DIY Speaker Pods

[Fulton_Hogan]

The method I used via Crutchfield to compare has no equalizer, so I can understand how tuning it would make it different.

BTW I wasn't meaning the bass they provided sounds bad, just more pronounced than the previous two (Kickers and Polks).

Thanks for the clarification on the head unit too.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Boogie - what 5.25" would you go with if keeping the stock set-up?

I think the MTX have a better sound than the Kicker speakers.

 

[TheBoogieman]

The Crutchfield compare sound feature on their webpage. It gives me 4 speakers, and I set them to "Equal Power" not "Equal Volume". Then I pick various genres of music I have on the PC, stuff I've heard 100s of times, clicking between the speakers as the music plays to hear the differences. I'm wearing a set of Sony headphones plugged directly into the PC.

I go into the Crutchfield store 2 miles from my house to listen to their stereos. It always sounds better in the store (sound room) than in the Jeep.

 

[Bargain Box]

What’s your guys thoughts on this idea?

DIY speaker pods, even better than than the real thing? We all know that sealed enclosures this small don’t do well, including the pre made dash pods. You lose a lot of bass due to the small volume inside. This is alleviated by the “port” in the back on these. The reason you need these is so the sound doesn’t get lost behind the dash and is projected outward. To further enhance this, you might add a 5.25” foam ring as I may in the future.

Went with higher end infinity reference speakers due to high sensitivity rating which will be perfect for the Jeep. Will update with a sound clip once they’re all in tomorrow. Plug and play with wiring kits from crutchfield. Speakers are currently on sale as well, been waiting on them for a while so I snagged them while I could.

View attachment 318297View attachment 318298View attachment 318299

Can you share where and what foam you bought? I have all new speakers and two subs. I like the sound of my stereo except the fact that I can't really hear the dash speakers and would like to improve this. Thanks in advance.

 

[Hopper]

these work good and in my opinion put the speaker in a better location sound wise. You could also with a little modification fit a shallow 6.5.
They are not as protected from weather as in dash but hasn't really created an issue for me with the Polk dB speakers.

 

[FultonD33]

Can you share where and what foam you bought? I have all new speakers and two subs. I like the sound of my stereo except the fact that I can't really hear the dash speakers and would like to improve this. Thanks in advance.

Crutchfield, they’re the Boom Mat 5.25” Speaker baffles, 4” depth I think. If you want more volume also look into foam rings

 

[NWPA Jeepy T]

I went with the skypod that bolts to your windshield footman loop bolt holes. Not the prettiest, but aims the sound right at you. I gave up on the dash speakers years ago since my knees don't hear as well as they used to. Even with crappy 4" pyles (I had to mod cut the holes bigger), the skypod shines!!!

 

[Paradiddle]

I think the MTX have a better sound than the Kicker speakers.
View attachment 318624

Which model MTX do you recommend for the roll bar and dash?

 

[Obi-Wan]

I used Solidworks and 3D printed my own 5-1/4" boxes to fit in the factory dash locations.

 

[Fulton_Hogan]

I used Solidworks and 3D printed my own 5-1/4" boxes to fit in the factory dash locations.

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Nice!

What filament will you use?

 

[Dunkut88TJ]

I did zorba’s method with the foam baffles, rings in the front, and kickers. The change was unbelievable! Actually got to really test it today with the the Jeep opened up in the warm air. I was really pleased! I don’t have a picture with the ring on the front.

 

[Obi-Wan]

What filament will you use?

I already made and installed them using good old PLA. They worked fantastic.

 

[Fulton_Hogan]

I already made and installed them using good old PLA. They worked fantastic.

Good deal.

I know every print is different because of infill percentages and whatnot, but I once had a print I made from PLA warp with heat from a hairdryer. The next print was done with PETG and had no issues. These pods are in a shady spot, but I'm hoping they'll weather the summer months. Hopefully no issues, but if they warp, you'll have a great proof of concept for a different material. Very cool job.

