lukep90

im looking at the diamond hex s400s or the 165vr's to buy, but the mounting depth is for the vr 2.99". i was wondering what the cutoff for installing them without a spacer was, as i am trying to figure out how deep of a spacer i need to make. i am going to use the ones from the stock speakers to make one out of MDF.

any input would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

**EDIT**
as syntax kindly pointed out i was greatly mistaken. im going to rephrase my question to "what is the maximum magnet diameter..."

lukep90

also, any input on the better of the two would also be nice...

Spike100

Luke, I’m not certain I am addressing your question, but I would like to offer these comments. (Note: I was installing an older version, but it is the same size/dimensions.)

I tried installing 165 V2’s (Depth from wall: 68mm or 2.7") and it wouldn’t fit. The depth wasn’t the only problem. The magnet and rear speaker shape interfered with the window riser.

The solution was installing 165 V Slim’s (Depth from wall: 56mm or 2.2") which did fit.

The point being it is not just the depth or spacer correction, but clearing mechanical gear in the Z’s door that gives you adequate room for the speaker.

Please forgive me if I did not understand the question and am providing useless information.

--Spike

lukep90

spike,
i think you are right about that, but my understanding is that the spacer brings the magnet in front of the window so that the diameter does not come into play. i might be wrong tho...

Spike100

^^ That is what I thought as well, and why I tried very hard to fit the 165 V2 (the speaker I wanted). The problem I had was the 165 V2 was both too deep and too wide to fit no matter how I configured the spacer. The 165 V Slim was an easy fit.

I am not a Professional Installer, so it is likely I was doing something wrong since I have limited experience.

I will say that I really like the sound the 165 V Slim provides. I think the stock door grille does interfere somewhat (the concave stock door grille slightly muffles sound), but I chose this location for a couple of reasons. For sure, mounting the tweeters in the A-Pillar is a better position for the tweeters.

--Spike

sintaxeror

iTrader: (3)

There is no way you will bring a speaker with a mounting depth of 3" all the way in front of the window.

The window is basically about a half inch behind the metal, so you would need a 2.5" spacer.

Depth isn't an issue in the door, there is plenty of room behind the window... you just have to clear the window.

Find a speaker with a skinny motor and you will be fine.

lukep90

would the focal 165vr fit? its got a 90mm (3-9/16") magnet and a 2.95" top mounting depth.

the diamonds are much smaller ( and only 6" diameter) with a mounting diameter of 2 1/4".

im leaning towards the focals because the hexes found online are all 3-4 years old as diamond stopped allowing its dealers to sell them online.

Spike100

The Focal 165vr will not fit (for the reasons that sintaxeror describes).

I do not have first-hand experience with Diamond, so I cannot say if they fit. If the dimensions you give for the Diamonds is accurate, they should be OK.


--Spike

lukep90

dang, i was pretty psyched about the focals... anyone know if the rainbow slc 265's fit? im getting pretty ansy to order a set of comps...

Spike100

^^ The Focal 165 VRs will fit perfectly, and it sounds great.

--Spike

Jessterr

Spike,

On that last message, did you actually mean to say the 165 V Slim instead of 165 VR? I think you did, just want to make sure. Want to make this change myself and just want to make sure I buy the right thing.

Thanks,
Jessterr

Spike100

Jessterr,

Sorry for the confusion. When I said “Focal 165 VRs,” the trailing “s” was meant to designate the slim version. Focal has changed the name/designation for their Polyglass speaker line. It used to be 165 VR Slim, and now it is 165 VRS.

What you need with the Focal is the 165 VRS (new version) or 165 VR Slim (previous version). Both are the same and have this measurement: Depth from wall: 56mm (2.2")

The Focal 165V (previous designation was 165 V2) has this measurement: Depth from wall: 68mm (2.7"). I was not able to fit this speaker into the 350Z’s stock speaker door location (it interfered with the window riser no matter what spacer size I tried).

Here is a link to the Focal website:
http://www.focal.tm.fr/

I really like these Focal speakers in the Z. I have tried other expensive speakers, and think these are very good. I mounted the tweeters in the A-Pillar and think this is a better position than the stock location (Sail Panel).