System in my '63 GMC

[TwiggyTheDrummer]

Hey guys, I wanted to post some pics of the system I'm planning on installing in my '63 GMC. The head is an Alpine iDA-X100 that is made to work just like an iPod with the center click-wheel and menu, 2.2" LCD full-color display, etc. The speakers are all Clarion and consist of four 6.5" component speakers, two 10" shallow-mount subs, and two Clarion amps (not yet purchased). I will be making a custom molded enclosure using foam, plywood, and fiberglass that fits seamlessly into the rear of the cab where the gas tank used to be. The subs and 6.5's will be back there with possibly one or two 6x9" speakers under the dash in the stock location. The dash idea is yet to be decided on. But I hope all of you enjoy the pics and can't wait to show the finished product. What do you think about two 6x9's under the dash?

[tommyd241]

Sounds good, but aren't you worried about the components being muffled behind the seat and under the dash?

[TwiggyTheDrummer]

Originally Posted by tommyd241

Sounds good, but aren't you worried about the components being muffled behind the seat and under the dash?

The subs will actually have air space behind the seat because they will be placed at an equal inward angle so that they don't fire into the seat. I'm running two big black leather bucket seats and the 6.5's will be just about level with the shoulders and firing slightly upwards. And as far as the dash goes, there is a grill in the center for the stock speaker that I would utilize which would be just like a regular dash mounted component. Overall it's going to have a sort of "counterpoint" in each of the seats so that you really hear everything.

[Riveted1]

If you already work w/fiberglass, why don't you build some kickpanels for your front speakers? Aim them toward the person on the opposite side.

Or (dare I say it!) cut the doors if you don't want to take the time to build kickpanels.

Either will sound much better than the dash IMO.

[TwiggyTheDrummer]

Originally Posted by Riveted1

If you already work w/fiberglass, why don't you build some kickpanels for your front speakers? Aim them toward the person on the opposite side.

Or (dare I say it!) cut the doors if you don't want to take the time to build kickpanels.

Either will sound much better than the dash IMO.

I've considered making the kick panels but I havent made up my mind yet. I'm still finishing the body but should hit the interior in about 3 weeks. But I'm sure it will happen that way. I doubt I'll cut the doors though, I'd enjoy shaping the kick panels more than cutting and fixing the paint that would be messed up on the door. But I might just stick with everything in the back. It's a little strange in theory but the cabs really aren't that huge and I'm a musician/live sound engineer so I'm sure I could pull it off and make the acoustics work.

[AceX]

Good luck making it sound good with the entire stage being behind you.

The dash will do nicely for these speakers if you can find a place for them, but the kick panels are probably your best bet as far as tonal response and imaging.

[Riveted1]

Originally Posted by TwiggyTheDrummer

But I might just stick with everything in the back. It's a little strange in theory but the cabs really aren't that huge and I'm a musician/live sound engineer so I'm sure I could pull it off and make the acoustics work.

So do you normally mix with the band behind you?

[TwiggyTheDrummer]

I'll probably end up making kick panels but I know I'm not going to even worry about getting into cutting the door. And as far as the dash goes, the only speakers would be under it if any because of the way it's shaped and I don't want to do any real cuts in it besides the head. But I get what all of you are saying as fa as a vehicle's acoustics go.

How about the subs behind the seat, a 6.5 dead center on the waterfall console firing toward the windshield at about shoulder level, one dead center under the dash firing up through the grille, and one at each kick panel firing at an angle toward the center of the truck so that it makes a counterpoint. Maybe even another 6.5 in the console.

[Riveted1]

First off, it's your truck, your money, etc., so you can do whatever you want. And I am aware that an old truck is not a perfect acoustic environment.

If you just want loud, your plan would work fine. Personally, I would go with as few drivers as possible. Two in the kick panels with subs behind the seat and call it a day. If you decide to upgrade go with a set of components in the kicks. Reason being is that with multiple high-frequency drivers at different install positions, you will run into phase issues and comb-filtering. Kinda like setting up front-fills ten feet in front of the stacks in a live sound setup and not using delay. As always, YMMV.

[TwiggyTheDrummer]

Originally Posted by Riveted1

First off, it's your truck, your money, etc., so you can do whatever you want. And I am aware that an old truck is not a perfect acoustic environment.

If you just want loud, your plan would work fine. Personally, I would go with as few drivers as possible. Two in the kick panels with subs behind the seat and call it a day. If you decide to upgrade go with a set of components in the kicks. Reason being is that with multiple high-frequency drivers at different install positions, you will run into phase issues and comb-filtering. Kinda like setting up front-fills ten feet in front of the stacks in a live sound setup and not using delay. As always, YMMV.

I know man and thank you. But I'm open to ideas and I have thought about component speakers. But I'm not just going for loud, I want a system that can get loud, but with a regular cab that's not too hard. But most of all I want it to sound really good. I have a buddy that is a car audio specialist that I'm going to have help me design it and once we get a final design, install it. So I'm sure quite a few of your suggestions will once again arise.

But I'm just trying to make something that will not only sound good in my truck, but that will also add to the aesthetics of it through a clean, technological appeal that still fits into that classic but custom ideal. And I thank all of you for your suggestions, especially since I'm just tossing around ideas. The design isn't set into stone and I don't have much experience with car audio besides the system in my '94 Blazer which is also Clarion. I just wanted to toss around ideas with you guys and show ya'll what I've pulled together so far.

[tommyd241]

I agree with Riveted about going "with as few drivers as possible. Two in the kick panels with subs behind the seat and call it a day." Amp them with some good clean power, sound deaden the cab and it should be plenty loud and sound good.

I do understand that you gotta do what works for you. I plan to do a budget system in my truck soon with some stuff that I have laying around. It's not gonna blow anyone away, but it will definitely be better than an AM radio with a blown factory paper speaker. LOL.

I have a pair of Polk 4" coaxials that I plan to mount in the factory location under the dash. Then I have a Pioneer DEH-P2900MP that I'm gonna put in the glovebox w/ an iPod adapter. Finally I have a Bazooka tube that I plan to put behind the seat on the passenger side.

Is it gonna sound great? No. LOL, but it should hold me over for awhile and it will be cheap and hidden.