Dash Tweeter Options

I've gotten a lot of good information on this forum.

What I gleamed led me to replace the front and rear factory door speakers with Boston Acustics DB651s from Crutchfields.

The selection and self-install was greatly facilitated by members of this forum and the good Crutchfield customer support.

I discovered a lot about my RTS sound system. One thing was its dash mounted tweeters.

What are tweeter options that might net similar improvement to that the DB651s gave over the factory speakers?

Is it possible to get a raw tweeter from say, PartsExpress, that has better quality and easily replaces the dash tweets?

Not interested in adding to the HU or changing locations.

If you have coaxials in your doors the Boston makes something called ambient tweeters which only play the upper highs which will lift the soundfield up from the doors to the windshield,this makes a huge difference. http://mobile.bostonacoustics.com/car/car_product.aspx?category_id=14&family_id=83

Thanks for your response, Mr Bigs.

I read and appreciated your posts while preparing to replace my stock door speakers.

So will these replace the dash units and mount flush under the windsheild.? I think these list at Crutchfields as fitting but requiring customization.

I found the Pioneer TS-T110 7/8" Hard Dome tweeters at Crutchfields listed as a fit for the factory tweeters in the dash.

Anyone know what is required to install and if this is a good replacement? I don't want to have to modify or relocate, hope to just maybe cut and splice wire and flush mount in same spot as the factory.

Secondly is this an worthy upgrade?

Thanks for your response, Mr Bigs.

I read and appreciated your posts while preparing to replace my stock door speakers.

So will these replace the dash units and mount flush under the windsheild.? I think these list at Crutchfields as fitting but requiring customization.They'll fit but you have to be creative in mounting them to the grill. You can use some radio strap. If you don't know what radio strap is I'll post up a picture. Just remember these ambient tweeters don't play the full range of the high frequencies so just mounting tweeters with a regular crossover won't give the same effect at all. Possibly the effects could be negative.;)

Talking to Crutchfield convinced me to go with matching Polk Audio db1001 tweeters. Said they are smaller than the OE so will have to do some customization.

Sounds like the radio strap referenced.

If not too much trouble would appreciate the pic.

Radio strap is the flexible metal strapping that has holes punched in it. I think it's overkill for this application. The factory tweeter snaps into the grille. If the Polk tweeter is smaller, you may be able to glue it in, or use some foam around it and run a tie wrap through the snap holes.

Update to tweeter quest:

Crutchfields offered a return of my PA db651s speakers and sending the PA
db5251 component set with matched tweeters instead of adding db1001 tweeters.

Salesman thinks the HU is only driving the midrange of the db651 coaxial speaker. Strongly suggests PA tweeter if that is all I change.

Cost is actually less for the db5251 solution but the speakers are smaller.

Would mean getting into the doors again but this is want I would have done if I knew the RL have separate tweeters and sub.

Would adding the tweeter to current install be equal to or better than the matched conponent system?

If there is rational for one or the other please chime in.

If someone is interested, I have a set of MA Audio ambient tweeters that I got from Parts Express and only used for a short time. They are surface mount but could be modified for use on either in dash or on the door wings. They were about $70 new. I'd let em go for a Hamilton and shipping.

I found the Pioneer TS-T110 7/8" Hard Dome tweeters at Crutchfields listed as a fit for the factory tweeters in the dash.

Anyone know what is required to install and if this is a good replacement? I don't want to have to modify or relocate, hope to just maybe cut and splice wire and flush mount in same spot as the factory.

Secondly is this an worthy upgrade?

if i get these do i NEED to splice?? or is there a harness for it??

You will have to splice.

Update to tweeter quest:

Crutchfields offered a return of my PA db651s speakers and sending the PA
db5251 component set with matched tweeters instead of adding db1001 tweeters.

Salesman thinks the HU is only driving the midrange of the db651 coaxial speaker. Strongly suggests PA tweeter if that is all I change.

Cost is actually less for the db5251 solution but the speakers are smaller.

Would mean getting into the doors again but this is want I would have done if I knew the RL have separate tweeters and sub.

Would adding the tweeter to current install be equal to or better than the matched conponent system?

If there is rational for one or the other please chime in.

There is something strange here. The salesman thinks the HU is driving just the midrange of the DB651? I think he is wrong. The DB651 is a coaxial with just one set of binding posts, right? So the DB651 tweeters will be functional.

I do not believe the Ridgeline filters treble from the door speakers. They run full range. The factory tweeters have a simple high pass filter (a capacitor) mounted at each indash tweeter.

If you are unsatisfied with the treble from the Polks then it must be because they just don't have as bright a sound as you like.

Some disagree with me - but I am not a fan of "add on" tweeters. Two sets of tweeters operating at different positions, distances will generally create a diffuse ("spacious") sound but inaccurate and certainly not flat response.

I would instead invest in just a good set of component speakers and mount the tweeter where you prefer. You can use the dash location or mount them in the sail panels.

Keep in mind too that if you choose add-on tweeters they cannot simply be spliced into the main speaker line. You must have a high pass filter or else the tweeters will be quickly destroyed.

Thanks Hoffman,

You've confirmed my decision to pull out one set of the db651 and replace those and the dash tweeters with the PA mmc5250 component tweeter and door speakers.

Ordered from Crutchfields last night.

Leaving one set of the db651 in the doors but undecided on placement of the new 5.25".

Unencumbered by knowledge I'm tending toward the front.

Let's have a lively debate in this forum.

Leaving the DB651s in the REAR doors, right?

What is undecided about the component speaker placement?

i really cant tell any diff with or with out the tweeter i unpluged them today and plug them back in didnt notice anything, saves me $50 and the pain of installing them

Thanks Hoffman,

You've confirmed my decision to pull out one set of the db651 and replace those and the dash tweeters with the PA mmc5250 component tweeter and door speakers.