 

[jhw528]

Reviving an old thread
@Obi-Wan Have you compared your pods to the select increments? I tried the method mentioned in the linked thread below. it did make a noticeable difference, but not as substantial as I was hoping. I would like to just bolt something in, but the select increment pods are pricey for what i read isn't that great an improvement.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/this-is-why-your-dash-speakers-suck.21058/

I have 4x6 polks at the moment in combintion with the DIY baffle method. I am going to toss 5.25s in and hopefully that will help. I am trying to avoid running a sub in the interest of space. I'm not looking for deep bass but I can't even hear it at the moment. I might have to cave and wire a sub in anyway

 

[JMT]

Reviving an old thread
@Obi-Wan Have you compared your pods to the select increments? I tried the method mentioned in the linked thread below. it did make a noticeable difference, but not as substantial as I was hoping. I would like to just bolt something in, but the select increment pods are pricey for what i read isn't that great an improvement.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/this-is-why-your-dash-speakers-suck.21058/

I have 4x6 polks at the moment in combintion with the DIY baffle method. I am going to toss 5.25s in and hopefully that will help. I am trying to avoid running a sub in the interest of space. I'm not looking for deep bass but I can't even hear it at the moment. I might have to cave and wire a sub in anyway

You’re wasting your time swapping 4x6 to 5.25’s if you want some bass.

I have a sub under the rear seat. Doesn’t take up any useable space.

 

[NWPA Jeepy T]

Reviving an old thread
@Obi-Wan Have you compared your pods to the select increments? I tried the method mentioned in the linked thread below. it did make a noticeable difference, but not as substantial as I was hoping. I would like to just bolt something in, but the select increment pods are pricey for what i read isn't that great an improvement.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/this-is-why-your-dash-speakers-suck.21058/

I have 4x6 polks at the moment in combintion with the DIY baffle method. I am going to toss 5.25s in and hopefully that will help. I am trying to avoid running a sub in the interest of space. I'm not looking for deep bass but I can't even hear it at the moment. I might have to cave and wire a sub in anyway

I used to have 6.5 in the soundbar, 5.25 in the dash with plates, but no pods. Everything poly filled. I took the 5.25 out of the dash and put them in a SE Skypod (had to cut the holes bigger Best decision ever!!! Aims the music right at you. I can even listen to audiobooks in the Jeep without missing anything

 

[jhw528]

@JMT I suppose I just want to do the best I can with the fronts before throwing a sub in. What sub/amp do you use? I have a polk DXi 10" in a 15x23x6.5 inch cab. It would have to sit behind the seat and I fill that space pretty regularly so I don't want to put anything there. I have a polk D2000.2 amplifier which could fit under the seat off to the side.

@NWPA Jeepy T I saw your post about that elsewhere, I feel like I don't want a big thing hanging right there by my head. I can hear the mids/highs just fine (in fact I actually roll off the highs a bit), it's just low end I'm missing, and I can't imagine this actually solves that problem too well.

 

[jhw528]

You’re wasting your time swapping 4x6 to 5.25’s if you want some bass.

I have a sub under the rear seat. Doesn’t take up any useable space.

I found your post. I didn't realize you bolted it TO the seat. that's a great idea, I think I will do that. What did you do with the fronts? I'll search for your posts but might as well ask here anyway. thanks!

 

[skrelnik]

I found your post. I didn't realize you bolted it TO the seat. that's a great idea, I think I will do that. What did you do with the fronts? I'll search for your posts but might as well ask here anyway. thanks!

Bolting to the seat with a quick disconnect is an insanely great idea. If you can do it then go for it.

For the fronts, check out the 2ohm BLAM Relax speakers, they play loud and a bunch of people installed them. I have two sets of 5.25", one in the Jeep and a second in another vehicle. Also consider using component speakers and relocating the tweeters to the dash. If that is too much work the coaxials are very good and easily the best value speakers for our Jeep.

https://incartec.co.uk/product/BLAM...cy-2ohm-2-Way-Coaxial-speakers-PAIR-BL-130RFC

 

[Obi-Wan]

Reviving an old thread
@Obi-Wan Have you compared your pods to the select increments? I tried the method mentioned in the linked thread below. it did make a noticeable difference, but not as substantial as I was hoping. I would like to just bolt something in, but the select increment pods are pricey for what i read isn't that great an improvement.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/this-is-why-your-dash-speakers-suck.21058/

I have 4x6 polks at the moment in combintion with the DIY baffle method. I am going to toss 5.25s in and hopefully that will help. I am trying to avoid running a sub in the interest of space. I'm not looking for deep bass but I can't even hear it at the moment. I might have to cave and wire a sub in anyway

I have not compared them.

With that being said, the 5.25" I have up front with the 6.5" in the sound bar combined with the shallow 10" sub under the rear seat makes for a great system with no loss of space.