I've searched around but didn't see anything specific about implementing a decent sound in a 66 convertible.

Really all I am looking for is a successful installation of a box behind the seats that would have a woofer and a couple of speakers. The rest is a not a problem.

Has anyone done this or know of a supplier of boxes that would fit?

I don't want to make one and the local guys want to sell you everything.

Thanks
Joe

 

PM sent

 

A standard 6x9 enclosure works perfect. I installed a 3-way 6x9 and the sound is excellent.

 

I bought a Serious satelite boom box and sit it in the back . I had to go to Radio Shack and get a 12v adapter to power it up from the cigarette lighter . I had an old remote from a previous serireciever and it works with the new box.
When its not in the car I use it in the shop.

Bill

 

I know just the shop.......only you have to drive here....eat Lobster........drink.....coast line........

You will need a biggggggg.....box....to hear over your wonderful sidepipes


Jack

 

I am doing this right now. I made my own box...quite poorly, but I will have a sense of pride in it once its finished, since I made it. And it only cost 40 bucks for a sheet of MDF, some wood glue, and a few screws. Carpet and some terminal cups will add another 10 bucks probably. It is going to have 2 6x9's and a 10 inch sub. Will post pics later as I am finishing up the construction part of it tonight.

 

When are the leaves changing? Would be nice since down here we only have 2 seasons: Green and Brown

I would imagine your adrenaline must be riding pretty high with your European trip in sight.

Joe

 

Thanks. That's what I was thinking as well as to the setup. I'm looking forward to seeing your photos.

Joe

 

As I said, I made my own speaker box out of MDF. And if you have ANY experience working with wood, then it is more than I have, and if you have a table saw, you can do this WAY better and easier than I did.

The unfortunate thing about speaker boxes is they need to be pretty much airtight. I sealed in the bigger gaps with Great Stuff, and I also had some Lizard Skin (a spray on insulation material) left over from doing the inside of my car, so I sprayed the inside with that, and spread some on some of the outside gaps as well just to make sure.

Its designed to fit right behind the seats, on top of the jack cover, hence the cut out. I also made it only 12" tall so it would fit under the 13" rear deck if I want too.

And after all this, I'm not even sure it's gonna fit behind the seats. I made the depth 15". I sprayed the inside of the car with the Lizard Skin, and forgot to take off the 1/8-1/4" that it would add to the front and back when I was measuring.







If you are interested I can send you some specs.

I am also doing kick panel speakers in the front, and a CD player in the jack storage area. Haven't decided where I will put the amp yet. I will probably start hooking everything up this weekend.

 

One day I'm going to take some pics of how I set up audio in my '65 convertible but here's a quick list:

- Head Unit/Mount: I currently run a new Kenwood head unit with USB and Sirius radio port. Wanted a standard radio size with latest features and low cost. To maintain radio location convenience, I notched my dash and mounted the DIN sized radio vertically in pretty much the stock location. An aluminum back plate brushed and finished to match the glove box sits between the coves from and runs from the base of the top speaker grill down to the console. Very clean look.

- Source - Kenwood is the only company that makes a head unit capable of playing discs while mounted vertically. That said, even though it's fully MP3 etc. compatible, I seldom carry discs. Hours of high-quality converted music are now much more compact, convenient, durable and skip free with a cheap, simple 16gb USB memory stick.

Occasionally I'll also have a Sirius Starmate radio that sits on the console near the armrest and plugs into the small input jack of the radio. I have found the magnetic satellite antenna works and fits best if I just run the wire behind the seat and under the covertible top lid. I like this Starmate radio since with only one account I can easily take it out of the car (or out of site) when parked, or bring it with us into our Airstream, boat or other vehicles. We often use it outdoors too with a portable radio and 12v source, works great anywhere.

- Front: I was able to tuck a small Kicker 2+1 amp under the driver side dash. It's right above the vent cables and out of the way. The front amp powers the three front speakers: two 4" speakers in kick panel enclosures plus one mid-sub 6x9 in the original top center dash location. This gives really good front imaging and full range even when our rear compartment is all packed (like for trips.)

