Modify Speaker Enclosures?

[mykalhenry]

Hi, just wondering how feasible it is to try to modify either the front back or both the speaker enclosures in the doors to fit 6x9s? Possible?

Thanks in advance.

Mykal

 

[TTG]

With a Sawsall, anything is possible...

Actually I've heard of people installing 6x9s but I don't know how they did it. I can tell you this, if the bac of your 01 is like mine, the rear speakers are on a mounting ring that is mounted to a bracket that is bolted to the insides of the truck. You should be able to take the ring part off and replace it with a 6x9 ring. To do this you'll have to take off the entire back interior or your truck pretty much.

Why do you want to do it anyways? Got some 6x9s sitting around? The difference in sound between a 6x8 and a 6x9 is next to nothing...

 

[mykalhenry]

Well, I have a pair of 6x8s and a pair of 6 and 1/2s sitting around, Pioneers. About 50 watts RMS each. If I add a small amp will it start to push those speakers? Orrr, Should I go top line with coaxial 6x8s such as a Fosgate but with only the head unit to push? My budget dictates one or the other not both. I don't have premium sound and my head unit is a Pioneer 7700MP.

Thanks

Mykal

 

[TTG]

It depends on just how nice the Pioneers are really. Circle speakers supposedly give better sound than oval ones, and if you like the way the Pioneers sound then amping them might not be a bad option. If you're not happy with the sound quality of them I'd get some new speakers and jsut run them off the head unit. BTW Kicker speakers are quite good and come at a very good price. And if you buy 2 sets of them at Crutchfield you get one half off.

 

[mykalhenry]

Hi, problem is, when I had this set in my Probe it got distorted about 4/5 of the volume up or at about 55 out of 62 being the loudest as far as the head unit volume counter. I wonder if it is lack of amp or just speakers that are not designed to handle high volumes. 50 RMS is about middle ground for speakers right?

Mykal

 

[DDEBEXP]

i used some 6x8(5x7) speaker adapters to fit some 5" component speakers. Couldn't be happier. I did this in front and back and used some denon components. I am just using the stocker head, and using an amp will definately make them sound better. If you have the audiophile system with the sub, then i recommend using an amp at least for the rear speakers because they are a lot softer than the front for whatever speakers you use. The problem with ANY head amp, it is not as controlled as an external amp. This is probably why you encountered distortion. If you use some kind of external amp, I used a low end alpine in my escort when i had it, mrp-f200 and it sounded great, no distortion. It is rated at 25 watts rms x4. i am sure you can find one of those for pretty cheap. Mine came from ebay for about $25. Point is, if you use a high end speaker on the head amp, then you are wasting money because you will only get distortion at upward volume. If you use an external amp, then it will make most speakers sound much better.

 

[TTG]

Distortion is usually caused by a lack of power to push them at that level. 50W RMS is actually quite a bit for speakers. 35W RMS is what my Boston Acoustic speakers are, they sound great even without the external amp. Granted my Head unit does 22W RMS. If your speakers are rated for 50W RMS and you use a 25W RMS amp, you'll get the same distortion as youd get with a head unit pushing 22W RMS.

So first thing you should do is find the model numbers on the speakers, and get the tech specs for them. If the RMS Wattage is too far above what your head unit will put out, you should get the external amp.

That all being said, new speakers won't fix your problem. Getting new speakers would only help if you were displeased wth the actual quality of the sound.

 

[mykalhenry]

Thanks TTG. That is part of what I needed to know. I love the sound at low levels but when I try to push them thats what causes the problem. When you add an amp at 25 per channel with a head unit with 22 does that equal 47 watts output to each channel or does the amp completely take out the heat unit wattage and you are only on the amps wattage? Now that I am getting the hang of this it seems that nothing is enough. I may never get to use the truck for women because it will be my date every paycheck.

Mykal

 

[TTG]

No you can't amplify an already amplified signal without causing problems. That's why people with 95-97s have to bypass the amplifier in the back for a new head unit. To hook up your new amplifier you would run RCA cords from the pre-amp outputs to the amplifier. Thus no power from the head unit gets to the signal, and your external amp is what is giving them the power. So you need to get an aplifier that gives you as close to the RMS max as you'd like to go or a little above.

Remember, trying to run speakers loud without enough power damages them more than running them a little bit over their RMS rating.

 

[mykalhenry]

Well, I think for now I am going to buy the ring adapters for my 6 and 1/2s and put them in the back panels for now and put the 6x8s in the front and buy an amp and amp them correctly for about 4-6 months or so. I will overbuy on wattage as far as the amp is concerned and make it a 4 channel amp. Does this sound right with respect to moderate upgradability? I guess I can set the amp for now only to kick out so much with respect to the speakers I have. Then after about 6 months I may switch the Pioneer 6x8s to the back panels and buy some real high end front speaker 6x8 components and then put two 10s in the side enclosures in the rear and call it a day. 10"s will fit in those enclosures in the 01 Sport or no?

Thanks

Mykal