2011 Outlander Door Speaker Install
 

I saw a post or two about replacing the door speakers, but couldn't find one specific answer that I'm looking for. I've removed the rear door panels and twisted off the stock speakers just to have a look. I know a spacer will be required, but what about actual mounting? Do you have to drill your own holes into the door as none appear to exist since the originals twist in. Thanks!

Not fitted new speakers to my outlander, but have to loads of other cars. I always make mounting rings out of MDF and then you screw these into the inner metal layer of your door - don't worry, you wont do it any harm! Sorry the photos aren't great, but should give you an idea of what I mean. This will give you a really nice fit with no rattles. Ignore the bits of white tape on the photos - they were just holding the rings together during assembly.
Ben

I took the lazy way and had actually ordered plastic mounting rings online :) I guess I was on the right track. The front speakers should arrive today, but I took the liberty of going out last night and drilling mounting holes for the spacers. I think everything went well. One less thing I have to do once I get the replacements. I'm going to be installing a 4 channel amp and replacing all door speakers. Can't wait! Polk MM components in the front, Slim Polk DB coaxials in the back (didn't seem like the MM coax would fit in the back with the tweeter sticking out of the woofer). I'll try to remember to snap some pics and hopefully all goes well.

Personally, I would use 2 channels on the amp to run the front components and then bridge the other 2 channels to run a sub. Just run the rear speakers off the head unit. This will give a much better sound. If you haven't ordered the rears yet, use that money towards a sub instead. In my opinion, upgrading rear speakers offers minimal improvement. Those photos above are a set of coaxials that I have in the rear and just run off the head unit. I have a decent set of components in the front. Think about it, when you go to hear live music, you dont have sound from behind - it's not like surround sound for a movie. A nice sub will ALWAYS make your music much better. You also want to make sure your components are set up properly with the tweeters mounted high and pointing towards your head/ears. Time spent setting everything up correctly is time well spent. Remember to put aside enough money for wiring etc.
Ben

I already had a set of 12" Kicker Comps that I bought about a year ago and a MTX JH600 mono amp for those. I already bought the rears as well, 6.5 Polk DB slims. They only cost me $60 online, so no biggie. I got Polk MM 5.25 comps for the front. I have a MTX JH404 for everything, so I think it will be enough to power everything. I found it for $160, so I don't feel bad "splurging" on a 4 channel. I am running new 14 gauge speaker wire to everything, too. I've got the rears mounted and wired and will be running the fronts today or tomorrow. Taking longer than I expected :)

Always seems to take longer than expected - not worth rushing it. At least you will know it is done properly, as there is nothing worse than having to dismantle everything again in the future. Good luck.

I beg to disagree to the statement made above - with exception to the fact that YES a sub will make a vast difference to any system

however - i beg to disagree with the fact that a decent set of rears will make a big difference to the field of sound within a car - ideally you want a set of front and rears that are matched to each other (and i do not mean by brand here) to create an equal sound field within the car - you are not out listening to live music - you are listening to music that has been extensivly modified at a studio to bring out a good sound stage

I think go a good set of rears - tuned to the same frequency as the fronts - with just a touch of fading to the front - this will give optimum sound throughout the car - but still giving the sense of a front sound stage

but that is my opinion - not meaning to argue here!

No offence taken, it is completely a matter of personal opinion. I definitely like having some sound from the rear speakers to provide some "rear fill". However, they should not detract your attention from the sound from your front speakers.

This is a debate that has gone on for ages on other forums. See here.

Ultimately, each of us has different preferences and you should set your system up according to what you like. However, I would still suggest that you need to focus your efforts on the front speakers as these are your primary speakers. Most people have a limited budget and I think most of the money should be spent on amp/head unit/front components and sub.

Alright, got everything in there and it sounded great for the few minutes of listening I've gotten in so far. I'll know better in the coming days. I've got the HPF/LPF disabled on the amp and have my head unit with the subs at 63Hz and the door speakers at 80Hz. Slight turn of the gain on the 4 channel amp for front and rear, no gain on the subs. The EQ on the HU is set pretty much flat. I think the rear door speakers do a good job at filling in some sound. I don't really "hear" them, but it's definitely a more full sound than if I have them off. The only problem I ran into is that on the front doors, even with the 1" spacer, the 5.25 Polk MMs seem to be a little wide to fit in the door. The are up about 1cm off the spacer as I wasn't able to screw them down any farther than that without bending them. Do you think that will make a difference? They sound great as far as I can tell. If I turn off my subs, I get a decent amount of bass from all 4 speakers. Can't wait to get some more listening time in!

I do agree with your statement - hence why i believe in a good speaker match - with a small amount of fading to the front.

To the OP - good to hear you are happy with your results so far - this is what is most important