Here is the kick panel enclosures I used, bought for about $40 at Carlisle. The speakers that came with it were tossed in favour of high quality JBL speakers. These deliver the primary sound so I wanted the best quality available in a multi-driver 4" size. A crossover in the amp directs most of the bass to the top middle sub speaker which sits sealed in a lightweight plastic baffle and provides good bass. I was careful that nothing in the dash would rattle, and nothing does.


- Rear: I didn't want the weight or hassle of a box so I built a carpeted MDF shelf to replace the thin jack cover tray behind the seats. The shelf is hinged at the back and locks at the front, creating a convenient secure storage area (great in a convertible.) I have two Fosgate 6x9 speakers set into that shelf which deliver full, warm bass and imaging that works nicely with the top up or down. Screwed to the underside of the shelf is a decent Sony AMP that powers those two rear speakers only. Nice clean sound whether low or LOUD.

- Sub: I purchased a self-powered, lightweight black carpeted "bazooka" style tube sub at Walmart and it looks like it was made for this location and my black interior. It started as an inexpensive experiment - but that was over 6 years ago and it really delivers the goods! It's only an 8" sub but sits at the back and can easily be removed or relocated. That sub delivers just the right amount of power and punch to the broad range of music I enjoy out on the road (classic rock, jazz, fusion, reggae, etc.)

There you have it - 6 speakers, 3 amps, all the modern sources, lightweight, fuss-free, convenient and secure. It's not really that noticable either and didn't require too much experience or effort to make happen - just persistence and a goal. The only part I had to modify was the center dash to accomodate the radio but I'm OK with that. The classic conversion radios all suck, are 3x the price of a common DIN radio and are at least 6 years behind in technology.

Yes many times I leave it all off to hear only the engine and the road, but there are other times well.... you gotta rock out. Then there are those moments when the perfect weather, car, girl, song all come together... priceless. It's the best rolling classic rock jukebox I've ever experienced.

 

I paid $140 for the same speakers from Ecklers!

 

And how do they sound?
Are you driving them through an amp or directly from a radio?

 

This fits right in my '66 convertible as if it came out of the factory with the car.

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I can't hear any music coming from them at all...


They are sitting in my basement.

 

I considered that option but was concerned the sound would be muffled if shooting through the top when it's all folded up back there. How does it sound?

 

Well, considering I have side pipes that kinda make (loud) music of their own, I cannot accurately judge the sound quality of the speaker. Since I've never driven the car with the top up, I'm not much help there, either. I think unless you do a mod to the kick panels, like the set-up in a previous post, your seats will block a lot of sound coming from the rear compartment. Personally, no matter how you slice it, getting serious sound quality in a mid-year is dubious at best.

This is a bit contrived but if you are hell-bent on sound quality, check this out. It was discussed in depth on this forum. Good luck with your quest for good sounding music.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...ero-seats.html

 

Why not just drive with headphones on (despite the fact its illegal)? I don't like that solution at all. I wouldn't do that but its certainly an option (referring to speakers in the headrests).

 

I saw that install, definitely not my taste. Also I experimented with speakers in Fiero headrests and there's a reason nobody else puts speakers in a foam pad -

My quest for good sounding music in a C2 ended three years ago when I finished my install, as posted I'm really enjoying the results. I don't have side pipes and although I'm running 3" pipes off headers, I have resonators and a custom x-pipe that quells the noise, making the option of non-mechanical music much more enjoyable, particularly when I'm cruising the highway in 5th at around 2700rpm.

That doesn't mean I don't like the sound and look of side pipes - I do! Just not on my car....

 

That would be scary as hell. It's amazing how much input and awareness we as drivers gain from our ears. I can only imagine it a close second in stupid/dangerous moves to wearing an actual blindfold.... and one step up from texting and driving.

 

Is that, "ears" or did you mean, "years"?