TheSamba.com :: View topic - Rear Speaker box

Sun Aug 25, 2024 7:22 pm

Just got a 1968 VW Beetle and working a rear speaker box for two 6x9 and one 8 inch sub. We have seen a couple builds with a "flat" box across the top, but wanted to try something different.

Hopefully this helps someone with some ideas if your planning on building a box.

Sun Aug 25, 2024 8:54 pm

That could be useful for anyone planning a similar setup.

Mon Aug 26, 2024 8:02 am

That looks so ’80’s! I love it.
I went a different route with speakers in the doors, speakers in a custom box in the rear and 2 12” subs sunk into the rear seat wells.
It hits pretty hard and will shake my kidneys but going down the road I still have to crank it up to hear it above the sound of my 2276.
Rock on!

Apparently, I need to load some more pictures to the site.

Mon Aug 26, 2024 5:59 pm

back in the 80's Pep Boys was into selling a lot of different stuff. They were selling this...matching carpets :wink: and fit right in ($40). The speakers had neon rings with a controller that would make the neon 'flash' to the music. Thought of connecting the rings up as an interior light but never done anything with them.

Mon Aug 26, 2024 6:34 pm

Not an automotive audio fife, don't you want some venting?

Mon Aug 26, 2024 6:38 pm

I use a bluetooth speaker and my smartphone.

This way I can take it with me when camping before a show.

Mon Aug 26, 2024 6:40 pm

Dottie, how are you holding the box in? in a bad wreck it could be a missile. A piece of all thread through the bottom of the box and through the body would work.

Great looking though

Tue Aug 27, 2024 5:36 am

Hi Dottie1968Bug

A quick summary of my experience, hope it helps with your project

I assembled a 1969 beetle from the ground up, and created a perfect stereo, with modified suspension, engine, electrical system, body mods, etc. The story is about all the work and the Stereo.

Your back seat box looks good, creating a correct volume sub box with enough insulation, and the need for sealed boxes for your 6X9's are open questions. I used a Retro sound powered sub under the front seat, and 4 sets of speakers. The stereo sounds amazing, mainly when parked.

Keep in mind the amount of road noise, and how your music will sound at highway speed. You can turn it up, but I've found I leave the stereo off, and listen to the car on the highway.

Building the stereo was an interesting exercise, but in retrospect, I should have gone simpler.

Scott

Tue Aug 27, 2024 7:13 am

Quote: Keep in mind the amount of road noise, and how your music will sound at highway speed

A buddy was going to spend 'extra' for a car stereo that had less than 1% THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) told him to save his money because a car stereo, playing while going down the hi-way, could have 10%THD and you couldn't tell it.

Thu Aug 29, 2024 12:03 pm

Looks good.
I might do something similar. I want to replace the thing the previous owner made and put in. It's way too heavy and ill fitting.
Thanks for the tips! :)

Sun Sep 15, 2024 3:09 pm

Thanks for the inputs everyone! It sounds really good, and probably over kill in a small bug but its been a fun project. In addition to the rear speaker + subs, I have played with two 5.25 speakers hidden as back seat "pillows".

So far super happy with how these complement the car, it makes everything sound a little fuller - not just like you have your back to the sound.

Sun Sep 15, 2024 3:12 pm

bsairhead wrote: Not an automotive audio fife, don't you want some venting?

Yes, I did touch base with a handful of local audio shops with the designs and had them check my work once I was done. Everything does have enough venting or space to prevent things from heating up!

Sun Sep 15, 2024 3:15 pm

Multi69s wrote: Dottie, how are you holding the box in? in a bad wreck it could be a missile. A piece of all thread through the bottom of the box and through the body would work.

Great looking though

I will be running a connection point to the rear seat belt attachment points - not ideal to link into the rear seatbelt bolt but I am ok with it bc this is not a daily driver + no one will be sitting back there.

Wed Sep 18, 2024 5:30 am

Nice Work Dottie! I've got all the materials cut up for a removeable behind the seat speaker / sub box with an integrated amp as well. Once i assemble the box I was going to cover it with the stock seat upholstery material as well. I love the "Pillows" too.
Jeff

Mon Sep 15, 2025 12:55 pm

Nicely done! Is anyone aware of bluetooth speakers that look like these?

Max

Mon Sep 15, 2025 2:53 pm

Dottie1968Bug wrote: Thanks for the inputs everyone! It sounds really good, and probably over kill in a small bug but its been a fun project. In addition to the rear speaker + subs, I have played with two 5.25 speakers hidden as back seat "pillows".

So far super happy with how these complement the car, it makes everything sound a little fuller - not just like you have your back to the sound.

Nice work! I love those.
Makes the back seat look like a sofa.

Mon Sep 22, 2025 1:36 am

jeffrey8164 wrote:

What size were you able to fit in the door? Looks about a 6"? Did it have to be a shallow mount?

Mon Sep 22, 2025 1:41 am

Dottie1968Bug wrote:

So far super happy with how these complement the car, it makes everything sound a little fuller - not just like you have your back to the sound.

Are the black mounting rings on the ends 3d printed, or ready made off the shelf?