6x9s

Innit.

6x9s have got a bit of a chavish reputation through no fault of their own. First coming about the early 90's as a quick and easy way to replace the speakers in your car the 6x9 laden parcel shelf has become the symbol of all that is chavvy and annoying about boy racers. However. As after-market speakers get better and better and cheaper and cheaper the 6x9 is no longer just a boy racer thing.

Now due to the massive frequency ranges these things can achieve it is easier to install a pair of 6x9's than a sub and uprated internal speakers.

I personally have no use for a sub. I listen to such a diverse amount of music that a sub would render 75% of it unlistenable and the other 25% so good that I would crash the car during a bass induced coma !

So I've been and got the big brothers to the speakers I installed in the front doors. Impressed with Vibes entry range and not wanting to spend over the odds I grabbed a bargain with these.

£39.99 from Halfords.

The Slick 69.2 (2 way co-axial 6x9 speakers)

Bootiful.

Fitting Guide coming soon !

Ford Fiesta Mk6 Front Door Speaker Replacement guide.

Step 1:

Open the door and identify the initial three screws (See Photo A)

Photo A

Remove the cap and screw in the door release first. (Photo B)

Photo B

Next screw about half way out and then pull hard on the screws under the door card.

They should pop out easy enough. If not unscrew them a bit more then pull on them.

Step 2:

The door card will now come loose but it will not come free due to two hidden screws

First remove the cover surrounding the handle. (Photo C) 

Get a flathead screw driver and prize all the clips open (Photo D)

Unhook the electric windows controller plug.

Photo C

Photo D

 There are two star drive screws holding the door card to the door. (Photo E)

Photo E

Now the screws have been removed the door card should lift up and off quite easily. Just pull hard and the clips will pop open. 

Step 3: 

Remove the old Ford Issue speaker by undoing the screws and unplugging it's connector. (Photo F)

Photo F

Note: Here is the tricky bit and this bit is up to you. Depending on what speakers you are fitting and how good you are with electrics and wiring you may want to either simply cut off the ford connector and wire the speakers directly or use some connectors to ensure a better connection between amp and speaker. 

I used Vibe Slick 57 5x7inch which had a variety of fitting holes to use. The four I used lined up directly with fords holes and screwed right in after connection. (Photo G)

(Photo G)

Step 4:

Once the speakers have been installed and you've checked they are working. Simply work backwards to re attach the doorcard and finish off by reinstalling the screw cap in the door release bay.

And there you go your front speakers are in and working.

I'm happy with the sound the Vibe Slick 57s produce from the standard head unit however they are ripe for amping.

Check back for hopefully more regular updates in the new year.

Finally

Due to the snow and ice and slush and salt and grit the speakers I ordered were lost in transit and I only received them today. A full 3 weeks after ordering them. Thanks to Dave at CarAudioSecurity for finding them for me and getting them out of the de-po pronto.

I've fitted them and they sound awesome.

So the next post should be a fitting guide.

Fiesta In Car Entertainment

So I've decided to build a rather tasty sound system in my Fiesta.

As you might have already worked out. 

The Fezzy has quite a good set of speakers in it already but I'm still going to replace them.

First on the list is the front door speakers.

5x7s and 6x8s are rather awkward speakers for manufacturers as only really ford group use them so sales are a fraction of that of 6x9 speakers.

I have however found a pair recommended by a forum member and good friend from Fiesta Owners Club.

They are :

Vibe Slick 57s.

Specs:

Type : co-axial
Configuration : 2-way
Speaker Size : 5.25 x 7.5″
RMS Power : 80 w
Minimum Input : 35 w RMS
Peak Power : 240 w
Sensitivity : 91 db
Freq. Response : 54 Hz – 25 khz
Impedance : 4 Ohms
Mounting Depth : 54mm
Mounting Diameter : 180 x 120 mm
Voice coil diameter : 25 mm
Magnet material : Ferrite
Magnet weight : 10 Oz
Magnet rating : Y30
Recommended Amplifiers : SLICK a0/a1

They should just pop straight into the current speaker positions.

I'll do a photo guide to show how the door panels come off etc.

Watch this space.