Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Kicker Component Speaker Install Question

When adding tweeters and crossovers, is there any benefit to disabling/cutting the tweeter portion of the original 2-way speaker?

I just reread your question and realized I didn't fully understand/answer you. If you add a tweeter and crossover to an existing 2 way speaker there is no value in removing the tweeter from it. The crossover will effectively remove it since it will receive no signal, and physically it won't impact the mid bass component of the speaker.
 
Not the answer I was looking for.
I was just going to add some cheap tweeters in parallel with my cheap 2- way, front speakers. ;)
No amp.

You can't really add speakers in parallel - you have to use a crossover. If you add a tweeter in parallel with a 2-way you should expect that tweeter to last about 5 minutes or until you turn the volume up, whichever comes first.

Without getting overly technical, a tweeter cannot handle the full signal that you would be sending it and would burn out.

You could, I suppose, cut the wires on the existing speaker that lead to the tweeter AFTER the signal has been filtered (not sure if this is even possible with the factory speakers) and then send that signal to your new tweeter, but that is the only path to success without buying separate crossovers (again, very expensive in my research)
 
Got everything installed yesterday afternoon. The tweeters are not mounted yet, I want to move them around to see if I notice any difference.

I'm far from any sound expert after almost 40 years working in machine shops and testing large gearboxes, but I do notice a difference in the sound from these compared to just the regular speakers I took out. The sound seems to fill the interior completely, if that makes sense.

Clarity is good from both the radio and my wife streaming songs through the BT. It's more than loud enough for me :)

Thanks for the help on my overthinking. Once I figure out where I want the tweeters I'll start to play with the amp tuning, which will bring up a bunch more questions :D

View attachment 531901

I mounted mine on the A-pillar molding. I didn't want to deal with the tweeters every time i needed to pull the dash and I felt better about drilling into a vanity piece than the actual dash panel. I've been very happy with the location.

056-kickers01.jpeg
056-kickers02.jpeg
 
I mounted mine on the A-pillar molding. I didn't want to deal with the tweeters every time i needed to pull the dash and I felt better about drilling into a vanity piece than the actual dash panel. I've been very happy with the location.

View attachment 532063View attachment 532064

Thanks for that. I'm liking the A-Pillar option more and more. Not a fan of the pod look though, I was thinking the flush mount with the spacer that puts it on a slight angle. Thoughts?
 
  • Like
Reactions: PRNDL
Thanks for that. I'm liking the A-Pillar option more and more. Not a fan of the pod look though, I was thinking the flush mount with the spacer that puts it on a slight angle. Thoughts?

I actually never considered the flush mount but I don't think there's any reason that wouldn't work too if you can get enough of an angle on the spacer. It would need a steep angle to point at the driver headrest:
pod1.jpeg


Where they are positioned, they don't stand out to me as a "pod". My view from the drivers seat with a harsh light:
pod2.jpeg
 
I actually never considered the flush mount but I don't think there's any reason that wouldn't work too if you can get enough of an angle on the spacer. It would need a steep angle to point at the driver headrest:
View attachment 532476

Where they are positioned, they don't stand out to me as a "pod". My view from the drivers seat with a harsh light:
View attachment 532474

I'll have to take a look at how much of angle they are. I can probably mock it up with double sided tape to see how it sounds and I'll look a little more at the pods and there placement. All and all I'm happy with the setup and system, the components do make a difference in the sound.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PRNDL
Love the sound discussion even if it's for a TJ! Tweeters up on the dash really helps to get everything above 3kHz (or whatever the crossover freq is) to top-off enjoyable range. If you really want to be blown away with sound in a TJ (or anything), add about 3.5 ms of delay to the rollbar speakers if your head unit has the functionality. Be amazed when the sound shifts to the front of the Jeep and everything sounds clearer ... you didn't lower the volume of the rear speakers at all, they're just in-time and phase with the fronts now. Cohesive. Brain not confused.

We try to make everything louder in Wranglers to "overcome tire/wind noise" when the interaction between the front speakers (3-4 ft from your ear) and the rollbar speakers (less than 6" from the ear in my case) is a major negative: they're cancelling and doing naughty psychoacoustic things, especially in the 2kHz-5kHz (key human speech range). Human ears are really sensitive to these freq ranges (evolution of recognizing speech) and funny stuff isn't tolerated in your brain—it just says "this sounds like jarbled crap."
 
  • Like
Reactions: DB04RedJeep
Yes I will let you know when the time comes and yes the tweeters are being held with double sided tape after that picture was taken.

Would mounting them flat in the top of the dash not be a good location? I know someone did that on here and posted pictures.

20200823_133550.jpg


The angle shown was not it's final position. I think right now I have the left side pointing towards the windshield in away to reflect the sound to the passengers seat and visa versa for the other side.


Pro-tip... Get some double sided tape and put them on the back of your tweeters/cups. Play some music that you are very familiar with and experiment where they sound best before you mount them. Tweeter placement is a lot less forgiving that the mid placement. You can lift your soundstage up/down via tweeter placement.
 
View attachment 532552

The angle shown was not it's final position. I think right now I have the left side pointing towards the windshield in away to reflect the sound to the passengers seat and visa versa for the other side.


Pro-tip... Get some double sided tape and put them on the back of your tweeters/cups. Play some music that you are very familiar with and experiment where they sound best before you mount them. Tweeter placement is a lot less forgiving that the mid placement. You can lift your soundstage up/down via tweeter placement.

Thanks, I knew someone mounted them there and I think there is someone that mounted them in the removable cover to the right of your setup. As I remember they mounted them flat for the sound to reflect of the windshield.

I plan on mounting the tweeters in the holders this weekend with double sided tape as suggested and try them in different spots, plus I'll try pods to.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SouthernLJ
Finished! Went with the pods and I'm liking how they look. Still have to try positioning the passenger side tweeter in the housing to get the K to line up better it was annoying me trying to get it lined up, so in it went like that :cautious:.

Thanks to everyone for the help and pictures.

@Wingback73 I'll PM you sometime about help with changing the amp settings.


IMG_1558.JPG
IMG_1557.JPG
 
Finished! Went with the pods and I'm liking how they look. Still have to try positioning the passenger side tweeter in the housing to get the K to line up better it was annoying me trying to get it lined up, so in it went like that :cautious:.

Thanks to everyone for the help and pictures.

Looks good - nice work!

D-
 
  • Like
Reactions: DB04RedJeep
View attachment 532552

The angle shown was not it's final position. I think right now I have the left side pointing towards the windshield in away to reflect the sound to the passengers seat and visa versa for the other side.


Pro-tip... Get some double sided tape and put them on the back of your tweeters/cups. Play some music that you are very familiar with and experiment where they sound best before you mount them. Tweeter placement is a lot less forgiving that the mid placement. You can lift your soundstage up/down via tweeter placement.

How much room is at the dash in that location? Maybe a better way to say it is how low is the air duct? I’m thinking of installing my tweeters there but don’t want to drill a hole only to find out there isn’t enough room? The other option is to install them just above the speaker grill. Not sure if it makes a difference mine is an 06 LJR.

What did you use to hold them in place?
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator