Speaker depth and clearance

[bigaudiofanatic]

First off, the link to removing the door panel has nothing but broke picture links.

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/removi ... anels.html


But what I am really after is; what is the clearance behind the speakers and in front of it? Pictures would be the best bet. The more the better.

I am getting ready to order my focal utopia's and need to make sure they will clear. I would usually just take the panel off, however I only want to take it off ONCE.

[AppleBonker]

Not to be an a**, but if you have the money for Utopias, you probably have the money to make the install work.

However, since you asked, I think you may be close to running into an issue on the install. The stock door panels may become problematic at max excursion. I was running Esotar2 650s in the doors with a 3/4" MDF mounting ring. I had plenty of clearance in the back, but got close to the door panels on max excursion. Tech specs for my drivers:


Tech specs for yours (I believe):


As you can see, yours are a bit deeper. I think you'll have clearance to the window if you use a mounting ring (3/4" should give you enough, 1/2" may be cutting it really close). It looks like (from that drawing anyway) your max excursion may push you into the door panel if you've got it cranked. You may want to think about fabricating custom door panels...

The other problem you may run into is needing to shave off some of the sheet metal around the speaker opening. As you can see from this picture, the mounting ring inner diameter was a bit larger for me than the door opening. A quick dremel cut can easily fix that:


Mine installed:


Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of the panel removal. It was pretty straight-forward though. I'd snap some now, but I no longer have the vehicle. Good luck and keep us posted. I'd love to see pics of your install once complete.

[bigaudiofanatic]

LOL ya I am actually looking at the KRX3 in place of the utopia's. But that is still being decided.

My spacers are going to be CNC'd out of aluminum so I do not have to worry about them deteriorating over time.

The speakers will be ran active through a JBL MS8, and the amps will be audison.

I am just as excited about getting this build started as you are to see it.

[iammai]

This may help. It's a sedan but the door panels are removed the same way.

post5570765.html?hilit=build#p5570765

[AppleBonker]

Most Focals are great, just not my particular cup of tea.

Where are you planning on putting all this gear (MS8/amps)? And what about the low end?

Interesting point on the aluminum. Though, have you ever seen MDF deteriorate on an interior application? Even if the issue arises only in the doors, I would think I'd be concerned about a much bigger problem than than the MDF failing (like the insane amount of moisture that must be getting in). FWIW, you may not have to shave down the sheet metal for your install. The esotar2 650s have a pretty wide spider. The Focals don't seem to have the same design.

[bigaudiofanatic]

My plan is to raise the floor 1 inch for a false floor, integrating 2 audison amps LRX series into it along with the JBL MS8. They will have 4 fans to intake and two exhaust, with beauty stealth panels that will be removable. The sub will be contoured to the back right behind the seats with 1 ID Q 12 inch sub. No I have never had problem with MDF myself, however this build is going to be sort of a demo car for me. So I want people to go WOW.

[AppleBonker]

Raise the floor of the trunk? Don't do that! Remove the useless styrofoam from under the carpet and mount everything closer to the sheet metal. Same floor height in the trunk, yet everything fits. That was exactly what I did with my install!

This thread has some pics, but I've got more if you want some random ideas:
bout-time-to-join-and-say-hello-t352714.html

Though, by the time I sold the car, a lot of that gear was upgraded...