Audio n00b question. I've been trying to figure out how to handle the C4 front speaker challenge without cutting up my new door panels, or settling with the muddy sound from sill speakers. Then I saw they make a full range 2" driver with decent power handling (~60 watts).
That got me wondering about maybe mounting them in some custom boxes around the windshield top corners. There's room there, maybe with some tweeters on the A-pillar.
I'm not trying to get concert hall audio, or blow the windows out. I'm just trying to get decent sound (mostly Classic/Alternative rock) at levels well enough above road noise. I've already put a lot of sound deadener in the car to knock the ambient noise down as much as possible. Any chance such a small speaker combined with some 8" subs in the back speaker locations and some small woofers in the sills would give me what I'm looking for?
I am guessing you car is a '84 to '89? The later cars have a different speaker configuration. I have read that it is possible to remove the dash pad cover, and mount 4" speakers in the corners of the dash, making it possible to use a three way component system.
Something to think about.
BTW, I would not expect much from those 2" speakers.
Try using the search function in this section, you should see some nice stuff.
I have a 92. I have the dash pad out, but it doesn't look like there is room for anything that big. And I have spent the last few days looking at old C4 speaker posts regarding different options.
Yeah, I sure did. Quite impressive what you did with the door panel mod, but it would be very problematic for me to try the same. First, I don't have the 92/93 panels anymore. I went with the 94-96 panels that do not have the removable section where you put the mids. Second, I don't have your upholstry skills and wouldn't know where to start trying to replicate what you did. What I do have is TIG welding skills, whick is why I was thinking about making a small AL enclosure that would mount to the W/S frame, then just cut a hole through the halo trim to pass it through.
OTOH, maybe I should do what GKK did in that post and only mount a tweeter in the door, and a mid in the sill...
What do you think about a mid in the sill and tweeter in the dash pad like you did? Too much seperation?
The dash was quite a bit better than all other placements, but I think that will depend on the components you use. If the crossover point is on the high side, you'll have more of the impression the sound is near your knee.
I have to advise against the 2" idea for a few reasons. It'll require custom crossovers (difficult without lots of experience), there are not a lot of small mids that will do what's required in a car and most-importantly, the roof height is low to begin with, and in a crash they just may seriously injure or kill you or a passenger. That assumes I'm visualizing what you mean correctly.
Some guys are perfectly happy with mids in the sill. I didn't like it one bit, but that's me. The easiest option with respectable return on effort is the sill mid / dash tweeter combination.
I think I can be happy with the dash tweeter and sill mid. My ear isn't as sophisticated as yours. What do you recommend for the components and amps?
Also, how did you find the right location to cut holes in the upper dash pad? It doesn't look like there is much room for error there. I'd hate to ruin a dash pad.
scranage;What do you recommend for the components and amps?
Any TN52-based Focal components. Xtant, Zapco and old RF / Orion amps.
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Also, how did you find the right location to cut holes in the upper dash pad? It doesn't look like there is much room for error there. I'd hate to ruin a dash pad.
It wasn't exactly easy, especially on the driver side, but you'll see gaps in the things under the dash pad. Make yourself s couple cardboard templates to fit in the corners, then use them to mark spots where the magnets will fit. Transfer those marks to the dash pad and cross your fingers. You'll actually have more room than you think because the pad is so thick. You're better off playing with the tweeter location before you commit anyway.
A 2 inch mid will fit easily in those locations. The speaker itself wil sound fine, but with the aggressive slope of the windshield you will get nasty reflections and cause more harshness than you want. Ideally an atennuated tweeter there at a low crossover point will work good there while a 5 1/4 in the doors will cover most of the rest. The main thing to look out for is there is a main metal dash frame running across the vehicle. That is an obstacle for any type of mid larger than the 2 incher which is another reason why I recommend a tweeter application there.
Corvette Store
Anyone ever tried 2" Mids above the C4 W/S?
You'll actually have more room than you think because the pad is so thick. You're better off playing with the tweeter location before you commit anyway.
