6x9 Speakers

[Guest Pug_Will]

Has anyone successfully fitted 6x9's to thier 205 and made them hidden or not stand out like a sore thumb??

 

I have a brand new set in my room and want to fit them but dont wanna cut the f*** out of a perfectly goof parcel shelf!!

 

Any ideas??

[timmsy19 3]

only proper way would be to get a stealth shelf and store the original parcel shelf.

 

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/p...ts_id/1752.html

 

making a stealth shelf is quite easy to do yourself but depends whats kind of finish you want

Edited July 24, 2008 by timmsy19

[Paintguy 0]

I'm not a big fan of parcel shelf mounted 6x9's myself, but as timmsy says, you're better off getting a purpose made shelf, or making one yourself. The standard item is far too flimsy for mounting speakers too and you'll be disappointed by the results as no speaker will give it's best unless very firmly mounted (the rule of thumb for a good sound is 10% kit, 90% installation ). By the time you've beefed up the original shelf, you might as well have just made a new one.

 

The plastic side mounts are also a bit too flimsy to be ideal, but unless you go for major surgery there isn't much you can do about that.

 

The simplest method would be to get a piece of 18mm ply (or MDF) and cut it to the shape of your original shelf. Cut out the speaker holes so the they fit underneath, then cover the top with acoustic carpet. Some fine mesh over the speaker holes will stop the carpet sagging into the over time. Screw it firmly to the side mounts and you're done.

 

More complicated shelves, like the one linked to, are made up of a few layers of sheet routed out to give a more factory look.

 

Or another option is to post a wanted add for a shelf that already has holes in it (there must be loads about) and beef that up with a layer of ply screwed underneath it.

[NeilGTi85 5]

When I brought my last Mi it came with a home built stelth shelf, 5cm thick hardboard bolted to the underside of the shelf. It wieghed so much I got rid when I sold my Mi, but I have to say it worked well when I did use it.

 

If your not concernd about weight issue's then I would say make it yourself, Its alot cheaper. All you'd need is some hardboard, some material to recover the parcel shelf when you've cut the holes and a few bolts and some sound deadening mats.

 

Neil

[jeremy 70]

To make your existing shelf into a stealth shelf is very easy. You will require the following:

 

1 sheet of 12mm MDF large enough to cover the underside, cut to size (use a jigsaw) this being the three large depressed areas as when viewed from above. The OE shelf then needs to be screwed onto the new MDF support, glue could be used too. Now turn the shelf upside down and mark the holes on the MDF so that you are happy with there locations as you do not want them to close to the edges or where the shelf starts to curve up from the depressions. Cut the holes making sure they are the correct size so that the speakers can be mounted from below/underside, assuming they came with the necessay spacers to unsure a flust fit. Next buy a roll of accoustic cloth and spray glue. Apply this to the top side of the shelf and trim as necessary ensuring that you leave enough to follow back to the underside of the shelf approx 50mm or so, also make sure you do not cut the parcel shelf string by accident as I nearly did once. Once you are happy with your shelf then attach the speaker to the underside and off you go. To help give you an idea I did this to a 106 shelf with 7X10s and had no problem with ring marks appearing where the holes were cut, and looked 100% standard. Most importantly if you are prepared to go this far with your shelf DO NOT then put a car audio sticker in the window and then play loud music near your local town centre.

[Paintguy 0]

^^ A more detailed explanation of my 'simple' method above

 

I doubt that 12mm MDF would really cut it though. Even my suggestion of 18mm ply is what I would consider as a bare minimum, and I'd prefer to go much thicker. Remember, to get the best out of any speakers they need to be very solidly mounted. Ideally you ought to be able to jump up and down on your shelf without it flexing, but as I mentioned above, you won't get that in a 205 without major surgery to the side mountings.

[4evernewbie 0]

As above, but also remember that your tweeters are mounted within your 6x9s.

Your tweeters need an even MORE solid mount than the woofers to get their potential sound out of them.

 

Personally, due to it being the rear shelf (and therefor realising you're not using your speakers to their full potential anyway), I usually stick to 15mm thick. If I feel I need any more than that (which I will if I put my 3ways on this 205), I'll brace it up with flat metal bars (mounted upright) underneath.

 

Also: top point about the mesh under the speaker hole. Is it possible to route (for example) a square section where the mesh will fit, therefor making the mesh invisible too???

 

*EDIT* Also, make sure you solidly mount the shelf to the rest of the car. Forget the standard plastic mounts, properly screw it in

Edited July 24, 2008 by 4evernewbie

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

With minimal cutting they fit in the front door with the OE grills covering.

 

I wouldn't bother with a shelf as a sub and 2 OE front speakers is plenty and stealth.

[daveyboyblack 1]

I've got some rear panels for sale that are already built to take a pair of 6x9s and fit into the rear side panels.

 

image

 

http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?showtopic=92838

 

These worked fine before I removed from the car (trackcar so took most of the stereo out). If you're after really good sound then I would reinforce these with another layer of wood, but it'd be easily done using these as a template.

 

Sorry for the blatant plug, but it does give you a different option for mounting.. you don't always need to have them in a parcel shelf!

 

Ta

Dave