Whats the imaging like with the q-logic kick panels compared to factory locations. I've always been told to make the distance from the left speaker to yr ear the same as(or as close as) the rightside. Placing speakers in the kicks acheive this the best. Im just wonding how the two positions compare.
kickpanel speakers
pyro
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Whats the imaging like with the q-logic kick panels compared to factory locations. I've always been told to make the distance from the left speaker to yr ear the same as(or as close as) the rightside. Placing speakers in the kicks acheive this the best. Im just wonding how the two positions compare.
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Welcome to the forum!
well, since the information you've been told (about keeping right and left distances as equal as possible) is good information, you basically answered your own question. the stock locations (in the door panels) cause the front left speaker to be closer to the driver than the passenger side speaker. this path length difference throws off imaging a lot, which is why some audiophiles chose to buy or make kick panels. the kickpanel area allows for the most even path lengths for componet speakers so the sound should be pretty well centered so the imaging should imrpove a lot. te only draw back is that it can be hard to put certain size speakers in the kickpanel area; although, the focus is pretty big so it can fit most. the qlogics have one other drawback, they are an open backed kickpanel and flex easily. these two factors result in a weaker low end and the midbass will probably suffer. that is why some run kickpanel speaker along with a midbass in the door (playing frequencies below ~200hz because they are less directional that low and won't destroy imaging). another option could be keeping them in the stock locations and running a time alignment circuit. they have them in pre-amp eq type products as well as in headunits but can be expensive. but they do offer the ability to match the pathlengths pretty much exactly so they are worth it in my opinion. hope that helps.
- Scott
well, since the information you've been told (about keeping right and left distances as equal as possible) is good information, you basically answered your own question. the stock locations (in the door panels) cause the front left speaker to be closer to the driver than the passenger side speaker. this path length difference throws off imaging a lot, which is why some audiophiles chose to buy or make kick panels. the kickpanel area allows for the most even path lengths for componet speakers so the sound should be pretty well centered so the imaging should imrpove a lot. te only draw back is that it can be hard to put certain size speakers in the kickpanel area; although, the focus is pretty big so it can fit most. the qlogics have one other drawback, they are an open backed kickpanel and flex easily. these two factors result in a weaker low end and the midbass will probably suffer. that is why some run kickpanel speaker along with a midbass in the door (playing frequencies below ~200hz because they are less directional that low and won't destroy imaging). another option could be keeping them in the stock locations and running a time alignment circuit. they have them in pre-amp eq type products as well as in headunits but can be expensive. but they do offer the ability to match the pathlengths pretty much exactly so they are worth it in my opinion. hope that helps.
- Scott
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572 Posts
depends on the size of speaker you wish to use in the kick panels. The ones I'm in the process of covering in vinyl are large, because they house a 6.5" speaker. I wear size 11's and I paid close attention to the amount of room my left foot has. It is tight. unless you *need* 6.5's in the kickpanels, consider 5.25's.
the pic below is from my car, however the pic isn't close to the finished product.
![Image]()
-john
SQF
the pic below is from my car, however the pic isn't close to the finished product.
-john
SQF
Aren't you gonna have problems pressing in your clutch? Looks like a tight squeezeSQFocusZTS said:depends on the size of speaker you wish to use in the kick panels. The ones I'm in the process of covering in vinyl are large, because they house a 6.5" speaker. I wear size 11's and I paid close attention to the amount of room my left foot has. It is tight. unless you *need* 6.5's in the kickpanels, consider 5.25's.
the pic below is from my car, however the pic isn't close to the finished product.
![Image]()
-john
SQF
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572 Posts
cgrant said:
read what i wrote above....
"...and I paid close attention to the amount of room my left foot has. It is tight. unless you *need* 6.5's in the kickpanels, consider 5.25's."
The picture that i have shown isn't the completed pieces. they are just 'sitting' on the floor in the approximate spot. when they are secured to the vehicle, the left piece moves about an inch and a half away from the clutch pedal. looks are deceiving.
-john
SQF
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2,714 Posts
would it be good to place 6.5" woofers in the doors and 5.25 in kick panels. and how about tweeter location....better there by the floor in up higher in the a pillars or dash?
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I don't think the Focus is a good car for kickpanel 3-way setups. With a high door mounted mid, the Focus does really well with a 2-way front. The downside is finding a mid that has both midbass punch and midrange clarity. That's why I'm spending the money to go with a 7" Seas Excel W18NX-001 with lots of power. Less expensive 7" options are Dayton Reference for 4 ohm, and Seas CA18RNX/P or L18RNX/P, and Peerless Exclusive that are 8 ohm. You can also squeeze a shallow 8", like a DLS Iridium 8 or a couple of options by Dynaudio or Morel, but they will cost you as much as the much better Seas W18NX. The W18NX is rated 80w RMS at 8 ohm, so I'll be using an amp that does 270w/ch at 4 ohm for about 140w per mid to give plenty of headroom. You could use an amp that does 120-150w at 4 ohm for any of those 8 ohm mids listed.
If I were to go 3-way, I'd mount a 3" mid (Buwalda Legatia 3) or a dome (Dynaudio or Usher) in the a-pillar with the tweeter. And have them pointed to the opposite door glass about 6 inches in front of the person's head. That would require some fiberglassing skills and preferably a dash mat to dampen reflections.
For kickpanel mids, you could use a 4" or 5.25" and keep the tweeter in the a-pillar to raise the stage.
For a complete 4-way system to work well, you ideally need an 8ch DSP. There are very few options: such as Clarion DRZ9255, Alpine PXA-H701 with appropriate HU like the DVA-9861, or Pioneer DEQ-P9 with DEX-P9.
If I were to go 3-way, I'd mount a 3" mid (Buwalda Legatia 3) or a dome (Dynaudio or Usher) in the a-pillar with the tweeter. And have them pointed to the opposite door glass about 6 inches in front of the person's head. That would require some fiberglassing skills and preferably a dash mat to dampen reflections.
For kickpanel mids, you could use a 4" or 5.25" and keep the tweeter in the a-pillar to raise the stage.
For a complete 4-way system to work well, you ideally need an 8ch DSP. There are very few options: such as Clarion DRZ9255, Alpine PXA-H701 with appropriate HU like the DVA-9861, or Pioneer DEQ-P9 with DEX-P9.
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572 Posts
also,
the more drivers you have in your setup, the more phase related issues you will incur. Stick with a 2 way.
-john
SQF
the more drivers you have in your setup, the more phase related issues you will incur. Stick with a 2 way.
-john
SQF
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