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PriusC, Wiring speakers question:

Discussion in 'Prius c Audio and Electronics' started by X HCH2, Mar 27, 2013.

  1. X HCH2

    X HCH2 Member

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    Installation question for you guys:
    I'm putting Polk DB651s in my C and have a wiring question. What do I do with the OEM tweeter? Just leave it there hooked up? My Polks have coaxial tweeters but only take a 2 wire input. Will the Polk tweeters take the "highs" from the 2 input wires to the stock speaker and work ok, or do I have to disconnect the OEM tweeters so they won't rob the highs?
    My door is open, panel is off, and I'm waiting on an answer.
    Thanks,
    X

    ​

     
    #1 X HCH2, Mar 27, 2013
  2. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    If the speakers are wired like the Hatchback the Squawker (dash tweeter) will rob the highs. You need a wiring diagram to verify. See spidermans "sticky" to see the capacitor/base blocker (or whatever it is called) to know what I mean. Most, including myself, think a coax on the front door will not give you the sound stage you want when upgrading.
     
    #2 frodoz737, Mar 27, 2013
  3. col127

    col127 Member

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    i purchased a 3-way coaxial speaker that i'm waiting for to come in- what should i do? sounds like i'm in the same boat...
     
    #3 col127, Mar 27, 2013
  4. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Seriously, get a print (wiring diagram) before deciding your options.
     
    #4 frodoz737, Mar 28, 2013
  5. X HCH2

    X HCH2 Member

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    Not a big problem. I finished my Polks today. You can hook them up directly to the OEM woofer wires, but you must retain the stock tweeters which are not very good. In addition, all the audio goes thru the crossovers in the tweeters and then to the woofers, so it limits your Polk's performance.

    Here's how I fixed it: Disconnect the 4 wire plug from the tweeter. Jumper the two outside pairs together and run a wire from each jumper to the new Polk. This eliminates the stock tweeters and crossover, and allows the Polk crossover to send signals to it's own coaxial tweeter directly.
    Both passenger and driver sides are identical.
    Results:
    I would say that for the same volume setting on the radio (knob position), the Polks are a little quieter than the OEMs.
    But as you turn up the power the Polks sound better. I guess they are begging for a new amp or headunit.
    At least we can do this anytime later.
    X HCH
     
    #5 X HCH2, Mar 28, 2013
  6. col127

    col127 Member

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    thanks for the info. so you basically left the tweeters in tact, but rerouted the wires from them to your speakers instead? what do you mean by "jumper" and how do you do that?

    and how did your speakers account for the extra wires from the tweeter? isn't there too many wires going to it ? i have really little knowledge with tihs stuff - i was basically going to swap out my old speakers with the new... :) figured that would be simple enough for me.
     
    #6 col127, Mar 29, 2013
  7. X HCH2

    X HCH2 Member

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    Quote: i have really little knowledge with tihs stuff - i was basically going to swap out my old speakers with the new... :) figured that would be simple enough for me.

    ​
    That's all you HAVE to do. Look at my first sentence. Just hook the 2 wires that go to your stock speakers to your new speakers. That gives you 80% of the improvement. The last part you don't Have to do.​
    X​
     
    #7 X HCH2, Mar 29, 2013
  8. col127

    col127 Member

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    Thanks, good to know! If I want to do the extra 20%,could you answer my questions? :) Would like to learn the "full way" :)
     
    #8 col127, Mar 29, 2013
  9. Heines57

    Heines57 Junior Member

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    I just talked to a tech from Crutchfield and he said to run the inner two wires to the woofer. From there, you could run the outer two wires to the new tweeter.
     
    #9 Heines57, Mar 30, 2013
  10. col127

    col127 Member

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    how did you remove the speaker? i don't recognize the 'screw' holding the speaker in place - it's simply a circle in the middle! i've never seen this before!

    and how did you remove the door panel off? it's attached by two wires for the door lock - no idea how to get that off...

    thanks for the help door_lock.JPG
     

    Attached Files:

    #10 col127, Mar 30, 2013
  11. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    If I may, the speakers look to be held by pop rivets, much like the GEN III, and must be drilled if this is true. The two "wires" are cables. If you slide the white and green ferrules out of slot, then rotate the "cable" to the groove where the "ball" can be lifted out. Mark which ferrule went to which slot or use this picture as your reference.
     
    #11 frodoz737, Mar 30, 2013
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