Your home theater’s speakers get damaged over time, especially if they take too much current. Resonance is one of the biggest enemies of high-quality sound, so you might need to hold onto the sturdy housing that keeps everything together for the best music quality. Determining your subwoofer’s speaker size will ensure that the replacement fits into the old housing perfectly.
1. Remove the Housing
When your speakers get damaged, it can be quite frustrating especially if they don’t allow access from the front grille or the back panel. When removing the housing, you need to:
- Identify the slots at the back panel
- Insert two flat-head screwdrivers at the same time and apply pressure
- If the two parts are glued together, use a chisel to pry them apart
- Avoid damaging the grille or speaker cabinet
- Leave the foam seal intact as it forms a tight enclosure and prevents vibrations
Note the number of screws and wires and store them carefully as you’ll need them later. Ensure that your speaker is disconnected from power before you begin the process and gather the tools you need to measure speaker size.
2. Measure the Speaker’s Diameter
The diameter of the speaker is determined by measuring the total length of the speaker frame. If you wonder how to measure speaker size accurately, you need to find the center by identifying where the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines intersect. Determine the diameter in the following ways:
- Start at one hole and end at the hole on the opposite side
- Proceed to the hole at the diagonal end
- If your speaker is oval-shaped, take the measurements for the wide and narrow sides
- Whatever the shape of your speaker, measure every aspect accurately
- Record these measurements in a notebook
While determining the diameter, ensure that the tape runs through the center as you hold it from one end to another.
3. Check the Cutout Diameter
If you want to ensure that the speaker replacement will be the perfect fit, the cutout diameter should be equal to the diameter of the hole in the housing. When looking for a replacement speaker for your car, it’s mandatory to take measurements as these speakers come in all shapes and sizes. Poorly sized speakers might protrude and get damaged when you bang the doors.
- Place the speaker upside down
- Measure the diameter at the widest point
- If the speaker is not round, take all measurements
- Ensure it’s the same size as the hole where you need to install it
Since there is no standardized method for measuring speakers, learning how to take measurements is an important skill.
4. Take the Measurements of the Mounting Height
The speaker’s mounting height is the total distance from the base to the top. Speakers vary in shape and design, so you need to identify the highest point before taking measurements.
- Set the speaker such that the wide part is facing up again
- Take measurements from the bottom of the speaker up to the top
- The speaker needs to be shorter than the frame to fit perfectly
- Ensure the speaker leaves enough space to avoid touching the panels or grills
For the best sound quality, you should measure the mounting depth to allocate enough space for installation.
In most cases, the speaker will extend beyond the mounting frame. If the speaker protrudes too much, it can get damaged once it bumps into things. Ensure that your housing leaves enough space to protect the delicate speaker after installation.
5. Determine the Diameter of the Mounting Hole
Ensure that the mounting hole is the same shape as your speaker. Measure the diameter of the hole from one end to the other side.
The diameter should be the same size as your speaker’s mounting frame. Note whether the speaker has a recessed lip that allows it to sit flush on the mounting hole. Determine the size of the recess and ensure that the cutout diameter is slightly smaller.
6. Find the Right Replacement
Finding the ideal replacement can be a daunting task as a speaker with the wrong dimensions won’t fit in the housing. Determine the speaker size by taking measurements, photographs, or even tracing the screw patterns to avoid damage caused by the modifications. If you don’t check the measurements before purchasing a new speaker, you might have to drill new holes.
