[Richardmulcaster]

Originally Posted by peter dowdle

RICHARD I LIKE THE STYLE OF THE RADIO YOU ARE FITTING, THE MODERN UNITS ARE USUALLY FLASH AND OUT OF CHARACTER WITH AN EARLY 70s CAR.

REGARDING THE SPEAKER PRIOR TO ME OWNING THE CAR SOMEONE MOUNTED 2 SPEAKER AT THE REAR PARCEL SHELF. BUT RATHER THAN SIT THEM ON THE SHELF HE FITTED THEM BELOW THE TRIM BY CUTTING HOLES IN THE REAR PANEL BETWEEN THE SHELF AND THE FUEL TANK. HE USED A FLAT WIRE MESH PLATE DIRECTLY UNDER THE PARCEL SHELF TRIM. ALL YOU SEE IS TWO HOLES AND THE WIRE MESH.

MY 412 ON THE OTHER HAND CAME WITH TWO HUGE SPEAKER BOXES MOUNTED ON THE SHELF. (UGLY) SO I DID AS PER THE 411.

MY FINAL THOUGHT RE SPEAKERS IN THE DOOR . I HATE THE IDEA . YOU COULD LOOK AT MOUNTING THEM UNDER THE DASH POINTING DOWN.

Thanks Peter,

I spent quite a bit of time comparing radios to come up with that one, and i think it has all the modern function and facility but have tried hard to keep it classic looking - AND at a reasonable price. I also liked the Retro Car sound head units from America, like the San Diego, and others in the same family, arguably better looking, but quite a lot more expensive with the same features.

Its also the case that I basically have no idea when it comes to car audio; i spent 20 mins on the phone this morning the the guy at the end of the link i posted, pumping him for information on how watts on speakers add up to watts in the head unit; and like where does a Subwoofer wire to if limited to 4 speaker outputs, and - what is a subwoofer!

I basically just want it to sound good. Better than my bog-standard, entry level radio in my 320D. A good target is the Volvo "Premium" radio in my wife's XC60 - that sounds as good as I would need.

I agree with parcel shelf as the obvious place and recessed behind mess by far the most preferable - but I have been stressing a little over those airflow vent things; having just sorted the new exhaust and "exhausted" all avenues of options and learnt all about the pitfalls of fume drawback if the exhaust isn't quite right (see another post on here somewhere) - and in that there are those air vents, which look purely decorative from the outside, but on reading the thread and peering under the parcel shelf to find a perfectly formed air chute.... then with all of that, its got me worried that if I put a speaker in the way, am I then blocking air flow??? Interesting that no one has mentioned anything like this so far, so maybe the worries are unfounded.

Front speakers - I have saved a pic from a sales advert I found of a 411 with an open door so showing the card; it had retrofit speakers, and they had almost completely hidden the speaker behind the card, save only for a pattern of very small holes they had cut out, there was no visible speaker or plastic - which looked impressive, otherwise I would have been right with you on avoiding door speakers for the unsightly grill that is usually necessary.

Thanks for your comments.
PS - On this day 3 years ago, I had just landed in Australia for a 3 month employment contract at the 2018 Gold Coast Comm Games; I had the BEST 12 weeks of my life living and working out there, and was whole heartedly ready to emigrate after only 3 short months. Small matter of a whole life of commitment back in the UK, otherwise I never would have returned.