40 replies to this topic

[Marc ♫]

I have a dilemma that I think I have already made my mind up about, but needed to vent!

I finally trial fitted the Veritas HLCD's into the Nitro. The imaging and staging is honestly superb. Yes, they needs lots of EQ for tonality, but the centre image and stage placement is as close to perfect in car as you can get. The placement is rock solid, and no matter where you move, drivers, passengers, centre, its locked.

BUT ...

And this is probably going to see me not using them ... it's not safe. Because of the shallow but steep angle of the dash of the Dodge they come in physically quite low under the dash. This puts them smack bang in the middle of your chins, about 14" in front. In an front on accident, I fear what would happen to your legs, given the aluminium horn body.

I've spent the best part of the morning looking at ways to mount them higher and it physically isn't possible. And further back, and the waveguide effect is sacrificed and the stage heigh lowers drastically.

It's a real shame, but unfortunately as much as I love my audio, safety comes first and I feel this is just not practical.

Dissapointed.

[TEGBOY]

Marc can the lower parts of the dash be modified to bring the horns higher?? Even 25mm will make a difference

To be honest in an accident a broken leg is probably the least of your problems? When seated are do your legs "tuck" up behind the horns?? If so, your knees then will more than likely hit the lower parts of the dash, so your shins a little battered.

That or make the mounts "detachable" I know when Matt from ID makes brackets he uses tail strap, as its solid enough to not let them move, but if worst comes to worse, the will bend the brackets.

[Pulse-R]

in that bad of an accident, I'd imagine your shins (or did you really mean chins?) would be the least of your concern - more than likely your face will be full of glass, and both arms broken due to the steering wheel hitting you in the chest... etc.

If they're that good for imaging, then i'd find a way

[blanketman]

im with Simon and Blasian with that one

keep them

[Fury♫]

Can you not build a "crash pad" under them?
6-12mm of high desnity foam backed by 6mm mdf, covered in a nice vinyl should be suitable no?
Would stop anything directly hitting them.

[Marc ♫]

I might have to take some photos to better explain.
Have taken them back out again for now.

[Sierra]

I did say I thought they would be very close to your legs

A tough call Marc .... do you sacrifice audio nirvana .... for a slim chance of having a severe accident that could potentially be made worse by their location?

[TEGBOY]

Stop being a sissy.. bones heal!! Chew some concrete and suck it up Sally.. smash those bad-boys under your dash!!!

[Dogo]

yeh and sharpen the lip of the horn just to give an extra one-finger-salute to Murphy's law.

[Cyberpunky]

I'm thinking that now you know how good the imaging is, you'll never be happy with anything else. Personally I'd fit em and avoid crashing
peace
Punky

[sean]

There should be a way to safely mount them if they are that good

What about utilising the safety break-away brackets the 70's holdens and fords with collapsible steering columns used under them? A strong knock - like a bingle would have them breaking away from the tabs and hanging by the cords (or on the floor!)

[Marc ♫]

Cyberpunky, on Apr 18 2009, 11:58 PM, said:

I'm thinking that now you know how good the imaging is, you'll never be happy with anything else. Personally I'd fit em and avoid crashing
peace
Punky

You couldn't be more spot on with that comment. I've been annoyed at this all day and all night, and I think I will re-assess tomorrow.
Even if the mounting is only temporary for the upcoming Rd.3 and then something more 'forgiving' after that.

The 'collapsable' brackets was actually something I mentioned to TEABAG yesterday when I was talking about it.
I would like something that could break or bend (give a little) in an accident. That could be doable.

[sean]

The Holden ones have three tabs on a single bracket for the steering column I think it might be a bit fiddly but worth it to have them in there still! You could always 'trial' it by buying some of the tabs from the wreckers (less than $10 a set from an HQ or similar) and have a block of wood roughly the same size as the horns. If you can knock them off with the palm of you hand you should be safe (being a plastic/resin sort of tabs they could be mounted any way you choose to break with minimal resistance - if it's too easy add another bracket )

[TEGBOY]

Hence why I suggested the tail strap, as its strong enough to keep it solid, but if worse, comes to worse it would bend.

I like Sean's idea of the tab, that would be a simple, let durable way of doing it.

[crankin]

How have you guys found the output volume of these horns to be? Loud enough to take someones head off if needed or more suited to easy listening. I'm rebuilding a car for one of my customers soon and i am contemplating moulding some horns into the dash itself as i will be rebuilding the entire dash and interior. Sorry to be off topic a little.

Regards
Hakki