Sound in the car Nissan Almera N16 often becomes a subject of controversy among owners. The factory system, especially in budget trims, leaves much to be desired, and the rear stage often turns into a source of distortion or silence. Many car owners are faced with the fact that when the bass volume increases, the rear speakers begin to wheeze, and it is impossible to build the stage correctly.
The solution to this problem lies not only in replacing the heads with more powerful ones, but also in the correct selection of sizes and taking into account the design features of the door. Uniqueness N16 lies in the specific dimensions of the seats and difficulties in isolating the door from vibrations. Proper installation of the speakers requires removal of the plastic panels without damaging the clips, which is a critical step in maintaining the integrity of the interior.
Anatomy of the rear door of Almera N16
Before you start choosing equipment, you need to clearly understand what exactly you will have to work with inside the door. Unlike the front doors, where speakers measuring 16-17 cm are often found, in the rear of the body Nissan Almera the situation is a little different. The standard speaker seat has a specific geometry, which dictates the choice of model.
Typically factory speakers are around 130mm (13cm) in diameter, which is a fairly compact solution for a rear shelf or door. However, it is important to consider the depth of the speaker housing, since the rear door often houses power window mechanisms or lock cables. Speaker depth should not exceed 5-6 cm, otherwise there will be problems with closing the door or glass vibrations.
- 🔧 Standard size: 13 cm (5 inches) - the most common option.
- 🔧 Recess into the door card: often a spacer ring is required.
- 🔧 Connection type: the standard chip may not fit the new heads.
It is necessary to carefully inspect the interior of the door after removing the trim. Sometimes the manufacturer installs the speakers on a shelf, and sometimes directly in the doorway. In the case of Almera N16 most often these are door inserts that require careful removal.
Choosing a speaker system: coaxial or component?
When replacing rear speakers, the question arises about the type of acoustics being installed. For the rear stage in "C" class sedans and hatchbacks, coaxial systems are best suited. They are compact, easy to install and do not require complex crossover settings, which is important for the back row, where listeners are further from the sound source.
Component speakers in the rear doors only make sense if you are building a serious music system with an external amplifier. Under normal conditions, the difference in sound quality will not be so obvious, and the complexity of installation will increase significantly. Speaker power must match the output power of the standard radio or external amplifier to avoid overload.
- 💿 Coaxial acoustics: ideal for replacing standard speakers without additional equipment.
- 💿 Component acoustics: requires the installation of separation filters and professional tuning.
- 💿 Sensitivity: Choose models with sensitivity above 90dB for loud sound without an amplifier.
For rear doors Nissan Almera models from brands are often recommended JBL, Pioneer or Hertz, which have good output in the mid-frequency range. Low frequencies from the rear speakers often create a booming effect, so it is important to choose speakers with a rigid cone that can quickly dampen unwanted vibrations.
- Coaxial (easy replacement)
- Component (for quality)
- Installing a subwoofer on a shelf
- I'll leave the standard system
The process of dismantling the casing and removing the standard speakers
You need to start work by carefully removing the door cards. IN Nissan Almera N16 The casing is fastened using screws and plastic clips. The first step is to find and unscrew the screws hidden under the plugs in the door handles and in the armrest. After this, you need to carefully pry the plastic card with a screwdriver or a special puller to release the latches.
Carefully disconnect the wiring connectors from the locks and speakers. Do not pull the wires, otherwise you may break the contacts. A stock speaker is usually held in place by three or four bolts, which may be covered in a layer of dirt or rust. Use a suitable socket to avoid stripping threads.
☑️ Preparation for dismantling
If the speaker is stuck in place or clamped tightly, do not use excessive force. It is better to use special wedges to separate metal and plastic. After removing the speaker, check the condition of the wires: if the insulation is damaged, it must be restored.
⚠️ Attention: Be extremely careful with the plastic clips that secure the door card. They are fragile and often break if dismantled carelessly, which can lead to squeaks in the future.
Manufacturing and installation of spacer rings
Direct installation of new speakers in standard locations is often impossible due to differences in dimensions or design. In most cases, the manufacture of spacer rings (adapters) is required. This is necessary to ensure that the speaker stands at the correct angle and does not touch the glass when moving.
The material for the rings can be plywood, plastic or carbon. Plywood with a thickness of 15-18 mm is the best choice in terms of price and strength. The ring must be precisely adjusted to the dimensions of the doorway and to the size of the new speaker. Corner mount allows sound to be directed directly at passengers, which improves the sound stage.
- 📐 Measurement: Make a template from cardboard before cutting the base material.
- 📐 Fastening: use self-tapping screws with a hidden head so that they do not protrude above the surface.
- 📐 Sealing: coat the joints with silicone sealant to prevent moisture from entering.
