Looking for ideas for better speakers (placement)

[como]

Any and all ideas that DONT involve adding a box behind the seats. (Not only is that too obvious, but I'm reserving that space!)

Ideally, I'd like a pair of 6x9's in here, but I could settle for a pair of 6's, I guess.... if I could manage an 8" sub somewhere

I've got crank windows, so door placement may be difficult. Can't find any information on people doing that, either, which I found odd.

[IDon'tKnow]

I'm working on getting some 3.5" MB Quart DKE108's into the top corner of the window trim. That location is used from the factory on 87 model and later AW11's. I have them sitting here and they are wired up for the factory harness but I haven't addressed getting them in yet. I think some cutting of sheet metal will be required.

I pulled the trim out of my parts car because it's an 87 and it has the speaker holes/grating. It's blue and needs to be painted black to match my 86's interior.

You could put a speaker or two in place of the console that mounts to the rear cabin bulkhead if you don't mind getting away from the OEM look.

If you want an 8" woofer under the seat you can do that. Several manufacturers produce all-in-one amplified and bandpass filtered woofers that are less than 3.5" tall. For example the Kenwood KSC-SW10 or BOSS Bass600.

[como]

my '85 came with the 3.5's in the rear. It occurred to me later that this wasnt stock, but it fits as though it is, so I consider it stock. Unfortunately 3.5's don't do squat for me... I don't think I'd even notice if they weren't there.

Interesting on the rear center console. it's not really big enough to add large speakers, but perhaps it's something to look into.
You're sure these under-seat subs will fit under the seat without issue? Because that's totally something I'd consider. edit: As far as I know, there is no difference in the under-seat configuration for passenger vs driver. Is this correct?

[IDon'tKnow]

I haven't personally installed an underseat subwoofer but I'm pretty sure it will fit; I can't imagine why it wouldn't.

So you're saying that the previous owner added 3.5's to the rear? Do you have any pictures? It might be that the five speaker system was an option on all AW11's..... I only assumed that it was introduced in 87 because my 86 doesn't have them and my 87 parts car does.

Maybe the 3.5's you have installed aren't great, or maybe they are not being powered enough. I would think that you could adjust the fade to optimize their volume. If they are just woofers with no tweeters you would benefit from an upgrade to a combo speaker. That's perfect placement for a source of high frequencies since they are more directional specific and your head is right next to the speaker.

[como]

I don't have photos, but they're definately not stock. The holes they're screwed into were drilled by someone who wasn't very good with a drill. They didn't bother to tap them either, just manhandled some screws in.

The holes appeared to be stock, though. Just get 3.5's that have metal wings instead of plastic ones, as they WILL need to bend to screw in the speaker, and plastic ones will just break off.

Mine are getting plenty of power, 3.5's are just limited in their hz, I swear there isnt any production of sound below 100hz in this car. Music just doesnt sound very good. If I turn it up loud enough to fight the road noise, the higher notes are making my ears bleed.
The trim that was added (from a newer model) fits fine. You wont have any trouble, it's a drop-in replacement. All you'll need to do is drill holes to mount the speakers, and since you've got a doner car, you can even see where it's best to drill them.

edit: Just found in another post someone saying a boss bass1200 (10" woofer) fits under the seat in their mk1. I just may pick one of these up this week!
edit edit: link: sub woofer under the seat questions

[IDon'tKnow]

I am waiting on a pair of Infinity Kappa 42.4I's to replace the dash speakers. Hope fully with those (Frequency Response of 75Hz), the 3.5" MB Quarts (90Hz), & eventually an underseat woofer, the system will have good range and not weigh the car down.

Let us know how you feel about the BOSS gear once you have it in hand and install it. I was leaning toward the Kenwood unit, but it's a 5"x7" subwoofer and I'm not sure it will be able to move as much air as the BASS600 or 1200. I'm just a little concerned about the quality of BOSS components.

[Archidamus-R]

So, has anyone put 3.5"-4" speakers somewhere akin to that mk1 c-pillar mount in a mk2?

[como]

Doesn't the mk2 have 4" mounted in the side-wall behind the seats?

If not, the "death to smurfy" thread showed some being added there. I thought it was a stock location.

[Archidamus-R]

In the sidewall behind the seats, yes . . . I'm kicking around the idea of putting an additional speaker farther back, facing forward. Sort of between the rear side window and the curved part of the rear windshield.

I may decide it's overkill. I'll definitely upgrade the two rear speakers that are in there now. If it's enough, then I'll just leave it be.

[jaymar91]

i found a spot to put the rear speakers. behind the driver and passenger seat, their is a compartment that has factory made holes in the cab to put extra speakers. my car had a sub behind the driver inside the compartment, it was the original box too.
look behind your driver seat too. im sure everyone has on behind the driver side.

what i want is another box, just like the one behind the drivers side, so i can put it in the passenger side for more bump.

if anyone is going to upgrade their box, let me know, and ill take the other one off their hands.

[como]

I'm rolling an aw11 bro, no such luck. Behind the seats on the side walls we've got seatbelts, and then the engine bay cuts out all the side-space that isnt being used there. Unless I replaced the rear side windows with metal and body filler, theres no place back there for speakers.