not car audio, but still speaker box question

[Rob@USC]

At home, I have a set of 6x9's and a set of 4x6's that came out of my Blazer. They're good speakers (Pioneer 4 way and 2 way, respectively), but they've been just sitting there the past few years since I got the Camaro and got rid of the Blazer. I got the idea the other day to put one of each (one 6x9 and one 4x6) into a box (making 2 boxes total) and just using them as a rear chanel on my stereo in my room. I've got 2 questions about this, though.

1. I know that different subs work best with different size boxes and so assume that other speakers work the same. About how big should I make these boxes and should I try to have a divider between the 4x6 and 6x9 side so the airflow between them doesn't harm the sound any?

2. I believe both sets are 8 ohm speakers, or whatever the normal resistance for aftermarket speakers is (I can't look now since I'm at college and they're in my closet at home). If I hook the two speakers in a given box in series, it'll make the combination 16 ohm (sounds very high to me) and if I put them in parallel it will make the combination 4 ohm (sounds low but do-able). Would I risk damaging my amp (not a car amp, one for a normal stereo) by having one of these two (or both) setups hooked up to a rear channel and my front speakers being different (I don't know what they are)? Basically, is this something that will actually work or no?

Rob

[ January 28, 2004: Message edited by: Rob@USC ]</p>

[96firebird311]

Nearly all aftermarket speakers (except subs) are 4 ohms. It's become the standard. Most home amps like to run at 8 ohms, so wire them in series and you should be good to go. And yes, a divider is going to be a must. I wouldn't worry about the box size too much. Just make them a resonable size. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[Rob@USC]

Awesome, looks like I have a new project next time I go home. :D

[youngcamarokid]

The box depends entirely on what kind of sound you want from them.

Do you want an extended low-end response with a sacrifice or tonal quality throughout the mids? 1.25cu.ft. Ported box with a 3" long 3" diameter port.

Do you want smooth response throughout the entire frequency range with a sacrifice of SPL and less low-end extension? Sealed box ~ .75cu. ft.

That's for the 6x9"s. Seal off the other drivers in a .75cu.ft. sealed box only.

[Rob@USC]

.75 cu. ft. for the 4x6's? sounds kinda big, but okay. now comes time to figure out dimensions...

[96firebird311]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by youngcamarokid:
Do you want an extended low-end response with a sacrifice or tonal quality throughout the mids? 1.25cu.ft. Ported box with a 3" long 3" diameter port.

Do you want smooth response throughout the entire frequency range with a sacrifice of SPL and less low-end extension? Sealed box ~ .75cu. ft.<hr></blockquote>
Where did you get those numbers from?

[Rob@USC]

Well, I was playing with some designes and numbers and came up with a section for 6x9 that's going to be ~1.26 cu. ft. and the part for the 4x6's are going to be ~0.30 cu. ft. These numbers sound okay? Just wondering because the boxes you get for 6x9's from crutchfield (little trapazoidal shaped thingies) are about 1/3 cu. ft. I plan to stuff the boxes with some polyfill (I think it's called that - the sound deadening material). I know not many people would make a box for that small of speakers, but do those numbers sound okay for sizing?

Rob

P.S.
I can't find the grills for the speakers (I think they may have been thrown away) and I don't want to pay for replacement ones from pioneer. I was thinking about just covering the entire front of the boxes with that stretchy, meshy, cloth found on home speakers. Does anyone know where I can find that cloth that covers speakers? Maybe a fabric shop?

very side note: wow, I must be more tired than I think if I'm describing things like I just did in this post [img]tongue.gif[/img] ...time for bed

[96firebird311]

1.25 cubes for a single 6x9?!?!! That sounds a wee bit large. You could cut that in HALF and be ok. Why even cover them? You have people kicking and poking around in your house?

[youngcamarokid]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Rob@USC:
Well, I was playing with some designes and numbers and came up with a section for 6x9 that's going to be ~1.26 cu. ft. and the part for the 4x6's are going to be ~0.30 cu. ft. These numbers sound okay? Just wondering because the boxes you get for 6x9's from crutchfield (little trapazoidal shaped thingies) are about 1/3 cu. ft. I plan to stuff the boxes with some polyfill (I think it's called that - the sound deadening material). I know not many people would make a box for that small of speakers, but do those numbers sound okay for sizing?
<hr></blockquote>

Is that sealed or ported?? I'm assuming from the size that it's ported....that's WAY too big for a sealed box.

The numbers I posted earlier are personal experience.

You think I'm crazy....I have a single 6.5" mid in a 1.25cu.ft. sealed box.... May sound wrong to you, but I've been doing this a long time, and quite a bit in that amount of time.

[CAMAROWIDBASS]

actually guys since those speakers are meant for car audio, they will work best in a free air application.