How to properly install a speaker in the door

UGH I still cant figure out how to take off the sedan door panel

Originally Posted by MasterxAce

UGH I still cant figure out how to take off the sedan door panel

You still can't figure out how to search either.

http://www.e46fanatics.com/howto/how...hp?howto_id=27

I'm new to German autosound, but not to Car Stereo

Has anyone ever taken the time/effort to harden the interior door panel with fiberglass or similar, then build a pod around the speaker (still attached to the panel) with an AP mat at the back? This should yield low resonance and decent low frequency response through the use of the mat.

I really want to put something better than stock into my car, but I just can't bring myself to cut her up so soon ...

I have done this in the past, but not on E46s. Results would vary depending on speaker you use. Most speakers are designed for free air operation, so they work relatively well using the door cavity as an enclosure.

Originally Posted by big_ham

I'm new to German autosound, but not to Car Stereo

Has anyone ever taken the time/effort to harden the interior door panel with fiberglass or similar, then build a pod around the speaker (still attached to the panel) with an AP mat at the back? This should yield low resonance and decent low frequency response through the use of the mat.

I really want to put something better than stock into my car, but I just can't bring myself to cut her up so soon ...

Originally Posted by big_ham

I'm new to German autosound, but not to Car Stereo

Has anyone ever taken the time/effort to harden the interior door panel with fiberglass or similar, then build a pod around the speaker (still attached to the panel) with an AP mat at the back? This should yield low resonance and decent low frequency response through the use of the mat.

I really want to put something better than stock into my car, but I just can't bring myself to cut her up so soon ...

The door panel is held in place with 5 screws and a bunch of plastic clips. I would think that you would have to devise a way to securely mount the panel to the door. As it is, you are limited by the plastic clips that hold the door panel down near the speaker.

You could make the door panel a much sturdier surface if you could find a really strong friction fitting.

Not to mention that you don't have a lot of mounting depth.

You could mount the speaker on the front side of the door panel and modify the panel to get more depth.

Could the tubes be made from billet aluminium, machined to size, and with some matting in the bore?

Originally Posted by alpina527

Could the tubes be made from billet aluminium, machined to size, and with some matting in the bore?

I don't see why not. The only problem is that the door metal is an irregular surface. Wood is easy to grind to shape it, but aluminum is a bit harder.

bumping an awesome thread.

So if i were to buy the rings...what size would i need for a coupe (i'm thinking of putting in Focal K2P's). How many rings, how thick each of them need to be, and inner and outer diameter of each ring?

Thanks in advance!

-Calvin

Originally Posted by flightz71

bumping an awesome thread.

So if i were to buy the rings...what size would i need for a coupe (i'm thinking of putting in Focal K2P's). How many rings, how thick each of them need to be, and inner and outer diameter of each ring?

Thanks in advance!

-Calvin

You can make them yourself! Inner diameter depends on the speaker size. Outer diameter depends on inner diameter (I usually make it about 5/8" wide, you can probably get a way with 1/2" is the speaker is fairly large. How many also depends on the speaker. If your speaker is for example 2-1/4" deep, the you would need 5 rings @ 1/2" thick

I wouldn't make the rings thicker than 1/2" or less than 1/2" wide with MDF. I ended up splitting the rings even after I drilled pilot holes.

What would u guys recommend to cut the doors?

I don't wanna even try with the dremel it seems too weak but its all I got..

Any input?

Anybody that did it with a dremel?

TIA

-Al

Is there any way to install speakers using the stock bracket without cutting the hole?

This being a sedan, is one 3/4" thick ring enough to allow the speaker to sit flush with the door panel?

Originally Posted by DarXide

What would u guys recommend to cut the doors?

I don't wanna even try with the dremel it seems too weak but its all I got..

Any input?

Anybody that did it with a dremel?

TIA

-Al

I recommend using a diamond cutoff wheel for a dremel or a small diameter angle grinder wheel. The diamond dremel wheel is about $15 but it will cut the metal. It will give you a good amount of control as well.

Tin snips work but you have to be careful not to twist the metal if you have a coupe/vert.

If you watched too much Home Improvement...go with the reciprocating saw.

Originally Posted by 330cia

Is there any way to install speakers using the stock bracket without cutting the hole?

The stock speaker is 6", not a 6.5" so the stock ring won't fit most speakers. The only true 6" speaker that is common available is the Diamond Audio Hex 6" mid.

Otherwise, you'll need to create some sort of mounting ring which is not hard to do.

Originally Posted by boce

This being a sedan, is one 3/4" thick ring enough to allow the speaker to sit flush with the door panel?

Depends on the depth of the speaker. You'll probably need to cut enough rings to equal the depth of the speaker.

I use tin snips.You could do a dremel with fibeglass cutoff wheels, but you would go through several wheels and would take a while.

Originally Posted by DarXide

What would u guys recommend to cut the doors?

I don't wanna even try with the dremel it seems too weak but its all I got..

Any input?

Anybody that did it with a dremel?

TIA

-Al

Originally Posted by boce

This being a sedan, is one 3/4" thick ring enough to allow the speaker to sit flush with the door panel?

With my (shallow) speakers, one 3/4" wasnt enough. The magnet hit the glass when the window rolled down. If I remember right (been a long time) I ended up with about 1.5" in rings

Originally Posted by DarXide

What would u guys recommend to cut the doors?

I don't wanna even try with the dremel it seems too weak but its all I got..

Any input?

Anybody that did it with a dremel?

TIA

-Al

I used a jig saw. Just hold it tight against the door, use a metal blade of course, and take your time. I drilled a big hole to start the blade. And make sure you have a few blades to start.

Originally Posted by dan4081

I used a jig saw. Just hold it tight against the door, use a metal blade of course, and take your time. I drilled a big hole to start the blade. And make sure you have a few blades to start.

You do have to be careful on coupes - don't want to cut the window rail behind. No problems on sedans.

Hey ca1242 would you be willing to do this install for other people. I go to school in FL right now but ill be home this summer and I live in Damascus MD. I am looking for a speaker instlal like this.

Thanks

Tim

Originally Posted by ca1242

You do have to be careful on coupes - don't want to cut the window rail behind. No problems on sedans.

Good catch there! I do have a sedan.