I figured I would document and post this process to demystify the front speakers and the install process. I encourage others to document their modifications with pictures and post because service manuals sometimes just don't cut it.
I purchased 2 sets of Eclipse 3 1/2 SE-8233 Speakers through a friend for a grand total of $40 shipped. They are in perfect condition and were a perfect fit into the 300c Dash.
Eclipse SE-8233
Size: 3 1/2" 2-Way
20W Continuous Power Handling
40W Power Handling
40Hz - 120Hz Frequency Response
92dB Sensitivity
Mica/Poly Cone Material
Rubber Surround Material
Kapton Voice Coil Former
Mylar Tweeter Dome
Mylar Super-Tweeter Dome
Tweeter Magnet Material: Neodymium
Ferrite Woofer Magnet Material
Mounting Depth: 1 1/2"
The wattage rating on these speakers seemed about perfect for the sound group 2 amplifer. I had considered the Infinity Reference and Kappa line, and also the MB quartz, and was pretty convinced the MB quart were the way to go, but for $40 for 4, who can argue...
First a few comparison photos of the stock Boston Acoustic Sound Group 2 3.5 speaker with the Eclipse:
Tools & Materials required:
Credit Card for prying up the speaker grilles.
A small socket wrench and a phillips head bit (the speakers are so close to the windshield and it will be hard to fit a screwdriver in there)
Soldering Iron/Solder (or you can use radioshack speaker terminals)
Small connecting pins from a Molex connector or some other connector from radio shack. I used Molex .062 Series Male connectors.
Let the install process begin:
1. Slide your credit card in between the speaker grill and the dash and gently pry up evenly on the grill. It will pop right up without effort.
2. You will see the stock speaker with the 2 phillips head screws. Remove the screws using your socket and phillips head and pull out the speaker.
3. Push the little white plastic tab in on the connector and remove the connector from the speaker.
Note: Pull the wire and connector to the side and place the speaker on top of the wire to keep it from falling into the dash. I dropped the wire on my first speaker and nearly had a disaster to the point where I could not reach the speaker wire any more. If you lose this cable, your entire dash will most likely have to be removed. Don't skip this simple step
4. Connect the male molex connectors to a small length of speaker cable and crimp down the connectors to make them fit into the factory speaker harness. It may be ugly, but no damage is done to the factory wiring and it is easily serviced.
5.Solder or connect the opposite ends to your speaker and make note of which is positive and negative.
6. Chrysler nor Boston Acoustic were kind enough to label the speakers with Positive or Negative. The wire colors of the factory speaker wiring make absolutely no sense. I believe they are Green/Yellow and Green/Grey. Taking a look at the service manual was no help to me whatsoever. I had to decipher which was positive and which was negative by ear. It is pretty easy to tell when a speaker is wired reverse polarity because it sounds super harsh. If anyone has any idea which colors are which I would love to verify I got these wired properly.
7. Wrap each molex connector in electrical tape and around the connector for good measure.
8. Drop the speaker back in the slot, screw them back in, throw the grills back on and enjoy.
I highly recommend a simple speaker swap like this. I plan on doing the same with the rear 6x9's next week. The speaker quality is blatently obvious the moment you turn on the system. I am highly impressed with the high range of these Eclipse's. They make the stock 3.5's seem like kazoos. The stock amplifier seems to provide enough power for aftermarket speakers, but I eventually plan to upgrade to an aftermarket amp for the extra volume. Sound quality is drastically increased in the front stage audio.
For $40 it had to be done...
I purchased 2 sets of Eclipse 3 1/2 SE-8233 Speakers through a friend for a grand total of $40 shipped. They are in perfect condition and were a perfect fit into the 300c Dash.
Eclipse SE-8233

Size: 3 1/2" 2-Way
20W Continuous Power Handling
40W Power Handling
40Hz - 120Hz Frequency Response
92dB Sensitivity
Mica/Poly Cone Material
Rubber Surround Material
Kapton Voice Coil Former
Mylar Tweeter Dome
Mylar Super-Tweeter Dome
Tweeter Magnet Material: Neodymium
Ferrite Woofer Magnet Material
Mounting Depth: 1 1/2"
The wattage rating on these speakers seemed about perfect for the sound group 2 amplifer. I had considered the Infinity Reference and Kappa line, and also the MB quartz, and was pretty convinced the MB quart were the way to go, but for $40 for 4, who can argue...
First a few comparison photos of the stock Boston Acoustic Sound Group 2 3.5 speaker with the Eclipse:



Tools & Materials required:
Credit Card for prying up the speaker grilles.
A small socket wrench and a phillips head bit (the speakers are so close to the windshield and it will be hard to fit a screwdriver in there)
Soldering Iron/Solder (or you can use radioshack speaker terminals)
Small connecting pins from a Molex connector or some other connector from radio shack. I used Molex .062 Series Male connectors.
Let the install process begin:

1. Slide your credit card in between the speaker grill and the dash and gently pry up evenly on the grill. It will pop right up without effort.

2. You will see the stock speaker with the 2 phillips head screws. Remove the screws using your socket and phillips head and pull out the speaker.

3. Push the little white plastic tab in on the connector and remove the connector from the speaker.

Note: Pull the wire and connector to the side and place the speaker on top of the wire to keep it from falling into the dash. I dropped the wire on my first speaker and nearly had a disaster to the point where I could not reach the speaker wire any more. If you lose this cable, your entire dash will most likely have to be removed. Don't skip this simple step

4. Connect the male molex connectors to a small length of speaker cable and crimp down the connectors to make them fit into the factory speaker harness. It may be ugly, but no damage is done to the factory wiring and it is easily serviced.

5.Solder or connect the opposite ends to your speaker and make note of which is positive and negative.

6. Chrysler nor Boston Acoustic were kind enough to label the speakers with Positive or Negative. The wire colors of the factory speaker wiring make absolutely no sense. I believe they are Green/Yellow and Green/Grey. Taking a look at the service manual was no help to me whatsoever. I had to decipher which was positive and which was negative by ear. It is pretty easy to tell when a speaker is wired reverse polarity because it sounds super harsh. If anyone has any idea which colors are which I would love to verify I got these wired properly.
7. Wrap each molex connector in electrical tape and around the connector for good measure.
8. Drop the speaker back in the slot, screw them back in, throw the grills back on and enjoy.
I highly recommend a simple speaker swap like this. I plan on doing the same with the rear 6x9's next week. The speaker quality is blatently obvious the moment you turn on the system. I am highly impressed with the high range of these Eclipse's. They make the stock 3.5's seem like kazoos. The stock amplifier seems to provide enough power for aftermarket speakers, but I eventually plan to upgrade to an aftermarket amp for the extra volume. Sound quality is drastically increased in the front stage audio.
For $40 it had to be done...