We've all experience the lack of mid-bass from the factory kick panels, and even with upgraded 5.25"/6.5" components it falls severely short of their capabilities and what good sound quality should be. It's non-existent with the factory speakers, and a minimal upgrade with even pricey components. This goes back to the emphasis on how important installation and location is, over expensive speakers.
Not only that but for those that want to maintain an age-correct and clean feel in the E30 know that to even get a speaker mounted is half the battle. Practically functionless hood release lever, obstructing glove box, unsightly holes in the factory panels, awkward floating speaker on door card, etc.
There is an option to get something similar made in the UK but parts cost alone is over $300 as someone inquired, and that's without the shipping costs. Plus I'm not sure if they are in business anymore though.
I'm planning to have a pair of speaker pods made to house a set of 6.5" components by a fabricator who designs applications for IASCA (SQ Audio Competition) events with over 10 years of experience. He has actually done mainly BMW's, and owns one himself which is another plus.
These speaker pods will be in place of the map pocket by the bottom corner. They will be a composite fiberglass with reinforced backing to make sure they are sturdy enough. I believe there will be an option to retain most of the map pocket but obviously the door card will have to have a small cutout to allow the speaker magnet to breathe, if applicable, and also allow a properly sized enclosure. This is also key to solid mid-bass.
We will also test various angles to engineer the enclosure to point in the correct direction as well as making sure it's compatible with a wide array of different drivers.
For those interested in actually hearing some mid-bass than just blaring loud tweeters, this audio upgrade is for you. Mounting the mid-bass speakers correctly will dramatically improve sound quality over the in-effective stock location that fires them at your ankles!
Here are some question I'm not completely sure about which could help make this product develop a bit quicker. I realize the sedan front doors are shorter than the coupes, but are the map pockets interchangeable?
Is the functionality of the map pockets important to everyone? The fabricator did mention the use of the map pocket cavity to allow a poly-fill storage pocket to help the speaker "see" a bigger enclosure area, thus a more efficient and better sound.
I did read that the door skeletons vary between early and late model cars. Is there a difference at that location where the speaker will mount? (front corner of map pocket)
If there is a difference I may need a test fitter to come to the fabricator to sample the prototype which will be in Anaheim, CA.
A few more details:
As far as I know, this should be a direct bolt on replacement panel, except the hole that needs to be trimmed for the magnet. The aim is to place the speaker mount as far away from the panel so the least amount has to be trimmed and the least amount in the way of the glass rail itself it present, of course we will make sure it doesn't become an eye-sore.
Pricing is not known yet as it depends on the quantity and the actual complexity of the piece, but I'm aiming to keep it within $200. I will open up deposits of $20 for those that are serious as each batch is limited to 15 units. Of course, should the final price be out of your range, a full refund will be applied.
I'm so certain about the improvement over the existing sound that if your not satisfied with the sound within the first month, I will also offer a full refund.
Lastly, once I have a complete working setup, anyone interested in a demo before hand may feel free to schedule a listening demo local to me.
On a final note, I've attached a picture of the UK version which is what we are modeling ours after, but not as rounded to maintain an the factory flow and look. Again, this is ONLY an example picture.
Excuse the long post, I just wanted to shed as much detail as I could. If you know you are interested and are ready to place a $20 deposit, you can simply send it to flydealz@gmail.com. Remember, at this point the deposits are refundable if pricing should vary vastly from what we estimated, or should the final part not fit your car.
Interested & ready with $20 Deposit
1. mbonder
2. xphiledan
3. einstein57
4. jean
5. dnove89
6. ikkitousen (Deposit Received)
7. cong405
8. ninjaotter (3-5 sets)
Not only that but for those that want to maintain an age-correct and clean feel in the E30 know that to even get a speaker mounted is half the battle. Practically functionless hood release lever, obstructing glove box, unsightly holes in the factory panels, awkward floating speaker on door card, etc.
There is an option to get something similar made in the UK but parts cost alone is over $300 as someone inquired, and that's without the shipping costs. Plus I'm not sure if they are in business anymore though.
I'm planning to have a pair of speaker pods made to house a set of 6.5" components by a fabricator who designs applications for IASCA (SQ Audio Competition) events with over 10 years of experience. He has actually done mainly BMW's, and owns one himself which is another plus.
These speaker pods will be in place of the map pocket by the bottom corner. They will be a composite fiberglass with reinforced backing to make sure they are sturdy enough. I believe there will be an option to retain most of the map pocket but obviously the door card will have to have a small cutout to allow the speaker magnet to breathe, if applicable, and also allow a properly sized enclosure. This is also key to solid mid-bass.
We will also test various angles to engineer the enclosure to point in the correct direction as well as making sure it's compatible with a wide array of different drivers.
For those interested in actually hearing some mid-bass than just blaring loud tweeters, this audio upgrade is for you. Mounting the mid-bass speakers correctly will dramatically improve sound quality over the in-effective stock location that fires them at your ankles!
Here are some question I'm not completely sure about which could help make this product develop a bit quicker. I realize the sedan front doors are shorter than the coupes, but are the map pockets interchangeable?
Is the functionality of the map pockets important to everyone? The fabricator did mention the use of the map pocket cavity to allow a poly-fill storage pocket to help the speaker "see" a bigger enclosure area, thus a more efficient and better sound.
I did read that the door skeletons vary between early and late model cars. Is there a difference at that location where the speaker will mount? (front corner of map pocket)
If there is a difference I may need a test fitter to come to the fabricator to sample the prototype which will be in Anaheim, CA.
A few more details:
As far as I know, this should be a direct bolt on replacement panel, except the hole that needs to be trimmed for the magnet. The aim is to place the speaker mount as far away from the panel so the least amount has to be trimmed and the least amount in the way of the glass rail itself it present, of course we will make sure it doesn't become an eye-sore.
Pricing is not known yet as it depends on the quantity and the actual complexity of the piece, but I'm aiming to keep it within $200. I will open up deposits of $20 for those that are serious as each batch is limited to 15 units. Of course, should the final price be out of your range, a full refund will be applied.
I'm so certain about the improvement over the existing sound that if your not satisfied with the sound within the first month, I will also offer a full refund.
Lastly, once I have a complete working setup, anyone interested in a demo before hand may feel free to schedule a listening demo local to me.
On a final note, I've attached a picture of the UK version which is what we are modeling ours after, but not as rounded to maintain an the factory flow and look. Again, this is ONLY an example picture.
Excuse the long post, I just wanted to shed as much detail as I could. If you know you are interested and are ready to place a $20 deposit, you can simply send it to flydealz@gmail.com. Remember, at this point the deposits are refundable if pricing should vary vastly from what we estimated, or should the final part not fit your car.
Interested & ready with $20 Deposit
1. mbonder
2. xphiledan
3. einstein57
4. jean
5. dnove89
6. ikkitousen (Deposit Received)
7. cong405
8. ninjaotter (3-5 sets)
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