2016 BMW i8 Speaker Sizes

The 2016 BMW i8 factory audio system features specific locations for audio components. B-pillar, center dash, and front door panel locations accommodate 1 inch speakers, while the rear location accepts a 6x9 inch speaker size. B-pillar, center dash, and front door panel locations also support 4 inch speakers. Compatible types for replacement and upgrade include tweeter, midrange, and full-range units.

Specific details regarding locations, speaker sizes, and types are outlined in the compatibility chart.

Speaker Details by Location
Location	Size	Type	Notes
B-Pillar	1	Tweeter	Complex disassembly required Professional service only Low replacement priority Replacement difficulty: high
B-Pillar	4	Midrange	Complex disassembly required Professional service only Low replacement priority Replacement difficulty: high
Center Dash	1	Tweeter	Requires dashboard disassembly Medium replacement priority Replacement difficulty: medium
Center Dash	4	Midrange	Requires dashboard disassembly Medium replacement priority Replacement difficulty: medium
Front Door Panel	1	Tweeter	Standard installation High replacement priority Replacement difficulty: low
Front Door Panel	4	Midrange	Standard installation High replacement priority Replacement difficulty: low
Rear	6x9	Full-Range	Secondary sound location Medium replacement priority Replacement difficulty: medium

2016 BMW i8 Speaker Replacement Summary

7 total positions

2 easy to replace

2 high priority

2 professional only

Replacement difficulty:

Low: 2 Medium: 3 High: 2

Replacement priority:

High: 2 Medium: 3 Low: 2

Additional Notes

The 2016 BMW i8 utilizes a multi-component speaker system with separate tweeters and midrange drivers rather than coaxial full-range speakers in most locations, which suggests a factory configuration designed for broader frequency separation and staging.
Tweeters measuring 1 inch are distributed across three locations: the B-pillar, center dash, and front door panel, indicating a focus on high-frequency dispersion throughout the front soundstage.
Midrange drivers at 4 inches occupy the same three mounting points as the tweeters, creating paired component setups at each position for dedicated frequency handling.
The rear position accommodates 6x9 inch full-range speakers, which differ from the component approach used in front locations and may handle a wider frequency spectrum without separate driver types.
Replacing the front tweeters and midrange drivers with aftermarket component speakers could maintain the factory's separation philosophy while potentially offering improved clarity and power handling.
The 1-inch tweeter size is relatively standard for automotive applications, providing options for silk dome, metal dome, or other materials depending on desired tonal characteristics.
The 4-inch midrange size falls into a category that can reproduce vocal frequencies and lower treble effectively when crossed over appropriately with both tweeters and subwoofers.
Upgrading the rear 6x9 inch speakers might provide noticeable improvements in fill and ambiance, particularly if the factory units have limited excursion or sensitivity.
Component speaker systems that match the 1-inch and 4-inch sizing would allow for direct replacement without modifications to mounting locations or dash configurations.
The multiple tweeter positions suggest that soundstage width and imaging were considerations in the factory audio design, which could be preserved or enhanced with quality aftermarket drivers.