How to install speakers in a car - acoustic baffle in the door

For any music lover, good acoustics in the car is the very first thing that he will pay attention to. Earlier we considered how to choose and connect an amplifier in the car. Also, the beauty of the sound of the composition depends on the quality of the car radio. Additionally there is an overview, how to choose a head unit in your car.

Now let's talk about how to properly install the speakers in the door and what an acoustic screen is.

Types of acoustics

Three types of acoustic elements are used to create high-quality sound in the car:

• High frequency speakers - tweeters. These are small "tweeters" that can reproduce only high frequencies - from 5 to 20 thousand hertz. They are best used in the front of the car, such as the A-pillars. In tweeters, the diaphragm is stiff because the sound vibrations do not propagate far from the center of the speaker;
• Coaxial acoustics - also called coaxial. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that such acoustics belongs to the category of a universal solution. These speakers have both tweeters and woofers in one housing. The result is loud, but the quality is noticeably lower if the motorist creates component acoustics;
• Low-frequency speakers - subwoofer. Such devices are capable of transmitting sounds with a frequency of 10 to 200 Hz. If you use a separate tweeter and subwoofer through the crossover, the composition sounds much clearer and the bass does not mix with the high frequencies. A bass speaker requires a soft diaphragm and, accordingly, a large size for it to work in a swing.

Lovers of high-quality car audio are converting the broadband acoustics (the standard sound that the car is equipped with from the factory) to component. For the second option, an additional crossover is required.

However, no matter how high-quality the acoustics are, if you do not correctly prepare the place for its installation, the sound quality will not differ much from the standard loud broadband speakers.

What does car acoustics consist of?

A car speaker device can include a large number of components that need to be correctly connected in order to enjoy the purity of musical compositions. For many motorists, acoustics in a car means a car radio and a couple of speakers.

In fact, it is just a sound-producing device. Real acoustics requires the correct selection of equipment, installation location and compliance with sound insulation requirements. The sound quality of expensive equipment depends on all this.

Here are the key elements that make up a spectacular car speaker.

1. Crossover (crossover frequency filter)

As the name suggests, this device is designed to split the audio stream into different frequencies. Externally, the crossover is a box with various electrical parts soldered to the board.

This unit is installed between the amplifier and speakers. There are passive and active crossovers. Each has its own merits and demerits and has a different frequency separation effect.

2. Amplifier

This is another device that looks like a box installed between the car radio and the speakers. It is designed to amplify the audio signal. But if a motorist is not a music lover, but he needs a radio tape recorder to create a general background in the car's interior, then buying an amplifier is a waste of money.

The amplifier makes the sound more powerful, makes it cleaner and better. This is a device for those who are interested not only in music, but in its purity - so that they can clearly recognize the sound of a vinyl record.

Before buying an amplifier, you need to correctly calculate its power (it must match the capabilities of the speakers and the size of the car's interior). If weak speakers are installed in the car, then installing an amplifier will only lead to a rupture of the diffuser. The power of the amplifier is calculated from the power of the speakers (or subwoofer). Its maximum should be 10-15 percent less compared to the peak power of the speakers.

In addition to power (the effect of this device will be if this parameter is at least 100 watts), you need to pay attention to the following parameters:

1. Frequency range. It must be at least 30-20 thousand Hertz.
2. The background level is within 96-98 dB. This indicator minimizes the noise level between compositions.
3. The number of channels. Particular attention should be paid to the wiring diagram for acoustics with a subwoofer. It would be nice if there was a separate channel for it in the amplifier.

3. Subwoofer

This is a speaker that reproduces low frequencies. The key parameter for choosing this component is its power. There are passive (without a built-in amplifier) ​​and active (with an individual built-in amplifier) ​​subwoofers.

In order to fully use the subwoofer so that it does not drown out the work of the other speakers, it is necessary to properly organize the distribution of sound waves on the front and rear speakers. To do this, you can:

• Make an endless screen (the subwoofer is mounted in the rear shelf). In this version, you do not need to carry out any calculations on the dimensions of the box, and the speaker is easy to install. At the same time, the bass quality is at its maximum. The disadvantages of this method include distortion of the sound of the subwoofer with different filling of the trunk of the car. Also, so that the speaker is not damaged, it is necessary to use a "subsonic" filter.
• Install the bass reflex. This is a closed box in which the tunnel is made. This method has more disadvantages than the previous one. So, you need to make the correct calculations for the size of the box and the length of the tunnel. Also, the design takes up a lot of space in the trunk. But if everything is done correctly, then the distortion of the sound will be minimal, and the low frequencies will be given as much as possible.
• Install just a closed box. The advantage of this design is that it protects the speaker from shock and is easy to install. This reduces the efficiency of the subwoofer, which is why it is better to buy more powerful amplifier and subwoofer.

