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lloydy Samba Member
Joined: September 15, 2010 Posts: 715 Location: cheam surrey
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Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 11:52 am Post subject: Re: Which speakers do you have in your doors? |
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i have this exact set up ready to fit when my van is back from paint, do you have any pics of the 'minor modification' you had to make to get the 6.5" in? i was thinking of spacing the speaker out a little so it fitted
Vanlife Geek wrote: |
I installed the Focal Access 165 A3 6.5-Inch 3-Way Component Speaker Kit, https://amzn.to/3v3aKkw. This kit comes with 6.5" woofers, 4" midranges, and tweeters which I mounted at the corners of the dash. It also comes with a pair of crossovers which I mounted under each seat. The 6.5" speakers took a minor modification of the door metal to fit. I used acoustic foam speaker baffles behind all the speakers in the door. This is my third Westy and third speaker installation and this time I got it right. I'm blown away by the quality of the audio these speakers produce. I can't imagine what the higher end Focal's must sound like. The grills for the 4" speakers will "auto fit" the contours of the dash upon closing the door.Slim Speaker Baffles - 6.5": https://amzn.to/33WdRyG, 4": https://amzn.to/2QqUj2i |
_________________ 16" syncro multivan pop top AHU TDI
“Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life.” |
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oldskewlsk8ter Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 347 Location: Texas
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Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 1:48 pm Post subject: Re: Which speakers do you have in your doors? |
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I’ve been running some cheap power bass components in some universal ABS speaker pods I installed on the ABS door panels. I like the staging but wanna upgrade to Focal soon.
_________________ 1986 Hightop w/EJ25 DOHC & 4EAT auto
1965 Kombi project |
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Vanlife Geek Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2014 Posts: 285 Location: CO
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Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 2:47 pm Post subject: Re: Which speakers do you have in your doors? |
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lloydy wrote: |
i have this exact set up ready to fit when my van is back from paint, do you have any pics of the 'minor modification' you had to make to get the 6.5" in? i was thinking of spacing the speaker out a little so it fitted
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I wish I could remember what I cut out to make the bottom speaker fit, but it's been many years. I just remember to get it to fit, there was a small piece of the door innards that was preventing it to fit, so I cut it out. It didn't look like it would lessen the strength of the door, I reasoned at the time. I'm sure I was right. Since you already have the exact same speakers, you'll see the spot that needs trimming once you get the door panel off and start placing that speaker where it goes. As I recall, there was really only one place it would fit, with some trimming. I can't even remember what I used to trim the metal. Do'h... sorry I can't be of more help. I should have taken pictures as I installed them.
While the door panel is off, you might also consider putting some sound mat on the inside of the doors while the access is good. I definitely thought it was worth doing. _________________ Vanlife Geek
Current:
1986 Syncro Westy
Previous:
1983 Westy
1981 Westy
1972 Bug (Last year you could buy a new one for under $2,000)
1965/66 Bug (2 bugs from a junk yard combined to make 1 functional bug)
1959 Bug (Pre Gas Gauge Era) |
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Red Ryder Samba Member
Joined: June 26, 2021 Posts: 952 Location: Northern California
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Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 4:19 pm Post subject: Re: Which speakers do you have in your doors? |
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Obviously a lot of audiophiles here! Having a good sound system to enjoy your favorite tunes while camping may be desirable, but I find that road noise at 65 mph cancels out most of the advantages on the Highway of life!
Also wondering how many negate the purpose of the original plastic moisture barrier after installing speakers in the doors… _________________ “Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland
“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition
Tornado Red |
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Vanlife Geek Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2014 Posts: 285 Location: CO
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Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: Which speakers do you have in your doors? |
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Red Ryder wrote: |
Obviously a lot of audiophiles here! Having a good sound system to enjoy nice tunes while camping may be desirable, but I find that road noise at 65 mph cancels out most of the advantages on the road. |
For me personally, I don't use the car stereo much while camping. The amp uses too much power and I prefer using earbuds with my phone, tablet, or laptop while camping. A powerful amp and quality speakers are great for overcoming the road noise, and I like to listen to it loud when driving on road trips. Mine still sounds great at 65 with the windows down. I know it's loud when I see the rear view mirror vibrating in sync with the subwoofer. Good tunes while driving make the miles fly by and I'm often surprised at how much time has passed when rocking out to some of my favorite albums... "Damn, I'm there already?!" _________________ Vanlife Geek
Current:
1986 Syncro Westy
Previous:
1983 Westy
1981 Westy
1972 Bug (Last year you could buy a new one for under $2,000)
1965/66 Bug (2 bugs from a junk yard combined to make 1 functional bug)
1959 Bug (Pre Gas Gauge Era) |
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Snoww_ Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2015 Posts: 73 Location: California
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Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: Which speakers do you have in your doors? |
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I've got a '91 Carat that came with Polk speakers stock and I wanted to stick with the brand but modernize.
