6.5's in door cards

[240zs30]

Is this what you meant?

[NC325iC]

luke, since i have room under my stationary window would it be a good idea for me to build a box to go inside the door if i do this?

[StereoInstaller1]

Is this what you meant?

No, not at all. That is likely an early car, so no room. Late cars have an entirely different window regulators so speakers fit pretty easy.

[240zs30]

" 6.5's in door cards
I have herd about a bunch of people in here installing 6.5's in to the door cards directly on late model doors, but can't find a single Friggn picture of this install. If any one could help it would be appreciated...Thanks "

Luke, i'm Confused? I thought that the OP wanted to see an install w/speakers in the door cards. That is what I did in my 90'. I sealed them completely but ported the rear of the door card so the midbass plays thru the door panel. 4" Midrange remain in the kicks with my 3 way setup.

[THATDONFC]

So is this possible on my 87 eta 4dr? Do the speakers clear the window? Also could I maybe machine a spacer to fit in there if it doesn't clear?

Would it be better to add the 6.5's and keep the ankle knockers? So I would have a total of 6 speakers...

[Major]

Sales Manager at a BMW stealership here said the early and late model doors are exactly the same, they just a different mech (the scissor-type)? That right? Are the mechs, and everything related, interchangeable?

[Turf1600]

Here's a pic of mine. they sound awesome.

[brn2ply7]

Turf1600 do you get descent midbass out of this set up, using the door as a sealed chamber for the woofer?

[Turf1600]

Turf1600 do you get descent midbass out of this set up, using the door as a sealed chamber for the woofer?

I get great midbass but I'm not sure that's why. Luke?

FYI I bought this entire setup from luke - speakers, tweeters, sub, box, wires, ect. It's really nice.

[StereoInstaller1]

Luke, i'm Confused? I thought that the OP wanted to see an install w/speakers in the door cards.

My understanding is that he wanted to see if it was possible without any MAJOR modding, like you have done there...basically "cut and run" type of install.

It has been a major myth for years that you cannot do door speakers in any E30. I know better, I have done several, but only with late models.

BTW, nice work on the door pods. I bet they sound great.

So is this possible on my 87 eta 4dr? Do the speakers clear the window? Also could I maybe machine a spacer to fit in there if it doesn't clear?

No, the damn power window motor is right where you want to put speakers...pods like the post above work very well though.

If you plan on painting your car, swap to late model doors!

Sales Manager at a BMW stealership here said the early and late model doors are exactly the same, they just a different mech (the scissor-type)? That right? Are the mechs, and everything related, interchangeable?

Right and wrong...as in the sheetmetal is the same (except for a few holes) but the scissor lift mechanism makes all the difference in the world for installing speakers.

What the hell would a sales guy know about E30s anyway? Maybe you found a freak whao actually LIKES cars and knows something!

Would it be better to add the 6.5's and keep the ankle knockers? So I would have a total of 6 speakers...

Personally, I would say no. Rarely does a 3 way system like that sound better if the midrange is farther from your head. Typically, if you could put the midrange speaker higher up in the door, or on top the dash like an E34.

If you just added a second set of speakers, you would likely lose sound quality and might lose some actual SPL, too.

For good sound always remember it is WAY more important how the speakers are installed than anything. I care more about SQ than anything, thus my speaker setup is a little "different"

Turf1600 do you get descent midbass out of this set up, using the door as a sealed chamber for the woofer?

Yeah, basically. If you did the actual math on a true "sealed" box for a 6.5" like that, it wants about 4 cubic feet...yeah, right. I am using about .2 cu. ft. but my high pass is about 85Hz @ 24db/oct.

And yes, there is an actual cabinet behind that. It is made of PVC tubing, AKA "sewer pipe". But with that location, the sound is amazing.

I get great midbass but I'm not sure that's why. Luke?

FYI I bought this entire setup from luke - speakers, tweeters, sub, box, wires, ect. It's really nice.

Yeah, the location in the doors is about the best you are gonna do unless you get really weird like mine.

This particular set of speakers are the Exile XT65. About $350/set retail, and one of the best sounding component systems I have ever heard that cheap. The detail and clarity are damn near up with the big dollar stuff (like the $2200/set Dynaudio!) You might notice that the ones I sold Turf are the sam as my car..yeah, I really like them!

Luke

[brn2ply7]

Thanks again for all the help!

[Major]

Right and wrong...as in the sheetmetal is the same (except for a few holes) but the scissor lift mechanism makes all the difference in the world for installing speakers.

What the hell would a sales guy know about E30s anyway? Maybe you found a freak whao actually LIKES cars and knows something!

Yeah he was really cool, he was restoring a 3.0 CSL and knew the E30's backwards and forwards. Really old guy, awesome to talk to, very passionate about BMW's! He doesn't work there anymore though, wonder what happened to him. :(

So are the mechanisms interchangeable or would I be better off just swapping doors?

[z31maniac]

Here's a pic of mine. they sound awesome.

I pine for good sound. But don't know if could handle the looks of that mounting location.

[KenC]

I have a bitchin' set of CDT 6.5" components if anyone is interested. Just hit me up with a PM.

[Turf1600]

I pine for good sound. But don't know if could handle the looks of that mounting location.

While inside the car it feels really natural.