Hi All,

 

did anyone successfully remove the central speaker mesh cover from the Canton system in Octy 3?

What tools to use / how to un-clip it / does it break easily / how to protect the soft dashboard form damage / ... ?

I'm having some ugly resonance every now and then (mainly in mid range / speech range) and I would like to open it, check for damage / loose parts.

For clarity - please see pics below: one shows the cover as a spare with clips visible, other is the actual one in my car.

 

Cheers!

 

Looks like a lot of careful tweaking round the edges with a plastic tool to ease all those lugs out. But though I'm vary happy with my Canton, why did they need a central speaker at all? Many years ago as I( recall there was a stereo bodge in which left = L=(L+R + centre) and right = (R+L + centre) - is that it, or does the centre speaker contribute something else? Anyway, I'm quite happy with the Canton soundstage - infinitely better than the Mk11 which had the tweeters barking in your face because both were angled towards you.

Apaently, the central speaker bounces sound off the inside of the windscreen; read it somewhere but not sure where now.

I would invest in some trim removal tools - e-bay or Aliexpress do some. They will stop or at least limit any trim damage.

 

Like with most bits of trim, take your time.

Looks like the shorter of the two long sides is the one to come out first, possibly staring at one of the rounded corners, going by the way the clips look lik ethey have shorter hooks that on the long long side.

 

But it's your call.

Apaently, the central speaker bounces sound off the inside of the windscreen; read it somewhere but not sure where now.

 

I think it will do.  On an old car (Zafira) I upgraded the HU from the CD30 to the CD30 mp3 mainly for the Auxiliary input, but it also had an extra channel for a center speaker. When I fitted that it did make a big difference to the soundstage so I imagine the Canton will be the same.

I have the tools (metal/plastic sets for mobile phones and a plastic set for car trim) and I've tried a bit already. It does not give up easily - thus my question if there is a proven method/tool.

The plastic ones are too thick (the clips are buried pretty deep and there is practically no gap) and the metal ones may give some damage, so I was maybe too careful with them...The grille seems a bit flimsy too, I'm a bit concerned about forcing it

The odds are you'll break one or two clips - I always do! Downside is it's in an area prone to vibrations, so possibly causing new issues...

Any progress with the trim removal?

My dealer "fixed" my center speaker vibration a couple of mounths ago but now its started again and it is, as you mentioned, probably worse then before haha.

I have made an agreement were I get a new "mesh cover" to replace it by myself.

Do you think I should:

1. Try get the cover off by the trims and maybe damage the dashboard or

2. Take it off very safely in small parts since I got a new one ready?

Thanks alot for input.

I'd go for option 2!

Why risk causing damage when you won't have any need for the old mesh?

Edited 23 March, 201610 yr by LewJo

I will remove it safely then =) I am also thinking about upgrading my center speaker.

Specifications are 3,5" 250hz-10,000hz (4ohm) 25w. However this is a very important speaker as its full range (compared to front door speaker which only plays 60-5000hz so another 50-100 euro for a top of the line 3,5" speaker would be well invested. =)

If anyone else have upgraded their Canton Sound System or is thinking about doing it you are free to contact me for input. I probably need as much information as you do =)

Be very careful about replacing your centre speaker. The door speakers are low to mid range and the tweeters to each side of the windscreen take over to provide the upper range. And with the Canton there is a supposed sub-woofer in the rear which does not seem to do very much. I can only imagine that the centre speaker provides a blend of left and right channels to give a bit of fullness to the sound - I doubt it is nearly as important as you think. I have no problems with rattles from any speaker and consider the Canton sound pretty well balanced - no boom on male voices as is so often the case when the balance has been tweaked to boost the bass.

A modest suggestion - if you are going to attack your centre Canton speaker with blunt instruments why not run the system with it disconnected and see what it sounds like? My guess is that it will sound a bit thinner in the mid-range but you may be able to adjust that with the tone controls. The danger of fitting a new 3.5" centre speaker is that it could be more efficient that the present one and thus dominate the sound balance by over-emphasising the mid-range. But if so you could of course pad it down with a bit of extra resistance - hours of innocent fun getting the balance right ...

My advice: sort out the rattles and see what the result sounds like. And if you do replace the centre speaker, let us know the results!

Be very careful about replacing your centre speaker. The door speakers are low to mid range and the tweeters to each side of the windscreen take over to provide the upper range. And with the Canton there is a supposed sub-woofer in the rear which does not seem to do very much. I can only imagine that the centre speaker provides a blend of left and right channels to give a bit of fullness to the sound - I doubt it is nearly as important as you think. I have no problems with rattles from any speaker and consider the Canton sound pretty well balanced - no boom on male voices as is so often the case when the balance has been tweaked to boost the bass.A modest suggestion - if you are going to attack your centre Canton speaker with blunt instruments why not run the system with it disconnected and see what it sounds like? My guess is that it will sound a bit thinner in the mid-range but you may be able to adjust that with the tone controls. The danger of fitting a new 3.5" centre speaker is that it could be more efficient that the present one and thus dominate the sound balance by over-emphasising the mid-range. But if so you could of course pad it down with a bit of extra resistance - hours of innocent fun getting the balance right ...My advice: sort out the rattles and see what the result sounds like. And if you do replace the centre speaker, let us know the results!

I understand your point and you are absolutely right. I have new Audison AV6.5 waiting to replace midbas in front doors. They handle 50-7000hz vs. standard 60-5000hz but it probably wont matter as the amplifier have low/highpass already sorted out.

I also got AV3.0 to replace center speaker IF there is a need for that. Otherwise I just return it.

And yes, it might sound better with center deactivated, standard speaker or new Audison midrange but I will try it out and se how to do when I got this cover off =)

Edited 27 March, 201610 yr by SkyeSweden

How do I attach thumbnails like first post to show pictures? All done now.

Try "more reply options" in the lower right corner of the new post. There are some limitations for new users though - I had exactly the same problem few weeks ago

And btw - sorry for not being overly active in this topic. I hope to address it properly in next days (2 weeks max)!

Cheers!

im in for more photos ... changing the front with focal at this point.

Do those with a Canton system find they can get a good balance between L/R and centre speakers with the console controls ?

I don't have one (just the standard 8 speaker system) and wonder whether the balance controls are adequate to adjust the sound out of the centre speaker to get the right bass-mids-treble mix.

have you thought about pulling the head unit to access from underneath? removing the head unit is easy just four euro clips.

 

A hand to push the lugs out from underneath would be a much safer option even if you are buying a new cover

 

first 30 secs of this video, unless you have arms like Popeye shouldnt be a problem giving her the reach around.

 

 

Edited 11 January, 20188 yr by JohnnyType2

Did you actually consider actually putting a speaker over there?
I am thinking of getting a one, as center speaker significantly improves the sound quality and acoustics. But I was hoping that it could be simple solution

 

Thanks for the answer