Oldsmobile Toronado Speaker Size

Dashboard Speaker

Rear Deck Lid Speaker

Front Door Panel Speaker

Oldsmobile Toronado Speaker FAQ

Which Oldsmobile Toronado speakers should I replace first for the biggest sound improvement?

Start with the rear deck speakers. The 6 x 9 inch rear deck speakers in later Toronado models handle most of your bass response and overall volume. These larger drivers move more air than the dashboard units. For 1983-1987 models, the 4 x 10 inch rear speakers serve the same primary role. Dashboard speakers typically run 15-25 watts while rear deck units might handle 40-60 watts - that's where your power goes. The 5.25 inch door speakers came later but they're more about filling gaps in the soundstage.

What's the difference between coaxial and triaxial speakers for my Oldsmobile Toronado?

Coaxial speakers pack a woofer and tweeter into one unit - usually crossing over around 3000-4000 Hz. Triaxial adds a small midrange driver, creating a three-way system in the same footprint. The 6 x 9 inch rear deck location can accommodate triaxial designs because there's physical space for the extra driver. Triaxial might give you cleaner vocal reproduction in the 500-2000 Hz range. Though honestly, the difference isn't always dramatic unless you're pushing decent power through them. Two-way coaxials often sound tighter because there's less crossover complexity crammed into one speaker.

Can I install component speakers in my Oldsmobile Toronado's front doors?

The 5.25 inch front door panels suggest component capability, but you'll need to verify tweeter mounting options. Component systems separate the woofer and tweeter - usually crossing around 2500-3500 Hz. Door panels might have factory tweeter locations or you could surface mount. The advantage is better imaging since tweeters can aim toward your ears instead of firing from down in the door. You'll need external crossovers though, which means finding mounting space and dealing with more wiring. Full-range coaxials are simpler if door access is limited.

Why did Oldsmobile change from 4 x 6 to 3.5 inch dashboard speakers in the Toronado?

Dashboard space constraints probably drove this change. The 4 x 6 inch speakers provide more cone area - roughly 18 square inches versus about 9 square inches for 3.5 inch rounds. That's significant for midrange output and efficiency. But automotive design priorities shift. Maybe they needed dashboard real estate for other controls or the newer dash design couldn't accommodate the rectangular speakers. The 3.5 inch speakers likely run higher power handling per square inch to compensate, but physics is physics - smaller drivers generally mean less bass response below 200 Hz.