Maxima '96 audio replacement - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Prince · 06-22-2007, 09:21 AM

The cd player on our '96 Maxima skips and was made before blank cd's became available. I am going to replace it with a new Pioneer, and since speakers sound blown and scratchy I want to replace them as well.

Thing is, the last time I ever replaced car audio was for my old Opel which was from the 80's, this was back in Finland in the late 90's, and when I took a look at the stock speakers in our Maxima, the connections look completely different. It's like a white block that has both wires connected into the speaker together as opposed to separately.. Looks more like something I'd be more likely to find inside my PC...

I've been doing research and trying to figure out what those connectors are... But I've come up with nada so far. It's not easy being I don't speak English natively, and a lot of the terminology is completely foreign to me. Also, I've been told that replacing the rear speakers isn't going to improve the audio, just diminish it, and that I should replace just the front door speakers and leave the rear ones dead.

So with that in mind, I am thinking what if I just replace the front speakers with new Pioneers and put the old front speakers in the back. Or is there a difference? I don't really know a lot about speakers...

I can't afford to have this stuff done for me, so I've to figure it out somehow. If anyone has any input or has done these speaker replacements on a Maxima before, I'd appreciate any advice you can give. I hope I can at least figure out what the hell these connectors are and whether they are compatible with modern aftermarket speakers and stereos.

BadNick · 06-22-2007, 12:36 PM

That white block with two wires for the speaker connection is almost certainly just a plug that is part of the factory wiring harness. If you can't get a matching plug for the new speakers, you can just cut the plug off and connect the wires to the new speakers. I'll add that some people have high standards and will never ever cut a factory harness, but I do it when necessary. Make sure you maintain the same polarity, so the wire that now connects to the + terminal stays the same and also wire to the - terminal; the terminal markings are usually on the speaker, but if no + and -, it might be a red dot or other marking almost always on the positive terminal.

I do not like most car sound systems with just front speakers. With fronts and rears, the rears fill the space with more sound which I prefer in a car where imo detailed imaging is not a reality anyway. Plus, you can usually fit larger speakers in back which carry bass better and leave most of the midrange and highs to the fronts.

You can spend hundreds or thousands on the best speakers on the market, but for most people who just want a good sound and not "audiophile" level, shop around on Crutchfield http://www.crutchfield.com/ to see what pricing and features you find in their speakers, and if you can't get a better local price, their prices are not bad either. You can even put in your car model and year into their car speaker selection page and it'll tell you what will fit exactly into the factory locations ...that's what I did with my old car.

Ilow · 06-24-2007, 11:27 AM

I am guessing that people are telling you to not hook up the rear speakers because they split the head unit's power, but if you have a good enough unit or an amp as well this is no big deal. i would always get rid of old stock speakers, if possible, they are generally paper cone piece of crap and even a modest new set is a big improvement. make sure that you get the necessary kits to install the new unit--the brackets and the wiring harness (often like $50 but worth it). I would use the little crimp wiring connectors if you have to cut wire. Don't forget to connect the ground. Really I would try to find someone who is knowledgeable to help you, most of this stuff actually is not hard, but you have to go at it with some confidence in order to do it.

06-22-2007, 09:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
Prince /nɑndəsˈkrɪpt/ Location: LV-426	Maxima '96 audio replacement The cd player on our '96 Maxima skips and was made before blank cd's became available. I am going to replace it with a new Pioneer, and since speakers sound blown and scratchy I want to replace them as well. Thing is, the last time I ever replaced car audio was for my old Opel which was from the 80's, this was back in Finland in the late 90's, and when I took a look at the stock speakers in our Maxima, the connections look completely different. It's like a white block that has both wires connected into the speaker together as opposed to separately.. Looks more like something I'd be more likely to find inside my PC... I've been doing research and trying to figure out what those connectors are... But I've come up with nada so far. It's not easy being I don't speak English natively, and a lot of the terminology is completely foreign to me. Also, I've been told that replacing the rear speakers isn't going to improve the audio, just diminish it, and that I should replace just the front door speakers and leave the rear ones dead. So with that in mind, I am thinking what if I just replace the front speakers with new Pioneers and put the old front speakers in the back. Or is there a difference? I don't really know a lot about speakers... I can't afford to have this stuff done for me, so I've to figure it out somehow. If anyone has any input or has done these speaker replacements on a Maxima before, I'd appreciate any advice you can give. I hope I can at least figure out what the hell these connectors are and whether they are compatible with modern aftermarket speakers and stereos. __________________ Who is John Galt?

06-24-2007, 11:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ilow Junkie Location: Pats country	I am guessing that people are telling you to not hook up the rear speakers because they split the head unit's power, but if you have a good enough unit or an amp as well this is no big deal. i would always get rid of old stock speakers, if possible, they are generally paper cone piece of crap and even a modest new set is a big improvement. make sure that you get the necessary kits to install the new unit--the brackets and the wiring harness (often like $50 but worth it). I would use the little crimp wiring connectors if you have to cut wire. Don't forget to connect the ground. Really I would try to find someone who is knowledgeable to help you, most of this stuff actually is not hard, but you have to go at it with some confidence in order to do it. __________________ "Religion is the one area of our discourse in which it is considered noble to pretend to be certain about things no human being could possibly be certain about" --Sam Harris

06-22-2007, 12:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
BadNick Riding the Ocean Spray Location: S.E. PA in U Sofa	That white block with two wires for the speaker connection is almost certainly just a plug that is part of the factory wiring harness. If you can't get a matching plug for the new speakers, you can just cut the plug off and connect the wires to the new speakers. I'll add that some people have high standards and will never ever cut a factory harness, but I do it when necessary. Make sure you maintain the same polarity, so the wire that now connects to the + terminal stays the same and also wire to the - terminal; the terminal markings are usually on the speaker, but if no + and -, it might be a red dot or other marking almost always on the positive terminal. I do not like most car sound systems with just front speakers. With fronts and rears, the rears fill the space with more sound which I prefer in a car where imo detailed imaging is not a reality anyway. Plus, you can usually fit larger speakers in back which carry bass better and leave most of the midrange and highs to the fronts. You can spend hundreds or thousands on the best speakers on the market, but for most people who just want a good sound and not "audiophile" level, shop around on Crutchfield http://www.crutchfield.com/ to see what pricing and features you find in their speakers, and if you can't get a better local price, their prices are not bad either. You can even put in your car model and year into their car speaker selection page and it'll tell you what will fit exactly into the factory locations ...that's what I did with my old car.