Totally transformed rear soundstage w/ Kicker aftermarket stereo install

I've spent the last week and a half installing my stereo in the Maverick, and it all turned out fantastic, less the rears. My goal for any rears is always quality imaging and fill, and never volume, as I tend to prefer the rears roughly half the level as the front to maintain a good sound stage. I replaced the stock rears with some quality 4's, and they sounded horrible. This wasn't a reflection of the product, but the fact Ford mounts those rears in a way that there's no good separation between the front and rear sound waves. They're basically hanging out in space, and magnified by the fact they're both aiming sideways, left the sound thin and muddy.

I'd seen the Kicker pods a while back, and it occurred to me they may be perfect for the Maverick, as they're self contained in their own enclosures, and very flexible. We run a Markforged carbon fiber 3D printer, so we drew up some mounts to be captured in the rear headrests. The mounts are extremely solid, and with the combo, I was able to aim the speakers exactly where they needed to be. The resulting sound is a MASSIVE improvement over both the stock and aftermarket rears...

I'm going to refine the shape for esthetics to cleanly match the seat profile and call it a day....

These look fantastic! Nothing I love more than a good practical print for your automobile. Love everything about this project, great work!

Outstanding work!

Really creative solution, well done!

This is badass. Are you getting the signal from the factory wiring or running off an amo?

Is this positioning any better or worse for the rear passengers' ears?

zach57x said:

This is badass. Are you getting the signal from the factory wiring or running off an amo?

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The entire system is powered by an Audio Control DSP, except these. Being rear fill only, the factory power to the rear is more than sufficient.

ejouie said:

Is this positioning any better or worse for the rear passengers' ears?

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Not much difference in that regard. Either is right next to a passengers head...

Printing revised units now, to match the shape of the seat roll-off better...

Great mounting solution.

I’m guessing a standard 3d print of your mount wouldn’t be strong enough prompting you to use a carbon fibre product?

Do you have plans to sell your mounts?

That was an amazing idea. I'll have to consider going this route if I decide to upgrade the audio in mine.

MNNTHBX said:

Printing revised units now, to match the shape of the seat roll-off better...

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Wow. So, are you planning to sell those mounts? Link to them if so

ryan2366 said:

Great mounting solution.

I’m guessing a standard 3d print of your mount wouldn’t be strong enough prompting you to use a carbon fibre product?

Do you have plans to sell your mounts?

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I hadn't planned to sell them, but can, as I've already had several requests... The downside is they will be around $100 shipped. That sounds high, but it's pulling a $400 spool of carbon through a $21,000 printer for 22 hours... I could do them for half that in PLA on our other printer, but they wouldn't be nearly as strong, rigid, or have the heat and sun tolerance that the carbon does.

I own a Moto power sports business, with a good website (www.mnnthbx.com) so it won't be hard to add these once I get the next pair finished up for final photography. We actually already have a tiny section for the Bronco, with bits like this that were never designed to sell, but were demanded none the less....

colinl said:

Wow. So, are you planning to sell those mounts? Link to them if so

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See my other reply above...

Please, let us know when you have them on your site!!!