My (new) speakers...and placement....

[audiobliss]

Ok; now I have to figure out where to put these new Boston RC520 component speakers. (Y'all'll still help me, after buying Boston, right?....lol......) After listening to these for two days, I've come to some conclusions.

1) Man, they're bright!!!!!
2) Man, they have no bass!!!!!
3) Man, mid-frequencies are very directional!!!!

So, number one I can live with. Number two is to be expected given they're 5.25" components; I'll just hafta get a sub a lot sooner than I thought I would.....bummer. Number three.... Well, I don't think I can solve this problem in this vehicle; at least not for my first instal. I may pull 'em out and maybe make some kick-panels so I can aim them later on.


Now, the main problem is tweeter placement. I have the surface mount kit, which I don't really want to use because it'll stick out too much. I also have the flush mount kit, which I'm leaning toward. I also have an angle mounting kit (since they don't swivel ).

Now for reasoning. Why use surface mount when I can flush mount?! So that leaves me with flush vs. anlge. (I'll attach pictures in following posts, so refer to them while reading.) The flush mount will probably work just fine and will definitely look the best. However, they will be pointing straight at the opposite doors instead of at me. The angle mounting kit would be the best choice since it'll angle the tweeters at my head. However, it adds a lot of size to the tweeter, which makes it look worse and a lot more susceptible to gettig knocked off. (Also, I don't understand exactly how I'd mount the angle kit...)

So, look at the pics and tell me what you think I might should do for tweeter placement.


Thanks!!!

[audiobliss]

Here's a pic of the tweeter in the surface-mount, umm, holder. Of course the flush mount is the same, just sunken into the door panel.

[audiobliss]

Here's a pic of the tweeter in the same place but in the angle mounting, umm, holder.

[audiobliss]

Oops; here's the pic.

[audiobliss]

Now, I also experimented with some different placement options. Here's the tweeter on the dash in the angle mount, umm, holder. (lol.....what is that thing called?!?!)

That wouldn't work because it's too obvious and would encourage theives, and also because it is pointing straight at the ceiling.

[audiobliss]

This could be an option. I have it in the angle mount, umm, holder (LOL) again. This would provide for good imaging (I think), a relatively safe place, and not too obvious. However, what would it mount to there? Would that work?

[audiobliss]

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!!!

[MacLeod]

First off, the brightness and lack of bass may also be from not having them mounted and running pretty much free air. They may get better once installed.

Damn dude. You aint got too many options. The A-pillar looks to be the best.

Surface mounting is an option when you A) dont want to cut a hole in your door skin and B) dont have any room on the other side of the skin.

[audiobliss]

I see now.

That's kinda what I'm thinking......what would it mount to, though? The guy at the shop said that if I flush-mount 'em in the door panel, I could just hot-glue 'em in there. How would I get 'em to stick to the A-pillars? I would only need to have a hole for the speaker wire up there, right?

Thanks!

[MacLeod]

More than likely, the surface cup has a hole in the middle of it. You put a screw thru that into the a-pillar. Then there should be a hole for the wire. Once you have it mounted drill that hole and run your wires.

I shouldve taken pics of my surface mounts.

[audiobliss]

yep, you shoulda....get back out there in that 11 degree weather, take 'em out, and take more pics!!!! LOL

Well, I'll look into the A-pillar idea....seems to be the best....

[MacLeod]

Gawd, Im sitting here looking out the window now. There are trees bending over almost. Stuff like this assures me there is a God....with a sense of humor.

Currently 28 with wind chill of 12. Winds at 30 mph!!! Give me a break!!!!

[VR3]

Whats with people with gigantic arms and thumbs on this end of the forum? Good lord...

lol

To bright? Unplug the tweeters....
No bass? Get a subwoofer
Mids to directional? Fire them into the door...

Have a nice day!

43°F
Cloudy Feels Like
38°F

UV Index: 0 Low
Dew Point: 18°F
Humidity: 36%
Visibility: 10.0 miles
Pressure: 29.77 inches and rising
Wind: From the West Northwest at 8 mph

[MacLeod]

My thumb looked that way cause that speaker weighs about 50 pounds! The way I was holding it I had to hang on for dear life! I wasnt kidding when I said this speaker is built like a sub!

