71 Audio Questions
 

Has anyone set up their audio system to only run a rear sub and 2 - 6x9s via a brightstar box? I hesitate to pull off the dash pad to replace the front factory speakers.

I know that the 71 vert had speakers in the kick panels. Is the same kickpanel opening there on coupe? Because that would make installing front speakers easier.

To my knowledge, only the '68-69 cars had the 4x10 speakers in the kickpanels. The '71 cars had only the dash speakers.

The dash is a VERY GOOD location for upper frequency range speakers, as the sound reflects off the [hard] windshield and is directed to the listeners. If you don't want the dash speakers, just disconnect the wiring going to them and redirect that wiring to the rear of the car.

If you replace the dash speakers, you should replace them with 4x6 speakers of better quality.

I agree with the better sound. Just want to make sure I don't damage the dash pad removing it and was hoping for an easier solution (kick panels).

I tried to find some YouTube videos that show removal of the dashpad and installation of the speakers. Crutchfield says that the speaker grills can be removed with a tool which allows access to the speakers. However, I don't believe that this is true.

I chose not to risk the dash and just put them in the kick panels, and 6x9s in boxes in back. If I ever (when...) I take the dash out for some other reason, I'll install new speakers.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...3ef101c593.jpg

That's a pretty cool set up. What type of speakers are those?
I'm not sure how far I'm willing to move away from a stock look. Even though in the beginning I was completely ready for a resto mod. However, I found a pretty decent condition car and am kind of enjoying the original set up (outside of a couple of small things 😉).

Memphis Audio. I got extra kick panels to cut up. Saved the originals. I considered putting speakers behind the panels but the pro audio shop convinced me it was a waste to put good speakers behind thick plastic panels that weren't really meant for that. They're not acoustically transparent as real speaker grills are.

Follow-up question. What are you guys doing for amps? And where are you locating them?

I had a Memphis Audio amp installed by the shop that did my install. It is a small sized amp and was installed inside of the console/radio panel somewhere, completely hidden. I don't really know the particular details of the install since I didn't do the work. I seem to recall that it's a special "weatherproof" amp for marine applications. I can get the model number and specs of the amp if you are interested.

That would be great. I looked up a couple of compact amps. Wondering if they would work installed in the storage compartments.

Updated:
Amp is Memphis Audio MXA4.45 - 240w 4-Channel

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...c9e7cfa07e.jpg

Thank you sir. I will look it up!

In my 71 - I used the same sub that Craig used in his 71 journey build, it fits into the bottom of the passenger well and the plastic tub fits over it.

I also use a Sony CD deck and no power amps for the speakers. I did replace the front speakers with Pioneer speakers and put 2 - 6x9 speakers in the rear.

I removed the rear storage compartment lids inserts and made plywood inserts. The original inserts were used as a templet. The lids open and close just like factory -except the speakers are in the lids. I again used Pioneer speakers - just be careful on the battery side, some speakers are too deep and will hit the battery.

The sound is great and is more than loud enough for the vettes small passenger compartment.

I have this amp, JL Audio 400/4 mounted in the storage tray above the car jack. I close the lid when it's turned off. Also have a 10" sub mounted in a custom made speaker box behind the seats and 6-1/2" shallow depth speakers behind the kick panels.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...644469dc92.jpg

[QUOTE=resdoggie;1597214025]I have this amp, JL Audio 400/4 mounted in the storage tray above the car jack. I close the lid when it's turned off. Also have a 10" sub mounted in a custom made speaker box behind the seats and 6-1/2" shallow depth speakers behind the kick panels.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...644469dc92.jpg[/QUOTE
Do you by chance of what it looks like installed?

Get you some pics tomorrow. I have channels 3/4 bridged for to drive the Alpine sub.

Thank you! I appreciate it.

Here ya go.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...fa283319d8.jpg

No need to cut holes in the kick panel with shallow mount speakers.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...1e6e75f98d.jpg

I mounted the amp on a couple blocks of 1"x1" wood for air circulation under the amp. Lid can be fully closed.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...80c8a59578.jpg

T-tops are stored on the luggage rack.

Thar looks good. It was what I was thinking about doing. As long as I found one that fit properly. How did you run the wiring? Under the carpet or did you modify anything? I was also thinking about fabricating a vented cover that would allow it to stay closed.

The power cables were run under the centre storage tray into the batter compartment. Wiring for sub is under the carpet. Front speaker wiring was run under the carpet by the rocker covers and the wiring to the head unit was through the console. I removed the passenger seat and peeled back carpet. I think the only holes I drilled were in the tray to pass through all the amp wiring. Install wasn't all that difficult really. I made the sub enclosure based on Alpine's recommendation included in the sub's install sheet. It's just made of mdf with a removable front. I did it that way so I could access the inside of the sub enclosure to secure it to the existing mounting hardware for the t-top storage straps. It would probably rip away from the mount in a head on but it does keep the enclosure in place. The amp is fastened to the wood blocks but the wood blocks are not fastened to the tray. That way I can flip the amp from the tray in order to remove the tray to access the jack.

What head unit are you guys using? Need to update mine... Thx