Three Way Components in doors

[Granprixfan]

I have been lurking in this forum for a while and recently joined so this is my first post so please excuse any newbie cliches. I have done a search on this but with less than satisfactory results, even after reading many archived posts.

So here's the deal I have a variety of components in the garage and I thought about installing a three way component set in the front doors as my first upgrade to the new to me Yukon XL. FYI it's a non-Bose stereo...so no A pillar tweets.

I know I have seen this done before as many of you have too. I have not owned/worked on these trucks before. Except The head unit (very quick and easy remove and replace with wiring kit).

I want to keep the speakers behind the factory grill for a stealth install. The 6.5" mid-bass in the same location as factory and the 3" dome mid-range above it while the tweeter location to be determined whilst tuning.

Yep, I'm after an audiophile system and Before I jump in feet first I need to get all my "ducks in a row"! Im in no rush to get started Id like to get some advice from those who have installed high end systems in their trucks.

So here are my questions and sought after advice...

1-The mounting depth of the bottom 6.5" mid-bass should be a non-issue right?

2-What about my proposed upper speaker? I would like to put the dome mid-range in spot currently occupied by the factory tweeter in order to cover/utilize hole there now. What about the window track/lift-gear/glass clearance? These mid-range domes have a rather large magnet encased in plastic and it's almost the same diameter as the front side. I believe they are 2"-2.5" mounting depth.

3-what about physical mounting in the doors themselves? I would like to fabricate a mounting baffle so as speakers are on solid surface. Is the door panel separated from the steel skin much? Would a baffle mounted to steel skin under the door panel fit? or be advisable? Or

4-What about a door panel mounted baffle with speakers mounted to it? Would this be a better alternative? It would have to be functional and cosmetic as it is seen through grill.

I'm trying to eliminate the rattling and associated resonance from the plastic door panel. How have you guys mounted the speakers?

Yes I am sound deadening the door skin inner and outer as well as mounting foam sound deadening material to inside of door panel plastic. That reminds me I have to track my shipment.

Thank you guys in advance and My apologize if long winded

 

[YukonXL04]

What kind of components do you have laying around that you plan on using?

This is one of the cleaner stock looking 3 way installs. http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum...llery/156294-2005-gmc-sierra-focal-build.html

As for running the mid bass and mid range and tweeter. You are going to run full active with external DSP right?

1- Metra shows mounting depth to be 3.5", If I recall when I installed my components which are 2 7/8" deep I had extra room.

2- you can fit the midranges there. It will fit behind the factory grill.

3- if it were me, I would either do it like the sierra I posted above, or cut out the whole backside of the door panel where the stock grill is, and make a whole new baffle the same shape, but spaced away from the door some, to allow you to angle the midrange upwards to try to get a little more on axis.

4- I have tried a 6.5" midbass mounted to the door panel itself with a baffle on the backside, however it is very hard to get good bass response like this. So I would advise against it.

As for eliminating rattles, just make sure to deaden whatever you can. Also try to seal up all of the large holes in the inner door skin to help with bass response.

 

[DCT]

Mounting high end speakers that low in the door behind stock metal speaker grills never made sense to me. Custom pods for tweeter and mid in A pillar are a must for an audiophile set up.

 

[YukonXL04]

Well some people are willing to sacrifice a little sound quality for stock appearance... Some vehicles can pull off tweets and midranges in the pillars and still look stock, unfortunately ours isn't one of them lol.

 

[Granprixfan]

Thanks for the reply Shawn !

That install is on the Sierra is what I had in mind.
Yep I have a DSP unit.
I have a couple of three way sets MB Quarts, and NOS JBL's (yes the old school 4" titanium dome mid range) and a set from morel but I may save this one for another car.
Regardless of which I settle on.

The dome & mid-range speakers look like they will fit above the 6.5" without issue given the angled baffle in the link. I'm going to use that idea!

I was thinking about the 6.5" in lowest / factory position. Definitely the mounting depth is a non-issue.
You are advising against mounting baffle on back side of door panel from experience and I appreciate the candor as it's from experience...Mid-Base suffers "We can't have that now can we"

I'll fab up mounting rings like the Sierra. Definitely at lot less work With superior results.

As far as door skins go I've ordered Cascade sound deadener to cover door panel side of door skin. I plan to cut Masonite or 1/4" MDF panels to cover "service" openings I'll attach these with screws.
I'm debating what to do about outer door skin. There was a product I used in the past that looks like a rippled mat that goes behind speaker,. I just can't recall who makes it or where to order. As far as the rest of outer door skin goes Am I better served just mounting the left over scraps or A spray can deadener product?

Also I was think ing about ordering RAAM audio Ensolite for adhering to back side of interior plastics... sparingly, say friction prone contact areas. Any thoughts? Or better served with another product.

---------- Post added at 09:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:21 PM ----------

Mounting high end speakers that low in the door behind stock metal speaker grills never made sense to me. Custom pods for tweeter and mid in A pillar are a must for an audiophile set up.

Sure I agree a large pods with mid range and tweet in A pillars would yield audiophile results with The Morels Maybe even with the MB Quarts. But having said that, these trucks are child's play to break into so I'm sticking with stealth ...for now.
Maybe after another road trip I'll get bored with the set up and go that route.

That is how I got to this point...the guy I bought it off of had just installed some Alpine components in factory locations. I don't think he did anything but slap them in as SQ does nothing for me.

 

[DCT]

Totally understand. It sounds like you got fabrication skills. Please post pics of your install. That's the funny thing about audio guys, we always seem to be trying new set ups. Never ending.

For rear fill. I mounted components in my rear doors. I flush mounted the tweeter on the door panel behind the factory grill. Just an experiment.