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Focal Speakers

5.5K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  The Don  
#1 ·
What's the view on these Focal speakers. I know loads have used the 165K2P's, but they look soo deep, I'm surprised they would fit in an E46 M3 door. Can anyone confirm? Does anyone have any strong views on Focal's shallow range? Like the 130VSlim or the 165VSlim? Those look like a sure fit.

Is the quality of the Slim range worse than the choice 165K2P?

Cheers
Sean.


London uk

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1166

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=3400
 
#2 ·
Focal's rule. Have 165K2P with some modificatio they fit fine.
 
#3 ·
What sort of modification? And what do we doa bout ripping out the stock HK tweeter and midrange assembly? Where to the new tweeters attach, because presumably u need to fabricate some sort of holder for them. I dont have any workshop, so does anyone know a way to do it without having fabrication facilities?

Also what about Slim vs K2P??
 
#4 ·
I read the sticky in the links section about how to install 6.5" speakers. Presumably coudln't you just buy a speaker depth extender (like a plastic ring that will be placed inbetween the door and the speaker? Something like this:

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.a...07&SearchEngine=ya&SearchTerm=90104507&Type=PI&Category=Electronics&dcaid=17194

For those that have the K2P's installed, do they protrude much into the cabin, and which speaker covers didy ou use, the BMW OEM or the ones that came with the Focals?

I've decided it's got to be the K2ps in my car.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Don't have any pics, but I put a set of 165 k2p in the door of my 02 M3 w/o any mods to the door. Built a set of MDF baffles/rings and used the existing holes in the door, some Dynamat and 2" lag bolts to mount. They just BARELY fit (about 1/8" clearance between the Focal mid and the door panel- tested it to make sure the cone wasn't hitting the inner door panel but it is REALLY close). You DO have to trim the inner portion of the door panel where the stock speakers sit - search here and/or M3forum for "s 4 p l a y (remove the spaces; censored for some reason)- how to install 6.5 in door of an m3" for more info.
Some things to note:
1. they will never sound as good as those that have cut the door panel and use the door cavity as an enclosure - my goal was to leave the car stock (no holes)and compromise on the midbass (search here for threads on the proper way to cut you door panel if you go that route) as I've been down that road before...speakers don't really like moisture and the k2ps are $$$ so...
2. it is an extremely tight fit and you have to be dead on so that the speakers are centered in the door panel cutout for the mids so you can get that cone/door panel clearance- in my experience, trial and error putting the panel on, moving the mount a little, taking the panel off, tightening the bolts for the baffle to the door.....REPEAT:banghead:
3. the mounts for the tweets are easily made using some 1/4" MDF or even Dynamat - use the stock mid/tweet mount as a starting point...the plastic holder that comes w/ teh Focal tweets is just a little bigger than the hole for the stock mid -> can sit it in there and use the MDF to hold it in place


Without pics the above probably doesn't make much sense. BUT, if you take off your door panel and look at it, things should be much clearer...there is a DIY on e46 to pull your door panels.

If I find the pics I took during the install, I'll post them.........
 
#6 ·
165 k2p in 2001 m3 keep the stock tweeters in place i was not happy with focal tweets something was so i am running two of them much better fill of highs to your ears HK tweets running from HK amp the back 2 so my acoustic button still
works ,i want to put some Phoenix gold r6.0 components in the back Parts Express $51 and 2x Tang Band w5 5.25" sub woofers perhaps under front seats if i am to lazy than factory sub location but they should fit perfectly under seats thats why i chose them.Cut door=nice bass.
 

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#7 · (Edited)
Focals sound great (to my ear)

I love the 130 slims in my 330 sedan; they're very crisp. Some may call them bright or harsh, but I haven't found them so. FWIW, I also have B&W speakers at home, so if you like the tone of B&W speakers, you may like the Focals.

One caveat: The 130 slims may be a little light if you're looking for strong midbass, so see if you can try to fit the 165 slims or the KPs.