I've read this forum, ordered my speakers, and completed the install last night. I thought I'd like to share my results with a crossover as wel as my method of completing this install without damaging the factory wire harness.
1st - DO NOT USE A CROSSOVER!
The Infinity Kappas already come with a built in crossover (that's why there is a big black box hanging from the speaker). The Kappa's crossover filters out only the frequencies that the speaker's can't handle. If you install a 600HZ crossover, then you'll be filtering out some mid range sounds that the speakers handle wonderfully.
2nd -THERE IS NO REASON TO CHOP THE FACTORY WIRES.
Here's a step by step guide on re-using the connector attached to the OEM speaker.
2.1
Remove the plastic speaker grill on the dash. Use a hard piece of plastic or a small flat head screw driver to pry up the front end of the panel.
TIP - if you're using a screw driver, put a piece of electrical tape over the flathead to prevent scratching.
2.2
Remove the factory speaker using a 10mm socket wrench or a short philip's head screwdriver.
2.3
Disconnect the speaker from the factory speaker connector.
2.4
Pry off the speakers wire harness and clip the black and white wires as close as possible to the speaker. This will leave just enough wire to connect to the Kappas.
See that blue thing in the photo? That's what we need to pry off.
2.5
Check it out - the speaker harness has a built-in crossoever (the little black thingy). If you don't believe me about using a crossover, you can leave this on and skip to step 2.8.
2.6
That crossover sucked didn't it? Ok, let's remove it. The crossover is the little black thing.
Using pliers, pull it away from it's connections slowly. If you do it right, you'll be left with the pins intact.
2.7.
Solder the connectors together. I twisted mine together, cut, then used a $4 soldering gun (available at Walmart) to drop a bead onto the twisted connectors. (I also soldered the tips of the stripped wires to give the Kappa's screws a little something extra to grip ).
2.8
Strip the ends of the wires and connect to your Kappas.
TIP - Black wire on harness = Negative. White = Positive.
TIP - Use some electrical tape to secure the harness to the Kappa's crossovers and cover the soldered connections. This will ensure nothing wiggles loose and protect the soldered wires.
2.9
DONE! Just plug the Kappas into the preserved T4R speaker plug and mount. Everything works great, and the only thing destroyed was those cheap OEM speakers.
TIP - Be sure to insulate the speakers from the metal dash (as other's have posted) to prevent the magnet from touching the body otherwise you'll hear popping in the speakers.
TIP - Be sure to fabricate mounting brackets or purchase mending plates to mount securely.
TIP - Be careful removing the black plastic plate on top of the Kappa's. You can tear the rubber surround loose. A better idea is to shave it down using a sander (only for passenger side - driver side fits without mods).
3rd - Verdict
AWESOME SOUND. Much better that the TSH, TSh, TSh the OEM speakers produced. These have full range sound (minus the low end bass) that add an incredible dimension to the flat sound of the stock T4R system.
By the way, I also added 2 DVC 8" 200W RMS bazooka tubes in the back that fit beatifully. I powered the subs with an amp located under the passenger seat. The amp taps into the rear speaker leads of the OEM stereo. This things have big boom for very little $$.
My write up on the AMP + SUB install will be coming shortly. Overall, I've spent $360 bucks, preserved the OEM appearance, and now my wife has amazing sound that blows away the JBL systems at a fraction of the cost.
