I Added Rear Speakers...SCORE!!!

[Telephone]

Well after months of reading debates on whether rear speakers are necessary or not, I decided to go ahead with the install. It's still an ongoing debate, but I'm gonna try to end it now.

Some background first:
- Base model Z
- Two months ago I changed out the head unit, front components, and added a 10in sub with 2 amps (mono & 4 channel)
- Dynamatted the doors and some sections in the rear.

As you know, installing the rear speakers is not easy as you must remove the hatch panels along with the panels that conceal the seatbelt modules. Behind the panel are holes in the inner-body that may contribute to the road noise (see pic). I Dynamatted this area. I had to shave down quite a bit of the 370Z speaker housing on the speaker panel in order to provide clearance for the new speakers....but they fit and the panels were able to fit nicely back in place. I ran 16 gauge wire to my 4 channel amp under the seat.

I don't sugar coat mods, but this addition was well worth it for me. I understand the "2 channel" argument, but that only sounds good on paper. The argument doesn't hold up in a 370Z on SoCal grooved-concrete freeways at 70+ MPH. That's 90% of my driving! Adding rear speakers helps mask the road noise and it fills in some of the notes that my front components seemed to be missing. It improved the quality of all my music, most notably techno. It took a little tuning, but now my components are not screaming at my face and I have a nice blend of music surrounding me. You can kill the front speakers using your head unit and have a conversation with someone while the rear speakers are playing in the background....or you can kill the rear speakers whenever you like. It's nice having the option.

It's a cheap mod, but the labor will depend on whether you have have to tap back into the head unit or not. For $60 and half a Saturday, I say go for it

Amazon.com: Infinity 329CF 105W Peak 3-1/2 -Inch Custom Fit Two-Way Speakers (Pair): Car Electronics

[harry370z]

I've got 3.5 in my rears

Totally worth it, i couldn't be happier

[Pauly]

thanks for posting this. im one of those on the fence

[SalA]

I had rear speakers installed when I upgraded my HU from the base radio to a Kenwood. The fill-in music does add some depth to the listening experience. For me it was well worth it.

[ConchZ2]

Originally Posted by Telephone

Well after months of reading debates on whether rear speakers are necessary or not, I decided to go ahead with the install. It's still an ongoing debate, but I'm gonna try to end it now.

Some background first:
- Base model Z
- Two months ago I changed out the head unit, front components, and added a 10in sub with 2 amps (mono & 4 channel)
- Dynamatted the doors and some sections in the rear.

As you know, installing the rear speakers is not easy as you must remove the hatch panels along with the panels that conceal the seatbelt modules. Behind the panel are holes in the inner-body that may contribute to the road noise (see pic). I Dynamatted this area. I had to shave down quite a bit of the 370Z speaker housing on the speaker panel in order to provide clearance for the new speakers....but they fit and the panels were able to fit nicely back in place. I ran 16 gauge wire to my 4 channel amp under the seat.

I don't sugar coat mods, but this addition was well worth it for me. I understand the "2 channel" argument, but that only sounds good on paper. The argument doesn't hold up in a 370Z on SoCal grooved-concrete freeways at 70+ MPH. That's 90% of my driving! Adding rear speakers helps mask the road noise and it fills in some of the notes that my front components seemed to be missing. It improved the quality of all my music, most notably techno. It took a little tuning, but now my components are not screaming at my face and I have a nice blend of music surrounding me. You can kill the front speakers using your head unit and have a conversation with someone while the rear speakers are playing in the background....or you can kill the rear speakers whenever you like. It's nice having the option.

It's a cheap mod, but the labor will depend on whether you have have to tap back into the head unit or not. For $60 and half a Saturday, I say go for it

Amazon.com: Infinity 329CF 105W Peak 3-1/2 -Inch Custom Fit Two-Way Speakers (Pair): Car Electronics

Its great hearing reviews from a 370Z owner who installed the rear speakers! I have stated that adding rear speakers would add depth to the sound. Nice job!!

[bjblackout]

My install is next week and I chose to not get rear speakers. Gonna try it without and see how it sounds!!

[bigaudiofanat]

Some people still feel they need that rear fill, always a good idea to install a good set up front and maybe a sub than go from there.

Looks good OP.

[vermithrax]

Think I might do this also. I would prefer a set of Polk DB 3.5 speakers to match my fronts. Does anyone have information on how much depth/room there is? Looks pretty tight, I would hate to order speakers that don't fit.

[SalA]

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

Some people still feel they need that rear fill, always a good idea to install a good set up front and maybe a sub than go from there.

Looks good OP.

Simple solution is to do both!

[MacLean]

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

Some people still feel they need that rear fill, always a good idea to install a good set up front and maybe a sub than go from there.

Looks good OP.

If one has a kick a** component set-up up front & a good sub or two with an amp, then to me by putting two 3.5'' wouldn't benefit me at all (IMHO). I can see w/o a sub, then yes having teh rear speakers would help out. I would rather have a sub b/c it would help put the pieces together than the 3.5''.

[Telephone]

Originally Posted by vermithrax

Think I might do this also. I would prefer a set of Polk DB 3.5 speakers to match my fronts. Does anyone have information on how much depth/room there is? Looks pretty tight, I would hate to order speakers that don't fit.

Here are the size specs for the 3.5 in speakers I used. Yes, it was a tight fit. Compare these to your Polks.


Top-mount Depth (Inches) 1 9/16

Bottom-mount Depth (Inches) 2 3/16

Cutout Diameter or Length (inches) 3 3/16

[TreeSemdyZee]

I put Infinity Kappa 32.9cf 3-1/2" 2-ways in mine.
When I put in my sub, I think I'm going to do a little grinding behind these speakers because the speaker pushes out slightly on one side of the car.

The size of these speakers is perfect as far as circumference. I had to cut the connectors that go between the circular speaker hole and the mounting screw holes and they dropped right into place.

I agree with you 100% OP. I love the fill that mine give.
I fit the axiom, "If it's too loud, you're too old". I don't really crank up the stereo and never really have, so the fill helps surround me.

[Dsevast]

My new audio system consists of HKS exhaust and Berk HFC's. I never turn up my radio anymore because I just want to listen to the sounds haha.

[Zenki370]

Originally Posted by vermithrax

Think I might do this also. I would prefer a set of Polk DB 3.5 speakers to match my fronts. Does anyone have information on how much depth/room there is? Looks pretty tight, I would hate to order speakers that don't fit.

They will fit as I just put my drivers side in (waiting for my pass side touring panel so I can install my rear pass speaker and cargo cover). You will need to trim the mounting spots on the panel a little bit to make these clear.

[Compdoc777]

I have the infinity 3.5" kappas in the back as well had to cut away a bit of plastic on the back to fit them flush. They do sound great though. Installed the Infinity Kappa 10" as well in the back with an sealed box that has the perfect air space. Used the Kappa5 five channel amp to save weight and space. I have it designed to save weight it has about the same weight as the spare and tools I removed from rear.