On Mon, 1 May 1995, Ira Weiner wrote:
> I have a '68 MGB which has never had a radio installed. I intend to put in
> a radio/CD player and wonder if anyone has experience with this. What size
> speakers go best and in what location? Any other tips on sound system
> installation in this rather noisy roadster??
>
I've put a radio/tape deck in my '73... The deck is a Sony which puts out
22W peak to two 4" Pioneer speakers in the door panels. This deck also has
line out, which runs to a Kenwood 40W peak power amp mounted to the front of
the battery box (behind the driver's seat, in other words). This amp
feeds two Pioneer truck speakers (stand alone bass-reflex enclosures,
with tweeters. Not as big as they sound, at a foot long and 6" high and
deep, or so).
It sounds great!
Tape deck/receiver: $150
Door Speakers: 70
Power Amp: 70
Rear Speakers: 80
-----
Total: $370 + connectors (~$10) and tax.
The volume is adequate at highway speeds with the top down, and
wonderfully clear around town. The door speakers provide stereo imaging
and the rears provide bass reinforcement and space.
I wired the rear amp and speakers with quick-disconnect connectors, to
facilitate removal of the speakers and to prevent the rear amp from being
powered up with no load. So, when I go autocrossing or have a large
amount of STUFF behind the seats, I use just the door speakers.
I have also seen folks mount speakers in the panel between the battery
deck and the trunk. I wished to avoid cutting good metal, plus the
speaker wires themselves are exposed to abuse from the rear (where
connected to the speakers). You could built an enclosure to shield them
but that would cut into the trunk space. (I carry enough tools to
warrent all the space I can get! <g>).
There isn't much room (depth) in the kickpanels or I would have put my 4"
speakers there. The area between the doors and the rear fender wells seems
pretty hopeless too.
Oh, and I am experimenting with anchoring materials for the rear
speakers. I think Velcro(tm) to the battery cover is going to be the best
(DON'T get the Radio Shack imitation hook fastener. It doesn't tolerate
non-flat surfaces like Velcro(tm). The sound of one speaker shooting
across the car and falling down behind the opposite seat is not
compatible with Bach or Dr. John, though does add something indescribable to
Jimi Hendrix.)
John M. Trindle | jtrindle@tsquare.com | Tidewater Sports Car Club
'73 MGB DSP | '69 Spitfire E Stock | '88 RX-7 C Stock
Home Page: http://www.widomaker.com/~trindle
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