Front Speaker placement in Kombi?

jb4845 Commited Dubber

74 posts · joined May 2005 · 2 Jul 2007, 9:14 am

#599787

Simple enough question - maybe just a hard answer!

What would be the best place to put the front speakers - I have some 5 1/4 inch splits and wondered if there would be any real difference in placing the main speaker in the door or the front kick panels.

If they go in the door I will need to put some weather protection around them I assume - kick panel could be easier but the rear of the speaker vents into the cabin - is this an issue?

I will then mount the tweeter up higher - maybe this will need to go into the door?

Josh

vwtyp2 Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,504 posts · joined Sep 2003 · 2 Jul 2007, 9:27 pm

#599896

for the best sound quality, the front of the speaker should be air tight from the rear of the speaker.
this would make installing it in the door a better option than the kick panel.
also in the door, you can mount them to the metal of the door so they will not vibrate as much as if they were in the kick panel.
the kick panel location is probably an easier install, but won't sound as good.
you really need to have the drivers pointed at your ears as much as possible, this isn't as important with low frequencies ie mid bass and bass, but most important with high frequencies.
if the speakers are in the kick panels, your feet are in the best location.
mount the woofers as high up as you can beneath the quarter windows in the doors so as not to obscure the winder mech and not bottom out on the outer door skin, and put your tweeters on the dash near the fresh air vents.

this is the method I used in my bay twin cab with best results.
you may find something else woths better for you.
I also replaced my factory interior door panels with 5mm ply so I had something nice and solid to secure the speakers to.

Most people seem normal, till you get to know them.

jb4845 Commited Dubber

74 posts · joined May 2005 · 2 Jul 2007, 10:28 pm

#599907

Thanks - the solid mount makes sense

What do you need to weather proof the back of the speakers if mounted in the doors?

Got any pics of where you mounted yours?

JOSH

vwtyp2 Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,504 posts · joined Sep 2003 · 3 Jul 2007, 8:31 am

#599939

I didn't have any weather proofing, aside from a good set of door rubbers.
the speakers were a polycarbonate driver too, not a paper cone, so a bit of moisture doesn't affect them as bad.
you can get some pretty weird shape speaker boxes off the shelf these days too.
maybe a wide, shallow box may work, or custom make your own and fibre glass it in to the door frame.

Most people seem normal, till you get to know them.

Dyno Officially Full-On Dubber

279 posts · joined May 2005 · 14 Jul 2007, 1:54 am

#601861

mounting speakers in the doors is just asking for trouble, you may just as well pour a bucket of water over them. mount your drivers to the underside of the dash, facing you, the tweeter placement is as per the previous post and works well. Use solid materials to prevent vibration you would normally find in door mounting. You can seal the rear of these, never mount 6x9's or woofers of any kind here. 5-6" high quality mids only and shop around as good ones will not be cheap. One 8" sealed air sub and box- they do not flubber like free air subs( I recommend Rockford, DLS or JL Audio) works well but ensure you have the correct amp to drive it and a decent capacitor to handle the current for the amp driving the sub.

jb4845 Commited Dubber

74 posts · joined May 2005 · 23 Jul 2007, 10:17 pm

#603444

Dyno wrote:mounting speakers in the doors is just asking for trouble, you may just as well pour a bucket of water over them.

Thanks Dyno - was worried about that aspect of mounting in the doors - will weigh up the best placement in kick panels closer to the install time

JOSH

vwtyp2 Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,504 posts · joined Sep 2003 · 24 Jul 2007, 10:28 am

#603494

Dyno wrote:mounting speakers in the doors is just asking for trouble, you may just as well pour a bucket of water over them.

If your window rubbers are in good condition, you wont have any issues.
Why is it that the majority on modern cars can get away with door mounted speakers?
You can have similar issues mounting them under the dash or in kick panels if your windscreen rubber is cactus.

Most people seem normal, till you get to know them.

kombi_kid Moderator Good Kid too many projects

124 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 10 Aug 2007, 8:55 pm

#606235

ucan also mount the tweeters in the air vents it hides them away i just used a zip ty around them and they face right at you ,easy to run wires in the etc
cheers
rhys

it aint just cool its aircool'd