Kick panel speakers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 489
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk Virginia
Kick panel speakers
I know its been posted before, but please refresh my memory.
Will 4x6 speakers fit in the kick panels? Also, will the panel mount speakers (no grill) work so I don't have to cut holes? I'm thinking Polk Audio DXi460s and later building some kind of box in the back.
What do you guys have?
- Jay
Will 4x6 speakers fit in the kick panels? Also, will the panel mount speakers (no grill) work so I don't have to cut holes? I'm thinking Polk Audio DXi460s and later building some kind of box in the back.
What do you guys have?
- Jay
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 35
From: Sunshine State, USA
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
I know its been posted before, but please refresh my memory.
Will 4x6 speakers fit in the kick panels? Also, will the panel mount speakers (no grill) work so I don't have to cut holes? I'm thinking Polk Audio DXi460s and later building some kind of box in the back.
What do you guys have?
- Jay
Will 4x6 speakers fit in the kick panels? Also, will the panel mount speakers (no grill) work so I don't have to cut holes? I'm thinking Polk Audio DXi460s and later building some kind of box in the back.
What do you guys have?
- Jay
Craig
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 807
Likes: 2
From: VIRGINIA BEACH VIRGINIA
Jay,
I put some 4x6 down there just like the ones in my dash. Got them at onlinecarstereo.com. Makes it sound a little better. They cover right up with the kick panel also. I took the carpet off my kick panels so you could hear them better.
I just drilled some holes for the screws and ran the speaker wires down behind the dash from the front speakers.
I put some 4x6 down there just like the ones in my dash. Got them at onlinecarstereo.com. Makes it sound a little better. They cover right up with the kick panel also. I took the carpet off my kick panels so you could hear them better.
I just drilled some holes for the screws and ran the speaker wires down behind the dash from the front speakers.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 122
Likes: 1
From: Poquoson Virginia
I've been contemplating putting some surface mount speakers down there. I know Jensen makes a pair of 5.25 inch speakers that have their own box. They aren't exactly known for having great speakers, but it would be better than the factory dash speakers that I've got now. Has anybody done anything like this?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
The kick panel opening is about 5 3/4" H X 4" W X 2 1/4" D. so 4x6 easily fit & 5x7 may be better. Some 5.25 can be fitted to kick panel location behind the factory grilles. A mounting plate must be used to separate the front from back sound waves to prevent cancellation for better bass.
I disconnected the dash speakers in the 70s. Later removed them & ran some tests. Speakers in kicks- removing the dash speakers or open w/ tweeters can give a more open airy sound & raise the soundstage.
For box speakers, there are some that use 2 small woofer/midrange (eq. to 2 8s) & a tweeter that work great.
I disconnected the dash speakers in the 70s. Later removed them & ran some tests. Speakers in kicks- removing the dash speakers or open w/ tweeters can give a more open airy sound & raise the soundstage.
For box speakers, there are some that use 2 small woofer/midrange (eq. to 2 8s) & a tweeter that work great.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
I've been contemplating putting some surface mount speakers down there. I know Jensen makes a pair of 5.25 inch speakers that have their own box. They aren't exactly known for having great speakers, but it would be better than the factory dash speakers that I've got now. Has anybody done anything like this?
Last edited by mds3013; Oct 8, 2011 at 11:40 AM. Reason: part # for speakers db651
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
To OP, if you have the original radio I do not believe it will drive these Polk (or other modern) speakers. Easy Mike has your solution.
Last edited by Paul L; Oct 7, 2011 at 09:56 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
There are Pioneer 4 x 6s in the upper dash, Polk 6 1/2s in the kick panels, and a Blaupunkt 8" subwoofer with integrated amp in the back. The latter gets its power directly from the battery.
The head unit is a KHE-300 (50W x 4 channels). Tunes come from an IPod Mini-Shuffle, 2GB. I have 70 on the unit.
Sacrificial kick panels from EBay ($25.00). Originals in boxes stored. Interior oxblood dye mixed and bottled by my local AC Delco paintshop.
The head unit is a KHE-300 (50W x 4 channels). Tunes come from an IPod Mini-Shuffle, 2GB. I have 70 on the unit.
Sacrificial kick panels from EBay ($25.00). Originals in boxes stored. Interior oxblood dye mixed and bottled by my local AC Delco paintshop.
Last edited by Paul L; Oct 7, 2011 at 03:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 489
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk Virginia
Wow, thanks for all the input. Nice setup Mike, I'm trying to decide if I want to buy a radio with ***** like yours or just get a used console plate and cut out the rectangle.
Has anyone built the rear speaker boxes shown in the FAQ section? (I can't locate the link now
) I'd like to see a pic to see how they fit before I go to the trouble.
Thanks! -Jay
Has anyone built the rear speaker boxes shown in the FAQ section? (I can't locate the link now
) I'd like to see a pic to see how they fit before I go to the trouble.Thanks! -Jay
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: London
I just go four of these for the kick panels and dash, they are fin enough to fit in the kick panels!
Im not done with the instal but they where the best i could find at a decent price that would fit and that had specs that went low enough for me!
http://www.pioneer.eu/uk/products/25...13i/index.html
Im not done with the instal but they where the best i could find at a decent price that would fit and that had specs that went low enough for me!
http://www.pioneer.eu/uk/products/25...13i/index.html
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
It can rattle the rear convertible deck. When I first tried it rattled the car and the garage. The Wife and my neighbours complained. I toned it down. But I am into Roy Orbison and the like from the 1960s and 1970s so my needs for boom-boom-boom are modest. Nevertheless, it does add a depth of bass that you can never achieve with front 4 x 6" or 6 1/2" speakers. You can only expect so much from those sizes. So I added a ricer option. No regrets. With the integrated amp no fooling with separate amps anywhere. Nice unit.
Connections to battery are a little messy but gold adapter on (+) with in-line 10-amp fuse and black/ground lines to (-). You can see a blade-style battery disconnect as well. It works!
Last edited by Paul L; Oct 7, 2011 at 07:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 489
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk Virginia
Nice, Paul. Works good in a convertible but we coupe guys have to put our tops back there. I like your taste in music though, Roy, Elvis, Bobby Darren, maybe a little Geo. Thorogood.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
And that subwoofer can be mounted vertically on the back bulkhead. My Brother who now owns the 1979 did it. No problem with t-tops.
Perhaps I can get him to send me a pic if anyone is interested.
Last edited by Paul L; Oct 7, 2011 at 08:31 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15