Tweeter location

[Yan00LX]

I've ran some searches and haven't been able to find an extensive discussion on this subject: where to put the tweeters when using front components

-Sail panel -
Pros: "stealth" look (black on black), raises sound stage, improves left and right separation
Cons: screw up stereo imaging the most (left tweeters way to close compared to right tweeter), since crossovers never have an "infinity slope", you have some mids coming from the bottom of the door and from the top of the door at different distances from your hear, this can cause some phase cancellations and screw overall response.

-Coaxial mount-
Pros: even stealthier, better stereo imaging, less likely to get phase cancellation (every sound comes from the same place)
Cons: can be easily muffled by legs and screw up imaging, lowers the sound stage, can affect woofer response by putting something in its path

-On door panel, 2" above woofer-
Pros: doesn't look as good (specially with non black interiors), best compromise for sound stage and stereo imaging, close enough to limit phase cancellation without affecting woofer response
Cons: most difficult installation, cannot go back to stock until door panels are replaced, angled tweeters are a must

Anything I'm missing? Other suggestions?

 

[chuyler1]

Sail panel or a-pillar. I've never had good experiences with mounting them low. Sure you get better path-lengths but any time you move your foot the sound changes. It is especially bad when you have a passenger. Low mounting only works good in mid to full sized vehicles with small or no center consoles and high dashes.

But it is best for you to experiment yourself. Wire everything up with some extra slack and use double sided tape to test each location. Give each one a day of listening before committing.

 

[FoxPro5]

I vote A pillar or sail as well. As many times as I've tried tweeters down low, I personally don't like them.

Also keep in mind that our ears can't locate sound vertically, so as long as you have some aiming skills and time allignment, you'll be good.

 

[TheMAN]

I really don't think it's such a big deal where you put them, afterall, the car is one of the worst environments for *quality* audio

 

[macklum]

Mount them in the a pliiars . thats what I have done

 

[FoxPro5]

I really don't think it's such a big deal where you put them, afterall, the car is one of the worst environments for *quality* audio

I assume you're speaking from experience????????

A pillar install in the making:

The stage is just below eye level and just beyond the glass. But I do have a 3-way front stage, just fyi.

 

[TheMAN]

I'm speaking from a scientific point of view

 

[Yan00LX]

I vote A pillar or sail as well. As many times as I've tried tweeters down low, I personally don't like them.

Also keep in mind that our ears can't locate sound vertically, so as long as you have some aiming skills and time allignment, you'll be good.

I wish time aligning tweeters would be easier...
Going all active is kind of out of the question for now

 

[FoxPro5]

I wish time aligning tweeters would be easier...
Going all active is kind of out of the question for now

You don't need to go all active to benefit from a little T/A.

 

[Protege2886]

Mount them in the a pliiars . thats what I have done

Malcolm - do you still have those spare A-pillars you were telling me about ? I'd be interested to know if my tweeters will fit.