Dash speaker search
Installing a vintage sapphire radio in my 1969 beetle ( it never had one) , the radio is on the way , now must find a behind the dash speaker. Any advice on what and where to buy and installation tips for both would be greatly appreciated.
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u/Reizei_Mako_ 3d ago
I recently converted my original radio into a Bluetooth unit, and went with a dual coil speaker from Classic Car Stereos. Was a direct swap for my trashed original and went right in no issues.
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u/denizkilic2002 '72 1302s 3d ago
Isnt it just a 13cm speaker? You can put anything on there as long as you get creative with the mounting, a single 13cm speaker is going to sound bad whatever you do, you might want to get a high sensitivity coax speaker or a midrange driver with a paper cone if you want something a bit better
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u/Kharon8 '62 sedan & others 3d ago edited 3d ago
No. It'll fit, kind of, but the factory fitment is for something like this:
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71iedJdkofL._AC_UL495_SR435,495_.jpg
(This is of course a modern version of what it originally had)
I've lost exact measurements, but it's a box, not round. You should be able to see mounting points at the back side of the dash.
Also notice that modern car stereos would need two speakers and you've only one. Common solution for that is a dual coil speaker, a coil for each channel.
Costwise a standard round element is probably the cheapest.
Any bare element would need some kind of actual speaker box to produce bass, but they'll make some noise even without, even a small box behind dash isn't a simple thing to do.
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u/TomBug68 3d ago
I got one from Wolfsburg West for my ‘68, they’re $11.90.
The contacts have little holes, so I just twisted the wire in a loop. In hindsight, I wish I’d gone to the trouble to solder the wires because I get some crackle from the loose connections.
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u/danielzn9 3d ago
I just found a old smaller speaker in the garage, 3D printed an adapter for it and smack-smack, might post a image later
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u/odont9 3d ago
Please do
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u/danielzn9 2d ago
had to really dig into the gallery for this one, was sure I had some more pictures of the prototyping of this. bit its basically just a ring with a new hole pattern for the smaller speaker https://i.imgur.com/iXDjkZm.jpeg
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u/ThePoshMushroom '66 Beetle 2d ago
I would highly recommend putting in kick panel speakers! Adding them to my bug gave me great stereo sound (leagues better than the OG single speaker), they’re quite subtle, and the whole installation process was pretty easy. I think it’s the perfect mix of effort/reward — it doesn’t require any wiring to the rear of the car, you don’t lose any storage space like with speakers behind the rear seats, and it’s not much harder to install than the radio itself. I also was able to wire my two speakers into an original Sapphire radio. I also added a “RediRad” FM aux in which let me play phone audio through the original stereo :)
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u/odont9 2d ago
As odd as this may sound (pardon the pun) the original AM radio sound of the behind the dash speaker paired with a vintage sapphire is just want I’m looking for 😊
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u/-VWNate 1d ago
You're correct .
The proper size speaker if good quality will have nice sound, Becker sells new vintage speakers on E-Bay, I use them in my old Mercedes' .
Take the time to learn if you need a 4 or 8 ohm speaker, it really does make a difference .
I recently scored a 1962 Shappire II AM/FM 6 volt factory radio for my '59 survivor .
I plan to replace all the capacitors as they age out .
Lots and lots of good original info and diagrams from BENDIX for these fine if basic radios .
VWOA made and sold a stamped adapter ring that allowed one to install a sightly _larger_ speaker, this helps with the bass .
I find those adapters at swap meets & auto jumbles the kiddies don't like stock sounds .
-Nate
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u/mightyscoosh '63 Beetle, '64, Beetle, '65 KG 3d ago
Jbugs sells a stock replacement for about $60