03-20-2012, 12:14 PM
we all know that the sound quality of any stereo in a cabriolet of any kind is never as good as a hardtop version. the wind and road noise are just too much.
i have spent thousands trying to improve the sound in my blue car, and have made huge strides. i finally got enough bottom end by making subwoofer enclosures that fit down into the seat wells and house an 8" driver. i got decent sound out of the front by installing a 6.5" driver in the map pocket area and abandoning the piss-poor OEM location of the 5.25".
but still, the rear speakers have always been a problem. getting sound out of those has been extremely difficult, no matter what i put there, and the fronts just aren't enough to really get a good sound field. i tried a few different 4x6 speakers, as well as a modified enclosed OEM 2 way setup. it was "ok" but not really pushing. the problem is that they are side-firing, and behind a thick fiberboard enclosure. it's like having the speakers in the car next to me.
so, i started thinking. this always gets me into trouble, but since the car is down having the engine built up, i figured "what the heck?" the problem could easily be resolved by making the speakers forward firing. that back wall looked perfect.
the seat backs are useless in a cab. the rear seat area is only big enough for very small children, and since seatbelt laws require a shoulder belt, and there is no way to install one that would be safe, that makes it only good for storage, which is exactly why US cars have storage boxes and not seats. this makes the need for upholstered seat backs moot. still, i like the idea of being able to drop them down for the "pass through" option, and besides, you have to be able to drop them for the boot cover installation anyway. this ruled out just making a panel.
the plan is:
to make a fiberglass enclosure that mimics the seat backs.
it will use the factory mounting points, and fit, latch, and operate just like the OEM seat backs.
it will be a direct fit, with NO MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED.
the unit will be black and hopefully textured something like the vinyl.
it will be a one piece though instead of two, to minimize rattles that would occur due to the hinges and latches and where they are.
it will be open back so the speakers can have room and leave the pass-through open as much as possible.
there will be extension cables provided so you can connect to the factory wiring
it will house a 6.5" woofer and be able to house tweeters as well
there will be room on the back to mount crossovers and such
there will be a rear removable cover to clean up the rear look as much as possible, and protect the things back there
i've already picked up a set of seat backs from which to make the mold, and will be meeting with my fiberglass guy early next week. i expect to have a prototype a few days later.
due to the hardware i have to have made and then encapsulated into the housing, i anticipate this unit retailing in the $200 neighborhood. i'll have more info on that soon though.
so, who might be interested in this?
i have spent thousands trying to improve the sound in my blue car, and have made huge strides. i finally got enough bottom end by making subwoofer enclosures that fit down into the seat wells and house an 8" driver. i got decent sound out of the front by installing a 6.5" driver in the map pocket area and abandoning the piss-poor OEM location of the 5.25".
but still, the rear speakers have always been a problem. getting sound out of those has been extremely difficult, no matter what i put there, and the fronts just aren't enough to really get a good sound field. i tried a few different 4x6 speakers, as well as a modified enclosed OEM 2 way setup. it was "ok" but not really pushing. the problem is that they are side-firing, and behind a thick fiberboard enclosure. it's like having the speakers in the car next to me.
so, i started thinking. this always gets me into trouble, but since the car is down having the engine built up, i figured "what the heck?" the problem could easily be resolved by making the speakers forward firing. that back wall looked perfect.
the seat backs are useless in a cab. the rear seat area is only big enough for very small children, and since seatbelt laws require a shoulder belt, and there is no way to install one that would be safe, that makes it only good for storage, which is exactly why US cars have storage boxes and not seats. this makes the need for upholstered seat backs moot. still, i like the idea of being able to drop them down for the "pass through" option, and besides, you have to be able to drop them for the boot cover installation anyway. this ruled out just making a panel.
the plan is:
to make a fiberglass enclosure that mimics the seat backs.
it will use the factory mounting points, and fit, latch, and operate just like the OEM seat backs.
it will be a direct fit, with NO MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED.
the unit will be black and hopefully textured something like the vinyl.
it will be a one piece though instead of two, to minimize rattles that would occur due to the hinges and latches and where they are.
it will be open back so the speakers can have room and leave the pass-through open as much as possible.
there will be extension cables provided so you can connect to the factory wiring
it will house a 6.5" woofer and be able to house tweeters as well
there will be room on the back to mount crossovers and such
there will be a rear removable cover to clean up the rear look as much as possible, and protect the things back there
i've already picked up a set of seat backs from which to make the mold, and will be meeting with my fiberglass guy early next week. i expect to have a prototype a few days later.
due to the hardware i have to have made and then encapsulated into the housing, i anticipate this unit retailing in the $200 neighborhood. i'll have more info on that soon though.
so, who might be interested in this?
94 Midnight Metallic Blue Cab Porsche 968 w/deviating cashmere/black interior and WAY too many mods to list - thanks to eric for creating www.968forums.com
"It isn't nearly as expensive to do it right as it is to do it wrong."
