for placing speakers on a car door.

Speaker placement

When installing high power rear channels, they must be installed correctly. Oval speakers are mounted on the rear parcel shelf so that the speaker axis is directed diagonally across the vehicle. The rear right column should be aimed at the driver, and the left column at the front passenger. Only after proper installation has been carried out can the speakers be connected to the audio system.

To ensure high-quality sound, the speakers cannot be covered - they need more space to work properly. As for the tweeters, they need to be installed on the windshield pillars. If you mount them away from low-frequency speakers, you can achieve a bright quad effect. The direction of the tweeters is done in a similar way - the front left one is directed towards the passenger, and the right one - towards the driver. The wiring must be secured securely.

Every motorist wants his car to be comfortable and convenient. One of the comfort elements that makes it more pleasant to be in a car is music. Therefore, car owners are trying in every possible way to improve the audio system and install a variety of additional equipment. One of the elements that helps improve sound is speakers and a high-quality audio system. Among the variety of systems, there are speakers called tweeters or tweeters, which are installed in addition to acoustics or separately. But not every car owner knows how to install speakers correctly and where to connect this equipment.

Tweeter in a car

Do-it-yourself replacement of standard speakers

The least expensive way to improve the sound inside a car, both in terms of money and effort, is to replace the standard wideband speakers with two- or three-way coaxial ones.

The standard place for the “native” speakers is the lower front corner of the doors. For replacement, it is advisable to select speakers of the same size as the standard ones. Larger speakers generally sound better, but they will require a larger mounting hole in the door.

Installation Tools

To replace the speakers you may need the following tool:

• jigsaw,
• electric drill,
• Phillips and flathead screwdrivers,
• knife,
• soldering iron,
• pliers,
• set of car keys,
• panel puller,
• file,
• insulating tape,
• plastic clamps for fastening wires.

Video: learning how to independently connect speakers to a car radio

Preparatory work: how to remove the trim

Before carrying out work, turn off the ignition and disconnect the negative cable from the battery. Then do this:

Often there is no speaker panel, and the speakers are hidden behind a non-removable mesh (grid) of the door trim. In this case, remove the door handles that interfere with dismantling. If there are fastenings with self-tapping screws, remove the protective plugs and unscrew the screws. Then remove the trim.

Slowly rocking, remove the panel, releasing one fastener after another.

Remove door handles and other body parts that interfere with dismantling

How to remove a standard speaker and attach a new one

Further work will require patience and attentiveness from you. Only compliance with the sequence of actions below guarantees correct installation of the speakers.

Once you have access to the speaker, unscrew the fasteners and pull the speaker out towards you. Disconnect the connector with wires.

Unscrew the fasteners and pull the speaker towards you. Disconnect the connector with wires

It is advisable to cover the door (the area of ​​the door near the speaker) with sound insulation, vibroplast or something similar

How to connect speakers to the front or back door

It happens that the new column, coinciding with the old one in diameter, does not “sit” on the standard podium (ring or protrusion) or turns out to be thicker and begins to stick out too much. Sometimes the stand is completely missing. In this case, proceed as follows:

1. Install a new podium: it is necessary in order to raise the speaker if the latter rests on the door mechanisms. It also plays the role of a rigid and elastic support for the diffuser, improves the radiation pattern, preventing sound from “escaping” under the casing. You can buy the podium in the same place as the speakers, or make it yourself.
2. Use suitable plastic housings from faulty speakers as a base, or use a jigsaw to make a podium out of plywood. If necessary, cut out several rings and glue them together.

It is advisable to impregnate a wooden podium with a protective compound and cover it with a sealant

Video: how to install acoustics on a car

Component Audio Source Locations

The sound quality of coaxial speakers satisfies most motorists, but not all. The design disadvantage of coaxial sound is that high-frequency tweeters are placed in inaccessible places along with the front speakers. To overcome this disadvantage, component systems with speakers spaced apart in space are used.

The peculiarities of high-frequency sound propagation require that, firstly, the tweeters be oriented towards the listener, and, secondly, that there are no obstacles between them and the ear.

Due to the layout of car interiors, it is difficult to choose the ideal location for tweeters. The most acceptable compromise between price and quality is to place the low- and mid-frequency speakers in their standard place and move the high-frequency drivers to the dashboard or the A-pillar.

