Victory

I am installing these subs and most of the DIY's point out you need to make some minor mods to the sub box to make it airproof. Some of them mention using silicone or some other substance to "fill" the gaps and raise the subs a little higher in the enclosure.

During my research on this topic (I've been searching and reading all over), I came across a topic on another forum that included a guy making spacers that fill just this need (E90 Spacer thread). I ordered a set and I received them today. They are perfect!

I wanted to post here in case future searchers could use this info.

Now to find someone who can make a small fiberglass box so I can get my 6 3/4's installed in the door panel...

V

Victory

Yeah...two things stand out from the stuff I've read:

1. Make sure you seal the box. The subs do not work well as quasi free air woofers and in order to fully use the door port they need to be sealed tight.

2. By replacing the stock subs you are creating a sonic gap in the 100-500khz range. The stock subs (more like mid-subs) cover that range but the SWS 8's do not. You must fill this gap or else you music will sound "weird". After all, the bulk of the meat of music is in that range. I'm choosing to go with 6 3/4's in my doorpanel (as I saw another do on one of the threads I've read) as "mid-ranges", so I believe I'll have the full audio spectrum.

I'm no audio expert by any stretch of the imagination...just a hobbyist.

god_003

how much did u pay for the spacers?

:l

Victory

35 bucks.

Victory

This is one of the reasons I wanted a cleaner way to install the subs. Earthquake is not exactly a "high-end" brand and I've been know to blow a speaker or two in my time. I wanted to have a install where I could pop one out easily (and cleanly) if I needed to.

For me, that in and of itself was worth $35.

god_003

what kind of amp do u have?

:l

or u keeping that stock? (not likely)

Victory

I've been hemming and hawing on my amp selection, but I've finally made my choices (I think).

The Infinity 6 3/4's are 60w RMS/180 MAX and the Quakes are 150w RMS/ 300 MAX. I think I'm going to wind up getting the Blaupunkt THA 275 PnP (which gives me 2x90w @2 Ohm RMS) and the Blaupunkt THA 1250 PnP (which gives me 1x300w @ 2 Ohm RMS). The former will run the 2 Infinity Reference 6022i (which are 2ohm) in the door and the latter will run the subs. I could prob get one amp to do both, but I haven't found the wattage combo I am looking for ( 70-100w ch x 2@ 2 ohms + 300-400w ch x 1 @ 2 ohms) yet

I will run the subs in parallel to present a 2 Ohm load to the amp and split the 300w RMS between them. The amp's max of 600w also matches up to the Quakes max of 300w ea. I usually like my amp's to have a little more power at RMS than my speakers, but in this case I would run it like this because of the aesthetics of matching up the amps.

As far the Infinity's...I've had them in all my vehicles and I have yet to be disappointed by them. I run them in my other three cars with 100w each to them and have had no problems at all.

At this point my plan is to not touch the stock system amp (other than to grab a signal). But I am going to change out all 4 of the 4inch speakers to Infinity Kappa 42.9i's.

methodsound

Those spacers should seal the box just fine. You will need a custom adaptor for the midrange speakers in the door as well. Either way I do not think the 4" Infinity is going to fit.

Victory

Man.... Did you happen to measure the depth of the stockers? I may have to go slim in the door. What do you think? What are you using? You would'nt have any templates for a front door speaker mount (that I can have made out of glass) would you?

methodsound

For a custom door panel install a 6.5" will work. Ideally the depth<3" and diameter<6.75".

For the stock midrange location the speaker I used is 3.7" diameter and about 2" deep.