I have a 2002 SC 430 and the lower (6x9) speaker on the right front door sounds like it is blown. It is a Mark Levinson system and I stopped by a local audio shop who informed me that I would not be able to replace the two front door speakers unless I replaced the entire speaker system and Amplifier (they said I could keep the head unit). Is this correct?

The replacement OEM speaker is approx $300 at the dealership (for 1 speaker). I am looking for options but do not want to sacrifice the sound quality. I would appreciate feedback/suggestions/options.

 

Hmmm-- I guess the speaker has a built in microchip transponder that sends a signal via satellite to the Mark Levinson HQ and shuts the whole car down when you change to a non OE speaker--

Pfffwhaaat? Come on--

Here's how you do it--

Pull the good one out and read the back of it-- may tell you what ohm it is-- If it doesn't tell you in writing-- just buy a radio shack multimeter for $10 (mini version works great) and read the resistance of the voice coil-- (place red probe on pos terminal, and black lead on neg terminal-- or vice versa-- doesn't matter) just set the meter to ohms--

There should be separates -- a mid and a tweet in another spot higher on the door somewhere--

Looks like it is a 6x9 midwoofer -- It uses a 3 way setup up front-- so you just need a separate 6x9 with no tweet--

We really don't know what ohm rating the oe speakers are-- and you want to match that ohm rating -- but here's a start --
These CDT's would in fact be very good and most likely better than stock-- $99 a pair--

 

From more research it seems the 6x9 is an 8ohm model in your car--

The Tang Band 6x9 sub should be a perfect match--

This seller has a pair and I'd go for those-- Although you may want to inquire with him about the neo-motor shallow mount version he has available with a 3" voice coil--

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tang-Band-6x9-Su...QQcmdZViewItem

 

Thanks for all your help. I have contacted the gentleman regarding the Tang Band speakers and plan to purchase them.

 

I've read that people have had some very good results with them for the odd 6x9 fitment when good tight midbass is needed--

 

I was told the Tang Band is 4" deep and that the windows won't roll down all the way. Do you know for sure if these will fit

 

They do look fairly deep, and a baffle may be needed to offset the depth-- which wouldn't be hard to do provided the frontal clearance is there--

I think it could be done-- but without looking at it myself I can't say for sure--

There are other manufacturers that make 6x9 component woofers if it can't be done--

I would really look closely at the frontal clearance b/t the door panel and the face of the woofer to see if there is any room to make a 1" thick 6x9 ring or even 3/4 thick --

A little dremel action may be all that stands in your way of avoiding spending a huge amount of money just to replace one single woofer-- or I guess a pair-- It's pretty likely the TB's will give you a boost in midbass too--

If it can't be done you could always grab a stock replacement from Lexaudio--

 

I totally overlooked a very good option for you--

You can easily make some 6x9 adapter plates that accept a 6.5 to a 7" mid --

Like these-- but I'd use MDF about 3/8" thick --


Since you've got a sub already it should only improve the sq over a 6x9 anyhow--

These mids come to mind-- 8ohm paper cone JM Lab 6.5's from Zalytron.com

They have a paper cone and a nicer polyglass cone mid as well, and actually the Focal/JM Lab polyglass is a very good deal at $30 each-- they're overstock items I believe--

They'll be found at zalytron.com -- navigate to the JM Lab link on the left side of the main page-- the woofer pictured will be the first on the list--

These are also 89mm deep too, so a good 3/4 ring atop the plate you make or have made should work nicely-- If these don't fit after basically offsetting the m to 2.5" deep, you might find some shallower mids at partsexpress.com --

Either way, if I was in your position I wouldn't dare spend $300 each OR even $300 a pair for the oe replacements-- there are just far better speakers available for much much less money..

These focals would most certainly be worth the trouble of making a plate with an offset ring--

 

Here's one 3" deep-- $20 each-- A partsexpress.com dayton 7" mid -- 8 ohm-- with a 5 5/8 cutout dia.-- should work nicely on a decently thick plate-- 3/4 would bring it to a mere 2.25 -- but the Focal's are still a little better IMO- these are nonetheless supposed to perform very well for the money spent, and with your system config being a 3way, their passband should be primarily low mids and midbass, which almost any 7" can do very well-- I wouldn't be scared of them-- but I'd certainly try the focal's first-- too cheap not to-- and after you're done, if the focals' don't fit, you can make yourself a nice set of bookshelf speakers or HT satellites-- they'd even make a solid R and L channel in a well designed cabinet--



And here's another option that's 3" deep-- a Vifa 7-- very good quality mids-- but $75 each--

 

ED makes these plates as well--