speaker options, very limited space
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=119671
Printed Date: May 16, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Topic: speaker options, very limited space
Posted By: arizonaclassic
Subject: speaker options, very limited space
Date Posted: January 26, 2010 at 9:36 PM
I would like some input on what the best speaker combinations are on a car we are finishing a restoration on. The space is extremely limited and everything must be hidden. The car is a 1960 Buick Invicta convertible. The stereo is a Secretaudio SST by Custom Autosound. The amp hasn't been purchased yet, but we have a new Kicker KX350.4 that I may end up using. The areas I have to mount in are: each of the factory speaker locations and the kick panels. That's it. The factory spots are in the center of the dash and in the upper, middle rear seat. In the dash I have about 7"-7.5" diameter, the rear in have maybe 6.5" and it is relatively shallow. The kick panels have 7" diameter and plenty of depth. There will be no subs or speakers in the trunk (by owner's request). I have fabed some 6.5" component bucket enclosers for the kick panels so far. I am undecided about what to do with the front and rear center spots. The company that makes the stereo also has some DVC speakers that look like 6.5" with twin tweaters above it. They claim it is run on both channels. I don't know of anyone who has used these and I havn't seen any reviews. Anyone out there use them? I was considering using two 3.5" in the front spot, but I don't think it will sound good?? Please post your thoughts if you have an idea about the best speaker configeration for this install. Thanks in advance.
Replies:
Posted By: arizonaclassic
Date Posted: January 27, 2010 at 8:26 AM
I guess I should clarify, I can't use the door panels or rear panels for the stereo install. The car has a brand new interior that I can not make any changes to. Also the complete system must be 100% hidden. The trunk is off limits for the same reason. I have used all my available space to hide the two air compressors, tank and an ASCO valve manifold for the air suspension. The space under the front bucket seats is very tight, no room for a slim woofer or 6X9 boxes. Plus the stereo will be going under the passenger seat. The center console is made of injected plastic (can't change structure), is very slim, and has no space for anything other than the digital air controller I already installed in it.
Posted By: kbirtch
Date Posted: January 30, 2010 at 2:39 PM
people arent responding to your question for one of two possible reasons: 1) your question has redundancy in it, and the answer is in front of you 2) lack of information on our part can you post pics? maybe that will help drum up some support from these guys
Posted By: arizonaclassic
Date Posted: February 07, 2010 at 4:12 PM
Any help?? I understand this is a very basic install and this system is not going to sound great no matter what I choose, but I need it to sound as good as possible. I am the only installer at our shop, and we have done a full frame off restoration on this car, so if the stereo sounds like doodie I will look like a dick. I lack the experience to be able to choose the correct configeration for the speaker setup in this car as my stereo duties usually only require adding an aftermarket headunit, or adding subs to an existing system. I will probably end up using speakers that fit the best (size-wise), and not ones that will sound the best. I also an unsure of the wiring configuration that will be best. Does anyone have an opinion on this setup?: -6.5" components in the kick panels. -one 5.25" in the front center location. -one 5.25" in the rear center location. I guess one 5.25 would have to be wired front left and the other front right? The two 6.5's as the rear? Are two small 3.5" in the front center wired left and right better? The amp is going to be a Kicker KX350.4. Thanks in advance.
Posted By: z03mz03m
Date Posted: February 07, 2010 at 7:59 PM
Pictures are necessary for a response on something like this.
I'll give it a try.
Is this the Kick panel you're talking about?
The black thing on the right side of the foot well?
If so I wouldn't do any thing other than put a nice set of component speakers that you can Bi-amp with your 4 channel amp. I think some of the more experienced people on this site would agree unless it is required to have speakers in all locations by your client.
That car was actually made before stereo broadcasting and recording were widespread so the original speaker locations were probably all mono.
Take a look at these 6.5"'s
Kicker QS652
and these Boston Acoustics PRO60SE , Boston Acoustics SPZ60
or Boston Acoustics SR65(not bi-amp-able)
I picked those because
1. You said 6.5" speakers
2. No sub these are probably as good as you're going to get
3. The tweeters can be mounted coaxially
4. I'm assuming your customer has some $$$
And if you are limited on space I would look at some of the new Full range class D amplifiers (look for ICE POWER technology) from Alpine, Pioneer, JL audio. They are getting phenomenal reviews including ppl on this site and they are very small and run cool so you can squeeze them in tight places.
I've used some DVC speakers in distributed home audio and don't recommend them.
Also the spec's and capabilities of the head unit would be helpful.
Posted By: arizonaclassic
Date Posted: February 08, 2010 at 4:57 PM
Thanks for the advice. The car in the picture is identical to the one I'm working on. The grilles in the kick panels have louvers that originally blew warm air toward the passengers. The 6.5" components will be behind those grilles. It is not required that I fill all the locations. In the center of the dash you will notice a square speaker grille that is actually part of the steel dash panel. My front, center speaker or speakers would be under that grille. I have attached a pic of a similar rear speaker grille (upper, center rear seat). The headunit is a Custom Autosound Secretaudio SST. 50X4, 4 channel 3 volt RCA pre-outs, subwoofer pre-out. Thanks again for your help. I will run the components for now. If need-be I can add other speakers later. These cars originally came with just one speaker in the front. You could order the rear speaker as an option, but you could only use one at a time. If your car was equipt with the optional rear speaker it also came with a selector switch to choose front or rear use! Also, the speaker only had a single wire to it from the headunit and was self-grounding.
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