68 Radio Speaker question

[Kurt B.]

Does anyone have any suggestions for any replacements for the kick panel speakers in a 68 coupe that will fit behind the stock kick panel grilles? I just purchased two new GM speakers (4 x 10) and they sound terrible.
Thanks for any suggestions
Kurt # 26406

[Kurt B.]

Re: 68 Radio Speaker question

Am I the only NCRS member who listens to a radio in a Corvette or does everyone else just put up with the junk GM speakers? I paid $40.00 each for these factory correct original speakers and they don't sound worth it.
Kurt

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Radio Speaker question

Kurt-----

I think that the problem is that there exists no real solution for this problem. There are many factors involved. First, the factory speakers were/are rated at 10 ohms impedence. The factory original radio requires this impedence. Except for reproductions speakers, you won't find ANY other speakers with this rating, let alone high quality replacements.

You can usually get by with 8 ohm speakers without too much sound degradation or risk to the integrity of the radio. A 4 ohm speaker will sound terrible, though, and will result in fairly rapid failure of the radio.

Most of the 8 ohm speakers that you could find will have too large of a magnet to fit in the openings in the pilar posts. Even at that, you very likely won't be able to find anything larger than a 4 inch speaker that would otherwise come close to fitting in the opening.

Beyond all the above, the original factory radio just doesn't have the technology to produce sound that will sound right to our ears which have become accustomed to sound produced by FAR more modern units.

[Kurt B.]

Thank you ,Joe *NM*

[Erik S.]

Re: Thank you ,Joe

Hi Kurt - I do not know what kind of 68 you have but in my L71 I simply cannot hear the darn radio, regardless what set of speakers i use. So never use the radio myself. Like the sound of the engine better than all the crap on modern radio ;-)

Erik

[Kurt B.]

Re: Thank you ,Joe

Erik,
My 68 has the L79 motor but you are right about the car being more music to my ears than half the junk on the radio. Once in a while I like to listen to some of the Oldies stations while cruising. Of course, it has been 10 years since I've driven this thing so I may spend most of the time listening to the motor.
Kurt

[Patrick H.]

Re: Thank you ,Joe

Kurt,

The "best" and usually cheapest option is to have the original speakers re-coned. If you don't have your originals, they are not tough to find as cores.

Patrick

[Kurt B.]

Re: Thank you ,Joe

Patrick,
Two of the speakers are new and they distort very easily with mid volume level.
The third has torn paper so I know why that would sound lousy. The thing is with the t-tops off and the noise level of the engine at speed, you need a little volume to be able to even hear them so it is not like I am trying to rock the surrounding towns. Also their location down in the kick panel puts them close to the engine noise so again that requires some decent volume to be able to hear them.
Have you a source for this reconing thing you speak of?
Thanks
Kurt

[John H.]

Re: Thank you ,Joe

Kurt -

Try Jackson Speaker Service in Jackson, Michigan, (517) 789-6400; they've done several for me over the years, and they worked great.

[Kurt B.]

Thanks John *NM*

[Terry F.]

Re: Thanks John

Kurt,
I have heard that even NOS speakers will deteriorate over time for whatever reason. Reconing is supposed to improve the sound. Terry