Modern stereo system in a B Body - options/ideas

Ron H · Aug 11, 2020

Great - informative discussion on sound systems. I have another issue entirely as I have a vert that's kinda loud and when I recently installed new quarter panels for the back seat I left the speakers out as I don't want to cut up the new-pricy panels. I built boxes for the 6" speakers I have and set them under the bucket seats. Not the best as you're pressed to do a lot in a drop top anyway. But all this discussion gave me an idea...mount the speakers in the console I installed. They would be up front; but anything you place to the rear is pretty toasted anyway less some monster system. The console required making apron panels so there's decent space behind them to mount the speakers. Having a Hermosa retro in it seems to have good output. Thanks...I got yet another project to add to da list!

70chall440 · Aug 11, 2020

Mike67 said:
So I purchased a RetroSound head unit and I highly recommend Kickers CS speakers. I have 2 6x9 in the shelf, and in place of the 4x7 I have 2 3-1/2". I planned on installing 2 6.5s in door pods. But may be changing my mind after the initial test in my system. I also bought an 8" powered sub, my amp is a 4 channel that currently is powering just the 6x9s, the 3-1/2s are powered off the head unit. I havent even tried to dial it in yet...and again this is without the 6.5s and about 25%.
If you mount your speakers in any panels buy a foam baffle to set it in, it really helps focus the sound and keeps the tinie soundto a min.

View attachment 987468 View attachment 987469

Sounds good (good choice of songs as well). I cannot put 6x9's in this car as it does not have a rear shelf and the owner does not want any boxes in the rear.

70chall440 · Aug 11, 2020

What I am really after is my overall concept correctness, meaning head unit driving the front speaker, mids and tweeters and amp driving the rear speakers. The sub is on its own. I realize that driving the center, mids and tweeters off the head unit is not ideal, I suppose I could try and drive the mids and tweeters off the amp but am unsure how I am going to do it. I am looking at a 4 channel amp, so conceptually I could drive the 4 rear speakers off 2 channels and the mids/tweeters off 2.

I am sure to those knowledgeable in stereos this all sounds very stupid and basic but I am not a stereo guy and I am hoping someone here can help me from myself...

Mike67 · Aug 11, 2020

70chall440 said:
What I am really after is my overall concept correctness, meaning head unit driving the front speaker, mids and tweeters and amp driving the rear speakers. The sub is on its own. I realize that driving the center, mids and tweeters off the head unit is not ideal, I suppose I could try and drive the mids and tweeters off the amp but am unsure how I am going to do it. I am looking at a 4 channel amp, so conceptually I could drive the 4 rear speakers off 2 channels and the mids/tweeters off 2.

I am sure to those knowledgeable in stereos this all sounds very stupid and basic but I am not a stereo guy and I am hoping someone here can help me from myself...

Depending on the head unit ( if enough power) it can easily drive small speakers , I think mine is 25w x 4, but I'm just using it for the two 3-1/2" speakers in the dash. The rest of your plan sounds fine but you do get what you pay for in audio. If that is a cheap $89 head unit don't expect a whole lot, same goes with speakers.
On another note I understand the owner does not want speaker boxes in the back, there are alternatives though. They make speaker pods that surface mount and angle in any direction depending on mounting. I bought some for my 6x9s & 6.5's, I'm not going to use the ones for the 6x9s as They were a little tall. You might be able to use them.

70chall440 · Aug 11, 2020

Thanks for the response, I really appreciate it.

The head unit is a decent Pioneer unit, would not say it is "top of the line" but it also isn't a real cheap one.

We have discussed the rear speakers quite a lot and we are thinking that two 4x10 mounted overhead and angled down will provide enough sound, however if it doesn't the pods you just posted might be a good alternative or addition.

64 Sportfury · Aug 11, 2020

70chall440 said:
What I am really after is my overall concept correctness, meaning head unit driving the front speaker, mids and tweeters and amp driving the rear speakers. The sub is on its own. I realize that driving the center, mids and tweeters off the head unit is not ideal, I suppose I could try and drive the mids and tweeters off the amp but am unsure how I am going to do it. I am looking at a 4 channel amp, so conceptually I could drive the 4 rear speakers off 2 channels and the mids/tweeters off 2.

I am sure to those knowledgeable in stereos this all sounds very stupid and basic but I am not a stereo guy and I am hoping someone here can help me from myself...

You might want to run your ideas by a Crutchfield tech. They can be very helpful without a purchase.

Scott Engelhardt · Aug 11, 2020

If you plan on running four speakers off of 2 channels you can wire them in Parallel that will give you a little more power out of your amp. You do have to make sure your amp is 4 ohm stable
https://geoffthegreygeek.com/ufaqs/whats-difference-speakers-series-parallel/
This is a good place for information.

Charger-472 · Aug 12, 2020

I did not want to cut my dash up so I went with a Sony Bluetooth Amp XM-GS6DSP under the driver seat, I control everything with my phone. Original equipment stays the same and works. Speakers are hidden in the package tray and I went with speakers in kick panels as I did not want to cut the doors. and a Bass Tube in the trunk. Sounds pretty good but my 472 Hemi sounds better.

Jonas Nordstrom · Aug 14, 2020

Lots of cool ideas here.

I wanted modern sound that fit into the existing places and where the speakers could not be seen.
I went with a Retrosound stereo and later also got the retrosound speakers and active sub.
I put the thin front speaker under the dash, fits perfectly but is just about touching the heater control, tight fit.
Then I put two rear speakers in the back, used original speaker hole and the defogger hole.
I put the usb/aux connector and the Sub control in the ashtray.
The sub is placed under the passenger seat....a very tight fit for the seat adjuster cable, but it worked.

Put it all together and it sounds very nice.

70chall440 · Aug 14, 2020

Jonas Nordstrom said:
Lots of cool ideas here.

I wanted modern sound that fit into the existing places and where the speakers could not be seen.
I went with a Retrosound stereo and later also got the retrosound speakers and active sub.
I put the thin front speaker under the dash, fits perfectly but is just about touching the heater control, tight fit.
Then I put two rear speakers in the back, used original speaker hole and the defogger hole.
I put the usb/aux connector and the Sub control in the ashtray.
The sub is placed under the passenger seat....a very tight fit for the seat adjuster cable, but it worked.

Put it all together and it sounds very nice.

View attachment 988508

Very clean install.

Modern stereo system in a B Body - options/ideas

Ron H

FBBO Gold Member

70chall440

Well-Known Member

70chall440

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Mike67

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70chall440

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64 Sportfury

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Scott Engelhardt

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Charger-472

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Jonas Nordstrom

Well-Known Member

70chall440

Well-Known Member

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