Is it safe to disconnect center speaker?

[brico84]

I am working on upgrading the audio in my 2017 MS with the "base" audio package. It has 1 center dash speaker. I am considering disconnecting it all together instead of trying to replace it or leave it as is. I think that will make for a better sound stage.

Do any beeps/chimes/Nav info/etc come through that speaker (and only that center speaker?)? Or is it safe to disconnect it without missing out on important information from the car while driving?

 

[beatle]

I disconnected mine years ago when I installed midrange dash speakers. (I was also coming from a base system.) It's much better without the center channel. You'll still get your chimes through the other speakers.

 

[brico84]

I disconnected mine years ago when I installed midrange dash speakers. (I was also coming from a base system.) It's much better without the center channel. You'll still get your chimes through the other speakers.

Great, thanks! So you installed 2 dash speakers in the empty slots (left and right) and removed the center one all together?

 

[beatle]

I thought I replied to this one but maybe it's in a different thread. Yes, that's what I did.

 

[siamnet]

Great, thanks! So you installed 2 dash speakers in the empty slots (left and right) and removed the center one all together?

Were there holes (left and right) for new mid-range speakers to drop in in your base system?
I'm also contemplating on upgrading my base system but had the same concern regarding the middle speaker. I don't want to pay someone to fabricate a whole setup by the A pillars to house the tweeters AND mid-ranges. If there are holes then I can probably do the upgrade myself.

I have 3 way Focals that I pulled from my Nissan GTR that I was "saving" for a special weekend car but then that might be 2-3 years away. But then I start to question myself on why putting a nice/expensive system in a weekend car that I would only drive ocassionally versus in my daily driver (only car now). I guess I can use them (Focals) in the Model S now.

 

[brico84]

There are definitely the holes there for the speakers. There are several ok options for easy tweeter replacement without having to fabricate anything. So I would say yes, you can easily put a set of tweeters where the current ones are now and drop in the mids on the 2 sides. That is what @beatle did. I haven't done so, I am slowly making my way through upgrades.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out

 

[siamnet]

There are definitely the holes there for the speakers. There are several ok options for easy tweeter replacement without having to fabricate anything. So I would say yes, you can easily put a set of tweeters where the current ones are now and drop in the mids on the 2 sides. That is what @beatle did. I haven't done so, I am slowly making my way through upgrades.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out

Thank you and after much pondering and time for me to do an active 3 way setup or pay someone ($2k in labor), I decided to go the economic route and save my Focals for a future weekend/fun car.
I've decided not to touch the existing amp and only replace the front door and add a NVX subwoofer kit. I've purchased a 2 way Powerbass speaker for the front door ( since it's 2 Ohms for the tweeter and 6.5 "mid-woofer") from Crutchfield and NNV Boost sub from SonicElectronics(sp?). I'll do the install myself to save money and I might dynamat the front door while I am at it.