1/2" mdf will be fine unless you have an exceptionally deep speaker.

 

Is there a good online source for the Focal TN51? I didn't see it at partsexpress.com and didn't find anything in a web search, or ebay, but then again, it's WAY too early on a Saturday morning right now.

 

sounddomain has them but no internet retailer is authorized, so you don't get focals warrenty.

 

1st MP3 and Huey,

I'm wondering if you guys can help me on the clearance on the FRONT of the speaker...

I just got through putting the 1/2" MDF adapter on one door, and now I'm trimming the elliptical ring inside the door panel (the one that presses into the foam around the speaker to seal it). On the top and bottom, it looks like there won't be much more than 1/8" or so of clearance between the driver and the grille. Is that going to be a problem? I can't decipher the Focal specs, unfortunately.

 

Should be Ok. You will need to trim the plastic ring around the back of the grill on the door panel though.

 

Cool -- thank you! Yeah, it was when I was trimming that ring that I saw how close it was going to be.

I wonder if anyone has ever put the MDF panel on the INSIDE of the door panel (i.e., keeping the speaker at the same location as the stock speaker)? It would be a lot harder to size the panel.

 

Why would you do this?

 

Well, I sure wouldn't! But the issue of front clearance just made me wonder if anybody ever had.

 

Sounddomain just told me the only Focal tweeter they sell separately is the TLR. Did I just get somebody that doesn't know what they're talking about, or what's the deal? Does anyone else sell the TN51 separately?

 

I only ment they have focal. I have no idea what they sell of them. I would suggest an authorized dealer as they can get anything.

 

Gotcha -- thanks. Sounds like that's a better way to go anyway, to get the warranty.

 

Sorry for the late reply, have been shopping for another car so checking out other forums more than this forum. Anyways, the local shop that I got the 165K3 from was willing to swap it out for me. I had to pay an extra $150cdn or so if I recall correctly. The 1/2" mdf should be fine for clearance front & back. I've had no problems with 6.5" midbass & it's a pretty deep speaker & has a good amount of throw too. So far, no interference with the fit at all.