Connecting tweeters

The installation procedure for component speakers is given below:

With the battery turned off, install the crossovers in a place protected from dust, moisture and vibration. Connect the crossover filters directly to the output of the radio. Place the wires under the casing.

When installing crossovers, make sure that they are reliably protected from dust, moisture and vibration

If you decide to use cabinet speakers, securely attach them to the corners of the dashboard

Selecting a mounting height

It is the tweeters that are a headache, even for experienced installers. These little speakers not only need to be placed in the right place, but also at the right angle in order for the scene to form correctly. Larger low-frequency speakers are always installed in one place - these are doors. Even component speaker manufacturers can't determine exactly where the tweeter will play best. Therefore, several types of fasteners are included in the kit. A popular option is the "cup". It is designed for installing a tweeter in a car either on a rack or on a dashboard. The kit may also include a housing for installation on a surface. The most expensive tweeter options can rotate inside the housing for more precise directionality.

The main reason why so much attention is paid to installation in a car is its purpose. The fact is that tweeters are one of the most important components for creating high-quality sound in a car. This is especially important if the system consists of two components. In this case, the setting of the sound stage directly depends on the HF. As for three-way systems, there are even more big problems here, because a midrange link is added. It is much larger and requires a closed volume.

No technician will be able to tell you where exactly in your case you need to install the beepers. Therefore, you need to look for a place for installation from scratch. To determine the correct location, you need to use high-quality recordings on which a monotonous voice is recorded. Most often in practice, a test disk is used for testing. It contains special entries that allow you to select the correct location for tweeters.

First you need to set the height of the stage, which means determining the height of the tweeters. If the tweeter is set too high, there will be mismatch with the mid/bass speakers. The closer they are, the easier it is to get them to play together. If the tweeter is installed too low, this will negatively affect the height of the music stage.

How to connect speakers in two-piece systems

Approximately 80% of car enthusiasts who install component sound systems are limited to installing additional tweeters. For some, this is not enough, since achieving the highest sound quality is impossible without “drawing” the lower frequencies of the sound spectrum to the point of the limits of human hearing.

Obstacles to the propagation of vibrations of the lowest frequencies degrade the quality slightly. Therefore, huge subwoofers operating in the lower sound band are placed in the trunk or on the rear parcel shelf.

A component car audio system can contain from 2 (including tweeter) speakers per channel to 4, 6 or more

Thus, a component car audio system can contain from 2 (including tweeter) speakers per channel to 4, 6 or more. Practical implementation depends on the aesthetic requirements of the car owner, his desire to spend money and time to achieve them.

Scheme of channel-by-channel connection of speaker components

All components of the audio system are connected to each other by wires. Weak tweeters can be connected with almost any wire. Subwoofers are a completely different matter. With a power of 100 W, the speaker will require a current of about 8 A. To avoid mistakes, it is best to use a specialized speaker cable with a wire cross-section of at least 2.5 square meters. mm.

To connect the wires to each other and to the speakers, depending on the design features, use standard connectors, terminals or twisting with mandatory soldering

Wires for connecting speakers are laid in inaccessible places, covered under removable casings as far as possible from other wiring harnesses. The sound lines are inserted into the doors through standard rubber accordion covers.

By following the recommendations outlined above, any owner will be able to equip their car with good sound. How many speakers will be used and where exactly they will be installed depends on the design features of the car and the desires of its owner. And the secret of success lies in the availability of the necessary components and accuracy when performing work.

Learning to distinguish between plugs

How to install an audio system in a car, how are the wires connected and is an amplifier needed? Let's figure out which plugs can be used for installation. Plugs may have different markings depending on the standard. ISO marking is typical for multimedia systems and wiring in cars; if such a device is used for other purposes, it may break. Most manufacturers make their own adapters for the ISO standard, so there are many different plugs available commercially.

Before you install speakers in your car, you need to understand which plugs to use. Each individual car is characterized by original adapters with which the speakers must be connected to the radio in the car. If standard wiring is installed, it is possible that the audio system can be connected to it. To connect the speakers in the car to the new radio yourself, use a Euro standard adapter.