Featured Plans for Custom Door Panel

Phinneas Rogers

CarAudio.com Newbie
This is for my first project with car audio, I have experience with wood working and felt resin fabrication; wanted to know how this rough draft looked to others before i went ahead with any fabrication.

my plan is to keep the door handles where they are and relocating the door electronics to sit flush on the door, with the surface being smoothed and removing the factory contours besides funtional ones that allow the door to close. the odd photo out is kind of the style I want the finished product to look like.

any advice is helpful even if you think it might be trivial, this is my first time doing something like this and any feedback is valuable.

thanks!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6494.jpg
    IMG_6494.jpg
    331.8 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_6495.jpg
    IMG_6495.jpg
    319.8 KB · Views: 11
  • fe774e2f58a0d3a1ae313e40cad62d75.jpg
    fe774e2f58a0d3a1ae313e40cad62d75.jpg
    70.5 KB · Views: 18
Last edited:
This is for my first project with car audio, I have experience with wood working and felt resin fabrication; wanted to know how this rough draft looked to others before i went ahead with any fabrication.

my plan is to keep the door handles where they are and relocating the door electronics to sit flush on the door, with the surface being smoothed and removing the factory contours besides funtional ones that allow the door to close. the odd photo out is kind of the style I want the finished product to look like.

any advice is helpful even if you think it might be trivial, this is my first time doing something like this and any feedback is valuable.

thanks!
Your project sounds exciting, and it's great to see your enthusiasm for car audio! Here are some tips and considerations based on your rough draft:

1. **Ergonomics**: Ensure that the relocated door electronics are easily accessible. Test their placements to make sure they are comfortable for you and your passengers.

2. **Smooth Surface**: When smoothing the surface, consider using a high-quality filler to ensure a flawless finish. Sanding is crucial for a professional look.

3. **Structural Integrity**: Since you’re removing factory contours, make sure the door remains structurally sound. Reinforcing areas might be necessary to prevent flexing.

4. **Speaker Placement**: In the reference image, the placement of speakers appears well thought out. Consider how the acoustics will be affected by the positioning. Experiment with angles to enhance sound quality.

5. **Material Selection**: Choose materials that can withstand vibrations and temperature changes. Using MDF or fiberglass can help with sound quality and durability.

6. **Wiring**: Plan your wiring layout carefully to avoid interference and ensure clean installation. Use quality connectors and consider future maintenance access.

7. **Aesthetics**: Since you have a design inspiration, try to incorporate elements that make your install unique but cohesive. Consider color schemes and textures that match your vehicle's interior.

8. **Testing**: Before finalizing your design, create a mockup or use cardboard to visualize the layout. This can help you make adjustments before committing to materials.

9. **Research**: Check out forums or communities focused on car audio for additional tips and inspiration.

Remember, take your time, and don't hesitate to ask for advice as you progress. Good luck with your project!
 
Hey if that's what Mr phinneas wants it's all good just seems a little redundant
Personally i would at least rearrange the driver locations tho
I get it, but even in the same array or correct alignment, it is still/always a compromise to the staging, even if the equipment used is high quality and on its own produces decent quality sound - a set of headphones versus a large concert venue, just totally different goals.

The thought of multiple sizes, multiple tweeters installed, eek - the REW graph is going to look like a rollercoaster, a great ride, but not a great sound.

Some things cannot be "tuned" away; it's just physics.

If you want loud and high-quality (and very loud) sound, Stevens Audio is hard to beat!



Setups like that are more for the show, less the SQ go, and the final "look" of the arrangement, not the sound stage/imaging; they're mutually exclusive, and why I like to chime in when it's a new or relatively new install or someone who's inexperienced, or may not be knowledgeable of the difference.

I always recommend that people go and listen to pro-style gear for cars before they start cutting up your door card and laying fiberglass.

The "pro" circuit, "SPL" sound is not for the faint of heart.
 
Lol the horns! Isn't stevens the same chap that made the image dynamics horns back in the day?
Yes, Eric Stevens was involved or owned/operated ID, and was a contributor, co-owner with Oncore as well?

His current stuff is no joke, hella good stuff, and reasonably priced, rare these days.

That SA-1 tweeter at $99.00 a pair is impossible to beat, hard to beat at twice the price.

Chambered back, low fs of 650hz, 150 watts RMS, 2.83 volts/1M 94dB, 91dB 1W/1M in a silk dome tweeter is hella good.
 
Yes, Eric Stevens was involved or owned/operated ID, and was a contributor, co-owner with Oncore as well?

His current stuff is no joke, hella good stuff, and reasonably priced, rare these days.

That SA-1 tweeter at $99.00 a pair is impossible to beat, hard to beat at twice the price.

Chambered back, low fs of 650hz, 150 watts RMS, 2.83 volts/1M 94dB, 91dB 1W/1M in a silk dome tweeter is hella good.

I need a tweeter that can play 1500hz @ 12db think them Stevens SA-1 would be suitable?

I grabbed some older Hertz Space 1 tweeters that I'm told can handle it but I haven't had a chance to test them out.
 
I need a tweeter that can play 1500hz @ 12db think them Stevens SA-1 would be suitable?

I grabbed some older Hertz Space 1 tweeters that I'm told can handle it but I haven't had a chance to test them out.
Yikes, 1.5k?

Not many other than a few, but not at any real power. Might work with a slope greater than 24db, but even then, most tweeters exhibit one of two things at those frequencies, low power capability or high distortion, just the way it is.

What kind of power are you throwing at them? Why so low?
 
Yikes, 1.5k?

Not many other than a few, but not at any real power. Might work with a slope greater than 24db, but even then, most tweeters exhibit one of two things at those frequencies, low power capability or high distortion, just the way it is.

What kind of power are you throwing at them? Why so low?

Tweeters will be powered off a Old School Sony ES amp 35 watts per chan.

I have a NVX component set minus the Tweeters (the SB speakers a few years back) and I'm told the crossover are @ 1500hz.. I could get the SB version of the tweeter but they are a little big for the planned location.

I was gonna put these in my ladies rig and she everything stealth as possible..
 
Activity
No one is currently typing a reply...

About this thread

Phinneas Rogers

CarAudio.com Newbie
Thread starter
Phinneas Rogers
Joined
Location
united states
Start date
Participants
Who Replied
Replies
22
Views
1,127
Last reply date
Last reply from
Doxquzme
IMG_20260516_193114554_HDR.jpg

sherbanater

    May 16, 2026
  • 0
  • 0
IMG_20260516_192955471_HDR.jpg

sherbanater

    May 16, 2026
  • 0
  • 0

New threads

Top