Need input for Q-Forms Kickpanel development

[Xr7g428]

This product is not available for sale. The purpose of this post is the get input from the Mustang community. These are very early prototypes. The production panels will extend further up the door opening to completely replace the factory panels.

Q-Forms are vehicle specific replacement kickpanels with molded in speaker mounting locations. They are designed to hold up to a 6.25" mid bass driver and up to a 2" tweeter. Speakers are not included with the kickpanels. These are shown in black, but actual panels are color matched to the interor of your car, and will be available in all available interior colors.

Kickpanel speaker mounting is for the true audiophile. We know that for most people the factory locations will be adequate. The advantage of kickpanel speaker mounting is that it provides the longest, most nearly equal, path length between the speaker and the listener. These will retail for about PRICING INFO DELETED for the pair.

Given all of that, we are concerned about the size of these panels. they have to stick out far enough to allow the mounting of a fairly large speaker, but not so far as to be in the way of the clutch. Since the Mustang has an 8" woofer in the door, it seems that this might be an opportunity for us to downsize the panel to only accomodate smaller speakers,

What do you think?

 

[nbk13nw]

I think that a 6" would be more than adequate. Maybe even a 4". The door subs can be replaced with higher quality components. But without really seeing and trying it on for size it may be hard to tell if it does get in the way or not.

 

[duner]

It's cool that you have asked for input. We have a few vendors that hang out here and do the same. This can be very informational for the users and the vendors.

Please have a look at the forum rules.
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=527063

I do ask that you do not discuss or list any pricing information though. If you would like to advertise on Stangnet, please contact MRaburn.

 

[Xr7g428]

Sorry about that!

None of this product is available for sale.... I will not include pricing information in the future. We respect the site owners and are very appreciative for the opportunity to participate. Just so every one is clear, I couldn't sell this or any other product directly to anyone. I am a product guy, not a sales guy. I only included the pricing information because its one of the first questions asked and I was trying to provide some background.

So keep those comments coming!

 

[topless beach]

Looks like the placement would limit any dead pedal on the driver's side.

 

[StangCooper]

Also, please keep in mind that not everyone has the door-mounted subwoofers. Those of us without the Shaker 500 and 1000 systems might like a larger speaker in the panel. (As long as it doesn't get in the way of the clutch, of course.)

Thanks!
Cooper

 

[Infinity]

If the panels will be made of the same plastc used on current panels, then I am inclined to say smaller is better. Make the opening about 5.5" (to accomodate most 5.25" woofers). They are too flimsy to provide adequate midbass, so larger woofer openings is a waste of plastic and money. I am NOT bashing the product as I still have mine from my '02 (now sold). I love how they fit, and they look great.

 

[jlisle01]

They look great! Two thoughts: 1) Don't make 'em where they interfere with a dead pedal install on the drivers side. If I have to choose between more speakers or a dead pedal, you'll lose a sale. 2) I assume that anyone who is going to want an aftermarket stereo is probably not going to waste $1200 on a Shaker 500 or 1000 that will end up in the trash. Those guys will be without the door speakers so bigger is probably better.

 

[Infinity]

But, you can still mount the door speakers- the space is there, just not the enclosure. I personally would love to see a KP made to hold a 12" studio midbass and mount compression drivers under the dash- but I don't think AiResearch would sell many of those.

 

[Xr7g428]

Catching up.....

We have been able to pull anouther inch out of the depth of the panels, still working to reduce the size. Hopefully we can put up some new picks in a week or so. I really appreciate the feedback about the deadpedal. We will see how much space we can find.

Plastic thickness has gone up over the years. The first panels were only 1/8th inch thick. Now they are almost twice that. The stiffest side of the panel is your car. Until they are installed they are like a three sided box, pretty flexxy. We also encourage installers to tune or tweak the panels with dynamat. They are also supplied with a small amount of poly fill to go behind the panel. What I do is to put a small MDF block behind the speaker to create a back stop. This traps the speaker in place between the backstop and the panel. Keep in mind that kicks are not for bass. They are all about imagining and staging. Running a lot of low end through kick panels will just interfere with the midrange and highs. Even the eights in the doors have limited low bass capability.

We will look at the doors for other solutions for the cars that don't have the front subs.

 

[Infinity]

I've found that non-drying modeling clay dampens the hell out of the panels. I agree that they've gotten thicker- I got the very first pair of panels produced for the "new" F-150 in 1997. Those were much thinner than the ones on my Stang. They looked really nice, and even held Power Series Rockford components (VERY beefy/heavy 6" mids)- before Q-Logic was purchased by Fosgate.

 

[PolkThug]

Dead pedal not an issue for me. I've never rested my foot on one.

However, I would be worried about kicking it evertime I shifted gears with a manual tranny.

 

[PolkThug]

So, got a product yet?

 

[Jenns01TA]

Polkthug, I checked their website. Nope... No Stang Q.Form for 05.

But....Wow... I do not know how I missed this in May. But my main concerns would be the Passanger side kick panel placement impedes access to the fuse panel. I would hate to be stuck in a dark parking lot trying to rip out my Q.Form to get to my fuse panel.

And the fuel pump shut-off rest switch in the left side kick panel, so the left side one impedes that.

Ummm this is one of those form before function items in my book. Sorry. In pre-SN197 platform these problems would not be there as locations were in the Left side upper dash panel and trunk mounted fuel reset.

Good Luck on this one.

Jennifer

 

[PolkThug]

Still waiting for this product...... Any news?

 

[Infinity]

Been out for quite a while now. Look for user BatNastard as he had a set. I haven't spoken to him in a bit, though.

 

[ShowYa06]

Good points Jen, I was going to mention these as well.

 

[Hoboattacker]

I like it for people that didn't get a Shaker 500 or 1000 system in it. The only potential problem that I see is possible interference with a manual car on the drivers side. Has that been checked or tested?

I think it's a great idea and IMO should be offered in a variety of speaker sizes (4", 6", 8", etc...). I like it!