4" mids or 4x6 plates?
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=1684
Printed Date: July 07, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Topic: 4" mids or 4x6 plates?
Posted By: 68stang
Subject: 4" mids or 4x6 plates?
Date Posted: July 03, 2002 at 2:38 PM
I have a 1968 Mustang and I am in the process of customizing the audio system. I am starting by replacing the speakers at the factory locations. One of these locations is the lower half of the inner door panel, but only in a 'deluxe' edition car. My car has grilles made for the entire length of the door, which have undercut areas for the speakers and for the courtesy lights. The size of the original speaker that ford installed was 4"x8". My car is not 'deluxe' yet, as I am in the process of upgrading the interior options and what not. So my quesion is whether to cut for a 6"x8" speaker (but I think I can't find a speaker like that), cut for a 4"x6" plate speaker (probably with the tweeter and woofer made separate), or cut for a 4" midrange (some sort of separate or component)? What will produce better quality sound? What will produce better imaging? Assume I have applied all sound damping material necessary. Thanks for any and all suggestions. ADAM D FLOURNOY
Replies:
Posted By: GlassWolf
Date Posted: July 03, 2002 at 3:33 PM
I had Infinity Kappa 4x6 plates (separates in the plate.. 4" mid and a tweeter) that worked wonderfully in a Fiero GT I did for a friend for rear-fill.
If you have the option of cutting metal though behind the grille, consider a 6.5" midbass, then put the tweeter from a component set elsewhere..
look at Infinity reference or kappa, MB Quart, kicker components, JL Audio.. all have good component systems in 6.5 and 5.25" sizes
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-GlassWolf
Pioneer Stage-4, Orion, DynAudio, Fi
Posted By: 68stang
Date Posted: July 03, 2002 at 5:12 PM
The original speaker size was 4x8, not 4 or 4x6 or something standard. I can't find anything that measures 4x8, but I know I can use 4x6, or 2 4" speakers side by side. I only have a bit over 4 inches of clearance top to bottom of the mount, but I have just over 8 inches of clearance front to back. Tweeters were certainly never used back in 68, but I might be able to find a place in the door for one. I will not surface mount a tweeter anywhere, but flush mounting is an option. Let's say I can't find a place to use a tweeter. I already have a pair of quality mid-high custom speakers in the dash, so do you think a 4x6 plate with separates, or just the 4" mid from a component? ADAM
Posted By: GlassWolf
Date Posted: July 03, 2002 at 5:42 PM
a 4x6 plate will fit the 4x8 hole, leaving a gap around the plate. no big deal there.
also consider putting a piece of plywood behind the factory opening under teh door panel and cutting any speaker hole size ya like.. say.. a 5" mid and a tweeter? then let them fire through the factory grille openings.
that way it all stays concealed.
or put a 5" mid in the doors, and the tweeter in the dash spot reflecting off the windshield.
or put the tweeters hot-glued inside the air vents forward firing at the driver and passenger. I've done this trick on a number of cars.. air still blows around the tweeters, but they are in a good position and well-concealed.
just a few options there
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-GlassWolf
Pioneer Stage-4, Orion, DynAudio, Fi
Posted By: 68stang
Date Posted: July 03, 2002 at 5:59 PM
thanks for the advice...ADAM
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