Speaker Replacement - Challenge Stradale Center Speakers

Dan, if it is just the speaker surrounds that have failed...just remove the speakers and have them rebuilt...not at all expensive...maybe $30 each. Many places in the NW that offer this service.

 

They can use better materials to prevent a repeat.

 

Yes. I posted a thread on this subject. Same thing happened to my F430. Have yours re conditioned.

 

One of those speakers is not a speaker. It is a passive radiator. I replaced both of those on my 360. I purchased two Focal 5.25" subs and they were direct fit. I am very pleased with results.

When I purchased them they were on sale as they were being discontinued. I notice on Focal's website the current subs are the Utopia BE15 WS. I believe they are really expensive but I expect the quality is above reproach.

Steve

Edited ... model number is BE 13 not BE 15

 

Just splice into the existing speaker connector to make connections to the second sub. Word of caution ... I replaced entire audio system and re-wired everything with 14AWG wire. The existing wires to that enclosure are probably 18AWG or 20AWG. Also, those Focal subs have an impedance of 4 ohms. On the stock audio system, the amp is not the best quality. The Focal subs will likely give much improved performance, but an upgraded amp and door speakers will give even superior results.

Here is link to spec sheet for those subs ... https://www.focal.com/sites/www.focal.fr/files/shared/catalog/document/FP-13WS-GB.pdf

Crutchfields asking $500 ... https://www.crutchfield.com/p_09113WS/Focal-Utopia-Be-13-WS.html

Steve

 

Those OEM speaker elements look cheap and bad quality. Paper cones and no lamination. Although within a car, humidity can be at high level. Also the other element is a dummy that only radiates the other element's sound pressure. This was done just to save some amp power and to have more pressure with two small elements, the other one being a "slave."

As a former car hi-fi competitor, I recommend to go for aftermarket elements. For example Focal. If your amp generates decent output, improvement in sound is huge. Steve Bisel gave you some good advice there! So off with the OEM garbage!

 

Mine looked just like yours. Had the surrounds for both the active and passive unit repaired in 1 day for both with a cost of less than $100. The sound did get better but no match for the exhaust and engine.

 

hello dan I am a focal dealer I have these in stock if you need them .

 

Damn...those things look brand NEW!
I have a feeling the speakers in my car are also going bad and was quoted $ 4,000 by a local shop to replace all speakers, amp and do a small custom box to house a 6" instead of the 5.25" - I thought the price was outrageous...I may look into simply replacing them with 2 x 5.25" and see if that does the trick first.
Thanks!

 

So would it be best to go with a set of 5.25" subs that are 4 ohms or 8 ohms if you are simply going to replace that single sub with 2 actual 5.25" subs?

 

I put that word of caution without knowing what the actual impededance of the stock sub. The caution was targeting the power draw of two subs on a substandard original amp. If you attempt to push too much current out of that amp there will likely be distortion.

 

I have a Scud, how do the grills come off for inspection?
thanks in advance

 

Any tips on removing the center speaker (sub) grills on a 430 Scuderia? I would like to inspect mine.

 

The removal is quite simple. Just stick something flat in between the edge of the grill and the leather - it will begin moving and just use a bit of force/pressure to pry it out. I will come out with ease. Mine came off with ease.
Upon inspection, the top "passive resonator" was completely busted and it was the source of the rattling. The subwoofer on bottom was in good shape, but they really don't look like they are the best. Mine did very poorly when it came to hitting the lows and any song with bass would simply distort.
I found these great little subs made by DROK. They were only $ 90 for the pair and they sound AMAZING! Installation was very simply as these are 4 ohms, so you simply use the wires going onto the sub (red/black for one sub and yellow/blue for the other sub).
The mounting points are slightly different and they have round frames, opposed to the more square shape of the stock ones, but, you can either trim them slightly or, like I did, simply used some foam and taped it to the border of the opening of the speaker holes. This raises them slightly and allows you to drill the speakers onto the openings with ease and create a nice, tight enclosure. The subs require very little power (I think they are 50-60 maximum watts) and I could not be happier. You will never hear songs the same way.
Don't ask me how, but also, the door speakers are sounding considerably better - I am not sure if it is because the subs are better and now you can actually hear the highs/mids better coming from the tweeters and the doors speakers, or if actually having the rear onto two subs is making the crossovers work better...I don't know, but the sound difference is incredible - especially for $ 90. I have a friend that bought an 8" sub and had a custom enclosure built on his 430 coupe - his hits a little harder, but mine sounds crispier and cleaner. Oh, and he spent $ 1,100 in his system for installation, the sub, the enclosure and the amp - mine was less than 10% of that cost...even with the 2 caipirinhas I had afterwards to celebrate. LOL
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I believe the set up is different in the Scud, as the only other speakers used are two tweeters in the dash. For this reason, I believe the center speakers are comprised of a full range speaker and passive sub...will take of the grill this weekend to inspect..hope it pries off like the CS.

 

Yes, standard configuration is one active and a passive radiator.

 

Yes, but I believe the active speaker is full range, not a sub....but I could be wrong

 

I agree. I think it is full range

 

The subwoofer drivers appear to be exactly the same as used in the regular 430 and have the same part numbers. BUT, I wonder if the crossover points are different? Because the sound coming from the subwoofer appears closer to "full range" and the 430 Scuderia only has tweeters in the dash...there are no mids or full range speakers in the doors. Only the two tweeters and the subwoofer enclosure.