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I am trying to figure out options for my speakers. One page suggested almost 4\" of depth is in the NB8 doors. I haven't taken mine apart to figure it out. Anyone else know the exact amount? I want to order a set of 8\" speakers but their mounting depth is 3.5\"

It only takes a couple of minutes to get the door skin off.

I'd recommend doing it so you have an idea of what you need to do before you choose your speakers.

A well made MDF mounting plate can level off any contours in the door and cover with loads of silicon. If you're wanting some base replace the plastic rain coat with some dynamat style sheeting or the base will rattle everything in the doors.

I don't want to spend tons on dynamat. Is there anything that is cheaper that works as well?

Also, I saw an install once where someone moulded a little sealed cup behind the speaker in the door so that it was like having a sealed box for the speaker. I lost that link though and can't remember how it was done.

It seemed like a good idea because sealed boxes always give more snappy bass and it might isolate some of the vibrations from the rest of the door as well.

There is cheaper stuff then dynamat but it's crap. A box of dynamat will set you back about $220 and do both doors and most of the floor. you can fit just about any speaker into the doors of an mx5 Jack.

I think I would prefer to create a sealed speaker set up. If less air is getting pushed around inside the door (ie. back of speaker is sealed off from rest of inside of door) I would think that rattling would be greatly reduced and it could be possible to get away with no dynamat.

I once built 6x9 sealed boxes and it dramatically improved the response of my speakers. Bass was much more dríven and clear. I want to get that effect but it will require something that can be moulded.

Correct.

You will get better performance generally from a sealed enclosure, however you do need to get the volume correct (or at least close).

For example, sticking an 8\" midbass into a 2L enclosure typically wont do you many favours - not only will it limit ottom end depth, but it may also result in peaks in the upper midbass which doesn't sound pretty.

If you can get a speaker into a suitable enclosure, it will beat a door pretty much every time.

Careful dynamat weighs a ton I hear its around 4 kg per door.

Wun, you need help... seriously.