Speaker Shelves

[andyj]

Come on then guys, whats the best way of making a speaker shelf for a pair of 6x9's ?!?!? To go in my pre '99 Beeza

Option A: Cut two holes with a jigsaw ;)
Option B: Buy some MDF and do it myself
Option C: Spend £99 on a Stelth Shelf :D
Option D: Other.....

answers on a postcard to andyj@seatcupra.net ;)

[Steve]

I've got 20cms in mine and have a couple of mates with 6 X 9s. We all have standard shelves and they fit perfectly. I didn't have a jigsaw so I used a stanley knife and a bit of patience. Worked great.

This is the cheapest option, but I don't know if a solid MDF/stealth shelf will have any sound improvement.

Cheers,

Steve

[davemcgo]

I've always made my own parcel shelves in all my cars.

Dead easy to do, and pretty cheap. Should take no more than a few hours to get it perfect fitting...

I've always found the sound quality better too - I think the weight of the MDF shelf compared with standard helps...so I'd say go for option B Andy ;)

[Andy C]

I'm not sure kind of shape the shelf is, but what I made my shelf, For my Nova, i simply used the existing shelf, but bolted a piece of MDF across the bottom.

This gives you the option of mounting pretty much any speakers you like without the risk of the shelf bowing or breaking.

This method also avoids the hassel of actually building a shelf from scratch, and you wont get any annoying rattles from a badly fitting shelf.

Also the MDF on the bottom should make the shelf more rigid, which could only help sound quality.

Another thing is, with this option, you could mount the speakers on the MDF , cut holes in the shelf, and re-cover the entire shelf with some accoustically transparrent cloth.

Nobody would know they were there!!!

Andy C

[davemcgo]

used the existing shelf

This is fine as long as you don't mind either:

A - Leaving the sounds in when selling the car
B - Finding a new shelf which ain't been attacked when you sell it
C - Selling the car with no parcel shelf

I just like to have everything intact so I can take it all back to standard again if need-be ;)

[hopkinsgm]

I'm with Andy C on this one. Making a shelf for a mk2 Ibiza that was the right shape would be a proper pain in the ar*e, and more bother than it's worth.

My 8v Cupra has a standard shelf that I DIY'd roughly as described by AndyC, although I used two rectangular blocks of 3/4" MDF, one either side (suits contours of shelf better) and it's a big improvement over previous cars where i've just screwed speakers direct into the shelf. It's perhaps not the most technically elegant solution, but it's a bloody good compromise and certainly adequate for most applications.

And the argument about leaving sounds in when you sell it, jeez, I know you scots are tight but what does a set of regular 6x9's cost??? :)

G

[davemcgo]

jeez, I know you scots are tight but what does a set of regular 6x9's cost

HAHA - we like to live upto our reps!!

I just like the gear I have, and want to keep it all - sounds great :D

[Dormouse]

Option C.

Putting 20cm's or 6*9's in the factory shelf take the p**s. Those type of speaker need a solid shelf.

[jaf01uk]

Originally posted by Dormouse
Option C.

Putting 20cm's or 6*9's in the factory shelf take the p**s. Those type of speaker need a solid shelf.

Got to agree with the mouse on that one, sticking speakers like that on a standard shelf it will rattle and lose sound quality, you need a solid shelf to appreciate the difference,

[Scoobster]

Agreed too..

I bought an Auto Acoustics shelf for my mk3 Cupra..

Very well made solid shelf and nicely covered... fits perfectly in the car.

I got it with the holes pre cut so I could just slot in my Pioneer TSE6995's (6x9's)..

they rock the kazbaaaaaaaaaaaaa..

no rattles from the speakers or shelf.. just vibrates the boot lid and the rear screen a bit when turned up to around 30 on the standard head unit.. constant good sound quality, just cautious about damaging the rear window.. lol

I too went for this option because when I sell the car I am going to rewire the standard speakers and put the old shelf back in.. I will keep the modded shelf and probably sell it on to an ibiza owner privately for more cash than the garage would consider throwing in for it..

So go for an MDF shelf... either make one or buy one.. ! ;)

[prc]

I'd go with option B or C if you definitely want to stick with them on the rear shelf.
My previous car a 98 ibiza was setup as follows:

Infinity component set front
Rear co-ax in stock spots (for rear fill only)
1 10" sub.

[Dillinga]

Prc, when you say 'stock spots' do you mean you fitted new 4X6 speakers either side of the shelf? I'm considering a full speaker upgrade and would like to know whether it is possible to get decent sound quality out of some new 4X6's.

Cheers,

Tony

[prc]

Originally posted by Dillinga
Prc, when you say 'stock spots' do you mean you fitted new 4X6 speakers either side of the shelf? I'm considering a full speaker upgrade and would like to know whether it is possible to get decent sound quality out of some new 4X6's.

Cheers,

Tony

Tony,
The 4x6 sound OK but nothing like a 6 1/2" or 6x9 (I used some Infinity 4x6 in the Ibiza). As I mentioned they're only for rear fill. IMO if you have to much sound coming from the back of the car you screw up the sound stage (at a concert you don't stand with your back to the stage!?).

[Dillinga]

Paulo,

Thanks for the reply. Basically I've just swapped out the original HU in my '99 biza for a Pioneer with cd changer. Now the appauling sound quality and bass distortion is too obvious. I'm thinking about installing 3-way 17cm's in the door, replace the tweets in the dash and upgrade the 4X6's. I'm not looking for the ultimate in stereo but want to know whether that sort of setup will give me decent enough sound quality/bass without the need needing and Amp/Sub). Any pointers, info greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Tony

[prc]

I would probably go with a good set of component speakers up front (seperate tweeter/midrange). If you don't want to get a seperate sub, the 4x6 will not cut it. Better to go with some 6 1/2" 2-way.

[Steve]

Tony,

It depends how much bass you want. I had a similar setup to you - Pioneer front components and 6 X 4 rears. It sounded ok at a standstill but when driving it was difficult to hear the rears. They couldn't handle much bass either. I also found that the front speakers rattled the door panels manically. Now my 20cms in the rear shelf make no end of difference. Also I use the high pass filter on the head unit to reduce the bass in the door speakers.

What you suggest will obviously be an improvement over standard. You will be amazed at how crap the standard front door speakers are when you remove them!

Steve

[prc]

Originally posted by Steve
Tony,

I also found that the front speakers rattled the door panels manically. Now my 20cms in the rear shelf make no end of difference. Also I use the high pass filter on the head unit to reduce the bass in the door speakers.

Steve

This is true. Had the same problem 'til I had a piece of MDF cut an place between the door and speaker. Made tons of difference. Not only was the rattle gone, but had alot more bass. Ended up running the front components with a 50Wx2 amp without problems. I'm sure the 20's sound good in the rear shelf, but if you had the rear shelf made of MDF or some other rigid material, you'd be surprised of the difference in bass.

[Dillinga]

Hmmmm, well I still have a pretty decent set of Pioneer 6x9's from a previous install. Perhaps it will be better if I still go with the component set in the front and stick the 6x9's on a stealth shelf in the back.....

Cheers

Tony