Component Front Speakers
Component Front Speakers
Well, I've sort of decided what to do next with my stereo, and that would be to pick up a set of CDT CL-61a's off thezeb.com for the front speakers. They obviously aren't 4"x6" speakers, so I would have to build something, probably out of MDF, though I've thought about Plexiglass too (I've heard it's easier to cut/trim Plexiglass) to house the midrange driver, as well as run the tweeter up to another part of the door panel. Can anyone who has modified their S13 like this comment on what it was like to modify, and how difficult it was? I am pretty good at doing this sort of thing, but unfortunately, I don't have many of the tools I would like to cut things like MDF and Plexiglass with . . . but I don't want it to be crap either, heh. Thanks, in advance!
Hey Rex, thanks a lot for that link . . . I guess I shouldn't post at 2 in the morning while semi-comatose, huh? :-)
Any idea where I could get something like that cut? I mean the Plexiglass or MDF . . . I could try myself, but I'd rather make a template and hand it off to someone. I know Home Depot cuts pieces of wood to size, but not shape, IIRC . . . I'd probably be willing to pay a fair bit, if you know of any place that could use a template to cut a piece of Plexiglass to size and shape, along with drilling a circle out in the middle to allow for a speaker. Thanks again for the reply . . .
Any idea where I could get something like that cut? I mean the Plexiglass or MDF . . . I could try myself, but I'd rather make a template and hand it off to someone. I know Home Depot cuts pieces of wood to size, but not shape, IIRC . . . I'd probably be willing to pay a fair bit, if you know of any place that could use a template to cut a piece of Plexiglass to size and shape, along with drilling a circle out in the middle to allow for a speaker. Thanks again for the reply . . .
You know anyone taking woodshop in high school?
I'm thinking someone could make some nice pocket money if they would make this one of their school projects. Gotta figure free wood, freee access to the good tools/saws and might even get a good grade.
Can't think of anywhere that would cut it for you ... maybe some good woodshop/furniture shop near you?
I'm thinking someone could make some nice pocket money if they would make this one of their school projects. Gotta figure free wood, freee access to the good tools/saws and might even get a good grade.
Can't think of anywhere that would cut it for you ... maybe some good woodshop/furniture shop near you?
I'll have to look into that, I don't know anyone taking woodshop, but the teacher is a pretty cool guy, he might let me in there to try a thing or two. What would you say is the preferable material to use to mount the speaker to though? I want something that will resonate as little as possible, and I'll probably put some Dynamat on the back to reduce resonance in the first place. Is there any benefit to using Plexiglass, or MDF, as opposed to wood, accoustically speaking? Thanks again for your help, I've been appreciating it for a while now, heh . . .
Always glad to help out. I'm a few years removed from being active int the Car Audio game, but I have a "sweet tooth" for it 
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I'd recommend MDF, at least 5/8's, don't have any personal experience with plexi. I'm sure MECPInstaller, ayjay & Simmsled will offer up some help as well.
I really thought this was discussed a month or so ago and someone was going to make some, but can't find the thread
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.I'd recommend MDF, at least 5/8's, don't have any personal experience with plexi. I'm sure MECPInstaller, ayjay & Simmsled will offer up some help as well.
I really thought this was discussed a month or so ago and someone was going to make some, but can't find the thread
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Try this web site
Ayjay is the master, but it is not absolutely necessary to go that far... try this post.
Not as intense, but will work with teh CDT 61a component where you have just the main driver and tweeter per channel.
Gautams installation
I did it and it worked out presty good for my CDT 61 hdI installed new amps too so I used new wire throughout.
Enjoy the music
Not as intense, but will work with teh CDT 61a component where you have just the main driver and tweeter per channel.
Gautams installation
I did it and it worked out presty good for my CDT 61 hdI installed new amps too so I used new wire throughout.
Enjoy the music
Hehe, yeah, I noticed it was the same thing. Great reference . . .
