To get around the tweeter issue, you might want to try buying component
speakers, or "separates". These have the woofer as one speaker, and
the tweeter as a separate piece. You could mount the tweeter unit on
top of the dash, in the upper corners of the windshield, or maybe even
in the holes in the dash where the swivel vents are.
The power output that is in big print on all the radios is max power
(ie 50W x 4 channels). The figure you want to look at is RMS power.
This is the maximum sustainable power output at low distortion rating
(be sure that the RMS power output figure is at a low Total Harmonic
Distortion - THD - percentage). Most quality aftermarket radios today
put out around 17-20 watts RMS. If you want more power than that,
you'll need an external amp. I have a 50Wx2 RMS amp in the trunk,
wired to two 6x9 speakers in boxes on the rear deck. I can hear the
tunes clearly up to around 70mph with the top down, but bass output is
not very good since the boxes are kinda small.
In my opinion, the ideal solution would be 5.25" or 6.5" separates,
with the woofer mounted in the kick panel and tweeter in the swivel
vent holes, and a small base tube on the rear deck. 50Wx4 RMS amp,
with rear channels bridged for 100Wx1 into the bass tube, 50Wx2 into
the separates. The sound quality would be great, even with the top
down over 80mph!
Tim Holbrook
1971 TR6
--- "R. Ashford Little II" <ralittle2@mindspring.com> wrote:
> From: "R. Ashford Little II" <ralittle2@mindspring.com>
> To: "'Bob Fabie'" <RFabie@erols.com>, <triumphs@autox.team.net>,
> <6pack@autox.team.net>, "'Hugh Fader'" <hfader@usa.net>
> Subject: RE: TR6 Radios
> Date: Tue, 24 Dec 2002 12:55:43 -0500
>
> FWIW, the Alpine unit in my TR6 is a 7870 that can be had from
> Crutchfield for $159.
>
>
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-BK5X4Xz28fy/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=3&g=
> 300&I=500CDE7870&o=m&a=1
>
> Does it look stock? No, none of the modern DIN units will look like
> an
> older radio unless the guys at Custom AutoSound make one that looks
> right. Those are the guys on "My Classic Car" that make radio for
> older
> American stuff.
>
> Also a couple of things to keep in mind. 1) the advertised watts
> per
> channel virtually all car audio is greatly exaggerated. If it claims
> 50
> wpc, then you can possibly count of 15. 2) the designated speaker
> placement on the TR6 has holes for 2 4" speakers. The placement and
> size won't allow for much more than background noise at anything
> faster
> than 50mph. 3) If you really want decent quality audio, then you'll
> have to make additional changes.
>
> One of the main problems is that with speaker mounted down around
> your
> feet, you simply won't be able to hear it very well, at any speed.
> Some
> folks have cut holes in the kick panel and mounted a circular coffee
> can
> looking piece to mount a larger speaker. That's fine, but the high
> notes that emanate from the tweeters need to be more at ear level
> while
> lower notes are less directional. There's no good solution to the
> tweeter issue.
>
> You can also mount speaker in the back somewhere and different people
> have tackled this in a variety of ways. This allows for larger
> speaker
> and a better soundstage.
>
> If you do any of this, then you will need a separate amplifier to
> adequately drive this stuff. 4 channels by 50 watts would most
> likely
> do it just fine.
>
> Oh, and then you would need to upgrade your alternator most likely.
>
> And then you are left with sound that's much better than stock, but
> it
> won't approach what comes in a new Maxima or Accord. Plus it will
> hinder hearing the exhaust note.
>
> I might make additional changes to my car when everything comes
> apart,
> but for now, I'm living with the upgraded radio and will probably
> change
> out the crappy Radio Shack speakers.
>
> BTW, Merry XMAS.
>
> R. Ashford Little II
> www.geocities.com/ralittle2
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-6pack@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-6pack@autox.team.net]
> On
> Behalf Of Bob Fabie
> Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2002 12:26 PM
> To: triumphs@autox.team.net; 6pack@autox.team.net; Hugh Fader
> Subject: Re: TR6 Radios
>
> Hugh:
> I recently installed a Sony CA400 CD player in my car. Like you, I
> felt
> that
> most modern radios/cds just look out of place in our Triumphs. The
> reason I
> like the model I bought was because it appears to have the
> traditional
> knobs
> and it's fairly subdued. It's 50 watts per channel (4) and the sound
> is
> excellent. It even came with a miniature remote control. I shopped it
> and
> found the best price at Sears for $143.
>
> I am sending you a digital photo of the radio installed. If anyone
> else
> is
> interested, e-mail me and I'll send you a photo.
>
> Bob Fabie
> '75 TR6
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