1996 MU cut speaker holes

[mattymu]

Hi team,
First time poster, long time reader...

Anyway,
I am looking to cut into the trim and sheet metal to mount a second set of rear 6.5" speakers below the factory holes.
I was going to mount them above the factory rears but there is the B pillar in the way!
So the only feasible location I can see is below, which I guess is still technically be part of the pillar, but much less vital.

Can anyone see any issues with this, or shall I just go and hack away some holes?

[mattymu]

Also interested in other ideas for a suitable location for extra speakers, another hole in the doors?

[pig75]

Why do you want another set of speakers ?

[mattymu]

I feel the urge.... MORE SPEAKERS!
Run off an amp, I already have boxed 12"s and 6x9's running off an amp in the boot. I got given powerplant 6.5" and am looking for somewhere to put them.

Any idea's?

From what I read about your install you used the factory mounts and put 2 10"s in the boot door(very cool, does it rattle much?)

[pig75]

In the Mrs MU we have 2 12's in the back 2 6.5"factory spots and splits in the front. Running more speakers just messes up the sound.

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[mattymu]

Thanks for the reply,
So you don't run anything off your headunits channels, everything is amped?

I don't really have room to mount 6.5" in the doors like you have so have had to settle with 4" in the front.
The 6x9's and sub's are in a quick release setup for when I need the boot space, I was going to put in the powerplant 6.5" as a second set of rears, through a low pass to for better mid/low when the boot gear is out.

Do you think it would be better to not put in a second set of rear speakers and instead just run the pair in the factory holes off an amp.

Thanks again.

[pig75]

Yep amp all your speakers. You will be surprised how much better they sound being amped

[geeves]

Big word of warning! If considering cutting bigger holes for speakers anywhere near a seat belt mount or anything you think might remotely be considered structural talk to your wof mechanic first! Ive seen cars with extra speakers mounted in the rear parcel tray refused wofs and the repair includes a 400 certification even if the speakers are removed.

[mattymu]

Yup I once had a P10 primera that was refused warrants because the parcel tray holes were opened up to fit 6x9's. Hid the damage then flew through warrants.
Structural integrity is why I didn't go and cut up the B pillar, I was thinking below the B pillar, below the factory speaker mounts.
But I'm going to give amping my speakers a try before I resort to this.

[haven]

Seems like soo much work for such an unnecessary addition of speakers. A good set of front speakers or splits and a pair of rears is fine for any setup. Add a sub If you want the extra base but unless you have a full surround sound DVD head unit chances are your just doubling up speaker wiring so your not improving sound, just halving speaker power..

Money spent on good speakers, sound deadening and correct tuning would improve far more than extra speakers.

Pig, that's a tidy as looking setup! Never heard of panel mounted subs like that before. Did u individually seal them in the panel or do they share air space? Would have though the sub would interfere with the speaker performance...

[pig75]

The HZ's are free air and the 12" are in a sealed box

[mattymu]

I ended up not running another set of speakers and instead amping 6.5" components in the factory rear speaker hole with a 40mm spacer to make them fit. Above the speaker I cut a hole in the plastic trim for the tweeters without having to cut into the metal. I have recently sold the car and got a 2002 mu though, here's the only pic I have of it, when I was testing how big the spacers would need to be.