jp1

Going to be replacing the stock speakers on my 2017 XLT SCAB.
Is it worth the couple extra bucks to install foam speaker baffles when replacing the speakers?

HU is a Pioneer AVH-2330NEX and I'm looking at using that to power Polk 6x9's up front and Polk 6.5's in the back.

Kanadian-kaos

What I have done in the past, is use the XTC foam baffle in the door, but cut out part of the bottom portion. Large enough so it does not mimic a port, but small enough that water can't seep onto your speaker. Imagine it as an umbrella with a little more coverage going down and around the side. This will prevent water from running down the inside of the door onto the speaker and still allow the speaker to use the door as a giant sealed enclosure (if you close all the holes with some abs or aluminum and deaden/soundproof). Yes, moisture will still get on your speaker from condensation etc, but water will not drip on it. Most damaged door speakers get the damage right at the top where water first hits or the top of the magnet from drips.

This is what I have done in the past and what I plan on doing with my new system also.

jp1

Doing that, does it still help with the quality of sound?

Kanadian-kaos

No difference in quality of sound with the bottom cut out. The only way to affect the sound would be to build a sealed fiberglass enclosure in the door, but that would be a brutal job... and a foam "enclosure" on its own does nothing other than prevent moisture.

passtim

I would invest the money on good sound deadening products and MLV. You will reap more benefits for the dollar.

jdunk54nl

As Kanadian said, use the foam baffle as an umbrella. I installed some on two vehicles now and have had to remove the speakers and cut them to just cover the top of the speaker when installed or else bass response was terrible. After cutting the back/bottom off of the foam the bass response was restored.

HushCarAudio

Have you guys tried speaker tweakers from Second Skin yet? Works well IMO.

jdunk54nl

I haven't ever tried those but I do normally use FAST rings that are supposed to do the same thing.

jp1

How do those work?

jdunk54nl

Those speaker tweakers and FAST rings (FAST has more parts to it too) go behind the speaker where the waves would otherwise bounce off of the door and cause some cancellation/interference issues. Unless you are going super high end audio, you probably won't be able to tell the difference between using them and not.