Door speakers - to cut or not to cut? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

seabrighter · #1 08-22-2007, 09:40 PM

I've researched some threads of people putting speakers in the door panels of their W123. I just got an '83 300D and I'm about to pump up the system. I've got a new Alpine CDA-9883 head, a Sony 4-channel amp in the rear (been using it for years in my old car running a 3-way config on two 5-1/4" speakers and a trunk sub), and a Kenwood 2-channel amp for the front speaks.

I can't make up my mind on whether I want to work with the existing speaker locations (4" front dash, 5-1/4" rear deck), or cut some holes in the door panels to get bigger sound, at least up front. I have seen pictures of people's modifications, and it looks good.

What I have not seen is an actual documentation of the door panel cutting process. I'm wondering what kinds of surprises I might encounter. Do most people take the panels completely off before cutting? How difficult is it? Or can you safely use a hole cutter without removing panels?

I've done work like this before on my old car (VW Passat), but I'm new to Mercedes and I want to do a good job on this baby. If anyone can share their experiences, I'd love to hear them. I am ideally wanting to at least do bigger speakers up front because those 4" deck speakers probably won't cut it. Can anyone convince me that this will be well worth my trouble/money, or should I just go the cheap 4" 2-way coax route?

Ramblin · #2 08-25-2007, 10:02 AM

I don't know about the D but I did speakers in the doors of my CD(83) with very good results. As an old installer I cut holes in all the Mercedes of this vintage. The only problem believe it or not is relatively limited room in the doors due to electric window stuff. The best way is to place and cut the door without the panel on and check for clearance. If you make a mistake at least it won't show. I always cut with an air saw or sabre saw never a hole saw. Broke a finger once using a hole saw and never used one again. Once you have checked for clearance in the door for speaker depth and moving window parts you can cut the hole and then accordingly cut the hole in the panel....Measure 4 times cut once as they say. Enclosed are pictures. By the way the speakers are Boston Acoustics 5.2 Pro which have a relatively large magnet structure.

seabrighter · #3 08-25-2007, 03:01 PM

Yeah, I just took the door panel off and I see what you mean. So I take it you just cut a hole big enough for the widest part of the speaker magnet to fit in. Then you let it sit in that hole and mount the speaker frame through the metal in the door. Make a hole in the panel for the speaker to be exposed, then put the speaker grill on over the leather. Sound right?

I don't even have my speakers yet, but I wanted to make an educated decision before I buy any. I also see there's a nice space to mount tweeters on the door as well. I think I'm gonna go 5-1/4" components in the front. Thanks for the advice!

cewyattjr · #4 04-24-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramblin

.Measure 4 times cut once as they say. Enclosed are pictures. By the way the speakers are Boston Acoustics 5.2 Pro which have a relatively large magnet structure.

Mine is in progress. Thanks for the pics on this older post, Ramblin. Huge help. One down, one to go!

BTW, rented a saws-all from Home Despot. Did the trick, but like riding a bucking bronco!