I'd like to use something fairly thick, as the CDT's aren't very shallow, and regardless of where it's mounted, the plexiglass just looks really nice, and I would imagine it's quite a bit denser than MDF or wood; might need to use some Dynamat, or something similar on the back to dampen any resonance, but it would be a nice strong durable mount. Thanks for all the advice guys!
I'd like to use something fairly thick, as the CDT's aren't very shallow, and regardless of where it's mounted, the plexiglass just looks really nice, and I would imagine it's quite a bit denser than MDF or wood; might need to use some Dynamat, or something similar on the back to dampen any resonance, but it would be a nice strong durable mount. Thanks for all the advice guys!
. Hey,I just recently installed the CL-61a's in my front doors. I just used some 3/8" MDF to mount them too. The only problem I ran into is the fact that when i roll the windows all the way down they slightyl touch the rear of the speakers, so I'm going to either have to get some thicker MDF or double it up. For now I just don't roll my windows all the way down. Other than that it went smoothly. I mounted the crossovers on the door panels inside the little map holder things, and the tweeters in the upper front corners. These speakers are so much nicer than my old 4" pioneers. I also get a little rattling from the bass they put out, but nothing a little padding won't fix. LMK if you have any questions.
P.S. All you need is a jigsaw, drill and screws. I got my jigsaw for like $30 at Home Depot.
P.S. All you need is a jigsaw, drill and screws. I got my jigsaw for like $30 at Home Depot.
Good to know man, thanks a lot for the info. Maybe 5/8" MDF, if they make it in that size would work . . . I'll have to make some measurements, I guess. BTW, how do they sound? :-) I assume you had the 4x6" Pioneers in front before, which I also happen to have, and though they don't sound bad, there's very little midbass . . . not much of a problem with rap and R&B for the most part, but listening to things like The Doors, The Eagles, etc, it's not that great. :-) Thanks again for the info man!
The speakers I had previously were just 4" pioneers that i made some small adaptor plates for. They couldn't handle any bass at all and one was starting to sound a little scratchy(They came outta my previous car before i sold it, so no biggie), but I was beginning to hate them. These are so much better, with great midbass and the tweeters are nice too. I currently have the my amp crossover on highs only until I can get some dampening material for my door panels. Everyone else that I've talked to loves them too, especially for the price. Good luck with the install!
have you tried runnin them FLAT yet, using no filter on the amp? i'm runnin them flat with the bass set on my deck at 5 (6 is max), and the treble half way, and they perform beautifully with no distortion up to rediculous volume levels making my hanging air freshener do a little dance... this is with 100W rms into each channel. you should try it, or at least fool around with your amp settings to figure out what works best, you'll be amazed with how much clean bass you can get out of these things... CDT rates their handling of 90W RMS at a 90hz high-pass, but that's being REALLY conservative.
oh and if you can seal them up somehow in the door panel, you'll get way more midbass out of them... originally i had them just using the airspace of the door and they sounded pretty good, but once i sealed them up, the difference in the way the driver performed was insane... 0.5 cu.ft. is good enough
hm yeah dude, just let ya know I got those same CDT CL-61a's on the zeb site, they sound AWESOME. I did the install in my S13 at the same time that gautam did, we kinda helped eachother with the funky parts. I ended up using 1/2" (I think) plywood mounting that I made with a router... Im an amateur with the wood stuff but I think it came out real nice: no clearance issues and at least the speaker doesnt rattle (cant say the same for the door with the bass). The tweets I put in the doors sorta near the side mirrors, and the crossovers are inside the door panels for now. Acoustic stuff sounds absolutely amazing on these things.. when I first got them in I just sat in the car with everything off just listenin to CDs
Anyways if you have any specific questions about that particular speaker/install, feel free to IM me on foosternit- I have some pics and whatnot. There are a couple posts on this forum (between gut and I) with some pics also if you search..
Good luck man!
Anyways if you have any specific questions about that particular speaker/install, feel free to IM me on foosternit- I have some pics and whatnot. There are a couple posts on this forum (between gut and I) with some pics also if you search..
Good luck man!