4. Speakers

There are component and coaxial car speakers. In the first case, for the sake of sound quality, you will have to make certain sacrifices - you will need to redo the interior of the car (you need to install not two speakers on the sides of the shelf, but determine a place for several speakers). For example, to mount a three-way speaker system, you will have to look for a place for six speakers. Moreover, they must be installed correctly so that they do not interfere with each other.

If we talk about full-range speakers, then they just need to be installed on the rear shelf near the glass. There is no place for full-size component acoustics, because, firstly, it should not reproduce low frequencies. Secondly, it must create surround sound, which is impossible to achieve with reflection from glass (the sound will be directional).

Damping doors

Since the shape of the door in the car is uneven, the sound waves are reflected from it in their own way. In some compositions, this is critical, as the music can mix with the reflected sound waves. For this reason, you should correctly prepare the place for installing the speakers.

To eliminate this effect, the installer of high-quality car acoustics recommend using a soft material that will absorb vibrations, preventing them from spreading inside the door. However, given the different surface structure, either soft or hard backing should be used. If you lightly knock on the door, where the sound will be more dull, you should stick on a soft damping material. Elsewhere - hard.

This procedure is very important because the car door is always hollow, so it works like a resonator in a guitar. Only in the case of car acoustics, this harms the beauty of the sound more than makes the music more pleasant.

But even in the case of soundproofing, one cannot be overzealous. If you install completely sound-absorbing panels, then the music will be dull, which will immediately become tangible for the music lover. Let's consider how to make a high-quality sound-reflecting screen.

Door vibration suppression circuit

To determine which part of the doors needs a damper screen, knock on the outside of the doors. In those places where the sound will be more sonorous and distinct, you need to stick on rigid noise insulation. Where the sound is more dull, stick on soft soundproofing.

But soundproofing the steel part of the door will still not completely eliminate the resonance effect during the operation of the speakers. If the inside of the door resonates, the music will not be heard clearly. It will give the impression that the speaker is installed in a large loudspeaker.

But on the other hand, you should not overdo it with the installation of sound-absorbing elements. Excessive sound absorption is also fraught with poor acoustics sound. Some sound waves will lose their dimension.

The sound screen should consist of two parts (in addition to soundproofing the doors). One part (a sheet of about 30 * 40 centimeters) must be glued immediately behind the speaker, and the other - at the maximum distance from it. As an acoustic damper, it is better to choose a material that does not absorb moisture, because water can get into it from under a worn glass seal.

Acoustic screen in the door

Most of all, the screen is needed for the speakers with high and mid frequencies. The main purpose of using the screen is to provide the clearest yet deepest bass possible. The optimal reproduction range for such a speaker should be at least 50Hz.

There are two options for acoustic screens:

1. Internal - the material is installed under the door card;
2. Outdoor - a special box is made in which the loudspeaker is located. It attaches over the door card.

Each of the options has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Internal acoustic baffle

Pros:

1. There is no need to spoil the door card, thanks to which the interior in the car is preserved;
2. All elements of the internal screen are hidden under the casing, so there will be no need to perform any decorative work, so that the speakers not only sound beautiful, but also look decent;
3. The powerful speaker will hold on more securely, allowing it to rock more

Cons:

1. The speaker will look like a standard speaker. If the emphasis is not only on the beauty of the music, but also on external changes, then it is worth using an external screen;
2. The bass will not be as elastic;
3. In such a screen, the speaker will only be installed in one position. Often, the standard equipment directs the sound wave from the speaker to the feet. This version of the screen will not provide an opportunity to change the angle of inclination of the speaker.

Outdoor acoustic baffle

Pros:

• Since a significant part of the screen is located outside the door card, there are much more ideas for implementing different design solutions than in the previous version;
• Inside the screen, part of the sound waves is absorbed, and the desired sound is reflected, due to which the sound becomes clearer and the bass is deeper;
• The column can be directed in any direction. Often, car audio enthusiasts tune their speakers so that most of the sound waves are directed to the top of the cabin.

Cons:

• Since the speaker will be attached to the outside of the screen, the case should be as strong as possible;
• It will take time to create a structure, as well as funds to purchase additional material;
• In the absence of skills in installing speakers, it is possible not only to spoil the sound, but also to break the speaker itself (in addition to the fact that it vibrates itself when it sounds loudly, vibrations increase during driving, which can quickly rupture the membrane);
• Compliance with a certain angle of inclination is required.

Sound emission angle

If the speaker is pointed too high, it will affect the purity of the music. High frequencies will be less transmitted. Experience has shown that tilt angles greater than 60 degrees distort the transmission of the audio signal. For this reason, when creating an external screen, this value must be calculated accurately.

When making the outer structure, the inner shield must be securely fixed first. Then the outer box is either initially made with the required slope to the vertical, or screwed obliquely with self-tapping screws. The voids are filled with putty. The entire structure is treated with fiberglass and covered with a suitable fabric.

Connection Process

The rear speakers are connected to the radio tape recorder using a miniJack type splitter connector. If you have the skills in high-quality soldering, then you can unsolder a suitable connector, which will facilitate the connection process.