Ordered from Crutchfields last night.

Leaving one set of the db651 in the doors but undecided on placement of the new 5.25".

Unencumbered by knowledge I'm tending toward the front.

Let's have a lively debate in this forum.

Thinking I should mount the new 5.25 in front doors.

Completed the install of the Polk component 5.25" and tweeters. Had to do some door speaker cavity cutting to get them in. Installed the tweeters on the sails.

Sounds great!

Tweeters are mounted externally and I've ordered an adjustable hole cutter thinking to flush mount. Seen some early post on removing one bracket leg to fit in sail.

Any developments with flush mounting procedure?

Pics, please.

There is something strange here. The salesman thinks the HU is driving just the midrange of the DB651? I think he is wrong. The DB651 is a coaxial with just one set of binding posts, right? So the DB651 tweeters will be functional.

I do not believe the Ridgeline filters treble from the door speakers. They run full range. The factory tweeters have a simple high pass filter (a capacitor) mounted at each indash tweeter.

If you are unsatisfied with the treble from the Polks then it must be because they just don't have as bright a sound as you like.

Some disagree with me - but I am not a fan of "add on" tweeters. Two sets of tweeters operating at different positions, distances will generally create a diffuse ("spacious") sound but inaccurate and certainly not flat response.

I would instead invest in just a good set of component speakers and mount the tweeter where you prefer. You can use the dash location or mount them in the sail panels.

Keep in mind too that if you choose add-on tweeters they cannot simply be spliced into the main speaker line. You must have a high pass filter or else the tweeters will be quickly destroyed.I really wish their was a way I could meet up with you and demonstrate my Accord to you with the 3-way Boston Acoustics and added ambient tweeters on the dash and see your reaction. The ambient tweeters raise the soundstage to ear level and forward the just supplement the kick-pod mounted tweeters,I also have a little D.S.P going on to correct path lengths.;)

I'm sure it sounds great Mr. Bigs. Hofffam has a good point...just adding a set of tweeters to the dash without good crossover integration and timbre matching can muddy things up. For the record, my tweeters are in the sails with a touch of time correction, and the soundstage is right on top of the dash.

I'm sure it sounds great Mr. Bigs. Hofffam has a good point...just adding a set of tweeters to the dash without good crossover integration and timbre matching can muddy things up. For the record, my tweeters are in the sails with a touch of time correction, and the soundstage is right on top of the dash.True,ambient tweeters have a special crossover and the tweeters should match the other tweeters which is what makes them work to blend seamlessly with the rest of the system.:)

Pics, please.

This is a mediocre install, no where near the level of others work.

Can't find the charger for my camera anyway.

Just came across this thread...........

Custom tweeter/mid range a-pillar pods.

Part of a Morel 4 way speaker setup. Voice coils of tweeter and dome mid range drivers were lined up to prevent phase issues. A little over kill, but it sounds awesome. The mids can go down to 500 hz, but I have them rolling off gently at 700.

Nice looking system but what 4-way system does Morel have ? I haven't seen it. I just sold a set of Supremo's is that what you mean ?

Nice looking system but what 4-way system does Morel have ? I haven't seen it. I just sold a set of Supremo's is that what you mean ?

I have the three way component system. Add to that the subs = 4 way.

Sold the Supremo's? Didn't like them? They are awesome.

I have the three way component system. Add to that the subs = 4 way.

Sold the Supremo's? Didn't like them? They are awesome.Beautiful they are but too damn big,couldn't find anywhere to put them. I might want to borrow your pillar design i like it. :D

Beautiful they are but too damn big,couldn't find anywhere to put them. I might want to borrow your pillar design i like it. :D

I thought about them until I saw the price tag. Worth the price, though. No harshness at all. Triangle hits on cheap tweeters sound piercing, but the Supremo's let them ring like they were right there. Things that cannot be measured and put on spec sheets.

I do sit in parking lots waiting for the wife and kids to shop and that's when you really appreciate a top notch system. I can't justify spending too much money on a system. My deck and processor set me back quite a bit already as it is (Alpine F#1 Status). Audison and Focal amps aren't exactly cheap, either. The things we do, huh?

I thought about them until I saw the price tag. Worth the price, though. No harshness at all. Triangle hits on cheap tweeters sound piercing, but the Supremo's let them ring like they were right there. Things that cannot be measured and put on spec sheets.

I do sit in parking lots waiting for the wife and kids to shop and that's when you really appreciate a top notch system. I can't justify spending too much money on a system. My deck and processor set me back quite a bit already as it is (Alpine F#1 Status). Audison and Focal amps aren't exactly cheap, either. The things we do, huh?Tell me about my wife already let me have it a year ago when I bought 2 Zapco amps 9.0 & 4.0 and Focal K2 Power 3 ways and their sitting untouched in the closet.:(

Tell me about my wife already let me have it a year ago when I bought 2 Zapco amps 9.0 & 4.0 and Focal K2 Power 3 ways and their sitting untouched in the closet.:(

Ah, I get it. It's been a year and if you actually start installing it, she'll see it, it'll remind her of all the money you spent, and start ragging on you again. :D

Outstanding work, mugen1.

Outstanding work, mugen1.

Thanks for the kind words, but the pods were made by a friend of mine at HzEmall Customs. It's the only thing in my install that was not done by me. I was in such a hurry to get all the stuff installed into my RL that I left that part up to him. After I saw what he had done, I had to find out how he did it. That's what led to the double-DIN dash kit mod I did. He's also the guy who convinced me to do the under truck 1/0 cable feed to the aux battery in the trunk.