Speaker fitment?

[VXSpider]

I have a question about Speakers for the Beta's, I am trying to find out what size the factory kick panel speakers are in the 82 Beta Spider for replacement, I do not have any in there now which that is why I need the size, so that I can find some.

PS. They look like 5.25" but Crutchfield says 4", but 4" is to small.

Any help is appreciated

[davidb]

I just measured my speaker grilles [flipped over]: 5".
So the speakers proper are 4 1/2" maybe? Mine are
Blaupunkts, not highly reviewed but they fit & IIRC are
NLA. Crutchfield might have smallish Polks that'd fit.
Depth is an issue w/new, modern speakers in those kick
panels. I used a PVC toilet floor flange "riser" ring, cut it
into a square. Speaker screwed into the PVC, PVC screw-
ed into the kick panel metal. The speaker fits into the PVC
perfectly, brings the speaker out approx. 1/4", depth issue
solved. Of course use heavier gauge speaker wire, e.g. 12.
Most folks put in rear speakers in the leather panels, above
armrests, partially hidden by seatbelts once installed. Betas
were factory wired for rears although again use thicker wires.
Minimal sheet metal cutting necessary. My black Blaupunkt
rear speaker grilles against the black leather looks factory.
Of course in front no grilles, the perforated panel suffices.
Rear speakers are almost a "must" for decent sound.

[Jim Keller]

I had 5-1/4 inch Pioneer coaxials behind my good Zagato's kick panels and they sounded great, of course, I am not into boom boxes on wheels so for people that like music so loud they can hear you in the next county, that would not be acceptable! LOL

[davidb]

W/those 5 1/4" Pioneer's Jim, did they fit behind the factory
perforated vinyl kick panel covers? Or were the speaker grilles
surface mounted, exposed & sticking out? My goal was to sug-
gest front speakers [size] that'd properly fit behind the vinyl
panels to maintain a "factory" appearance. I've torn many a Beta
apart over the years. Although factory wires were installed for
rear speakers no provision was made in the bodies inner sheet-
metal, rear [an obvious circular shape] for 4"-ish speakers. Rear
speakers WILL fit nicely, securely w/a little metal trimming in the
rear panel I referenced before. Some people may be adverse to
cutting thru the leather & Masonite but where else would they go?
A I said mine look "factory" + almost a must for decent sound.
Then again, we've agreed in the past on this one, @ our age
just how important is a stereo system in a Beta, or any car?

[Alex Csank]

...we've agreed in the past on this one, @ our age
just how important is a stereo system in a Beta, or any car?

David,

I'm an old guy too, but I still need good tunes sometimes, and other times I like to hear the news. I have good sound systems in all my cars, not expensive or 'over the top' kid stuff, which I really enjoy.

I think the best answer might be something I am seeing more and more recently in various vintage cars...the "hidden sound system". Basically, the key is to have the bulk of the system mounted in the trunk, with the speakers in a detachable custom speaker box which can be unplugged and placed in the trunk for shows, etc. The advantage with this system is you can have good sound without cutting any holes.

[davidb]

To a point I agree Alex. A cosmetic speaker install in a Beta
will not detract from it's value IMO. Beta's aren't worth a
plug nickel now nor ever will be. A what: a lancchee what?
I put a 100% Alpine system in my '81 Coupe back when [my-
self] that I was told would have cost $2K if I farmed it out
[the install]. Sounded wonderul. I'm not into car music now.
I haven't bastardized my LBZ w/speaker installs. I've seen
some really nasty chop jobs, speakers in Beta door panels.
Car stereo installers treating a Beta [leather] as tho it was
a Fiat yinyl panel, YUK. Is what it is. Good to speak w/you
today.