How to make JL Audio XR 650s fit in MSP

[paulstrovsky]

I tried searching on this, but "JL" and "XR" don't work as search terms...

I really love the sound of JL audio XR 650 Csomethingorother component speakers. My awesome Tweeter guy got me an awesome deal on them ($275 open box, i think), but I just now realized that they are probably about 3" deep while the clearance in the front doors of the MSP is only 2.75 inches, from what I've read.

Does anyone have any recommendations for installing these speakers?

I'm starting to think that maybe kick-panels are the way to go... are there any drawbacks to kick panels?

 

[servoeyes]

the only drawback to kickpanels is the cost of having them made, and that if someone is sitting in the other seat, they block some of the sound.

As for installing components in the doors, don't look up the JLs, just look up component install front door.

Here's the general idea: http://www.msprotege.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14121&highlight=front+door+component

That's close, but what you do instead is mount the spacer on the exterior...like this

You can get plastic spacers from sounddomain and then use them as a guide for making these. Then you have to cut back the plastic on the door panel a little bit so that it doesn't impose on the speaker. Voila!

 

[got wake?]

I'm starting to think that maybe kick-panels are the way to go... are there any drawbacks to kick panels?

there are HUGE draw backs to having kick panels first and foremost is the amount of room they take up, especially if you use a deep 6.5" speaker secondly you have a 5 speed. with an automatic it's not such a huge deal, but with a 5 speed you are probably going to mess them up if you aren't careful in depressing the clutch. granted the sound is far superior than with door mounting the speakers, but it's going to cost you.
http://www.mazdamp3.com/vbb230/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45555

i would highly recomend making an adapter plate out of wood. next weekend i'll be home, and someone else has already contacted me about making some for him, so if you would like me to make some, PM me. for you all i'd be able to do is cut the opening for the 6.5". the tweeter will have to be mounted somewhere else.

 

[paulstrovsky]

Wow. This is some really excellent information. That's a very good point about the clutch...maybe kick panels aren't theway to go after all.

Would it be totally stupid to put the 6.5"s in the rear doors and put the tweeters somewhere up front? I imagine it would be... maybe I'd be better off just buying a pair of 5x7s for the front (I liked the sound of the JLs and Bostons in that size).

 

[parks853]

Wow. This is some really excellent information. That's a very good point about the clutch...maybe kick panels aren't theway to go after all.

Would it be totally stupid to put the 6.5"s in the rear doors and put the tweeters somewhere up front? I imagine it would be... maybe I'd be better off just buying a pair of 5x7s for the front (I liked the sound of the JLs and Bostons in that size).

you were on teh right idea when you wanted to put the speakers in teh front door. it is very easy to make a plate that will work.. my focals are 3" or deeper cant remmeber. I jsut made an adapter out of wood. it is very easy. I took the stock speaker out and drew around it. I marked the holes too (factory holes for the speaker. then I put my focal i the middle of what I jsut drew and made one combined drawing. I used some screw that woudl countersink in teh wood and use the factory holes in the door. then I mounted the speaker in and screwed it to the metal and the wood. I have a picture or two that I will show ya. but I just wanted to say first. PLEASE dont put the jl's in teh rear and get soem different fronts..

ok.. here is the adapter plate... but before I put the holes in

ok here is a plate mounted with the speaker mounted in it. you can see the brass colored screws that are countersunk to hold in the adapter. and the metal screws are well.. in the metal... the black screws are only in the wood. here ya go..

I used calipers when I did this for precise meaurements. the fit will be very close but if you use 1/4 in material you will be straiight... if they don tmake snese let me know and i will clarify something..

 

[parks853]

servo will not complain about the boston idea. he loves those things. I really love my focals. not heard anything better. and I dont run rears at all. save your money.. jsut run the stock rears off the deck if you want any at all.. leave them way down for fill... way down cause they wont blend good with XR's or BA's..

for the tweet I have had some really good luck with putting it on the door right by the sail panel (little triangle in teh front corner of the door). point the passenger one at you. and the driver one at the passenger...

*edit* plus you have a sedan.. so the 6.5 are not gonig to fit better in teh rear anywhere.. .and I forgot to mention that you could PM got wake? if you dont want to make an adapter.. he said he woudl make ya one.

 

[parks853]

god.. I am out of it.. sorry guys for the extra posts.. I keep remembering things... but anyways the only other thing is that you have ot cut the inside of your door panel out. I used a dremel tool.. it is the only way the speaker will fit. if you take the door panel off you will see this plastic ring that meets up with the factory speaker. just take a dremel and a cutting tool and cut that damn thing off down to the speaker grill. just be careful and take your time cause that dremel will go through the door panel..

 

[paulstrovsky]

Awesome info, Parks. I think I'll try what you did... I'm right about the 2.75" clearance, right? That means it shouldn't take too much to get these things to fit. I think I'll go start tearing the car apart now since the temperature has finally shot up to above 30!

 

[Matthew]

oh just to help out from now on when you are trying to search a two letter term such as JL use JL*

 

[parks853]

Awesome info, Parks. I think I'll try what you did... I'm right about the 2.75" clearance, right? That means it shouldn't take too much to get these things to fit. I think I'll go start tearing the car apart now since the temperature has finally shot up to above 30!

you are right it dont take much to get it in there, but if you go out to far it has a chance of hitting the door. so that is why I went with 1/4 inch. good luck. there should be some stuff on removing the door panels on here. lata

 

[twilightprotege]

i had no problem fitting my XR650csi's in my front and rear doors on my P5, i just made a metal adapter plate like above for the front doors and it works fine. i then just cut some bendy plastic and glued it over the speaker so any water doesnt get on to it.

 

[parks853]

yeah.. I am going to make me some rain gurads also. I will post after I figureout how I am doing that.

 

[twilightprotege]

just dont have the rain guards sticking out too much over the speaker - i did this the first time and the window hits it

 

[parks853]

I was going to make them come back to the end of the speaker. and that is it.. my speaker is very close to teh window as it is.. so I know nothing can go past that.. but thanks for the heads up.

 

[JAC]

I installed a set of XR525 in my car using an adapter and I also used the stock rainguards, check it out:

 

[ARunto]

JAC...let me know how those XR525's sound in your car. I just picked up a set.

-Alan