Installing the rings takes time and care. They must be firmly fixed so as not to vibrate along with the speaker. If you use plywood, be sure to treat it with varnish or paint to protect it from moisture that can penetrate through the holes in the door.
What tools are needed to make rings?
For work you will need a jigsaw, sandpaper, a drill, self-tapping screws and, preferably, a circular saw for even cuts. If you have no experience working with wood, it is better to order rings from a specialist or buy ready-made plastic adapters.
Soundproofing the door: a mandatory step
Many owners Nissan Almera They neglect sound insulation, installing only new speakers. However, without insulation, the metal of the door will resonate, ruining all efforts to improve the sound. Sound insulation consists of two stages: vibration insulation and noise insulation.
Vibration insulation is applied directly to the metal surface of the door. It dampens vibrations arising from the operation of the speaker and the movement of the car. For this purpose, bitumen or bitumen-polymer materials with foil coating are used. The material must be applied with a roller, carefully pressing it against the metal.
⚠️ Attention: Do not completely seal the technological holes in the door. Leave the lock and window mechanisms accessible, otherwise you will not be able to service them in the future.
Noise insulation is applied on top of vibration insulation. It absorbs external noise (wind, road) and improves the acoustic capacity of the door, turning it into a speaker box. This is especially important for low frequencies.
High-quality door soundproofing can increase bass response by 20-30%, making the sound thicker and clearer without increasing the power of the amplifier.
Connection diagram and radio settings
After installing the speakers and routing the wires, you need to connect them correctly to the radio. B Nissan Almera N16 Standard wiring may have non-standard pinouts. There are often situations where the rear speaker wires have different colors than the standard European colors.
Use a multimeter or tester to find the pairs of wires going to the speakers. Typically these are two wires of the same color, one of which has a stripe or mark. If you install an amplifier, the connection diagram becomes more complicated, but the principle remains the same: maintain polarity and avoid short circuits.
| Wire color | Purpose (approximate) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Green / Green with black stripe | Left rear speaker (+/-) | Check with a tester |
| Purple / Purple with black stripe | Right rear speaker (+/-) | Check with a tester |
| Grey/Grey with black stripe | Left front speaker (+/-) | Do not touch when replacing rear |
| White / White with black stripe | Right front speaker (+/-) | Do not touch when replacing rear |
Setting up the radio also plays an important role. Set the balance (Fader) so that the sound comes primarily from the front speakers, and the rear ones act as support. Do not turn the rear speaker volume up to maximum unless you have an external amplifier, as this will cause distortion.
Before final assembly of the door, turn on the music and check the speaker operation at different frequencies. Make sure there are no extraneous sounds, rattling or rubbing of the glass.
Frequent errors and operating tips
One of the most common mistakes is installing speakers without taking into account their sensitivity. If you connect low-power speakers to a high-power amplifier, they will burn out. Conversely, powerful speakers on a weak radio will sound quiet and dull. Power selection must be balanced.
Another problem is poor contact in the connectors. In conditions of humidity and vibration, contacts may oxidize. It is recommended to use high-quality gold-plated terminals or solder the wires directly if the length allows.
- 🛡️ Protection from moisture: be sure to insulate the soldering areas with heat shrink.
- 🛡️ Power reserve: take speakers with a power reserve of 1.5 times the amplifier's nominal value.
- 🛡️ Regular check: once a year, inspect the speaker mounts for looseness.
If you only hear wheezing at certain frequencies, there may be a problem with the filter or the speaker itself. Sometimes replacing the capacitor in the speaker power circuit helps.
⚠️ Caution: Never connect speakers to subwoofer outputs without using a crossover. This may damage the amplifier or damage the cone.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to install 16 cm speakers in the rear doors of Almera N16?
In most cases, installing 16cm speakers is not possible without major modifications to the door. The standard space is designed for 13 cm. You will have to cut out part of the metal or use very narrow spacers, which may disrupt the rigidity of the door.
Do you need an amplifier for the rear speakers?
An amplifier is desirable if you want to get high-quality, clear sound with deep bass. The standard radio produces only 15-20 W per channel, which is only enough for volume, but not for quality. The amplifier will allow you to unleash the potential of the new speakers.
How do you know if a speaker is burned out?
Signs of a burnt-out speaker include no sound, wheezing at minimum volume, or a burning smell. Use a multimeter in resistance measurement mode: a working speaker shows a resistance of about 4 ohms. Infinite resistance indicates an open circuit.
Is it possible to make soundproofing yourself?
Yes, soundproofing can be done yourself if you have basic skills with tools. The main thing is to carefully roll the material with a roller and follow the layering technology. This will save a significant amount compared to contacting the service.
Does sound insulation affect the weight of a car?
The added weight with high-quality sound insulation of all doors is about 10-15 kg. This has a slight effect on acceleration dynamics and fuel consumption, but can improve directional stability and sound insulation of the cabin as a whole.