What 3.5 Dash Speakers Fit 1986 Olds Cutlass Supreme?

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synoptic12

Greasemonkey
Jun 10, 2012
113
3
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I did not find a viable forum to post this thread, so I entered under 'Model Specific'. To begin, I have been searching for 3.5 speakers to fit for many years: MB Quart, Infinity, JBL, Pioneer, Sony, Audison, Audio Frog, Morel, Focal and others. Have any replaced the fronts (3.5) with a quality speaker 'that fits'? I believe the depth is 2" inches. There is also the issue of the tweeter protruding on aftermarket speakers; not allowing the grills to seat properly. I've taken them out so many times I cannot remember, only as to keep replacing with a 25w rms speaker, if that. Looking for at least 50w rms. Also, are base blockers essential, as some high end 3.5's provide them. I really hate clipping or distortion.

If any have delved into this area or have knowledge, please provide all input to the aforesaid. All replies welcome. Thanks very much.
*Sample pic enclosed.
Speaker-KICKER 3.5..png
 
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Injectedcutty

G body LS mafia
Nov 24, 2014
6,057
22,807
113
Louisville, KY
I put Rockford Fosgate in the dash of my Cutlass years ago. They were great speakers, but they need to be replaced. I'll try to get the model # in a bit since they're on my toolbox.
 
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synoptic12

Greasemonkey
Jun 10, 2012
113
3
18
U.S.
I put Rockford Fosgate in the dash of my Cutlass years ago. They were great speakers, but they need to be replaced. I'll try to get the model # in a bit since they're on my toolbox.
* Thanks. If you could provide the specs, it would be useful. Did they fit without any problems?
 

Huen79H/O

Apprentice
Jun 5, 2018
74
161
33
I just bought a pair of $25 speakers off Amazon and had to bend the bracket up to make them sit lower and remove the tweeter grill to make them fit they sound good but I have the factory 8 track player in mine
 

fleming442

Captain Tenneal
Dec 26, 2013
13,046
24,214
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If you're looking at high end speakers, then you should know that a 3.5" in the dash, firing off the windshield, or on different planes, would be a waste of money.
Or, are you just trolling for opinions again? I hear Ford makes a nice 3.5; maybe Tasca can install them for you.
 
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synoptic12

Greasemonkey
Jun 10, 2012
113
3
18
U.S.
I just bought a pair of $25 speakers off Amazon and had to bend the bracket up to make them sit lower and remove the tweeter grill to make them fit they sound good but I have the factory 8 track player in mine
Thanks but I do not have a factory 8-track. I do still have the Craig 8-track powerplay though.
 

synoptic12

Greasemonkey
Jun 10, 2012
113
3
18
U.S.
If you're looking at high end speakers, then you should know that a 3.5" in the dash, firing off the windshield, or on different planes, would be a waste of money.
Or, are you just trolling for opinions again? I hear Ford makes a nice 3.5; maybe Tasca can install them for you.

I can understand why I blocked you before due to your demeanor. I'm well versed in the electronics arena, no need to move further. In fact, I did configure (2) 4 ohm 3.5's in parallel providing a 2 ohm impedance and the speakers sound fairly good (Mono not Stereo). The staging was not the best but I presented a 4 ohm load to the rears and used the fader control to adjust imaging. This is in no way a 'waste of money' as you state. Please do not reply to any more of my posts with your bitterness which is clearly evident.
 
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fleming442

Captain Tenneal
Dec 26, 2013
13,046
24,214
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You can ignore it if you'd like, but here are some cold hard facts about 3.5" speakers in the dash:
-The driver's side is too close to your ear
- A 3.5" speaker will only produce quality sound down to about 300Hz on the spectrum (hence the need for "base" blockers,aka: passive high pass filters)
- Power doesn't blow speakers- people blow speakers.
The tweeter needs to be flush with the top of the frame, and that cannot protrude too far above the mount screw heads.
-The factory speakers were full range, dual cone, 10 ohm. Any coaxial speaker will appear to sound better because the highs will be more crisp.
-The magnet size is more or less irrelevant because you're still moving a 3.5" cone. A bigger magnet will handle distortion for a longer period of time, but the speaker will still blow.
EDIT: Another thing that's been bugging the hell out of me- how can you possibly have any kind of soundstaging by wiring the front speakers in mono?!?!?! The perception of a soundstage is created by the stereo coding- different information coming from the left and right sides. PLEASE DO NOT HEED ANY OF Synoptic's "advice"!!!! You will waste money and be sorely disappointed with the results.
 
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