anyone built dash adapters for HAT L3's? need ideas

[vinnny]

has anyone fabricated an adapter for the L3's? I would like to see a picture or something so I can figure out what I am missing. I made some adapters out of 1/4 mdf, but the ring on my L3SE's overlaps the factory dash screw so I can't actually get the speaker bolted in.

 

[DavidRam]

I have the L3v2s in the dash, no adapters, just made new holes in the plastic.

 

[vinnny]

I am an idiot, that is just too obvious. I must like to over-engineer things. Did you put anything between the speaker and the plastic? how did you get a tool in there to put in screws?

 

[DavidRam]

I am an idiot, that is just too obvious. I must like to over-engineer things. Did you put anything between the speaker and the plastic? how did you get a tool in there to put in screws?

Haha!

There are no issues with being air tight or bass/vibrations with those little things, so as long as they are not bouncing around they are fine.

I made marks and then made holes with the speaker out so I wouldn't slip and ruin the speaker. Used stubby screw driver to screw 'em in.

It's probably not a bad idea to put some weather stripping or something between the speaker and the plastic, but I didn't...

 

[Etroze86]

3M body trim tape, decouples and holds the speakers down great

 

[vinnny]

Thanks David! That is a stubby little screwdriver. Guess I am going to home depot after work

Did you swap the center speaker as well? That one seems like I will need just a philips tip with no handle.

 

[DavidRam]

No center speaker for me.

I have on of these things, too. Comes in handy A LOT!

 

[AmoAgave]

No center speaker for me.

I have on of these things, too. Comes in handy A LOT!

I have a few of these. Perfect for the dash speakers!

 

[Hipps2000]

Did anyone build an enclosure inside dash or insulate behind them? There is a ********* hole in the dash? I was thinking of encapsulating or insulating/foam l3v2's to gain the best performance. Any ideas? I like the idea of the 3m tape that stuff is the best.

 

[DavidRam]

Did anyone build an enclosure inside dash or insulate behind them? There is a ********* hole in the dash? I was thinking of encapsulating or insulating/foam l3v2's to gain the best performance. Any ideas? I like the idea of the 3m tape that stuff is the best.

I asked around a lot about that too. The consensus seems to be, that if you aren't building an enclosure to put the mids on axis, than it's unnecessary to build one for inside the dash...
I am looking at different ways to keep the mids where they are in the dash, but somehow stand them up...

 

[vinnny]

I am looking at different ways to keep the mids where they are in the dash, but somehow stand them up...

I was thinking about that too. After glassing my own sub box I think anything is possible now Seems like with a small relief cut into the plastic mounting surface in the dash, the L3 can be tipped on axis in the same basic location without taking up a footprint much larger than the factory speaker grill.

 

[DavidRam]

I was thinking about that too. After glassing my own sub box I think anything is possible now Seems like with a small relief cut into the plastic mounting surface in the dash, the L3 can be tipped on axis in the same basic location without taking up a footprint much larger than the factory speaker grill.

Exactly, and that is a great pic.

It would sorta rise up out of the dash. Personally, I would build it into the factory speaker grill, that way it's just a matter of popping it into place...

 

[AmoAgave]

3M body trim tape, decouples and holds the speakers down great

Which 3M exactly? I like this idea.

Did anyone build an enclosure inside dash or insulate behind them? There is a ********* hole in the dash? I was thinking of encapsulating or insulating/foam l3v2's to gain the best performance. Any ideas? I like the idea of the 3m tape that stuff is the best.

What does HAT recommend for those speakers enclosure size wise? Virtually all speakers will sound/work better, handle substantially more power etc in a 'proper' sized enclosure. The proper size is the hard part.

I'm working on some ideas for my recently purchased CDT HD-3's. Leaning towards PVC pipe actually. The drivers side has plent of room for whatever, but the passenger side is much tighter. I'm starting to think it's so much work that perhaps some sail panel ideas would sound better, be more stealth then dash pods and may be similar amounts of work.

The panel drops down into the door, this could give enough room for a sealed enclosure. My speakers need .045cf which is actually pretty small. But a 3" and a 1" tweeter may be too much. There is a bolt for the mirror (I think) that could be used to strengthen it for the weight of the speakers so you're not relying on the plastic to hold it all.

I asked around a lot about that too. The consensus seems to be, that if you aren't building an enclosure to put the mids on axis, than it's unnecessary to build one for inside the dash...
I am looking at different ways to keep the mids where they are in the dash, but somehow stand them up...

Interesting. Not sure why that would matter? Or just that it won't sound that great off axis so why bother?

 

[DavidRam]

Interesting. Not sure why that would matter? Or just that it won't sound that great off axis so why bother?

The reasoning could be, if it's firing at the windshield it is not in the optimal place, so don't waste an enclosure on that area. If an enclosure was to be made, put it on the dash. Or something like that... lol.

 

[AmoAgave]

The reasoning could be, if it's firing at the windshield it is not in the optimal place, so don't waste an enclosure on that area. If an enclosure was to be made, put it on the dash. Or something like that... lol.

That's what I'm thinking. IMO almost all speakers sound better enclosed, just the feasibility of it in a car or truck isn't always the way to go.

I think I'll pick up some PVC pipes and endcaps this weekend and see what I can come up with just for kicks.

 

[Etroze86]

I used the regular 3m body trim tape. Its the stuff made to hold trim on the outside of vehicles but you can get away with anything like that as its not going through the air at 100mph

 

[AmoAgave]

I used the regular 3m body trim tape. Its the stuff made to hold trim on the outside of vehicles but you can get away with anything like that as its not going through the air at 100mph

They seem to make different types though. Not that it matters, should all work I suppose! I can find tons of use for this. I'm going to mount my amps with it.