Hello S2Ki,

I've been trying to do a 3 way install in my S2000 for quite a while and finally pulled the trigger on a set of speakers. I used to have the Focal 165k3p's in my integra and loved the way they sound. I've always been a huge Focal fan, I believe if tuned right they're worth the hefty price tag. Since space is limited in the S and there was a newer version of these speakers out that is supposed to sound even better I went ahead and bought the Focal 165KRX3 since in this setup, the midrange is only a 3.5" speaker. I was thinking of installing the mid bass 6.5 in the door (It should fit since I have the KRX2's in there now and those should be the same size and they fit with some customization, that should be a quick swap since they mount the same way), the tweeter in it's stock location and the midrange in the door pocket. I took some pictures to show how i mean. My question is, will I have fitment issues If i try and mount it flush on the door pocket. I was able to measure about 1.6" depth for that tiny little thing. I've posted some pictures to show exactly what I'm trying to accomplish. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

i would put the midbass in factory location, the 3.5 midrange where factory tweeter is and tweeter on the a pilar aimed twords rear mirror.

 

I don't know how well that would work, I honestly think the most discrete setup would be having the midrange in the door then I can use the cover that Focal gives with it so it will be very hard to see it there. the only question i have is if i have to modify the door skin or not. I don't want to cut into my door.

 

im in the same boat as you, i have the same set of speakers and was contemplating where to place the mid range as well. couple of ideas i was juggling with was either in the lower A pillar along with the tweeter or in the kick panel. as careful as i was getting in and out of the car i cant help but notice how much scuff marks there were in the kick panel, so that was out of the question. ideally the mid range would sound best next to the tweeter but i was after a more discreet install and decided to the place the mid range attached the door handle insert and have only the tweeter in the A pillar. heres a pic of the speaker pod ive made for the mid range, hopefully this will give you some ideas.

 

Do you have a picture of the final product? that looks pretty nice. If i decided to put mine in the kick panel i would definitely grill it, but when I was reading around some people said that the ECU almost touches the kick panel on the passenger side so that's why I figured it would be out of the question since i don't want to relocate my ECU. That's why I thought the door panel would be the only option. I'm very interested to see how your final product came out, the speakers are definitely amazing speakers and it kills me not being able to put them in yet.

 

no final product yet, that is the most up to date status. being a procrastinator doesnt help either, my system install is at about 75% right now. another location i was thinking about is near the seat rail where most cars trunk/gas door release lever usually sits. some people like to put speakers behind the head rest in the role hoop but i dont think i would sound good back there.

 

so would it be a bad idea to put it where i took the picture on the bottom of the door? It would be a pretty stealth look bc it would sit flush with the door panel, and then i'd grill it and cover it so that it'll be all black and blend with the door panel, people won't even notice a speaker there. I just don't want to cut my door skin though.

 

honestly im no expert and cant tell you how it would sound. seeing as how noninvasive the location you chose would be, id say go ahead and try it out. if it doesnt work you can still revert the door panel back to stock. the reason i set mine up the way it is because im looking for a higher front sound stage. you will never be happy with your current setup, it will require tweaking here and there. its really all about trial and error.

 

NoFriegue has some finished photos of similar pods on his thread here.

 

that's really cool! I've never seen that before. I guess the way I see it is the midrange in the door panel would sit right next to where the OEM location is (where i'll have my mid bass). So it shouldn't sound terrible, my main concern wasn't as much sound quality I feel as though since they're really good speakers and they're being positioned almost next to where they would go from the factory they should sound nice and the tweeter would remain untouched.

As you said i'll have to try it out. I'm going to be taking it to a shop to have them customize the door panel to make that work. I'll let you all know the final outcome with pictures and commentaries on how it will sound