JL C5-653 mid and tweeter

[sure74]

Planning to keep my system simple, no visible changes for onlookers to notice (keeping factory stereo).

Here is the gear:
AudioControl LC7i
JL Audio XD500/3
JL Audio C5-653
JL Audio Stealthbox

So the biggest unknown for me was installing the 4" midrange drivers in the dash. These things are
pretty burly and are .5" bigger than the stock mids. I wanted them mounted, I wanted
isolation between the front-wave and the rear-wave coming off the driver and I wanted to make
sure I could put the stock system back together (doubt I ever will but).

The mids come with these mounting rings, that got me thinking.



Did a quick little test fit and everything appeared to fit.



First I notched out room for the screws to sit flush in the mounting rings and then I epoxied the
#8-32X1/2" screws in place. Once the epoxy was set I taped off the grill from the inside, carefully
trimming the tape so it only covered to the edge of the grill opening and glued the mounting ring in
place. First pass I just used some glue (shoe goo) at each corner and set the speaker on top to
apply some pressure and make sure the ring was set perfectly. Once that was set I went around
the entire mounting ring sealing it to the grill. Once that was dry (let it sit for a few days) I
trimmed the excess that had ran on to the tape and peeled the tape back.



Here is the mid and tweeter mounted up. For the tweeter, the surface mount bracket diameter
matches the factory tweeter perfectly. I made 3 little notches in the tweeter bracket similar to
the factory tweeter and the JL tweeter just snapped in to place.



First test fit in the dash. I was surprised at how close it was to snapping in (after I turned the
mid's mounting terminals to the front of the car). I thought for sure it was hitting the hvac duct.
I put some blue tape on the duct and around the edges where the factory mid mounts to see
where the speaker was rubbing.



I did about 3 test fits, trimming off as little as possible each time until the speaker grill properly
snapped in to place. You can see highlighted in yellow where I removed the material. It didn't take
much and the mounting points for the factory mid are still intact. The hvac duct did not need to
be modified.



So there it is. I wouldn't expect this to be popular installation style but I figured I'd share. And I
know, shoe goo. I used it in a pinch one time fixing some stuff around the house and it seemed to
be a perfect fit for this. It is extremely strong, bonds to anything and when it dries it is not 100%
rigid. The only drawback is the smell, had the grills out of my car for about a week and a half
which was no big deal.

I haven't played the system yet, taking my time with the installation and trying to do everything
as close to perfect as possible. Only a few hours every other night so it is coming along and
should be done by next weekend (waiting for the sub of course).

[rbizzle004]

Awesome! I was planning on getting the C5-653 but didn't think I would be able to fit the mid and tweeter in the stock location without major modification. I'm glad they fit because I was thinking I would have to get the C5-650. Thanks for the tutorial.

[sure74]

Originally Posted by rbizzle004

Thanks for the tutorial.

No problem.

[RandomHero]

Looks fantastic! Let us know how it sounds when its all buttoned up!

[King Tut]

I look forward to seeing your entire build and how the sound quality comes out using the AudioControl LC7i as that is almost exactly the build I want to do on my BRZ.

[sure74]

Originally Posted by RandomHero

Looks fantastic! Let us know how it sounds when its all buttoned up!

Thanks, will do.

Originally Posted by King Tut

I look forward to seeing your entire build and how the sound quality comes out using the AudioControl LC7i as that is almost exactly the build I want to do on my BRZ.

Me too! Got the LC7i wired up. Putting it in place of the factory amp is ideal, you have everything
you need there except for leads from the rear speakers but you don't have to go far for those.

[consume]

Subscribed.

[SteveGrillo]

So how does it sound? And what do you think is from the drivers vs the different amps?

[sure74]

Originally Posted by SteveGrillo

So how does it sound? And what do you think is from the drivers vs the different amps?

Sadly, the garage in my apartment isn't wide enough to run the speaker wires in to the doors so
I am waiting for nicer weather (not likely) or use of a garage so I can get that done. On the plus
side everything else is wired up.

Tapping the rear speakers with 16 Gauge. Passenger side. I tried to follow the factory wiring as
neatly as possible.



Drivers side speaker wire tap, along with the wires running up front. 12 Gauge for the C5-653 set,
RJ-11 wire for the amplifier's remote level control and the video wire for the reverse camera.



The XD500/3, opposite the factory amp location. It is grounded to one of the rear seat bolts,
paint removed and in direct contact with the chassis.



The power wire runs through what was formally the noise generator and down the passenger side
to the amplifier. The 4 Gauge wire fit perfectly and I maintained the factory seal on the firewall.
Also, I ran a new 4 Gauge ground from the battery to the chassis. That wire is about 12" long.



There is a nice little channel that allowed just enough room to run the wires across the back of
the car. Nice and neat.



The crossovers are pretty big for the C5-653 set. The left side crossover fit above the driver side
kick panel pretty well. The right side crossover had no chance of fitting above the passenger side
kick so it lives behind/under the stereo.

I'll take pictures of the doors when I get to wire them up.

[JoeBoxer]

Nice looking setup, hope we can get that Stealthbox for you pretty soon!

[sure74]

Originally Posted by JoeBoxer

Nice looking setup, hope we can get that Stealthbox for you pretty soon!

Thank you. Yeah, can't wait to get my hands on one of those!

[tripjammer]

Looks like an awesome setup!

[AlexTheGreek]

So how does it sound with the LC7i????

[tripjammer]

Yeah bro, did you get everything done to it yet?