Biggest speakers in Dash

[DarkScorpion]

Simply put, what are the largest speakers that will be able to fit in the stock dash locations? I know the stock size is 3.5", but has anyone tried fitting 4" speakers in there? Also, anyone have any idea (or a picture) of how much space or how deep those holes are? I can't tell if the space is limited, or if the hole is literally a "hole" with no bottom. Any help is appreciated!

[AppleBonker]

You asked this via email, but I'll respond here to keep the discussion open in case any one else has any answers or is asking the same questions. I would say there is a good chance you could get a 4" speaker in the stock dash location. My tweets are obviously smaller in diameter and not as deep (I think mine are 1" deep - which isn't terribly shallow for a tweet), but I think there was a decent amount of depth to the opening. Your best bet (unfortunately) is to pull one of the Bose "tweeters" out and measure. I say unfortunately because getting to those screws is a huge pain (the ones closest to the window are nearly impossible to remove). As long as the spider on the 4" you want isn't too wide, you should be ok - but definitely don't purchase without measuring a bit more first (remember, you can always modify the plastic under the speaker grille - as long as you don't destroy the mounting holes - and no one will be the wiser if you ever sell your car).

May I ask why you want to put a 4" speaker in there though? 4" drivers aren't particularly good at deeper midrange, and they wont get too high either. A 4" driver is generally used in combination with a true tweeter and a true mid-bass (think like a sub + 1" tweet + 4" + 8" midbass) which can be a pretty complicated system.

[DarkScorpion]

Actually, some of the 3" and 4" tangbands I'm looking at have pretty nice response in the upper range. Have you seen this site? http://www.zaphaudio.com/ Don't get this confused with 3"/4"coaxials or midranges, I'll be using fullrange speakers.

I'm planning pairing them with some of the Peerless SLS6.5's in the doors, probably bandpassed at ~65hz and ~300hz, and having the fullranges take over from 300hz up (I'll set the slopes by ear). Compared to small format tweeters, full ranges usually are more directional, so bouncing off the windshield would be better suited to them compared to tweets. Plus, I'll be able to pull the sound stage higher up compared to tweeters playing from 2500hz up in the dash or in the sail panels, and the mids handling midbass and midrange duties.

I'll be running the set-up fully active with a 3sixty.2, so I'll be able to use time alignment to my advantage as well.

Also, I'm don't have the Bose system, just the standard headunit and speakers, but I'll definitely be taking out the rear deck speakers.

Here's the 3" drivers I was considering, if I can't fit the 4's in: http://www.diymobileaudio.com/....html

http://www.parts-express.com/p...4-844

[AppleBonker]

Definitely an idea I've never thought of. Keep us up to date on how it all turns out!