If one speaker is connected, then you can use the line-out, which is available in most radio tape recorders (minijack). When connecting more speakers, you need to buy splitters or, depending on the radio model (active or passive), connect directly to the connectors on the rear panel.

If the car radio does not have a built-in amplifier (most devices are equipped with a standard amplifier that is able to provide normal operation of conventional full-range speakers), then in order to swing the bass speakers, you need to purchase an additional amplifier and crossover.

Let's briefly consider the whole process of installing car acoustics.

Preparatory stage

First, you need to correctly lay all the wiring. It is better to combine this process with interior repair. So the wires will not need to be paved in unsuitable areas of the passenger compartment. If the wire connection is poorly insulated, it can contact the vehicle body and cause either a leakage current or a short circuit.

When installing the speakers in the door, it is necessary to correctly calculate their location in the door card so that when the door is closed, the speaker housing does not press against the rack. The wires between the moving elements are stretched so that when the door is closed, they are not frayed or pinched.

Insulation features

For high-quality insulation, you should not use twists and electrical tape. It is much more practical to use soldering or mounting strips (this ensures maximum wire contact). Use shims to prevent bare wires from contacting each other or to the machine body. These are thin insulating hoses. They are put on the wires to be connected and, using the effect of high temperature (a match or a lighter), they sit tightly at the connection point.

This method of insulation prevents moisture from entering the junction (prevents the wires from oxidizing), as if it were inside the factory insulation. For more confidence, tape can be wound over the cambric.

We lay the wiring

It is better to lay the wires along the passenger compartment under the upholstery of the passenger compartment or in a special tunnel, to which there is access in case of need to repair the highway. To prevent the wires from chafing, rubber seals must be installed in the places passing through the drilled holes.

Wire marking

This is an important step that makes it easier to connect the wires correctly. Especially if the car owner uses a cable of the same color. In order to avoid errors in connection and ease of repair (or search for these errors), it is practical to use wires of different colors (one contact has its own color).

We connect the speakers

If broadband speakers are used, then each of them is connected to the corresponding contact in the radio chip. To make it easier to do this, the manufacturer of the car radio includes a short installation instructions in the kit. It indicates the purpose of each contact.

Each speaker should not only be connected correctly, but also have its own place in the cabin. All speakers have their own purpose and principle of operation, which affects the quality of the music.

Final work

Before completing the work and hiding the wires under the casing or in the tunnel, it is necessary to test the system. The quality of editing is checked by reproducing various kinds of compositions (each of them has its own sound frequencies). You can also check if the sides are reversed by changing the balance level in the radio settings.

How do I position my speakers correctly?

The sound quality of acoustics directly depends on how firmly the speakers are fixed. For this reason, the acoustic baffle is made of wood. In the standard version, the beauty of sound begins to be felt when the weight of the entire structure is over 7kg. But to achieve the maximum effect, an increase in the mass of the structure is welcomed. The main thing is that the door hinges withstand such a weight.

When screens are connected, there should be no gaps between them. Otherwise, the vibration of the speaker will separate the elements, or they will start to rattle. The outer shield cannot be installed without the inner one. The reason for this is that the music will not differ from the sound of ordinary speakers.

As for self-tapping screws, they must be made of non-ferrous metal. Otherwise they will become magnetized and distort the speaker's performance.

Best car audio

Here is a small TOP of the best car audio at an affordable price:

Model:	Specificity:	Cost:
RSE-165 Focal Auditor	Coaxial acoustics; an inverted dome tweeter; protective steel grill	56 dollars
Hertz K 165 One	Speaker diameter - 16,5 cm; component modification (two-way sound separation); power (nominal) 75W.	60 dollars
Pioneer TS-A1600C	Component two-way; diameter of woofers - 16,5 cm; power (nominal) 80W.	85 dollars

Of course, there is no limit either in size or in the volume of car acoustics. There are masters who, with the help of a couple of additional batteries, a powerful amplifier and huge speakers, can calmly arrange a rock concert in their Zhiguli, which can cause glass to fly out. In this review, we looked at recommendations for those who love beautiful, not prohibitively loud sound.

Here is a short video comparison of coaxial and component acoustics for cars:

COMPONENT or COAXIAL? What acoustics to choose!

Related videos

In conclusion, we suggest watching a video that shows how to budget, but competently connect car audio:

Correct "Autosound", competent installation of the speaker system!

Questions and answers:

Where to install speakers in the car? Transmitters - in the area of ​​the dash. The front ones are at the doors. The rear ones are in the trunk shelf. Subwoofer - under the seat, on the back sofa or in the trunk (depending on its power and size).

How to install speakers in a car correctly? To install powerful speakers in a door, you first need to make an acoustic baffle. Lay the wires so that they do not bend or rub against sharp edges.

How much does it cost to install speakers in a car? It depends on the complexity of the acoustics itself and the work that needs to be done. The range of prices also depends on the city. On average, prices start from 20-70 dollars. and higher.