355 stereo upgrade

Since acquiring my 355 in January this year I haven’t had a stereo. The factory door speakers are completely blown (see picture). My plan is to replace the head unit and component speakers, plus add a custom sub-woofer box between the seats with an 8 inch sub-woofer. I will be powering the system with an amp most likely mounting it in the front trunk space.

After reading many post about speaker size and selection I decided to take the door panels off and figure out exactly the kind of room I have to work with.

The factory speakers are just about 2 ¼” deep when surface mounted. There is just 2 ¼” of depth to mount the speakers. If the metal shielding is cut away from the speaker hole this would give just under 3” of clearance to mount a speaker without hitting the window when rolled down.
What this means is if the shield is cut away you can choose from a much wider selection of 6 ½ inch speakers on the market. I am considering these 6 ½” JL Audio C5-650 component speakers http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_10344_JL-Audio-C5-650.html They have a surface mounting depth of 2 ½ inches. I’m not going to cut the door metal until I get the speakers, I might be able to just put a 1/4 inch spacer in and won’t even need to cut the metal out.

I figured there must be other owners out there that are interested in knowing what will fit in the doors, so I have taken pictures with measurements.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I want to hear from some owners with the slim line Focals in their cars...

Do they suffer due to lack of cone depth?

How would you rate the quality of music they produce?

 

Another issue is the fact that most new speakers have that portruding contour that moves in and out when the sound is on and will rub and touch the panel while its functioning and ultimately damage the speaker.

The Ferrari speakers's contour is deep into the frame which protects it from the panel.

 

Excellent thread beginning. I too have searched and there is no concrete evidence of what actually fits. Seems that there are two issues here. depth and magnet size. I am currently considering these.

http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/specs/db6501/

They have a top mount depth of 2"

Running a Nakamichi cd400 for a head unit to match the instrument colors and a stock look.

The sub is a different issue. There are a decent amount of options but not a lot of room to work with. I want the sub(s) to not really be too visable. Considering something along these lines for behind each seat at the floor.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALPINE-SWE-1500-SUBWOOFER-POWERED-COMPACT-BOXED-CAR-SUB-/190534412497?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c5cbc68d1#ht_1450wt_1139

 

Can you take some pics of the sub install? Did you install the sub in the trunk or behind the seats?

 

This thread should be a good one. I'm still running stock everything, mainly because I so rarely use the radio (and I've never used the CD player).

Eventually I'm sure I'll tackle an upgrade. Until that time I'll read and learn.

 

I got these and here are some pics of my installation process. Depth is an issue for sure but the absolute biggest issue is the fact that the portruding contour, which is a moving part, is outside of the speaker frame on the new speakers and are recessed into the frame on the Ferrari original.

I purchased the Xr-S17P kenwood speakers from sonic for just 149$, a bargain price. I tested tons of speakers and it was hard to find speakers that fit properly because the depth is short on the panel and the spacing on the front rubs the front of the speaker so it can get damaged.

I adapted the tweeters by adding the existing OEM clip which will help reinstall the speakers and dash quickly. I did the same thing for the large door speakers by adding a male connector that will quickly connect when we reassemble the doors.

I attached the tweeters with some steel wires and it worked just fine (ther are hidden behind the vent anyway) and I removed the spacer from the original speaker and glued it onto the new one for added protection when the speaker is functioning.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I am also looking at those Polkaudio speakers due to the shallow mounting depth.

Can you post the info in this thread so we can all benefit from it? And please take pictures.

 

I also very rarely use the radio but I do have plans for some long distance runs in the future so perhaps I should pay attention to this too Fab, your input and pictures are top notch, thanks for sharing.

 

OK, so I got the nakamichi head unit installed and I'm pretty blown away at how much of a pile of junk the factory radio is. I've already got an amp. Now know that I defintely need new speakers as the left is blown. Off to Frys for me. Gonna look to see what they have for small sub options . . .

 

I have Focals in my F355. I find them to be an excellent speaker. Empirically though, I would imagine that there is some decrease due to the more shallow cone depth in comparison to the same speaker in non-slim line configuration. Remember, due to the engine sound, there is no logic in installing a audiophile grade system in a Ferrari.

With respect to subs, I personally would not do any type of permanent installation in my car. As an alternative, you could use one or more Bazooka Tube-type subs behind the seats. Although, IMHO my Focals produce more than adequate bass and lower mid-range.

