What should I do about fitting speakers

[Simon E]

Can anyone offer me some advice on fitting speakers?

I have recently taken delivery of my first Pagoda, I have sourced a period Becker radio but  I'm not sure whether to fit a pair of speakers at the back of the shelf area or put a mono speaker under the dash, where it would have originally been.

Thanks

[71Beige280SL]

I have four speakers. 2 are mounted under the dash on the side wall in front of the doors. The back speakers are mounted on the back wall of the luggage area behind the seats.

[Simon E]

Thanks for the response. I think I'll go for the two under the dash, they then will be out of the way, just hope the radio I bought does the trick!

[69280sl]

The original Becker speaker set up for stereo was 2 speakers mounted down low on the kick panel. I believe the tech manual has actual mounting dimensions. The speaker enclosures are roughly 4" x 4" and are surface mounted on the kick panels. These speakers are frequently listed on eBay in the price range of $150 - 200 for a pair. Actually its the enclosures you want. It makes sense to put a new modern speaker in each.

Gus

[ctm14]

Hi Simon,

  I just went through this and considered the rear deck speakers as well.  My audio specialist recomended going with the kick panel speakers in the foot wells.  He mentioned that the bass would be easily heard but that the high frequency's would get lost and needed to point more towards the listener.  I chose Alpine woofer and tweeter separates.  The woofers are 6" and mounted in the kick panels, the tweeters are very discretely mounted below the dash but angled up towards the occupants.  My becker stereo did not have enough power for good quality stereo audio so he recommended a compact ARC amp which is small enough to mount behind the glove box.  These amps were originally designed for motor cycles but are being used in discreet high end installations.  Lastly I purchased an IPod cable which plugs into the Becker for MP3 playback as well as radio.  The sound is great and allowed a very discreet install without cutting up the rear parcel shelf.  Make sure you have a Becker stereo unit not a mono.

Good luck

[shanghaitom]

I just got my restoration project back from the upholsterer last week who made kick panel boxes for 6" speakers + tweeters in the front and I had two 10" subs installed in the parcel shelf.  Personally, I would not recommend installing them in the door panels; I have that in a 250sl with that and they really look bad.  Also, it's space limiting.  IMO, the more hidden the better.  The previous owner had two speakers installed in the real wall above the parcel shelf where the soft top goes.  I've never heard them installed there, but I don't think the sound would be very good, they would be very visible, and it would be space constrictive for the top...lower down on the "wall" would likely work though.  The car is at the shop, but I can post some pictures tomorrow.  Original becker radio with amp under the seat.  The sound it pretty darn good!

Pic attached.

Tom