Speaker grill spacer update

WolfeMacleod · 05-22-2007, 04:59 PM

Someone recently asked if I had any updates to this project.
I do!

Awhile back, I had posted about some plastic spacers I made to fill in the gap that most 4x6 speakers make when they push the grill away from the door panel.
Although functional, I was never really happy with them. Aside from not being airtight and giving a good seal, which could allow air pressure to seep out from behind the speaker, they just didn't look as good as I had hoped.

I started messing withthe dear deck speakers on the new 911 a few days ago, and had an epiphany when I discovered I would run into the same problem.

What to use to fill in the gap?

Foam is what I decided on. Dense, closed-cell foam.
Now, I could not find any linen coloured foam, so black would have to do, since I can also use it in the 911.

Here are the results. I think it creates a much better seal, and sound seems to be much improved because of it.
I used a razor blade. With better cutting, the raggedness of the edges would not be so apparent.

Icey1174 · 05-23-2007, 08:40 AM

They look decent. I have a small gap in mine. Does it really make that much of a difference in the sound? I have 50W to each speaker, a double din touch screen and a sub with an amp in the spare tire area of the car. Sounds good right now if I can ever get the hatch to quit rattling!

WolfeMacleod · 05-23-2007, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Icey1174
They look decent. I have a small gap in mine. Does it really make that much of a difference in the sound? !

It's hard to tell, but I think it does. I did one side, then listened. The other side was noticably "thinner" sounding, but it might have been a stereo imaging trick withthe particular song.

Icey1174 · 05-23-2007, 10:35 AM

Can't hurt to try when I get some time.

WolfeMacleod · 05-24-2007, 09:50 PM

I just did this in my 911 for the rear deck speakers. Took some pics.

Used the same speakers I'm using in the 924S, too. And they sound GREAT in the 911.

Woops. I left out one pic. First, I obtained 1/4 inch closed-cell foam. Placed the speaker grill on top, and traced around it with a razor blade. Then, I used a silver Sharpie to mark the screw hole locations.

Then, I placed the speaker face down, and traced around IT with the razor. Hold the speaker, so it doesn't move....

Pop out the oval

Cut out the silver sharpie marks, for the screws to fit through, and test fit on the speaker.

Proceed as usual. The Flash on the camera makes the foam highlightd much more than it actually is. This foam was a charcoal grey. If you can find truely black foam, it should be invisible.

When all said and done, these Pioneer's sound great in conjunction with the Focal speakers I chose for the doors.

search words. speakers rear deck speaker fitment

Icey1174 · 05-25-2007, 05:40 AM

Looks nice... the leather in that 911 looks real good too!

Dark Skies · 01:47 PM

Nice. I had a similar problem when I fitted my JBLs -

I took a more lazy approach. I bought some of that tight-fitting push-on rubber trim and simply pushed it all around the edge of the speaker grill. I took the opportunity to get shot of the tired speaker fabric too - and glued some aluminum mesh in its stead.

WolfeMacleod · 05-31-2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dark Skies
Nice. I had a similar problem when I fitted my JBLs -

I took a more lazy approach. I bought some of that tight-fitting push-on rubber trim and simply pushed it all around the edge of the speaker grill. I took the opportunity to get shot of the tired speaker fabric too - and glued some aluminum mesh in its stead.

Hey, that's looks pretty good and dirt simple!! Where'd you get it?

Dark Skies · 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WolfeMacleod
Hey, that's looks pretty good and dirt simple!! Where'd you get it?

Here:

http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/c-322-extrusion.aspx

Part number R10

Dark Skies · 06-01-2007, 10:09 AM

By the way - if you're fitting JBL gto speakers they need to be spaced out with about 5mm neoprene / nylon washers because otherwise the magnets sit against the foremost window channel. I glued the nylon nuts used for holding motorcycle screens into fairings on the back of the fixing holes on the speaker. Works a treat.