Dash Speakers or Kickpanel Speakers

[Fordication]

Just wondering which way to go. I have heard that even a good 4x10 does not sound that great from the dash. I have used kick panel speaker systems in the past where I could not use door Speakers. Any opinion on this?

 

[pschlosser]

you trade low for highs, either way. dash speakers will have better fidelity, but kick panels better bass.

 

[Fordication]

So you can actually hear the dash speaker.

 

[340challconvert]

Years ago, I installed a factory AM FM radio (in place of the original am) in my convertible that did not have the 3 speaker dash setup. When I bought the car in 1979 some one had already cut the kick panels and installed speakers which I used for the factory stereo in place of the dash set up. I was lucky because the person who owned the car previously started to also circle the back quarter panels to be cut for speakers but did not!!!! I chose to use the kick panels which after all these years I will upgrade the single dash speaker and the kick panel speakers to modern equivalents. This was sufficient for my needs. I also purchased an extra set of stock kick panels in case I wanted to go back to total stock. They also now sell the kick panels reproduced with the speakers already installed! Less trouble and there are lots of speaker choices so much better today then back then!
If you are a real bass/treble banger stereo enthusiast; I have had friends who purchased or made small speaker boxes for the back seat or placed under the front seat or even installed in the trunk with huge base/ treble speakers and a large volume amp booster. Just my thoughts.

 

[Fordication]

Years ago, I installed a factory AM FM radio (in place of the original am) in my convertible that did not have the 3 speaker dash setup. When I bought the car in 1979 some one had already cut the kick panels and installed speakers which I used for the factory stereo in place of the dash set up. I was lucky because the person who owned the car previously started to also circle the back quarter panels to be cut for speakers but did not!!!! I chose to use the kick panels which after all these years I will upgrade the single dash speaker and the kick panel speakers to modern equivalents. This was sufficient for my needs. I also purchased an extra set of stock kick panels in case I wanted to go back to total stock. They also now sell the kick panels reproduced with the speakers already installed! Less trouble and there are lots of speaker choices so much better today then back then!
If you are a real bass/treble banger stereo enthusiast; I have had friends who purchased or made small speaker boxes for the back seat or placed under the front seat or even installed in the trunk with huge base/ treble speakers and a large volume amp booster. Just my thoughts.

I am a clean sound guy. The previous owner installed a pioneer stereo with pioneer 6x9s in rear. I actually enjoyed the 1400 mile drive home because of the clean sound. Yes, I was going to buy the kick panels that were made for speakers and was thinking of adding pioneer 2 ways there and in the dash. Thing is there is only one speaker in the dash so I will have an extra speaker.

 

[AJS1959]

I have a Kenwood am/fm with Bluetooth capabilities in my 73 Challenger. In the rear I have two Alpine 6x9 speakers that came with the car. When the dash was out I put a two speaker replacement in for the original speaker. Frankly, the dash speaker sounds great and is loud enough to be heard over my Black Widow mufflers. I would recommend trying that first and see if it would do the trick for you.

 

[Fordication]

I have a Kenwood am/fm with Bluetooth capabilities in my 73 Challenger. In the rear I have two Alpine 6x9 speakers that came with the car. When the dash was out I put a two speaker replacement in for the original speaker. Frankly, the dash speaker sounds great and is loud enough to be heard over my Black Widow mufflers. I would recommend trying that first and see if it would do the trick for you.

I think I will do that first. The set of 4x10s i am looking at are $80. I can always come back here and split the cost with another member.

 

[Xcudame]

I too have front speakers in the kick panels in my 70 Challenger. The Kenwood sounds pretty good after 25+ years. But what really got me thinking is the stereo system that came in my son's 2015 Scat Pack from the factory! Crazy loud! But alas my 70 trunk is smaller than the newer Challengers and I'd barely have room for the spare tire with that system in there!

 

[rrbbkk]

I have 5.5" two-way speakers in the kick panels of my '74 Challenger. (I also have a couple of extra sets of kick panels, uncut, for resale). In the center dash I made a 4 x 10" template and cut two 3" holes in it to accommodate two tweeters where the factory speaker used to be. The tweeters fire straight up and the high end sound reflects off the windshield glass and is dispersed around the interior at ear level where you need it. Factory in dash openings on the right and left can be used for the same thing if you have those. The speakers in the kick panel handle mid-range duties.

Truthfully, the speakers in the kick panels cannot provide sonic depth and are only good to fill in sound and return detail lost to engine and road noise. The real sound comes from 6x9" three way speakers under the rear deck. Your car has the openings for them, of course, and you can buy a package tray with the slots cut into it if need be. They're inexpensive from YearOne, or at least they used to be.

My car still has an old school 12" subwoofer and box in the trunk but there are dandy new, self powered "slimline" subs which can be installed under the rear seat or fastened to the wall between the trunk and interior.

Finally and most importantly, THE AMPLIFIER!!! Power is your friend. The more power you have the less volume you need so you and your passengers can enjoy clear, kickin' music and conversation and still hear the cop siren pulling you over (to ogle your car and reminisce, it happens). I see you're in Houston so blazing heat is going to have lowering the windos and wind and raod noise will result. Power helps you cut through that without jacking the volume to distortion levels. Distortion can blow your speakers AND your ear drums. Alpine, JL and Focal all make four channel amps that deliver about 75 watts a channel for $350 to $400. They're built like tanks, anymore, and take up very little trunk space.

If you go the route I've described hire a professional installer and get your alternator rebuilt to accommodate the added electrical requirements. I went from six to twelve volts. All in you're looking at around a grand to $1,200 which isn't for everyone. I love my music as much as my Challenger so it was no big deal for me but I realize such an investment isn't for everyone.