Plate speakers

[aldive]

What exactly are "plate speakers"?

Where are they used? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Thanks....

 

[Mike 92 XLT]

Plate speakers combine a seperate midrange (usually 4") and tweeter onto a single mounting plate. If you have ever seen what the factory JBL speakers look like, they are a plate speaker.

peace

Mike

 

[aldive]

Thanks...

Adavayages? Disadvantages? Do you guys recommend them?

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

Yep, what Mike said They are basically component speakers mounted on plates to fit in factory speaker locations. They should sound better than similarily priced oval coxials, but the selection is kind of limited. I know Pioneer and Audiobahn make them in 6x8.

Dead Link Removed

 

[aldive]

I never hear these speakers mentioned here or elsewhere, wonder why? They seem like a really good way to go.

Talk to me guys.

Thanks.....

 

[aldive]

Compare plate speakers to reg 6 x 8 to component speakers, please.

Thanks....

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

Originally posted by aldive
Compare plate speakers to reg 6 x 8 to component speakers, please.

Thanks....

Well, Plate speakers are basically components like I said in the last post. In theory, round woofers produce better mid range than oval coxials because there's less distortion. Component sets also benefit from separate tweeter locations for better sound imaging. But for those that do not want to drill holes, intall tweeter mounts, etc. You can mount them on plates and replace factory 6x8 speakers.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by Kontrol-Trak


Well, Plate speakers are basically components like I said in the last post. In theory, round woofers produce better mid range than oval coxials because there's less distortion. Component sets also benefit from separate tweeter locations for better sound imaging. But for those that do not want to drill holes, intall tweeter mounts, etc. You can mount them on plates and replace factory 6x8 speakers.

Would components mounted in kick panel enclosures be better? Why?

Thanks....

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

Originally posted by aldive


Would components mounted in kick panel enclosures be better? Why?

Thanks....

Not necessarily. But most high-end components (Focal, Diamond, etc.) require alot of depth for the woofers, so they need to be installed in kick panels.

 

[greengeeker]

i think for the best sound, it would be better to stay with the door mounts. i remember reading somewhere that the difference between the kick panels and your rear speakers produces a barely noticable echo effect. all the speakers are hitting at the same time, but it takes longer for the sound to get there. another good point about the plate speakers is that on some brands you can aim the tweeters (they swivel in their mount).

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

Originally posted by greengeeker
another good point about the plate speakers is that on some brands you can aim the tweeters (they swivel in their mount).

Many oval coxials have swivel tweeters also.

 

[nosaj122081]

Components in kickpanels would be better... The plate speakers, like someone said, are usually 4" and are installed in a free-air setup, so they won't have nearly as good a frequency response as a larger driver in a small enclosure.

Plus, the imaging in the factory door speaker locations is HORRIBLE, I wouldn't put a driver in there that was playing over a few hundred hertz... Most people won't notice, but I was making decisions about my system and put the Focal Audiomobile test disk in my factory CD player just for a refererence... It was BAD. Voices are strongly biased left, whereas higher brass notes are strong right, some frequencies you couldn't even pick up from the drivers seat from the left speaker, among other things (those things annoyed the bujesus outta me). I do not think by any stretch that repositioning the tweeters will take all the flaws away, although it will work with some. Kickpanels will lessen the biases and make the sound more centered. Not a big deal unless you're real critical, but I am.

If the rear speakers give an echo (and they do, sometimes, you're right, I've had it happen a couple times), cut 'em... I hate rear speakers anyhow ...

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

I wouldn't even bother installing $300 components in kick panels though. If you have quality speakers that really need them, then I'd say go for it.

 

[nosaj122081]

Theres a saying "Crap speakers will sound good if you install them well, Good speakers will sound like crap if you install them poorly" (The old guy that runs the local store always told me this)... I'd bet a $50 set of components in kickpanels would have better imaging and give (or at least the illusion of giving) a better frequency response than the best speakers in the world installed in the doors. I've never heard a setup with door-installed components, no matter the price, that I would say sounded wonderful... Good, maybe, but not great. I've heard cheap Pioneer components mounted in kickpanels that I would put above most high end door mounted speakers.

I'm going to be running the DEI Studio line 5 1/4 components in a kickpanel setup, they're 199.95 and considered to be one of the finest component sets on the market, Price isn't always the deciding factor, if it was I'd have to say Kappas sounded better than Vifas or Audax's ...

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

Yeah, you are right. Installation is very important. Sound coming from right next to you is far from the ideal in terms of sound imaging. But since I'm too lazy, I wouldn't mess with the kick panels unless I have really good components

 

[leenjen]

the kickpanels are the way to go for better imaging. that's why just about all sq competition vehicles have kickpanel enclosures with component sets mounted. they provide a more accurate front stage. i have pioneer 6X8s in the doors running off the headunit, and audiobahn components in the kicks powered by an amp. the components are the main drivers in the system, the door speakers just kinda fill in some midrange.

 

[nosaj122081]

True true, I'm really not looking forward to installing my kickpanels, I know in my old Ranger they were kinda a nightmare with the E-brake... I have to keep reminding myself that it will sound great when I finish... Plus I HATE farting around with doorpanels, I always end up bleeding somehow, LOL. My last competition car was a Talon, and boy, it sounded great with the kickpanels, I'm hoping to yield the same results.

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

How do those DEIs sound by the way?