Home Made Speaker Box
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Waterville Ohio
Home Made Speaker Box
I finally got my new speaker box almost done, and it looks great 
. I went with the Infinity 6x9 3 way & the Infinity 4x6 2 way Kappa speakers. This is a custom fit box that just sets in the back against the original speaker covers 
. These pictures show how I set up the speakers 
. I'll post more pictures as I get it installed in my '81 
. If everything works out as it did in the mock box I built, I may build some and sell them on ebay .
. I went with the Infinity 6x9 3 way & the Infinity 4x6 2 way Kappa speakers. This is a custom fit box that just sets in the back against the original speaker covers . These pictures show how I set up the speakers . I'll post more pictures as I get it installed in my '81 . If everything works out as it did in the mock box I built, I may build some and sell them on ebay .
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
First, you did a great job building that box and a great job carpeting. That being said I have a few questions and comments.
Do they all share the same air space?
The 6x9" speakers have a longer excursion, and will affect the cone position and travel of the smaller 4x6" speakers.
I'm also curious why you chose those two sizes. They are both mid / high speakers that are inferior to round design speakers.
A 6.5" round will almost always be better than a 6x9" oblong and a 5.25" will also almost always be better than a 4x6" speaker.
On top of that, if you wanted some mid-bass and highs, then I think I would have designed it with a pair of 8" woofers and a set of coaxial 6.5" speakers or better yet a 6/5" component set.
To each their own...and I'm not trying to jump on you here...I just see a lot of conflict coming from those speakers in that arrangement.
Do they all share the same air space?
The 6x9" speakers have a longer excursion, and will affect the cone position and travel of the smaller 4x6" speakers.
I'm also curious why you chose those two sizes. They are both mid / high speakers that are inferior to round design speakers.
A 6.5" round will almost always be better than a 6x9" oblong and a 5.25" will also almost always be better than a 4x6" speaker.
On top of that, if you wanted some mid-bass and highs, then I think I would have designed it with a pair of 8" woofers and a set of coaxial 6.5" speakers or better yet a 6/5" component set.
To each their own...and I'm not trying to jump on you here...I just see a lot of conflict coming from those speakers in that arrangement.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
First, you did a great job building that box and a great job carpeting. That being said I have a few questions and comments.
Do they all share the same air space?
The 6x9" speakers have a longer excursion, and will affect the cone position and travel of the smaller 4x6" speakers.
I'm also curious why you chose those two sizes. They are both mid / high speakers that are inferior to round design speakers.
A 6.5" round will almost always be better than a 6x9" oblong and a 5.25" will also almost always be better than a 4x6" speaker.
On top of that, if you wanted some mid-bass and highs, then I think I would have designed it with a pair of 8" woofers and a set of coaxial 6.5" speakers or better yet a 6/5" component set.
To each their own...and I'm not trying to jump on you here...I just see a lot of conflict coming from those speakers in that arrangement.
Do they all share the same air space?
The 6x9" speakers have a longer excursion, and will affect the cone position and travel of the smaller 4x6" speakers.
I'm also curious why you chose those two sizes. They are both mid / high speakers that are inferior to round design speakers.
A 6.5" round will almost always be better than a 6x9" oblong and a 5.25" will also almost always be better than a 4x6" speaker.
On top of that, if you wanted some mid-bass and highs, then I think I would have designed it with a pair of 8" woofers and a set of coaxial 6.5" speakers or better yet a 6/5" component set.
To each their own...and I'm not trying to jump on you here...I just see a lot of conflict coming from those speakers in that arrangement.
I was thinking why put the 4x6's in between 6x9's, you would get better stereo sound w/the 6x4's or 6.5's up front in kick panels, but Never mind...
Last edited by Jims79; Sep 20, 2007 at 08:58 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
DB is right, the first time that system is turned on it'll blow those 4x6's to crap.......especially if the 6x9's are on an amp. It would be better to eliminate the 4 x 6's........they won't do you any good back there.
But the box looks good
But the box looks good
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
EMTMike - Please don't think I was coming down to hard or that I don't appreciate the work and time you put into that box. I have made my fair share of speaker boxes and audio setups that were picked apart and critiqued by my peers in the audio world. I made all the mistakes you can make and that's the best way to learn.
I have heard the difference, seen the difference, and can confidently speak of both sides.
So please, accept my apologies if that came off rough...I was just trying to save you some work now rather than after it's installed. You may like it, and that's what's most important. If you're happy then you succeeded. But, I have been in these same shoes before and I personally only liked it until I heard it a better way.
I have heard the difference, seen the difference, and can confidently speak of both sides.
So please, accept my apologies if that came off rough...I was just trying to save you some work now rather than after it's installed. You may like it, and that's what's most important. If you're happy then you succeeded. But, I have been in these same shoes before and I personally only liked it until I heard it a better way.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
Box looks great!!! Shows alot of hard work...
(though DB has some good points!!)