I went with the DB522 when I replaced the door panel with and ABS version, the DB692 in the rear AC housing, and made a center console around the auto gear select for a DB1042 .
Amp and wiring are under the driver seat with the aux battery, sounds great! _________________ 1991 Tiico Vanagon Carat
1961 Baja Bug |
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pbrown Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2008 Posts: 443 Location: Seattle, WA
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erste Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2013 Posts: 1110 Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:16 pm Post subject: Re: Which speakers do you have in your doors? |
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oldskewlsk8ter wrote: |
I’ve been running some cheap power bass components in some universal ABS speaker pods I installed on the ABS door panels. I like the staging but wanna upgrade to Focal soon.
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Very nice solution.
I posted on the last page about fitting 6.5”s in the stock upper location. I’ve changed it around since then and modified the Rocky Mountain Westy door pockets to fit 6.5”s. No more speakers up at the stock location.
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lloydy Samba Member
Joined: September 15, 2010 Posts: 715 Location: cheam surrey
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Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 1:54 am Post subject: Re: Which speakers do you have in your doors? |
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Thanks, ill just check when i get the van back, im just too eager! as for sound deadening, i agree i already have some in there when i fitted some 5.25" focals in the top location.
as for the comment about wind noise, yes these vans can get noisy. i found the biggest change for me wasnt all the sound deadening, it was fitting a sub, really does cancel out a lot of external sound. Hence me now deciding its worth fitting better audio.
Its really interesting seeing the 6.5"s fit in those door pods, that looks a really good idea and something i may now invest in..
Vanlife Geek wrote: |
lloydy wrote: |
i have this exact set up ready to fit when my van is back from paint, do you have any pics of the 'minor modification' you had to make to get the 6.5" in? i was thinking of spacing the speaker out a little so it fitted
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I wish I could remember what I cut out to make the bottom speaker fit, but it's been many years. I just remember to get it to fit, there was a small piece of the door innards that was preventing it to fit, so I cut it out. It didn't look like it would lessen the strength of the door, I reasoned at the time. I'm sure I was right. Since you already have the exact same speakers, you'll see the spot that needs trimming once you get the door panel off and start placing that speaker where it goes. As I recall, there was really only one place it would fit, with some trimming. I can't even remember what I used to trim the metal. Do'h... sorry I can't be of more help. I should have taken pictures as I installed them.
While the door panel is off, you might also consider putting some sound mat on the inside of the doors while the access is good. I definitely thought it was worth doing. |
_________________ 16" syncro multivan pop top AHU TDI
“Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life.” |
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Chilepines Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2022 Posts: 142 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2023 1:52 pm Post subject: Re: Which speakers do you have in your doors? |
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Took a cue from GalaxyVortex and mounted Polk DB652 6.5 inch speakers in the existing speaker location. Used a slightly different approach and did not need to modify the door or speaker at all.
There is an existing hole to the rear of the speaker opening. I used that to attach a bracket that I cut from a stainless steel light switch plate.
The speakers sound awesome compared to the 4 inch that were there before! _________________ White 89 Westy with 2004 Subaru EJ25 - Betty |
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Kblack1101 Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2020 Posts: 162 Location: Wisconsin
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Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2023 9:54 pm Post subject: Re: Which speakers do you have in your doors? |
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Chilepines wrote: |
I used that to attach a bracket that I cut from a stainless steel light switch plate. |
Nice job. Do you have a photo or a drawing of the bracket you can share? _________________ 1964 Beetle
1977 Westy - SOLD
1985 Westy weekender |
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Chilepines Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2022 Posts: 142 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2023 2:11 pm Post subject: Re: Which speakers do you have in your doors? |
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Kblack1101 wrote: |
Nice job. Do you have a photo or a drawing of the bracket you can share? |
No photos of the bracket - thought about that after it was all back together.
Cut the corner off the outlet cover. The outlet cover is not flat - flattened that with a vise and pliers. Drilled through it to mount to the door, with a few washers to fill the recess/gap at the edge, then lined it up a drilled a pilot hole and used a self-tapping screw to mount the speaker.
_________________ White 89 Westy with 2004 Subaru EJ25 - Betty |
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Kblack1101 Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2020 Posts: 162 Location: Wisconsin
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Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2023 10:53 am Post subject: Re: Which speakers do you have in your doors? |
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Chilepines wrote: |
No photos of the bracket - thought about that after it was all back together.
Cut the corner off the outlet cover. The outlet cover is not flat - flattened that with a vise and pliers. Drilled through it to mount to the door, with a few washers to fill the recess/gap at the edge, then lined it up a drilled a pilot hole and used a self-tapping screw to mount the speaker.
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Along with the photos from above, this concept is clear enough. Thank you! _________________ 1964 Beetle
1977 Westy - SOLD
1985 Westy weekender |
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