Infinite Baffle?

[mini_mull]

I have heard that most car audio speakers including component systems are built for more "infinite baffle" mounting situations, ie doors or rear decks. Is this true? And if it is true, how do I create the optimum enviroment for my speakers if I mount them in a custom kick panel or lower door panel? Do I need to cut into my sheetmetal to give them more room to breath? How do I know how much room to give them? Or was that just a load of crap?

 

[chevyin]

Most component mids, 6x9's, 4x6's etc made for cars are intended to go in dashes, doors or rear decks (mostly) where IB applies. So yes, most manufacturers design those speakers with IB in mind. To make sure they are in an IB configuration, the airspace they are mounted in must be 2-4x the speaker's Vas. Any door should be big enough. Kick pods... not likely without getting fancy. Some people have been known to 'port' kick pods into the carpet to help simulate an aperiodic setup.

 

[mini_mull]

How do I find out the VAS? It's not listed in the manual or on the website for speakers, only for subs. I emailed PolkAudio. Are there any rules of thumb?

If I did custom lower door panels they would be mounted on top of the door skin, so should I cut into the sheetmetal right behind the speaker and seal the panel to the hole I cut in the door. I'll look, but I don't think there is a place to mount them into the actual door with pwr windows that isn't covered up by the seat with the door closed.

 

[mini_mull]

Wow, PolkAudio emailed me back already. For the components, Vas=6.7L or .237 cubic feet. For the 6x9s, Vas=22.2L or .783 cubic feet.


Still need this answered though:

If I did custom lower door panels they would be mounted on top of the door skin, so should I cut into the sheetmetal right behind the speaker and seal the panel to the hole I cut in the door? I'll look, but I don't think there is a place to mount them into the actual door with pwr windows that isn't covered up by the seat with the door closed. Or would it be better to make ported kick panels?

 

[chevyin]

With IB, the most important factor is that the front and rear waves are isolated from each other. Seal the baffle as well as possible. Generally Id build pods that bolt directly to the sheetmetal of the door, and then cut the plastic interior panel to fit the new pod. If you want to get fancy you can fiberglass them into one piece.

Thats cool Polk got back to you so soon.