3-Speaker vs. 1-Speaker E-body dashes: Help Needed

[Road_Runner]

Hi guys (& Gals),

My 73 Barracuda came with a single speaker in the center of the dash.  I'm thinking about getting a 3 speaker dash pad to have 'correct' places to mount some additional front speakers.  Was the 3 speaker option available in 73 on Barracudas?  Any issues changing to one from a single speaker dash?  I realize the speaker opening are small but three 'decent' speakers in the dash and some better 6x9s in the back for bass should make for a reasonably good sounding stereo.  Opinions welcome!

Thanks, Jim

[72cudamaan]

 

[brads70]

I went with the custom autosound single speaker up front, Sounds OK.....It's like 2 speakers in one. I would think what you have planned would be better though?
To be honest...I hardly ever turn on the stereo. I'd rather listen to the engine "sing"

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Do you have a loud exhaust? If so, then I wouldn't bother with that 3 -speaker dash. Those outer speakers were only 3" and low profile. You can't upgrade unless you want to hack away at the dash frame to get bigger speaker magnets in there.

I do have the single speaker up front. I connected that to my aftermarket radio. I have some awesome 6X9's in the back, with an aftermarket amp in the trunk supplying the juice. The radio is wired to the front speaker direct, but it goes thru the amp to my rear speakers...So front speaker gets something like 22 Watts, while the rears get 100 Watts each.     

[Chryco Psycho]

the 3 speaker pad will fit fine , go for it

[ChallengerHK]

  Was the 3 speaker option available in 73 on Barracudas? 

Don't know for sure about the Barracudas, but my Challenger came with a 3 speaker. I agree with everyone else, though, about the value of the outboard speakers. There's not much there.

[Road_Runner]

Thanks guys, lots of good feedback as usual.  I'll probably put a 'moderately' loud exhaust, definitely not stock so the points about the outsides contributing little volume are helpful.  Back in the 70's I just used the two 6x9s in the back of my Roadrunner and I guess that could work in the Barracuda, but I would like to have some front speakers without cutting the kick panels or something similar.  I may go with the 3 speaker dash and just see if there's maybe a more modern small speaker I could fit into the original openings, and go with the 6x9s in the back and call it a day.

Thanks again, Jim

[gkring]

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=43612.0
I reloaded my pictures from converting my car from single to 3 speaker dash. If you are going to keep factory speaker covers buy a three speaker dash. However for a custom install you may consider a single speaker dash and cut your own holes. Factory grills can get expensive, but I think they look pretty good.

[rallye73]

I'm dealing with the same thing. I bought the 3 speaker pad and factory grills to upgrade my car. I was thinking on using dome tweeters on both sides with some sort of driver in the middle. I will be using 6x9s in the rear for sure. I thought about hiding an amp under the spare tire. I would talk with some of these guys that do the big custom stereo installs for advice.

[hooD]

Hi guys (& Gals),

My 73 Barracuda came with a single speaker in the center of the dash.  I'm thinking about getting a 3 speaker dash pad to have 'correct' places to mount some additional front speakers.  Was the 3 speaker option available in 73 on Barracudas? 

Thanks, Jim

Yes, 3 speakers in dash were available in '73.


rear speakers that i added--spring of '73.

[vinb]

I have Rockford Pro's in the front #P132C , They are 3 1/2" with a bigger magnet. Just had to trim the frame very slightly and has JBL's 6x9's in the rear...
Sounds ok , but the engine over powers them..

[Road_Runner]

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=43612.0
I reloaded my pictures from converting my car from single to 3 speaker dash. If you are going to keep factory speaker covers buy a three speaker dash. However for a custom install you may consider a single speaker dash and cut your own holes. Factory grills can get expensive, but I think they look pretty good.

 

Very nice job!!  I'm going to read through the thread tonight.

Thanks, Jim

[Road_Runner]

I'm dealing with the same thing. I bought the 3 speaker pad and factory grills to upgrade my car. I was thinking on using dome tweeters on both sides with some sort of driver in the middle. I will be using 6x9s in the rear for sure. I thought about hiding an amp under the spare tire. I would talk with some of these guys that do the big custom stereo installs for advice.

If you do this anytime soon, please post here about what you went with, how you did it and how it worked out.  Your plan is right on with what I was thinking, just not sure about the particulars including which speakers to use and any issues wiring them up, what amp could I use to boost the stock am/fm modified for mp3 input, etc.

Thanks, Jim

[Road_Runner]

I have Rockford Pro's in the front #P132C , They are 3 1/2" with a bigger magnet. Just had to trim the frame very slightly and has JBL's 6x9's in the rear...
Sounds ok , but the engine over powers them..

Thanks for including the model numbers on the front speakers.  Gives me something to check out.