tweeter placement opinions

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=98506
Printed Date: May 15, 2025 at 6:15 AM

Topic: tweeter placement opinions

Posted By: KPierson
Subject: tweeter placement opinions
Date Posted: October 31, 2007 at 11:13 PM

I know this topic has be discussed through and through here, but I have a hypothetical question about tweeter placement.

What kind of results could be expected from mounting the tweeters in the A-pillars and reflecting them off the windshield?

Something exactly like this:

posted_image

Assume there is no active processing in the car, just the passive crossovers that came with the component set (the mid is mounted low in the door). The set will be ran off an external amp with adequate power.

How good do you think it will sound?

Is/are there a better place(s) to install the tweeter and/or mid?

Thanks!

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Kevin Pierson

Replies:

Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: November 01, 2007 at 10:32 AM

Reflected sound does many things to the presentation, not least of which are

1) introducing unpredictable phase errors
2) introducing time delays
3) reducing SPL output at the main listening area (energy gets absorbed into the reflecting surface)
4) adding distortion due to diffraction effects
5) often the effects of harmonics get amplified due to reduction of SPL in the main signal, again increasing distortion
6) off-axis sound becomes more dominant than on-axis
7) reduction of imaging accuracy or diffusing the sound stage

In short, I do not recommend it for main sound tweeters. If you are adding ambiance or surround effects tweeters, it might be acceptable. The best location for any main tweeter is on-axis with the primary listening area, and ideally within 1/2 wavelength of the crossover frequency from the woofer or midrange driver.

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Posted By: jrod83
Date Posted: November 01, 2007 at 2:55 PM

Personally I like on axis fiberglass pods, but i understand that there are many people who don't either want to hassle with fiberglass or just don't know how to use it. Depending on what tweeters you have and the pods they come with on the box, you can usually use the pods they come in and mount them on the door right where it closes. I know it sometimes looks tacky but i've seen some people pull it off.

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