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Old Jan 19, 2009 | 04:05 PM
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Default Loaded Kick Panels

A friend and forum member needed a little help loading their new kick panels with new speakers for a modern stereo system. I offered to do the work, so he shipped me the kick panels, speakers, and some sound deadener. The Dynamat they sent was in horrible shape...ripped and creased...I was NOT going to use it. I replaced it with some Damplifier that I had on hand, and completed the set of kick panels. These pics were taken before boxing them up, and they are going out tomorrow.

I'm just posting these an example so it's seen from front to back and people can see how different speakers can look in the kick panels.


Old Jan 19, 2009 | 04:12 PM
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Is there enough room for the speaker behind the kick panel? Nice work by the way!
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 04:15 PM
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Those look nice . . . good job!!! What size speakers are those?

BTW . . . welcome back.
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Bruthish
Is there enough room for the speaker behind the kick panel? Nice work by the way!
I guessing they are going to have to do some cutting. There is barely enough room behind those panels for 4x6" speakers.
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 05:06 PM
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BTDT. Thanx to some expert advise.

Thanx again Matt. They look great. Waaay better than mine.

Mark




Old Jan 19, 2009 | 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Jason Staley
I guessing they are going to have to do some cutting. There is barely enough room behind those panels for 4x6" speakers.
Check the archives. DB showed the cuts needed to the birdcage.
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Jason Staley
I guessing they are going to have to do some cutting. There is barely enough room behind those panels for 4x6" speakers.

The magnets on my 6-1/2" Polks fit perfectly into the void in the birdcage without cutting. (Pics above).

I figured that's why Db suggested them to me.
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 06:17 PM
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Originally Posted by xccter
The magnets on my 6-1/2" Polks fit perfectly into the void in the birdcage without cutting. (Pics above).

I figured that's why Db suggested them to me.

Yes, that's correct. That's one of the reasons I suggest that brand and model. The speakers I used were purchased by the customer for their own reasons. I have yet to test fit them but they seem like they might fit also without any cutting. If cutting is needed he is prepared and aware of the process.

There is not room for the 6.5" speakers behind the kick panels, to be mounted to the birdcage. Smaller speakers will fit but the basket and magnet need just a bit of extra room...which is why they are mounted in the panels themselves.
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Old Jan 19, 2009 | 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Durango_Boy
Yes, that's correct. That's one of the reasons I suggest that brand and model. The speakers I used were purchased by the customer for their own reasons. I have yet to test fit them but they seem like they might fit also without any cutting. If cutting is needed he is prepared and aware of the process.

There is not room for the 6.5" speakers behind the kick panels, to be mounted to the birdcage. Smaller speakers will fit but the basket and magnet need just a bit of extra room...which is why they are mounted in the panels themselves.
DB, go back to your original posts on this subject. The birdcage will have to be cut. Even the 4 x 6"s are tight.




Last edited by Paul L; Jan 19, 2009 at 07:26 PM.
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 07:37 PM
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I assure you that the 6-1/2" round Polks did not require cutting of the birdcage in any way.

What it DID require was pin-point accuracy in positioning the speaker in the kick panel so that the magnet fit in the birdcage opening.

No room for error whatsoever.
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by xccter
I assure you that the 6-1/2" round Polks did not require cutting of the birdcage in any way.

What it DID require was pin-point accuracy in positioning the speaker in the kick panel so that the magnet fit in the birdcage opening.

No room for error whatsoever.
OK, I stand corrected. Love to see the install without cutting metal. I might go for it.

Last edited by Paul L; Jan 19, 2009 at 07:45 PM.
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by paul 74
OK, I stand corrected. Love to see the install without cutting metal. I might go for it.

The Polk DB651s I recommend do not require cutting. However, higher power speakers with larger baskets and larger magnets will require cutting. The upside is the cutting, or trimming, is very easy, can be done fast, and is undetectable with the kick panel in place and hard to spot even without the kick panel if you post-prep the area properly.
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by xccter
I assure you that the 6-1/2" round Polks did not require cutting of the birdcage in any way.

What it DID require was pin-point accuracy in positioning the speaker in the kick panel so that the magnet fit in the birdcage opening.

No room for error whatsoever.
I put the same size in mine, not cutting necessary. Sadly I did not like the 'sound' paired with two in the back so out they came. Replaced the kickpanels, then put two new in the dash. Better sound... Good luck
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 10:45 PM
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DB, do you know if the 6501s would fit with out trimming the birdcage? im kinda toying with the idea of throwing those in.
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by another-user
DB, do you know if the 6501s would fit with out trimming the birdcage? im kinda toying with the idea of throwing those in.

No I have not demoed those speakers. Sorry.
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 11:21 PM
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well, heres the sizes on them. dont know if this would help you or not.

DB651
Top Mount 1-5/8" (4.13cm) * with adapter ring
Bottom Mount 2-5/16" (5.87cm)

DB6501
Top Mount 2" (5.08cm)
Bottom Mount 2-5/16" (5.87cm)
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 12:11 AM
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DB,
What are you currently running in your car? What about Curtis 74? And, did they require cutting?

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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by FRSTR90
DB,
What are you currently running in your car? What about Curtis 74? And, did they require cutting?

I am running a set of Cadence components, and Curt has CDT coaxials. Both of ours required cutting.
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 11:43 AM
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Do you have any pics of what you cut? I would love to go with 6.5s up front in the kicks, but I wouldn't really want to cut on the birdcage.. Right now I got some 4" bostons tucked behind the kicks, and it just straight up sounds like ****. I wasn't expecting much out of these speakers, but i must say they were the biggest waste of money. So, if you wouldn't mind, could you recommend me some decent 6.5s that would not require cutting. Also, if you have pics of the what you cut, could you give me the model of speakers you have in your car (I'm assuming that your happy with them)?
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by xccter
The magnets on my 6-1/2" Polks fit perfectly into the void in the birdcage without cutting. (Pics above).

I figured that's why Db suggested them to me.
That's what I put in mine, exactly, and posted it too. They fit with no modification. Sound great too. I put the tweeters and crossovers behind the seats in the quarter panels, below ear level. Sounds great!!!



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