Mounting depth issue too serious?

Hey guys.

I know that a lot of you work as installers at shops, and I was hoping to get some feedback from you.  Let's say that your main speaker brand released a killer performing component set priced at around $600-700, but the midrange had a mounting depth of about 3.5".  I know that is too deep for most vehicles out there.  Do you guys think the customer looking to buy these speakers would care too much if it took a little more money for the install because of the larger mounting depth?  Basically since they are already spending that type of money, would they care about having to shell out possibly another couple hundred extra dollars for the custom install?  Also would the salesmen push this since there is added money to be made from the extra laybor?

Thanks for any feedback.

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

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at that price level no, at least in the area that I live in. There a number of high end shops that almost always do some sort of custom fabrication for the customer, even if it is a bit excessive.

Someone in marketing ought to do some location specific analysis from the local shops because it sounds like these speakers might be on their way out soon.

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Naaaa, phuck that.....If the customer will pay U for what he/she wants to listen too.......good for you.

If you are up front about the "extra" labor....your covered. Hit it ..............its that simple!

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At my shop, cutting mdf spacers, and shaving the inside of the door panels are no extra cost.  We keep templates for most cars in the wood shop, and make quick work with the router.

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My ex once told me I have a perfect face for radio.

Yeah , no extra cost here, if it can be spaced and fit behind the door panel ofcourse.  If not, then obviously they have to be informed they need kick panel enclosures, or fabricated door panels.

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2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.

In my opinion, if you are satisfied staying at the niche market level, then it is not a mounting issue it is simply a marketing issue.  If you want to go for higher levels up in volume, it can be a deal breaker.  The highest-end users will do whatever is necessary to use the component they want, but the volume you can sell at this level is very low.  The next level up in volume will stand some fabrication work or have the sophistication to do it themsleves, but a portion here will avoid doing that work if possible.  The next level, where volume and profits start to get large, include more and more people who want simple drop-in replacements and will choose components based on if they "fit" their vehicle.  This group will go for SQ but will choose easiest install first.  The more difficult something is to use the higher the marketing budget mneeds to be.  And of course we haven't even touched the mass market, but anything over $200 is beyond most of them anyway.

One thing you might consider offering as part of a component set aimed at maximum volume sales in the high-end of users is a plastic spacer designed to fit under the speaker flange.  Can't cost more than 10 cents to have injection molded in volume and helps make your system easier to choose among the DIY crowd.  And of course grills...

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Thanks for the feedback guys!

Then to eliminate the marketing aspect from the picture, we will assume the manufacturer is offering lower end components to fill in those niches as well.

I like the idea of the rings.  Do you guys think it would be best to offer a pair of 1/2" rings with the kits, or maybe 3 pairs of 1/4" rings for the installer to mix and match?

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

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Hmm, somehow I never considered the Koda woofer design as a "lower end component...." 

Flexibility is good.  It probably costs no more to offer several interlocking rings, say two at 1/4" and one at 1/2" for each Extremis, err woofer, giving the installer 4 different depth possibilities.

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I think either a DIYer or a shop can work with one set of rings.  Make them as thick as necessary to bring the woofer up to the mounting depth of the standard....so if it takes 3/4" to equal the depth of the drop-in line, just supply that.  Keeps it simple.  As a consumer, not in the car audio business, but most likely in the market again for speaker upgrades....I would look at that package as a well-thought out and convenient system.  A quick depth measurement of my OEM grill tells me right away I've got plenty of room if 3/4" is all it's going to be extended.  Hmmm...no trying to decide how many rings or what size to use, no hassles, no custom work, no online shopping for rings, no cutting my fingers off trying to make my own rings...it's starting to look pretty good!

(But after I posted this I read DYohn's reply and he makes better sense, since most of the installs of this caliber will be done professionally.) 

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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

im in BFE Arkansas and i couldnt imagine anyone around here paying that much for components. Cadence is our top end brand but we sell SPL, Power Acoustic, MA Audio, Kole and Audiopipe like its going out of style. thats what people around here can afford. everyone we install for are happy about the quality of the installs and price (HU-$30,amp-$50,door spkrs-$30 all plus parts). we have already put one audio shop out of business because of the 300% markup they had on their stuff, thats how we got cadence and USamps. people here are cheap and they want "affordable" car audio.

just wanted to share that with yall.

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Steven:  I'm modifying my doors this weekend to put some Extremis drivers in as midbass. :-)  I bought a pair of those little Xtant 1.1 class D full range amplifiers to drive them. 

There's always going to be some part of the market that will pay extra for performance.

I think as long as folks see the value of your product as being greater than total cost (retail + installation costs), your product will be bought.  While I like the idea of the rings, I'd make them optional at a fair cost.  Most DIYers don't want to pay extra for stuff like that and would rather rip out their own MDF rings in 30 minutes than pay an extra $30.

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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder