Duval67

Hey everybody,
This is my first post here, so forgive me if I am breaking any rules.

I'm just wondering what the best way to set up my truck with my current components is. I really am not sure at all.
My stuff is far from high end...but for my usage, I think it's acceptable.

I have a Dual XDM6350 Head Unit, and the Dual TS series midranges and tweeters.
Until yesterday, I only had the midranges installed in a box behind the seat in my truck. Yesterday, I installed the tweeters. They are currently located on the top of the dash, angles in towards the cabin. However, I have heard that the tweeters shouild be located ~6 in. from the midranges.
I noticed the tweeters sound a little "harsh", maybe a bit too loud and bright. I have a feeling this is because they are so far away from the mids, but I am not sure.

Also, I do not have an amp...do I need one? I'm really unsure about this too.

So, I guess to sum things up, what is the best way to set up my truck with the components I currently have?
It is a 1980 Dodge d150 with a standard cab by the way.

Thanks in advance for any info you guys can give me, I really appreciate it.
If you need more info, just ask!

Livin Louder

iTrader: (1)

You should run your components(both mid and tweeter) in the doors of the truck and anywhere within 6inches of each other is better, and in your case probably firing the same direction... toward the center console..

You might want to try a 8` or 10`subwoofer with a small amplifier behind your seat for your bass.

depending on what you want your system to do, there are a lot of options. ...

Duval67

Do I need to "deaden" the door then?
Keep in mind, there isn't a whole lot to my doors, it's a 1980 truck...is that still the best location?
I already have a box behind the seat with the mids, and they do sound pretty good there. Do you think the door would produce a better sound?
I'm not sure about the whole "imaging" thing, but if all my sound is coming from lower in the doors and firing across the truck, isn't the sound going to sound like it is coming out of my lap?

BigRedGuy

iTrader: (11)

Your front stage should sound like it is across the dash, preferably at eye level. Putting the mids and tweets in the same general area is preferable, the stock location in the doors and the sail panels or "A" pillars are the most common locations for installing them.

The doors need to be deadened, doing so makes such a significant difference to the sound it's not even worth debating. You are wasting time and money putting aftermarket speakers in if you don't.....

If you are not going to put in a sub behind your seats, moving your mids to the doors and getting 2 more speakers for the rears will give you better SQ and more volume.....a pair of 6X9s in those premade enclosures will give you a little more bass but remember you are still running everything off the deck.

Installation makes all the difference in how a system sounds no matter what the system consists of so take the time to put them in right.....

HTH

Duval67

All right. I will probably work on getting them into the doors when I have the time then.
What is the best way to deaden my doors? Preferably cheapest too, and without adding too much weight. My doors are heavy enough as is.

ScottS

Please do NOT skimp on sound deadening. Dynamat is the best. It is a bit more money but does a lot better job.

Duval67

Is it all right to just put it in the doors, or does it need to be everywhere?
And the installation videos have it basically covering everything, preventing you from gaining access to inner workings of your door...that is a problem for me haha.

BigRedGuy

iTrader: (11)

Just the doors is fine for now....you need to seal all the holes in the door as best you can. Don't worry too much about getting into the door mechanisms later, if you really need to you can cut thru the mat, fix what you need to and put more mat on to re-seal the holes.....

HTH

Duval67

All right, thanks.
My only concern is that I get a considerable amount of wind noise in my truck, so I'm not sure how much good deadening is really going to do me. What I'm really concerned about is the doors vibrating with the speakers in there; although the guys on dodgetalk who have their speakers in the stock location don't seem to have any problem with it.

BigRedGuy

iTrader: (11)

Most of the point of deadening is cutting down on the vibration....the wind noise is a good reason to do the deadening as it will help your speakers sound as good as they can in spite of the noise.

HTH