I've got speaker pairs....it sounds much better than 1 set. Do as described above and you will have no problem.
speakers
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
It is most important that you get some kind of receiver/amp that supports surround sound. If it supports 4 signals, you could do what I did. Not including my subwoofers, I have 4 $100 eclipse 3-way 5 1/4" speakers. You can put one to the left of the driver's head, one to the right of the passenger's head, one to the left of the driver's foot, and one to the right of the passenger's foot. All four of these panels can be easily replaced, so you don't do anything permanent. Hope this gives you some ideas, but you'd end up with a solid 12 speaker system.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you have a stock Delco radio (mono or stereo?), you can really improve the sound by changing the speakers and by adding additional speakers in the kickpanels. Buy your speakers from any internet supply place (NOT from the local car radio store...$$$$). Look for good name brands. You don't need high power speakers for connecting to a 14 watt amp in the Delco. Get 4 ohm speakers that are rated at 30-50 watts and wire each side in SERIES [The Delco amp has a 10 ohm matching impredence...8 ohms of speakers on each side is a pretty good match]. Put "bass" speakers in the kickpanels and "tweeters" in the dash. Use 4"x6" set in the dash (they have to fit in the GM mounting hardware) but you can get 5"x7" speakers in the kickpanels (if speakers are not too thick). The sound will be greatly improved.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
There should be only 1 set of front speakers for clean sound. A second set will normally muddy the sound. The kick panel is a better location than the dash. Some 5.25 can be fitted to kick panel location. While one would normally want the tweeters near the primary front speakers, the dash location can work well for tweeters.
Kenwood eXcelon mask CD w/ eXcelon 5.25 components in kick panels.
Kenwood eXcelon mask CD w/ eXcelon 5.25 components in kick panels.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Pikesville MD
one or two sets?
If I read the last post correctly, it was found better to only connect kick panel speakers and not under dash? That would be easier to get to but if not good I will get to under dash also. Please advise from some with experience. thanks, Ed
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Pikesville MD
2 more questions
the advise above is very helpful. Anyone recommend a radio to fit in my 71 and speakers? Can the dash speakers be taken out without removing the driver side lower dash as I have the other side already off. Are there speakers that are made to mount in the kick panels without much modification? Can anyone recommend a dealer to buy from? Thanks. Ed
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
There should be only 1 set of front speakers for clean sound. A second set will normally muddy the sound. The kick panel is a better location than the dash. Some 5.25 can be fitted to kick panel location. While one would normally want the tweeters near the primary front speakers, the dash location can work well for tweeters.
one set will always sound better than multiple sets. From an accoustical point of view there are many reasons for this but a single set of high quality speakers run off a good quality amp is preferable.
The kick panels are the best location.
Keep the tweeter as physically close to the midrange driver as possible and cross aim them so that the tweeter in the driver kick panel aims at the passenger head and the tweeter in the passenger kick panel aims at the drivers head.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 826
Likes: 22
From: Chicago Area
Here are some helpful threads:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1671950
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1678004
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1671950
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1678004
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Arlington Virginia
Tomorrow my 80' goes to a custom installer to install Boston Acoutics SL95 (6X9s) in the rear with custom enclosures, Boston Acoustics Pro 50 components (5 1/4) mid range will go into the kick panels, tweeters will be custom fitted in the dash where the 4X6 slots are. Head unit is Pioneer DEH P780MP and amp is JL Audio 300/4 channel amp that will also have a custom enclosure and installed in the rear. Will post pics when I get her back in a few days.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 0
From: Hanover Maryland
Be careful seperating the Mids and Highs by that big of a distance. You will end up wit to noticable distance between the two. Better to place the tweeters in the door panels if you are going to place the Mids in the kick panels.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Arlington Virginia
That's a good point...originally I wanted to keep the tweeters mounted to the mids, but the "stereo experts" suggested I separate them. My first suggestion was to mount them just over the dash on the left and right pillars. They opted for the 4X6 slots...I think I'll go back and have them mount the tweeters in various positions with duct tape and decide what sounds best. Thanks for the suggestion.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
High frequencies need to be directed at the listener or reflected in that direction by something flat and hard (windshield does that nicely). Highs don't bend around anything and get soaked up by flexible stuff (carpet, seats, people, etc.). Low frequencies travel from anywhere to everywhere. Apply this info appropriately in your vehicle. 
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Keizer OR
Just a warning for edxaide and a question for everyone.
Hope I'm not hijacking your thread, but since it was already brought up, what are people doing for rear 6x9s? I had left my Vette with my father in Oregon for a few years while living in Florida and he bought a set of fairly nice 6x9s. I installed them in my '81 yesterday but they don't fit right, too big. I attached them to the speaker mounting face plate (whatever it's called) and was able to get just one screw in, the speakers simply do not fit into the area they are supposed to. Not only is it not very secure, but it doesn't look right.
Hope I'm not hijacking your thread, but since it was already brought up, what are people doing for rear 6x9s? I had left my Vette with my father in Oregon for a few years while living in Florida and he bought a set of fairly nice 6x9s. I installed them in my '81 yesterday but they don't fit right, too big. I attached them to the speaker mounting face plate (whatever it's called) and was able to get just one screw in, the speakers simply do not fit into the area they are supposed to. Not only is it not very secure, but it doesn't look right.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Arlington Virginia
Just a warning for edxaide and a question for everyone.
Hope I'm not hijacking your thread, but since it was already brought up, what are people doing for rear 6x9s? I had left my Vette with my father in Oregon for a few years while living in Florida and he bought a set of fairly nice 6x9s. I installed them in my '81 yesterday but they don't fit right, too big. I attached them to the speaker mounting face plate (whatever it's called) and was able to get just one screw in, the speakers simply do not fit into the area they are supposed to. Not only is it not very secure, but it doesn't look right.
Hope I'm not hijacking your thread, but since it was already brought up, what are people doing for rear 6x9s? I had left my Vette with my father in Oregon for a few years while living in Florida and he bought a set of fairly nice 6x9s. I installed them in my '81 yesterday but they don't fit right, too big. I attached them to the speaker mounting face plate (whatever it's called) and was able to get just one screw in, the speakers simply do not fit into the area they are supposed to. Not only is it not very secure, but it doesn't look right.
I started my custom install yesterday, my 6X9s are too large also and we are making an enclore that will fit over the original 6X9 spots. Here are some pics from my install. I should be through tomorrow.
Here's the custom enclosure in the rear that will house the amp and crossovers.
Pulled the kick panels and used as templates to build the new ones to house the component speakers. It sure is nice to change your interior in conjuction with a stereo install, we prerouted all the wiring prior to installing the new carpet.
New kick panels about to be plastic coated in black.
New pioneer head unit in place