 

I am seriously considering some focals just so I don't have to cut the door or fabricate pods.

Thanks for the info

 

Got the polk db6501 and installed them today. Good sound. Found out my doors had already been modified for speakers, but these fit perfect as far as mounting holes and whatnot. Put a 10inch mb quert slim sub in the trunk, not sure it'll stay

 

I am an audiophile and used to sell high-end home theater gear.

I have the following installed and even with the top down at 80mph the sound is simply amazing....

Alpine CDA-9887 w/ iPod adaptor ran to the middle console
Alpine PDX-4100 (Digital 4x100rms amp running the 2 tweeters and two woofers in factory locations)
Focal 165KPS K2 6.5” Kevlar (super bad ass sounding!!!!) component set

Total retail price was $2,464 installed. (I got a little bit of a discount, though, due to my connections).

Again....you will NOT be disappointed with Focals. There was no major modification or cutting required, either.

 

Here is what I decided to go with.
Everything is ordered, should arrive soon.

Head Unit = Sony X-plod with CD and ipod hookup. This was in the car when I purchased it. My plan is to replace it at a later date.

Component speakers = Polk Audio 6.5” DB6501 … Picked these because of the good reviews and shallow mounting depth. Only 2 inches top mounted.

Amplifier = Polk Audio PA D4000.4 800 Watts RMS Class D. 2 channels front and 2 channels bridged for the sub-woofer.

8” Sub-woofer = Alpine SWR-823 I will be building a custom box for this in between the seats. I’ve got plenty of room with the little glove box removed.

 

Not that it won't sound adequate, but how are you going to get around their specs for the enclosure. Looks like they are calling for 12x12x5.5. I went with the MB Quart 10" which wants about the same size but it is a pretty slim unit for a 10"

 

nakamichi cd400 at night. It is almost like this head unit was made for this car. Like it mostly as it is a factory looking unit with no weird buttons, noises, or flashing screens. Also has an aux input for an ipod, etc.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I was told by a local installer that it's not so much the dimensions of the enclosure but more that it has proper volume of air. So I will have an odd shaped enclosure. Maybe it won't be perfect although I bet it works for my ears.

 

Those of you who use iPods, I HIGHLY recommend finding an alternate MP3 player. iPods have, by far, the worst sound quality. I switched to a Zune (no longer sold unfortunately) and it is light years beyond the iPod.

There may be other mp3 players on the market, but iPod/iPhone had the worst sound quality when I had them. My windows phone is pretty good, but for some reason the Zune is just ridiculously good.

Can't comment on Droids.

 

Got the front mids and tweeters installed today in the factory locations. Had to drill one screw hole for each door speaker. I just hot glued the sweeters in place on top of the mount. The vent fits nicely in place with them there. Still need to mount the amp and make final decision for sub-woofer.

Here are some pictures of the factory woofer next to the Polk Audio the Polk is on the right in the side shot.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Solid!

 

I love this...amazing. Gotta get me one and rip out the piece of **** the last owner put in.

 

Now I have everything done other than building the enclosure for the sub-woofer.
The stereo sounds fantastic even with the sub just hooked up with no box. Once I get a box built it will sound even better.

Not really much to take pictures of so here is one of my amp and one of my head unit.

To those of you that say you don't like stereos in your car, I just don't understand. I like Ferraris and I like music so why not be able to enjoy them together. If I want to hear the car I just turn off the music.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I couldn't agree more. In a nice car, if you turn on the stereo and it sounds like crap (factory) it just doesn't gel. Kinda like wearing a suit from Brooks Brothers but shoes from Target.

Extreme, what are you doing for a sub? I have one in the trunk area now that really fills in the sound. Have the same speakers as you installed, can they handle the bass on their own or do you find them lacking?

 

I have an 8" Alpine SWR-823D sub-woofer. My plan is to built a custom enclosure between the seats and the shelf area.

It would be much easier to put one in the trunk. What do you have for a sub?

As for the door speakers I'm not sending them much in the way of low frequencys (bass). They sound quit good considering they are buried behind the ferrari door panel carpet and metal mesh. I would like to cut an opening in the door panel and mount a grill although that will involve some custom recovering of the panels at a later time.