Since I always have something to do, this time I decided to improve the audio quality in my DS4. I have standard audio, meaning no amplifier. There may be a few issues, but the main one is the speaker mounting in the front doors. These mounts are unusual for PSA cars and need to be modified. The rear has three screws, so there shouldn’t be any surprises there. I plan to replace the standard speakers with Focal aftermarket speakers designed for PSA cars. The speakers have the same connectors as the factory speakers, so changing the wiring harness isn’t necessary. The speakers are Focal IS PSA 165 front speakers and IC PSA 165 rear speakers. However, I’m not ruling out the option of IS PSA 165 front/rear. The whole thing will be complemented by soundproofing the doors, which will improve low frequencies. I also have plans for a tweeter in the front (A-pillar), but I’ll write more about that after I’ve verified it. The last photo is a preview of this.
Great project! Are you changing or adding an amp also? Or does the standard unit have enough grunt to power the new speakers?
Following as very keen to see this outcome
For now, I have no plans to add an amplifier; testing will be without changing the unit. The results will be subjective, as everyone has different expectations.
As for the front tweeters, the Peugeot 308 T10/408 has the same A-pillar covers as the DS4 (and the Astra L too). It’s enough to look out for number 9832170280 or 9832170880 (right or left pillar cover). The results will yield different answers – gray, black, Astra, P308, DS4, with/without Focal. The conclusion is the shape and mounting of the cover is the same, only the finishes are different.
So I bought the black A-pillar covers from the P308 with Focal speakers to test. There is a different angle of the tweeters and this may have an impact on the audio stage and at the same time there is less light gray in the interior.
How do you know so much stuff about DS automotive DNA ?
I’ve been using PSA cars for a long time (actual car is 9-th). The knowledge came with time. Well, maybe I helped a little, because I like DIY. Along the way, I also made some contacts at PSA and with people who do this outside the dealership network.
As for the pillar covers, I noticed a similarity and searched for more information, such as the OE part number, and that’s how I found a common part.
Changing the rear speakers is simple. Remove three screws and the speaker can be removed. The Focal IS/IC PSA 165 should fit in the rear doors without issue.
The front doors are where the problems begin. Dedicated PSA speakers won’t work here. The speaker is integrated into the plastic that mounts to the door. There are no screws holding the speaker in place. 3D printing or reusing the plastic from an existing speaker will be necessary.
More info by @AvatarPL about front speaker trim here: DS4 front door stock speaker - woofer - basic audio (no Focal)
On the occasion of my speaker replacement, because my DS4 is the Performace version with Alcantara finish, the A pillars will also have graphite Alcantara. Black would be too obvious as a choice.
The decisions have finally been made.
The setup consists of:
4x Focal PSA factory woofers
4x Focal tweeters
4x Focal 12dB/oct passive crossovers with 0/-3/-6dB setup for tweeter
4x door damping.
My requirements are not as high as @AvatarPL , so this should be enough to get started on my audio upgrade journey.
I chose the PSA factory Focal woofers because they have front-firing protection and the same specifications as the Focal aftermarket setups.
The A-pillar cover from P308 fit, of course.
But if someone just wanted to replace only them, there are three problems:
-
The wires in the no Focal plug are inserted differently, and for the PSA Focal tweeter, they should look like this:
-
For the tweeter to work for a long time and properly, you should at least add a 63V 10 microF capacitor to the + cable. Without this, the tweeter could be damaged at low frequencies. However, a passive crossover is generally recommended.
-
The Focal tweeter has higher efficiency than a standard tweeter, so replacing just those drivers won’t improve the sound. It’s going to be weird. The woofers should also be replaced because without it the midrange and bass will disappear
Now I need to mount the tweeter in the C-pillar
The speakers have been replaced. For now, I’ve replaced the tweeters and woofers in the front and the woofers in the rear. The sound pressure has increased by about 2 dB, so it’s better (2dB is approx… +50%). The 2 dB increase is due to the greater efficiency of Focal speakers, which are around 93 dB. Standard speakers are around 90-91 dB.
The tweeters have also improved the soundstage.
I still need to add tweeters and crossovers in the rear and soundproof the doors.
Replacing the front woofers requires making new spacers. Unfortunately, I don’t have a 3D scanner, and that would be the best way to 3D print the spacers later, as the angles are variable. Doing it manually is a real hassle.
The prototype of the spacer in the front doors for the PSA screw-on speakers looks like this
Fits perfectly
OE numbers of the spacers for original Focal Electra speakers in DS4 front doors are 9830785880 (left) & 9830785780 (right).
I received this information too late, so I had to build spacers by myself.
Hi, I’m looking to buy a ds4 plug in hybrid from 2023 wich doesn’t have focal electra.
I’ll do a speakers update as well, first of all I like to thank uou all for the efforts of sharing your mods on the forum, it helps a lot.
Since then I have two questios:
1: It is true that stock woofers in front are 130 while on electra version are 165? If so buying electra stock adapters and fit them to non electra with a 165 wofer won’t drow more energy thus resulting in lower bass response even if aftermarket speakers are 93 sensitivity?
2: I suppose rear speakera are just an a crossover woofer like woofer tweeter in 1 165 right? while in electra version is tweeter yp and woofer down. So how does you fit a tweeter in c pillar on non electra version? You leave woofer in rear door and take the signal from rear door a place a tweeter in c pillar?
Both speakers are the same size, but constructed differently. The Focal speakers can be unscrewed and replaced with other 165mm speakers. Without the Focal speakers, you’ll unfortunately also need to replace the spacers in the front doors with Focal spacers.
You need to find and cut the wires in the B-pillar, insert the crossover, and power with the wires the tweeter in the C-pillar.
This can be done without a crossover, simply by adding a capacitor (6 dB/Oct) to the + tweeter line. However, this will cause the tweeter to play too loud, so a 2-way crossover (12 or 18 dB/Oct) is recommended.
In the B-pillar (rear doors connector), pin number 9 is speaker ground and pin number 10 is positive.
hello Andrew, May I kindly ask you why have you choosen to do this modifcation instead of replacing the entire C-pillar with the one “Focal made” that contains tweeter and midrange? please see the pic.
and also, can I ask you, was it easy to disassemble this C pillar?
thank you in advance
That’s why I did it, because the Focal Electra C-pillar is unavailable as used part. And a new one in the DS Store costs a small fortune.
Is it easy to disassemble? Yes, but you need a little experience to avoid breaking the latches.
dear Andrew thank you for your reply!
you’re right, new pillars are extremely expensive. also, you have to add the cover with grill, and the rear support for two loudspeakers.
I’m also searching for front A pillars with focal option in second hand market (OPEL AStra L- Peugeot 308 or DS4) but no way, I did not find anything since now.
Where have you found yoours ? It will be super if you should address me to any sellers that you know! 
thanks again
Now it doesn’t matter anymore because they only had one set. This is a matter of chance, so you have to look for it regularly.