Dash speaker options in Classic Mopars?

MrNorm · Post by **MrNorm** » Sat May 17, 08 12:14 pm

Reassembling the dash has made me think about the single dash speaker location on my Challenger (some had 3 - some had 1).

I've concluded I may as well put a speaker back in it (I had considered gauges or something), so I wondered what you guys have done.
Originally is was a 4"x10" mono speaker, have any of you put a modern speaker in here?
The most popular options I'm aware of (and it's taken a lot of looking!) are either putting a couple of small (3.5" or 4") round speakers in there, (although it's pretty tight in a Challenger dash, so I'm not convinced this would work easily) or using a Dual Voice Coil speaker. You can get these from Custom Autosound in the US, they have stereo tweeters (i.e. 2 of them!) in a single 4x10 speaker.
Seems to make quite good sense and they claim that the bass is much better than two separate speakers.

I haven't figured out the rest of the system yet (not exactly top of the list!) but all it has to do is be loud enough to hear with the top down, decent quality but nothing fancy. The same company do a couple of under-the-seat subwoofers which seem like a great idea, mainly because they use redundant space, and there aren't many options on a convertible.

So before I order up one of these DVC speakers from the US, any other experiences, comments or suggestions, I'd appreciate it!

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Sat May 17, 08 9:13 pm

I'm in the same boat Gavin.

I hung a Sony MP3/WMA head unit under the dash - thought about hiding it in the glovebox, but a) I wouldn't be able to reach it from the driver's seat, and b) I didn't want to cut a hole in my new glovebox liner.

Then I hid two decent 6x9's under the rear parcel shelf, but I connected the original 4x10 dash speaker to one of the front channels. Unsurprisingly, it's starting to rattle with 50W going through it

That dual tweeter jobbie looks just the ticket, though I can't imagine it produces much in the way of stereo separation. Thanks for doing the research for me

MrNorm · Post by **MrNorm** » Mon May 19, 08 12:54 pm

No problem Adam!!
Agree that you won't get any real stereo separation, my assumption was that it's an easy way to get both stereo channels played out of one speaker - short of connecting both speaker wires together which intuitively does not seem right (maybe for the reason you mention Marty).
Either way it will handle a lot more than the original (140W), and does not cost the earth (about $50). You'd need other speakers anyway but a good way to get at least something 'front stage', sound should reflect off the windscreen too.

Seems like there isn't anyone who has used these….space is tight on a Chally so I was hoping someone could confirm they fitted, but I think I'll just get one anyway!

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon May 19, 08 1:22 pm

Having a hardtop is was an easy decision just to fit two speakers in the rear parcel shelf and be done with it.

I did toy with the idea of a pair of small speakers in the single dash space but decided the effort was probably not worth the result.

latil · Post by **latil** » Mon May 19, 08 1:29 pm

Some others. http://www.gardenofspeedin.com/speakers.asp

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon May 19, 08 1:37 pm

I am starting to get tempted to think again though..

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon May 19, 08 1:38 pm

My Charger takes 5 speakers in all. 2 6x9 size on the parcel shelf out back, and I have a three speaker dash also. I will be fitting 2x3 inch rounds under the small square grilles and one (that fits) under the centre grille. A guy up the road is one of them boom box audio fellas. Although he enters national ICE competitions with his work. He will be laying out the system, matching the components (there will be an external Amp) and installing it.

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Mon May 19, 08 1:42 pm

Who needs music, when you've got a Mopar V8?

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon May 19, 08 1:53 pm

I used to have a radio/cassette in the Challenger years ago. Same system I used to have in the old Oz Charger.
But I removed it some years ago because I decided I didn't need it and liked listening to the engine instead.

But then I found I was listening for problems all the time. It go so I couldn't relax.

So a cheap(ish) JVC Dab radio/cd is going in this time. I will tune it into "Sing Something Simple" on Sunday nights on my way home.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Mon May 19, 08 2:10 pm

But I removed it some years ago because I decided I didn't need it and liked listening to the engine instead.

But then I found I was listening for problems all the time. It go so I couldn't relax.

I remember those days.... Me and the kids, looking at gauges and listening all the time! Then every few mins "what was that? did you hear it"? "Is that dial OK"? "whats that smell"?

Hated it!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon May 19, 08 2:14 pm

Ivor wrote:Who needs music, when you've got a Mopar V8?

Me

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Mon May 19, 08 4:00 pm

Fair enough Clivey. I know you can't do without your regular dose of 187 Lock down!

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon May 19, 08 4:06 pm

Gunman. Oh yes.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon May 19, 08 4:21 pm

I am sorry, but you two older blokes have lost me.