The reality has set in...I need custom kick pods

[SQMonte]

After fiddling with my system for a couple weeks and not being able to get it to sound how I want, I've concluded that I need to build some custom kick panels for it because my current setup for mids/highs just can't hang with my subs. I don't want to limit the volume of my system by playing it only the the level my mids/highs are capable of playing so I want to add some more of them to be able to match the level my subs are capable of, and also to help raise my soundstage as well. At the moment my soundstage is at about the center of my dashboard, I want it to be on top of the dash.

I might also replace my current fronts as well, strongly considering Image Dynamics components...i'm going to have to track down a local dealer so I can hear them.

I know, no matter what, my goal will be to maintain as stealth of a setup as possible, so no fancy aluminum trim rings and all that jazz. Can anybody provide any thorough and detailed how-to's on the process of building kick pods?

I'm going to start researching designs and what not, try to figure out the look I want and how to pull it off. Any help you guys could give would be awesome.

[Lowroll]

Im gonna follow this. I want to do the same thing but like you, im not sure how to go about building them.

[SQMonte]

It's not looking like we're gonna get alot of help here but if I find anything that'll help I'll post here so you can check it out too.

[baggedon4s]

www.fiberglassforums.com tons of helpful stuff

[zfrerichs]

2 ways

use factory kick panels as a base OR

take the factory ones out and lay down foil and glass over the area and use that as your base....................

im assuming you know how to make pods.........right? lol

[Neel]

I am currently in the process of building kick panels in my new Acura, I will be posting up pics later tonight after i upload some pictures. I am venting them into the A pillars so that the panel itself can be TINY, so they will be very clean and should not be intrusive. The first thing I would tell you to start doing is removing the factory kick panels and start making room! Relocating fuse boxes , wiring harness's or anything else that will come in the way, i had to relocate a fuse box, a hood release and i removed the factory amp. Most cars should already have holes behind the kick panel for you to vent the speaker into, my car did not so i had to cut some (the idea is to have the hole atleast 60% of the total cone area of the speaker. I will be using Image Dynamics XS57s along with a set of their Ultra compression drivers and full body horns , so I love your speaker choice!

Here is a link to my old kick panels in my old car to kind of give you an idea about the venting , dont mind the MASSIVE size of them..I was just experimenting and trying to get the most airspace I could when i really didnt need to because of the vent. The smaller the panel is, the less there is to resonate, so new build will have tiny kicks.

http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/ind...showtopic=45370

Here is a link to a thread on the Image Dynamics forum that Matt Borgardt created on basic kick panel design.

http://www.imagedynamicsusa.com/forum/inde...?showtopic=3267

[Boon]

ID components will not play at all well in kicks in my experience - that's if you seal the back of the pod. If you make the pod aperiodic or vent the back somehow then they might go better but they are really designed for true IB installation (i.e. DOORS) - they really lack impact if you choke them.

[Guero3384]

i just purchased my first pair of image dynamics csx6 chameleon components actually bought 3 sets. i have only put in one set so far but im very impressed and happy with them they sound alot better than my friends 6.5 kicker rs components IMO. i have them in the doors and am planning on putting a set in the kicks and the other set in some pods on the back doors. so ill be tuned in to see how your kicks come out

[Neel]

Being in a door is not infinite baffle unless the space in the door is larger then the Vas of the driver, Also the door would need to be heavily treated to eat up the rear waves. If you mounted the speakers on the outer skin of the door , they would be IB , but see the problem with that ? Vented in the kick panel is closer to IB then the door is... some SQ guys mount speakers in the floor to make them truly IB.