Just purchased a '99 yesterday and need to update the audio system. Currently looking through speakers and head units, and I'm wondering what other people have done for speakers, whether you've left the original tweeters in the door and disconnected them, left them connected, or even replaced them.

If there are other threads out there specific to the audio system in 3rd gens I'd love to read those too, I've looked around a bit but nothing really jumped out at me. Thanks!

I put some Helix Esprit 6.5 components in my 98. They sound amazing! You can hear the fingers move on the guitar frets they are so accurate . I will never go back to a coax .

Quality components all the way. Spend your money on the fronts and get em powered like they need and you'll be disappointed in anything less in the future.

Looking in the 120-150 range on the fronts, will definitely be going component from the sounds of it. Any recommendations for the backs? They seem to be a bit trickier from what I've seen, requiring either drilling or creating some type of bracket.

Do you have kids or rear passengers a lot who will whine if there aren't speakers back there?

You're best off investing your money in good quality components (and an amp to power them) as well as a good install up front. Unless you have a real need for speakers in the back, I'd leave them out initially and if you really feel you need them, add em later (I doubt you'll want em if you do the fronts right the first time).

Roger that. I don't have anyone back there and I don't really plan to. I'll be getting a nice head unit and pair that with quality fronts. Thanks for the input!

Since they rear speakers are really a benefit, I often thought of putting a small sub in their place, what do you think about it?
Edit: sorry, I meant not really a benefit

Speakers are nothing without a decent amp to run them. Just switching out the speakers and running them off of a new headunit will never sound as good as a system with an amp.

Running a 3 way component system up front, 6.5" Hertz HSK 165 Components (Low range) 4" Boston Pro Components (mid range) and 1" Boston Pro Tweeters
and it definitely kicks hard.


Oh also running a 3 way component rear system
5.25" Boston Pro Components (low range) 4" Nak components (mid range) and 3/4" Boston Pro tweeters


Rear speakers are Definitely needed, try fade all the power to the front and see how it sounds. Rears are needed for sound fill, also are good for back seat riders. You don't need anything expensive in the back, if you are only after sound fill.

Running a 12" JL sub as well. here's my thread: The Building of a Custom Walnut Sub Enclosure.

2Ways can be components.. Do you mean coaxial?
I got a pair of jbl ms62c these are one of the best sets I have heard for the price. Focal r165 is another one.. But my advice is for you to go listen some.

Yes I meant coaxial, thanks for the correction

While I appreciate the input, this set up is quite obviously out of my price range. Thanks anyways!

You really dont need rear fill if no one sits back there. It is just more speakers to aim and tweak into your staging. I had a 3 way in my hatch running off 80prs and old school esx amp. Daytons rs180/100 with nd20 tweets. Didnt need rear speakers my staging was golden up front. Had a IDQ subwoofer.

Haha, No problem, just wanted to urge you to do it right the first time so you don't have to redo it later down the road. That's always a kicker when later on you feel you could have done a better job

Keep the tweeters up high (pardon the pun) . Better imaging and unobstructed audio.
I've never been a fan of tweeters in the foot wells.

Components and an amp all the way. Your ears will thank us. Polk and Infinity make some nice ones that won't break the bank.

And I always throw a set of nice 2 ways in the back just for rear fill. I enjoy having some sound in the back even if no one sits back there.