Polk SR6500 Installation

[Cpyder 10+ year member]

So I'm throwing in some SR6500s in my front door's. Problem is, they don't fit as is. I know I'll have to cut the door a little bit. Not a problem. After this is done, I need to raise the speaker out a little because of window clearing. I was thinking about cutting some 1/4" plexiglass and fabricating it to fit the speakers and then itself screw into the door. Does this sound like a good idea? Is plexiglass an okay material, or will it resonate? I have some dampening material I'll be applying to it. Let me know what you guys think.

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[WhoSayWho? 5,000+ posts]

So I'm throwing in some SR6500s in my front door's of my 02 cavalier. Problem is, they don't fit as is. I know I'll have to cut the door a little bit. Not a problem. After this is done, I need to raise the speaker out a little because of window clearing. I was thinking about cutting some 1/4" plexiglass and fabricating it to fit the speakers and then itself screw into the door. Does this sound like a good idea? Is plexiglass an okay material, or will it resonate? I have some dampening material I'll be applying to it. Let me know what you guys think.

I would think that plexi glass would resonate. There is a material that some people use that kinda reminds me of the man made stuff that cutting boards are made out of (may be the same thing.)

Another option would be wood. I have used it for a spacer, you have to make certain that you do something to protect it against water. I used several coats of paint and then sound deadener where it was going to be exposed.

 

[standbackimapro 10+ year member]

The sr6500s, didnt come with spacers?

most of the polks i have seen comes with these spacers

Ive used plexi glass to make spacers before, ive also used ABS plastic

 

[jdc753 10+ year member]

I would skip the plexi and use either MDF or get yourself some cutting boards HDPE I believe is the material. Should be able to make a nice speaker baffle out of either material and then wrap them in deadener. If you go with MDF think about maybe coating it with fiberglass resin to make it water proof.

Also enjoy the speakers, they sure are nice //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Cpyder 10+ year member]

Is plexiglass water resistance?

 

[WhoSayWho? 5,000+ posts]

Is plexiglass water resistance?

Sure. And it is a ***** to cut, FYI.

How think is this plexi you are thinking of using? I imagine that plexi thick enough to be a spacer would be expensive.

 

[Cpyder 10+ year member]

Probably 1/4" and if I need to space it more, Polk does include some spacers as well. The reason I'm using plexi or something similar is because I think it will be easier to work with than a hack saw and the metal panel of my car to mount the speaker. This way, I can draw it out, cut it, mount the speakers in the plexi and then drill holes in the plexi and also drill holes in the car's panel to mount it with less hassle. I found a place that sells custom sizes. A 15"x15" square runs about $30. So not cheap, but it won't break the bank, especially considering how much I just spent on these components.

 

[Phers1er 10+ year member]

Just a heads up, as I own a 2002 cavalier as well, You may have some problems with the speaker surround and or cone not clearing the door panel and depending on how thick your spacer is the door panel may even keep the speaker from moving all together. I would suggest making some over sized mdf rings and mounting the driver to the back side of them. If depth is an issue make two rings. one to flush mount the driver into and one as a spacer this will keep the speaker from coming in contact with the door. Another option is to make a standard baffle and then use nylon spacers on the front of the speakers(You can pick those up at lowes).

 

[Cpyder 10+ year member]

Just a heads up, as I own a 2002 cavalier as well, You may have some problems with the speaker surround and or cone not clearing the door panel and depending on how thick your spacer is the door panel may even keep the speaker from moving all together. I would suggest making some over sized mdf rings and mounting the driver to the back side of them. If depth is an issue make two rings. one to flush mount the driver into and one as a spacer this will keep the speaker from coming in contact with the door. Another option is to make a standard baffle and then use nylon spacers on the front of the speakers(You can pick those up at lowes).

That's a great idea! Making a second ring to stop the cone from contacting the door. You said you've had problems as well? The mounting depth is 2.5 inches. Do you think I'll have serious problems??

 

[Phers1er 10+ year member]

Yeah, I had this problem when I first bought the car. You should not have any problems if you use both a spacer to reduce speaker depth in conjunction with flush mounting the driver.

Or do a baffle with nylon spacers in front of the speaker at the mounting points.

 

[Cpyder 10+ year member]

Sorry for being dumb, but will you go into further detail about the baffle idea, please. I don't quite follow.

 

[Cpyder 10+ year member]

Also, what did you use to cut your doors to fit your Hertz? And how did you sound dampen over the two bars that open and lock/unlock the door without causing them to stick?

 

[Phers1er 10+ year member]

Here is some pics from my last door install

^^^ NOTE the nylon spacers on the mounting points in the last pic. your mounting screws hold them in place. I used some non hardening clay to try and limit the vibrations that are transferred to the door panel.

 

[Cpyder 10+ year member]

I noticed the doors are much thicker than I originally thought when I was measuring tonight. What cuts them easy? A bolt cutter? Hack saw?

 

[Cpyder 10+ year member]

Sorry, I'm asking a million questions. Where are the crossovers?