Alternative places for front door speakers

[pbs911]

After all the recent installation problems with the RS door panels, I decided I too must have an unecessarily complicated Saturday and ordered a set from BB. I don't want to cut the new panels to install the front door speakers, but don't want to get rid of the front speakers either. Has anyone found an alternative place for the door speakers. I know sells a hokey under the dash cover that has speaker outlets, but I don't want to spend $200 on that. I'm thinking under the dash somehow, but suggestions would appreciated. The speakers are 5 1/2 or 6" Polk Audio.

[82SC]

there is a product I see in performance all the time...it is a panel that fits under the dash and is supposed to clean up all the loose hoses and wiring...they also can include a hole for speakers...

I think if you get creative, and don't mind drilling into your car, you can make the panels...

another place is under the A-pillar where those worthless pockets in the carpet are...you can make an enclosure there...but it would have to be more curved and you may track mud onto your speakers...


MJ

[89911]

I know you don't want to take a knife to your new door panels but what other better alternatives do you have the won't look worse. Well done, the speakers blend into these and are inconspicous. Placing them any lower then they are will make them that much harder to hear.

[CamB]

I'm gonna try the kickpanels (where the map pocket is) one day. I would remove that part of the carpet, make a fibreglass and MDF "pod" to replace the pocket with 5.25" speakers.

I had something similar in my old Peugeot 106 (unfortunately now sold). I am getting a digital camera tomorrow and can take a picture of what I mean.

It takes time, you breathe lots of fibreglass resin fumes and pobably get frustrated. You will need to get the pods trimmed in carpet to match, and you (and more particularly the passenger) will need to make sure the speakers aren't kicked too hard (they will have grills, obviously). You will need a sub though, as the pod will restrict the (already crap) lower frequencies of your average 5.25" speaker.

The advantage is it will probably sound better than door speakers:

1. Speakers well mounted, no "leakage" between front and back of speaker

2. Speakers should be mounted "on-axis" - pointing up between driver passenger. Perversely, this will lift the sound so that it sounds like it is coming from about dash height. It should also sound like it comes from in front of you, rather than to one side (without requiring balancing or equalisation).

This is all long and involved - are you REALLY sure the doors aren't ok?

Cam

[Raymond]

paul, i'll show you mine when we get together.

[pbs911]

Ray, Where did you put the speakers? If your going to go with the megaphone exhaust I imagine each speaker is mounted to each side of the head rest!

Have you brought you car down to CDM lately? When you do let me know. The pics look great and I'd like to see it first hand.

Cam, since my car is a Targa, I don't have the room near the kick panels as I would in a coup. Thanks for the suggestion.

[CamB]

Oooops, silly me - I ought to have known that.

I am still vigorously trying to convince someone to try it as I have other stuff to do first

[Bill Verburg]

In my old 72, way back when, I made my own RS panels and used some rectangular surface mount speakers in the stock location. I think they were made by Boston Acustics sounded quite good.

[piedogger]

camb is right on they sound great. What I did was get some carrera kick panels they stick out to clear the computer and there plastic under the carpet, this saves some time making the mold they also fit great in a SC. I used 61/2 but lost some leg room (only getting in and out not driving) I would probably go with 51/4 especialy if you have a sub. just another idea if you use a spkr with a swivel tweet (JL or MB Quart ect. ...) you can really dial in the sound stage. another idea smugglers box......

[CamB]

Any pictures Piedogger? It is cool someone has real world Porsche experience on this!

I would emphasise what he says about legroom - the driver doesn't notice it (feet past the pods), but in my experience uninitiated passengers seem to delight in using them as footrests.

Cam

[piedogger]

Unfortunatly I cant find pictures of the kick panels and the car is gone it was a 78 SC coupe. Im now working on my cab. probably not going to go as crazy not as secure. the 78 had surround procesor. in the center AC vents DVD in the glove box 7" screen in the center console with the head unit in stock location. I had 6.5" JL' s in the kick 4" center chanel under screen in console 8" in the smuggler hatch 5.25's in rear running mono for rear surrond
I know it is way overkill but I'm in the industry and it generated a lot of bizz especialy with the 911's

[89911]

I've seen cars now with the DVD's in the steering wheel. Not too distracting!!

[aussie 911 SC]

Just crank down the windows and enjoy the sound of that piece of mechanical wizardry - the Porsche flat 6 engine. Who needs music when you can have a symphony!!!!!!