Last edited by MakoShark72; Sep 20, 2007 at 10:37 AM.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,838
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From: Kingman AZ
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 402
Likes: 4
From: Nassau
I once made a box for 2 12" JL audio subs for my truck. After I put it in and heard the bass I figured it would sound even better if I put component speakers in the box too. That was a bad learning experience lol. It blew the cones right off the 6.5" speakers on the first song I listened too 
. Looking at that box its not too hard to seperate the middle section if you want to keep everything in working order.
. Looking at that box its not too hard to seperate the middle section if you want to keep everything in working order.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Spokane WA
It's really as simple as adding baffles behind the 4x6's. If you're not familiar, they are simple foam or plastic bowl shaped inserts that go in behind the speaker when you mount them in the box. I agree that the 6x9's will push the 4x6's around, but unless you are running an amp it probably won't be an issue. I would suggest also capping off the 4x6's to filter the lower frequencies that they are not designed to play. I would also agree with DB. There would be a more efficient and better performing set-up if you wanted to redo the front panel. I would disagree that a 6.5" round is capable of performing at the same level as the 6x9. The round design will have better clarity and accuracy than an oval if all else is equal. However a 6x9 has significantly more cone area than a 6.5" round (most of which actually measure 6"-6.25") and will reproduce lower frequencies (bass) much more effectively. For someone that doesn't want to install subwoofers but they do want more bass than a pair of 6.5" speakers, 6x9's might work great for them. You might consider running 4 6.5" or 4 6X9's. Just my two cents. I spent ten years in the mobile electronics industry. There are as many options as opinions on what works best. Good luck with whatever you choose.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
It's really as simple as adding baffles behind the 4x6's. If you're not familiar, they are simple foam or plastic bowl shaped inserts that go in behind the speaker when you mount them in the box. I agree that the 6x9's will push the 4x6's around, but unless you are running an amp it probably won't be an issue. I would suggest also capping off the 4x6's to filter the lower frequencies that they are not designed to play. I would also agree with DB. There would be a more efficient and better performing set-up if you wanted to redo the front panel. I would disagree that a 6.5" round is capable of performing at the same level as the 6x9. The round design will have better clarity and accuracy than an oval if all else is equal. However a 6x9 has significantly more cone area than a 6.5" round (most of which actually measure 6"-6.25") and will reproduce lower frequencies (bass) much more effectively. For someone that doesn't want to install subwoofers but they do want more bass than a pair of 6.5" speakers, 6x9's might work great for them. You might consider running 4 6.5" or 4 6X9's. Just my two cents. I spent ten years in the mobile electronics industry. There are as many options as opinions on what works best. Good luck with whatever you choose.
These are the baffles being referenced.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Ar6NREf...=762&I=237XT46
If you're amping the speakers, you can most likely use it's own built in filters to catch the low frequencies.
The round vs oval debate can really go on forever, and more often than not I found it's more to do with excursion. There are some wonderful 6.5" round speakers with good Xmax numbers that'll make up for cone surface area.
Like I said, if mid-bass is the key to wanting the 6x9" speakers then a pair of 8" woofers will be perfect for lower frequencies, and a nice 6.5" component set or even the 4x6" speakers you have for the highs.
Last edited by Durango_Boy; Sep 20, 2007 at 10:01 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Waterville Ohio
Thanks for all the input on the speakers people . This is a learning process and I can change the arrangment at anytime . I won't be using an amp so I'll try it out and make changes as needed (remember, this is my first box ever made) 
. I went with the 6x9's I guess because I'm old school and we always had these when we had our first cars 
. I'm not into the super loud stereo systems, I just wanted to make it sound good while driving down the road . There can also be speakers placed on the top of the box if wanted. I'm also thinking of making another design to except a 12-15" woofer in the center of the box (I'll post pics when done) . Thanks again for all the info, i'll try some and see how they work .
. This is a learning process and I can change the arrangment at anytime . I won't be using an amp so I'll try it out and make changes as needed (remember, this is my first box ever made) . I went with the 6x9's I guess because I'm old school and we always had these when we had our first cars . I'm not into the super loud stereo systems, I just wanted to make it sound good while driving down the road . There can also be speakers placed on the top of the box if wanted. I'm also thinking of making another design to except a 12-15" woofer in the center of the box (I'll post pics when done) . Thanks again for all the info, i'll try some and see how they work .
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Waterville Ohio
Hey DB.....thanks for the info on my mistakes.....you never know until you get input from people who really know. Sometimes trying to keep it too simple just dosen't work
P.S. I just ordered the baffles for the 4x6's
P.S. I just ordered the baffles for the 4x6's
Last edited by emtmike; Sep 21, 2007 at 08:48 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Waterville Ohio
I won't hook-up the 4x6's until the baffles come in . I'm also going to place batting in the box to help with the sound.....
. Maybe when I make these to sell, I'll put dividers between the speakers if this makes sense to anybody, instead of people buying baffles?.
. I'm also going to place batting in the box to help with the sound..... . Maybe when I make these to sell, I'll put dividers between the speakers if this makes sense to anybody, instead of people buying baffles?.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
a small sub in the middle of the two 6x9's would look cool maybe an amp for extra power. if you were going to sell them to the club I would build the box an offer different tops, 6.5 or 6x9 amp no amp, sub or even a door for a rear glove box. you maybe onto something here
