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Hey guys. Got a '69 c3. Took out the previous owner's radio, and am installing a custom autosound 740 replica with built in bluetooth.
I also took out the original kick panel speakers. Wanted to get opinions on which speakers I should replace them with. I've been looking at some 4 x 10s, which are the original size (example below).
But I've also seen on these forums that some people have installed 6.5 round speakers in the kick panel cavity. Is that possible, since it's only 4 inches wide? Here's a pic I found, but does this require altering the cavity?
I wanted to hear what some of you have done. Which size do you prefer? And what are some high-quality brands?
"Quality" sound inside a Corvette is a MYTH...regardless of how much you pay for speakers. I would NEVER cut into metal support structure to make room for a 'better' speaker. Buy one that fits in the openings available to you. You CAN drill holes for attachment screws.
You can get 'decent' audio sound from 'decent' radio head and speakers. Because of the cabin structure, road noise, and car sounds (exhaust, tires, engine), lots more money will not get you much better sound. Louder? Yes. Better? Probably not.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Apr 15, 2018 at 04:02 AM.
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Originally Posted by BlankSlate
Hey guys. Got a '69 c3. Took out the previous owner's radio, and am installing a custom autosound 740 replica with built in bluetooth.
I also took out the original kick panel speakers. Wanted to get opinions on which speakers I should replace them with. I've been looking at some 4 x 10s, which are the original size (example below).
But I've also seen on these forums that some people have installed 6.5 round speakers in the kick panel cavity. Is that possible, since it's only 4 inches wide? Here's a pic I found, but does this require altering the cavity?
I wanted to hear what some of you have done. Which size do you prefer? And what are some high-quality brands?
That's my speaker install. To make it work, I used a shallow mount speaker, Infinity, and did a small bit of trimming on the speaker frame, not the opening, to allow the speaker to fit flush in the opening. The kick panel fits over the speaker for a factory look. I have a pair of 6-1/2" Focals but the design does not lend itself to any speaker frame trimming and it's not a shallow mount. Therefore, a speaker spacer will be required to fit the speaker should I ever decide to install them. Not sure if they would fit behind the kick panel so cutting a hole will be in order.
I also mounted a JL Audio 400W class D amp which fit perfect in the tray above the jack storage compartment and also connected a 10" Alpine sub in a custom made speaker box behind the seats. I have a luggage rack to carry my t-tops if needed.
Last edited by resdoggie; Apr 15, 2018 at 09:11 AM.
Really cool stuff. Sounds like if I go with a 6 x 9 or 6.5 that I will have to cut a hole in the kick panel. I'd prefer not to do that. So maybe the 4 x 10s are the way to go
That's my speaker install. To make it work, I used a shallow mount speaker, Infinity, and did a small bit of trimming on the speaker frame, not the opening, to allow the speaker to fit flush in the opening. The kick panel fits over the speaker for a factory look. I have a pair of 6-1/2" Focals but the design does not lend itself to any speaker frame trimming and it's not a shallow mount. Therefore, a speaker spacer will be required to fit the speaker should I ever decide to install them. Not sure if they would fit behind the kick panel so cutting a hole will be in order.
I also mounted a JL Audio 400W class D amp which fit perfect in the tray above the jack storage compartment and also connected a 10" Alpine sub in a custom made speaker box behind the seats. I have a luggage rack to carry my t-tops if needed.
Thanks!!! What did you use to trim the speaker frame? And how do I figure out which speakers are shallow mounts?
I would highly recommend getting a set of sacrificial kick panels to mount new speakers if you want a decent sounding system. It's really a waste of effort and money to install nice speakers and try and push good audio through little holes in that thick plastic panel. It's nowhere near as acoustically transparent as a modern speaker grill/cover. Ask any good audio shop. Cut the new panels and save the originals.
"Quality" sound inside a Corvette is a MYTH...regardless of how much you pay for speakers. I would NEVER cut into metal support structure to make room for a 'better' speaker. Buy one that fits in the openings available to you. You CAN drill holes for attachment screws.
You can get 'decent' audio sound from 'decent' radio head and speakers. Because of the cabin structure, road noise, and car sounds (exhaust, tires, engine), lots more money will not get you much better sound. Louder? Yes. Better? Probably not.
I agree with this entirely and it quickly becomes evident to anyone with a good system in a modern car that's configured and tuned for good audio. The best you can do is amp it a little so you can elevate the volume a bit to get above the road and engine and wind noise. It's still way better than nothing though.
I agree with this entirely and it quickly becomes evident to anyone with a good system in a modern car that's configured and tuned for good audio. The best you can do is amp it a little so you can elevate the volume a bit to get above the road and engine and wind noise. It's still way better than nothing though.
If you dynamat the car, seal up the holes and weatherstripping, and carefully plan, you can make it sound quite well.
My exhaust is also not stupid loud.
Now if it had side pipes, I would delete the radio.
I think what I will likely do is get a cheap pair of 5.25 rounds to start with. There are some $30 pairs on sale with good reviews. Try them out, then upgrade later if/when I want to. These should fit, right?
My new radio is capable of 300 Watts Peak Power - 2 Ohm stable. Speakers like these should work fine with my radio right? I'm a total newbie when it comes to watts, ohms, etc. Watching basic electrical science videos on YT to try to learn haha.
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Originally Posted by BlankSlate
I think what I will likely do is get a cheap pair of 5.25 rounds to start with. There are some $30 pairs on sale with good reviews. Try them out, then upgrade later if/when I want to. These should fit, right?
Measure the depth of the kick panel speaker housing. If its more than 1.8" for speaker specs described, then the speakers should fit depth wise, but maybe some interference with the speaker frame. I trimmed mine with a dremel. It didn't take much trimming but not all speakers are the same. It maybe better to use speaker spacers. I didn't find any difference in sound with or without kick panels installed. Maybe audiophiles would notice the difference of the sound through the kick panel holes but again, I didn't.
If you dynamat the car, seal up the holes and weatherstripping, and carefully plan, you can make it sound quite well.
My exhaust is also not stupid loud.
Now if it had side pipes, I would delete the radio.
I went to great lengths to heat and sound insulate my cabin and doors. I have a drone at about 40 mph which I can just overpower with the volume ****.
I have two Pioneer amps putting out about 600 watts into four speakers and a 10" sub. Sounds great...when I'm parked with the engine off.
......have amps, 4 speakers, and a 10" sub that I built. Sounds great. If you sat in the car eyes closed and ears open, you may even call it "quality". But I never even turn on the system when the engine's on......I like the better sound of cam lope.
.........My new radio is capable of 300 Watts Peak Power - 2 Ohm stable. Speakers like these should work fine with my radio right? I'm a total newbie when it comes to watts, ohms, etc. Watching basic electrical science videos on YT to try to learn haha.
Sounds pretty powerful. What brand/model radio is it?
I think what I will likely do is get a cheap pair of 5.25 rounds to start with. There are some $30 pairs on sale with good reviews. Try them out, then upgrade later if/when I want to. These should fit, right?
My new radio is capable of 300 Watts Peak Power - 2 Ohm stable. Speakers like these should work fine with my radio right? I'm a total newbie when it comes to watts, ohms, etc. Watching basic electrical science videos on YT to try to learn haha.
The radio won't put out 300 watts of power on its own, that's marketing. The radio will likely power those 5.25s just fine though. They will sound better with an amplifier, and you could do that down the road.
I advise against those 'lookalike' classic radios. Do some research here and on-line generally and you'll see they are not highly regarded. I had my own bad experience which I related in another thread.
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Kick Panel Speaker Suggestions