[exalted512]

hands down, id put them in the a-pillars pointed towards the middle of the cabin right b/t the 2 head rests. and i was working in my truck with just a wife beater and shorts on today. it was in the 70s:D
-Cody

[audiobliss]

Good, I think that'll be easy enough; guess I'll find out. I hope to be able to take off that plastic panel on the a-pillar sometime this week.

I just wonder.....should I install them now even when I won't get an amp for a month or so, or just listen to stock speakers and drool and put these in when I get an amp......

[exalted512]

if it was me, theres no way those speakers would be left uninstalled...but i wouldnt turn the radio up loud at all
-Cody

[audiobliss]

Ok, so you say run each channel of the CD player the mid and tweeter.....bypassing crossover.....can I set up a 'crossover' in the CD player? what frequencies?

[MacLeod]

Right now Im having good luck with my tweets pointed at the opposite passenger rather than between the seats. My stage is the best its ever been although its still too far extened to the right which is because the damn door is 20 feet away!

If the supplied x-over is set up for bi-amping then use it. If not you could run the mid full range and use the x-over for the tweet. Im becoming a fan of this when the tweets and mids are seperated. It lets a little more highs thru the mid than would normally be allowed with the x-over and since youll have the mids playing a tiny bit of what the tweets are playing it kind of blends them together. At least I think so, but what do I know. Id love it if Josh or Thom would chime in and let me know if Im hallucinating or actually on to something. Wink, wink. Say no more. ;)

As far as which frequencies to use, the owners manual should tell ya.

[AustinKP]

Originally posted by MacLeod
It lets a little more highs thru the mid than would normally be allowed with the x-over and since youll have the mids playing a tiny bit of what the tweets are playing it kind of blends them together.

The MM6 crossover has this function. Called something extension. It's the other switch beside the tweeter attenuation switch.
-Austin

[MacLeod]

Yeah, its the midrange extension.

I didnt know it had it til I bought these. All this time, I was ahead of the curve! :D

[audiobliss]

Well, I just tried ripping out the plastic a-pillar, and after loosing one of the little screw-covers down an air vent (lol) and realizing I'll hafta take off about three other panels to get this one out.....I think I'll just stick the tweeter in the door panel. I might go with the angle mount on the door like in a pic above. After holdin' it there for a while and thinkin' about all I'll hafta do to put it on the a-pillar.....I think the door'll work.....lol

[audiobliss]

Well, I pryed all the little pegs that hold the panel on out of the door. However, I can NOT get the window lever off.....how in the world does it come off? Also, there's one spot up by the top of the door panel where I can't get it loose. I'm not quite sure what to do now........

[exalted512]

pull really hard??

[audiobliss]

hahahaha!!!!

I'm gonna wait 'til Dad gets home and let him look at it.....

And I already pully hard enough that it popped and maybe bent (maybe cracked??)....so, now more hard pulling.....lol

[exalted512]

haha, ive pulled my back panels off so much i probably have the same number of broken clips than working clips. to date i havent learned how to put the panel that goes right above the back window on the headliner in. it has 2 little tabs on the end and well...i got so mad one day i just broke on side off and put the tab on the other side in the panel and just left the other side drooping about an inch. after i take everything out to sell it ill just use some hot glue and glue it to the roof...lol
-Cody

[MacLeod]

Look behind the window handle. There should be a wire going around the base. This is a clip that holds the handle on.

Turn the handle til you see the place you pry back to release the clip. Youll know it when you see it.

[audiobliss]

I've looked for that wire, but it just ain' there. Dad sells automotive tools for a livin', so I was usin' the correct tool for removing the wire, too. However, I'm convinced that there is no wire, I just can't see it!! So, I guess there's a screw there somewhere, but I can't see that, either. Anyhoo, Dad's gonna help me with it tomorrow, so maybe we can manage something.

Thanks!

[audiobliss]

Hey, y'all. I got my HU installed today at the shop. But, we're going to do the speakers. I've decided to wait and do them when I get an amp. However, can I just yank the old 5 1/4 and plug in the new Bostons? And just not worry with the tweeters for now?

Thanks!

[VR3]

Yall have no highs *har har har*

Unless they have come up with a magical design... hehe -- look at it this way! It won't be bright!