Boston SL60s added up front

[don_chuwish]

Hi all, just have to share this little weekend endeavor. When I purchased my 2007 Pkg 2 used I didn't know that it had 2 pairs of Infinity Kappa 92.9i in the doors. While the sound was OK, I'm sure it was an improvement over the stock non-JBL system, it bothered me that the stock tweeters were still there, along with the coax Kappas in the doors. I really wanted components in there. So after a lot of shopping and several visits to retail stores for listening sessions, I finally found the right deal on the right component speakers. BA is replacing this model, so the original $400 price point is now down to $200. Found the deal on Crutchfield and the local retailer was quick to match it.
These speakers will be much better off with an amp, and that is in my future plans, but for now they are a big improvement over the Kappas. I put together a photo gallery of the install work, including door deadening with eDead 80 and some custom MDF speaker rings I made. The hardest part was finding a safe dry place to put the crossovers, but you'll see how I worked that out in the photos.

Photos here: Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

BTW I was happy enough with the eDead 80 as a damping material, but the Teklite sound barrier closed cell foam I installed on top of the eDead 80 is already unsticking in a few places, so I don't recommend it even tho the peel and stick was easier than a spray adhesive.

Hope this helps anyone considering a similar project.

- D

[KCobby]

Great job!! Looks like you took care of everything and thanks for posting the pics. I'm hoping to try this myself soon enough although I don't have a garage space so time will be very limited. But I'm sure your detailed pictures will help. So how does it sound?? Happy with the Bostons?

Just curious why you chose eDead 80 over anything else that's out there.

Also, what are you doin' with those old Infinities!?!?

[don_chuwish]

Hello, thanks for the feedback.

I wanted good components that didn't cost a fortune. Wouldn't have bought them for the original $400 but at $200 they were just right. Much better when listened to than the other options in that price range. But it's really up to your ears - go listen to everything you can with the music you like to hear.

I went with the eDead for two reasons really, price/sqft and because they allow you to order by the foot instead of in set package amounts. I'm not recommending eDead however. In hindsight I think maybe Second Skin's Damplifier would have been a better choice. The thick stiff foil on the Damplifier products makes a big difference apparently. eDead 80 was cheap by the foot, but their shipping cost was high.

I used 50 square feet of eDead 80 to completely cover all 4 doors as seen in the pictures, with maybe 3 square feet leftover that went in the spare tire well. 100% coverage really isn't necessary, especially with a better product. So you could probably get 40 square feet of Damplifier for $98 and do better than I did. I just ordered Damplifier Pro and Luxury Liner Pro to do the floor next.

The old Kappas will be sold. Was thinking of just putting them up on eBay but PM me if you're interested!

One last note, obviously the sound deadening work isn't a 'green' choice. The products themselves have a high embodied energy cost as well as adding weight. In total I'm probably going to add about 90lbs to the car when done with the floors. Not insignificant. But with a lot of highway driving the road noise is getting old fast, so it's worth it to me.

- D

[Gaujo]

Hey don, thanks for the pictures. Was replacing the front tweeters worth the work?

[don_chuwish]

Hello,

I think so, especially since it's not much work. If you're going to buy speakers for the front there's no reason not to get components and replace what's there now.

- D