My front speakers just don't measure up to the rest of my system. It's a 92 sedan with no component cutout for tweeters.

System:
12" in the trunk
Rockford oversize 6.5" in the rear deck - 89db sensitivity not amped
Polk EX 6.5" in the front doors - 92 db sensitivity amped
4-channel amp

The sub is bridged and the front speakers are amped, but my soundstage is is too far back. I chose the rear speakers expecting this and planned on keeping my old Polks for the front. I don't know if I need better speakers in front (they worked great in my past vehicles, but they are quite a few years old - First EX series Polk made) or if I should move into componant speakers with some custom pods. I can build whatever is needed to move speakers or make oversize ones fit.

 

I would recommend replacing the factory plastic front and rear speaker mounts with some wooden ones made from MDF. This will make the speakers you have sound a lot better since wood reproduces sound lot better then plastic.

 

Build you either some kicks or door panel pods and mount the tweets in them.

 

if your stage is too far back, start by disconnecting your rear speakers all together, then see what you think...you can make adjustments from there...

 

Make sure the polarity is correct on all speakers.

 

Polarity is good and the fronts are already mounted on wood. I'd like to keep my rears because it sounds great when you're sitting in the back seat. I just need to bring the front volume up. Has anyone (install folks maybe) done any comparison between having the front speakers in different locations? Stock, kick panel, etc. Where do the "Big Boys" put them in competition systems? I'm used to having a truck where the door speakers were above my lap, not at the side of my shin. Any competition pics/links?

 

I finished up my brothers system last night and he has the soundstage & clear sound I'm after. He has an S10 Blazer with Infinity 4x6 plates up on the dash. I think I'll go with Infinity components. Anyone have a bad experience with them? What about placement reccommendations / install tips for the tweeters since I'll have to do them custom?

 

Changing the speakers may still not get what you are looking for. Bigger cars, especially suvs with nice speakers always sound better to me.

You may want to try the kick locations though.