Carbon Miata rear subwoofer panel

Mind_Reader7 · Postby **Mind_Reader7** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 1:35 pm

http://www.carbonmiata.com/index.php?ro ... duct_id=83

Has anyone used one of these? From my understanding, putting a subwoofer in the boot of an MX5 is hardly worth it. This seems like a good product, but I'm wondering about durability and speaker clearance.

It claims you can use 6.5" speakers with a little cutting, but is that cutting the panel, or the car itself? I can't find any 6" subs, only 6.5".

Out of the three materials (fibreglass, carbon fibre, kevlar) available, which one should I get? Chances are I will be putting carpet over it, but I don't want the speakers to cause it to crack or something.

Postby **beavis** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 2:08 pm

Mind_Reader7 wrote:It claims you can use 6.5" speakers with a little cutting, but is that cutting the panel, or the car itself? I can't find any 6" subs, only 6.5".

I would presume they refer to cutting the panel itself. There appears to be plenty of space between the circle cutouts and the edges.

Mind_Reader7 wrote:Out of the three materials (fibreglass, carbon fibre, kevlar) available, which one should I get? Chances are I will be putting carpet over it, but I don't want the speakers to cause it to crack or something.

Fibreglass would surely more than suffice. Fibreglass will be heavier and weaker than the alternatives, but not enough to cause issues, particularly if you're hiding it with the stock carpet.

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 2:48 pm

Difficult to see how much mounting depth there is for any sort of decent speaker, especially as the mounts in this panel are recessed.

Looks like some of the original shelf metal has to be cut from the one speaker area. Not sure how this would impact replacing the original panels if putting back to stock later on for whatever reason - but obviously less than actually cutting holes in the deck for speakers :wink:

With the amount of bump and impact vibrations that can go through these cars, I'd be a bit concerned about attaching speakers with decent magnets just to this without screwing down into some metal to add support, but that's easy to add something.

Looks like a simple solution to adding some rear speakers though. If I was considering this, I'd go the fibreglass and use the savings to purchase enough Dynamat to cover the back of the panel plus the area beneath ....

Postby **beavis** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 5:41 pm

On second thought, couldn't you just take a jigsaw to the factory metal trim and achieve the same result?

Mind_Reader7 · Postby **Mind_Reader7** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 6:03 pm

beavis wrote:On second thought, couldn't you just take a jigsaw to the factory metal trim and achieve the same result?

The factory aluminium trim is VERY thin and flimsy. I wouldn't want to mount anything to it, let alone a sub.

Mind_Reader7 · Postby **Mind_Reader7** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 6:05 pm

KevGoat wrote:Looks like a simple solution to adding some rear speakers though. If I was considering this, I'd go the fibreglass and use the savings to purchase enough Dynamat to cover the back of the panel plus the area beneath ....

Hadn't considered using Dynamat. Cheers for the input. I feel I'll also buy some super thick rubber spacers for the speakers, and trim them down if I have to.

Postby **beavis** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 10:01 pm

Mind_Reader7 wrote:
beavis wrote:On second thought, couldn't you just take a jigsaw to the factory metal trim and achieve the same result?
The factory aluminium trim is VERY thin and flimsy. I wouldn't want to mount anything to it, let alone a sub.

I think it would handle it, its not what I would call 'VERY' thin. Also, I thought it was steel, not aluminium.

Postby **Okibi** » Sat Jan 09, 2016 12:44 am

I let Carbon Miata know about this thread, they should be able to answer all your questions.

I did have a pair of 8" speakers in my NB parcel shelf but I had to raise the height of the front of the shelf a fraction.

If I had to do it again I think this panel is a much neater solution and saves a lot of hassle.

Mind_Reader7 · Postby **Mind_Reader7** » Sat Jan 09, 2016 5:07 pm

beavis wrote:I think it would handle it, its not what I would call 'VERY' thin. Also, I thought it was steel, not aluminium.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMt920dBC1g

Around the 16 minute mark, they start playing with the parcel shelf.

Postby **beavis** » Sat Jan 09, 2016 5:32 pm

Around the 16 minute mark, they start playing with the parcel shelf.[/quote]
yes they did....

Mind_Reader7 · Postby **Mind_Reader7** » Sat Jan 09, 2016 8:22 pm

Haha, I meant to imply that it IS very thin. It's bending without the, putting any force on it. Getting a solid one made from fibreglass seems worth it in my book.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Mon Jan 11, 2016 2:01 pm

Steel is stronger than fibreglass, and also more likely to flex rather than crack.

The stock panels are steel, and should be fine to hold speakers, bumps and all.

Yes, you can bend them easily, but speakers wont be mounted in a way they will put any kind of force in a small enough area to bend.

If you're really concerned just sandwich some MDF behind the speakers to remove any flex.

Either way, i'd see the steel panels as being the better option than the fibreglass. (obviosuly depends on the glass and design)