GR86 GR86 - Speaker upgrade

Shoggy said:
If you think it can't get any crazier...

View attachment 13038
Adjusting the volume of the (tuned) sound generator is one thing that it can do.
I will pick up the finished car this Saturday and I am super excited to see and especially hear the final setup.
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Any update?

Was thinking about upgrading the speakers as the weather is getting nicer - has anyone done it or found any decent replacements planned?

Am I correct in thinking the GT86 sizes are exactly the same?
 
Having checked the sizes, there is a difference, the GR has an additional midrange speaker in the dash. 4inch mid in addition to the 6 1/2 in the door & 1 in the dash, any half decent 3 way set-up & a little amp would be a massive improvement.

I’m due to get my car in July & then doing a full hifi upgrade with front, rear speakers & sub.

Feel free to drop me a message if you need some advice prior.
 
Gwheezy said:
Having checked the sizes, there is a difference, the GR has an additional midrange speaker in the dash. 4inch mid in addition to the 6 1/2 in the door & 1 in the dash, any half decent 3 way set-up & a little amp would be a massive improvement.

I’m due to get my car in July & then doing a full hifi upgrade with front, rear speakers & sub.

Feel free to drop me a message if you need some advice prior.
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Will you be adding any sound insulation to the car as well?
I find the current setup average, but when the volume is turned up there is a lot vibration (I listen to quite a lot of trance music).
 
ShootinJack said:
Will you be adding any sound insulation to the car as well?
I find the current setup average, but when the volume is turned up there is a lot vibration (I listen to quite a lot of trance music).
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I've got a box of sound deadening waiting to go in 👍
 
ShootinJack said:
Will you be adding any sound insulation to the car as well?
I find the current setup average, but when the volume is turned up there is a lot vibration (I listen to quite a lot of trance music).
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Will need some in the front doors for sure & some in the boot as minimum especially if you like your bass!!!
 
Bumping this topic.

I have been researching replacement speakers and spare wheel subwoofers recently. Has anyone done any upgrades yet?
 
sim61 said:
Has anyone done any upgrades yet?
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Yes... 😄

PnP_GR86_12.webp

This is the plug n play V4 Masterpack (scroll down for English description) from Car and Audio. Not shown in the photo is the damping material, which was also installed. This is their largest set. They also offer simpler sets.

They made a very detailed video about the installation in my car. Unfortunately it is all in German. Maybe use the automatic translation if you are interested in the details.



I recommend to jump to 48:35 where he accelerates without the engine sound amplification. At 49:45 he turns on the new engine sound amplification which runs through the whole audio system now. A direct comparison is possible at 50:18 where the system is turned off and 50:25 where it is turned on again.

A few interesting technical takeaways about the OEM system:
  • bass is pretty much dead below 50 Hz
  • the frequency range about 6 kHz and above has a crazy amplification (not a problem of the radio)
  • the radio has has a really nasty distortion at volume level 29 and above
  • distortion-free max power measured on one of the front channels is 16 watt
  • the frequency range from the radio for the front speakers is quite linear (not perfect, but "good")
  • the frequency range from the radio for the rear speakers starts to drop at about 500 Hz and lower because the rear speakers, due to their size and an installed capacitor, would not be able to reproduce this range in a meaningful way anyway
The amplifier is fully programmable so that pretty much everything can be corrected. A sensitive microphone was also used to cross-check the settings. The following screenshot is just an example to get an idea:

audison.webp


Just in case someone is interested in such a system: the amplifier comes with a preloaded configuration. So, there is no need to measure or adjust anything yourself.

Well, the overall sound experience is on a completely new level now. Everything sounds balanced and just right now. Hard to imagine that it could get any better. The tuned engine sound is a fun thing and inside the cabin it sounds like I have upgraded the car with some fancy exhaust system. Sometimes I completely forget about it and feel slightly ashamed when I drive through a quite area and then just realize: wait a moment, those bozos out there can't hear it - pedal to the metal! 😎
 
Beans said:
I was planning on getting the focals (assuming they fit) and seeing what difference it makes. Was good in the gt86, but it was lack of amplifier which didn't really make best use of them

What I may do for the GR is add this small amp to the factory system along with the focals, although I don't know if it matches up to the stock harnesses yet! Someone with a gt86 used it though :

www.halfords.com

Vibe Optisound Micro 4 Channel Amp | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Vibe Optisound Micro 4 Channel Amp at Halfords UK
www.halfords.com www.halfords.com





Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk
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I have those Focals in my GT86, made a noticeable improvement. I'm thinking about swapping them over to the GR this weekend before the GT gets sold.

Has anyone fitted the Focals in a GR86 and got any tips? If not I'm happy to be the guinea pig 👍
 
TheRealMyodo said:
I have those Focals in my GT86, made a noticeable improvement. I'm thinking about swapping them over to the GR this weekend before the GT gets sold.

Has anyone fitted the Focals in a GR86 and got any tips? If not I'm happy to be the guinea pig 👍
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Please do! I had them in my GT too, but sold them with the car. But not that expensive, and fairly easy to fit, so I'd probably buy them again.
 
Conscript said:
Please do! I had them in my GT too, but sold them with the car. But not that expensive, and fairly easy to fit, so I'd probably buy them again.
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So I just got the door panel off my GT86 to whip the Focals out. Turns out the shop that installed them stuck them in with some adhesive insulation/deadening material. I didn't ask for that or pay for it but I'm not complaining. It's such a nice job that I didn't have the heart to rip it out and deprive the next owner.

So the plan now is to investigate options for new speakers for the GR. I'm tempted to get the same Focal kit again, or maybe Focal woofers and a 4" coaxial mid/tweeter for the dash to replace the tweeter. Need to find one that isn't too deep to fit.

In the meantime I tried, one eyebrow raised, the recommended EQ settings. I was sceptical about the severe bass & treble cuts but, I gotta say, it does sound a lot better!

PXL_20230909_105144849.webp
 
That's a shame. I don't suppose you managed to check or measure the Focals while they were in situ? Then we might at know if they would fit in the GR86 at least.
 
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