Looking for ideas on an ext. speaker for my Ford C.C. F-350

[SAVAGESAM]

I have a 2004 Ford F-350 C.C. and what I want to do is install a very small speaker directly to my left or slightly over my head to my left. I'm thinking something along the lines of a small cell phone speaker but am not sure that's capable of making enough sound. I want it as close to ear level as possible because where I have the radio now most of the sound ends up bouncing off the floor and makes the MRS. mad. She don't want to hear all that racket, lol, I can't imagine why??? Ideas and suggestions please.

[Hazelnut 7201]

I have a suggestion, don't do it. International has conveniently done that for us, with a 2" speaker built into the headliner above the left ear. Talk about scaring the crap out of you when some one breaks in, it's like a 2" bull horn bellowing in your ear. Few of the drivers use them, and the ones that do complain of all the crap on the CB and turn the radio off. The small speakers have a very harsh sound to them that is very annoying in it's self. I have one of the famous "Texas Ranger" speakers boxed up and stored in my basement, because I can't stand the 4 ohm bullhorn.

Think of the small speaker as a 20 watt halogen light bulb under your dash shining shining on you and your wife. Now, replace that 20 watt halogen with a 20 watt fluorescent light bulb. Which one is easier to look at? The "racket" that your wife is complaining about may be easier to listen to if it is not giving her a headache. I use my radio everyday as a professional tool of the trade and the intense sound of the standard external speakers can and has affected my mood. (Not a good thing when your driving 80,000 lbs in rush hour traffic.)

I am building a new slip seat box that I am putting a 6" to 8" speaker in it. The larger speaker will give a softer, more natural sound that is easier to listen to. I will also put a inductor on it to roll off the frequency's above the human voice, I don't need to listen to all of that static. I have a 5" speaker like this with my current set-up and it is a lot easier to listen to. I realize that this is a little over the top for most people, but you might find a small full range speaker for a computer or rear channel surround sound speaker. Put a .5mH inductor in series with the "+" lead on the speaker, this will roll off the noise above the human voice (2000 to 2500 hertz).

Well a little windy, but you did ask opinions. Good luck!

[Hazelnut 7201]

I have a suggestion, don't do it. International has conveniently done that for us, with a 2" speaker built into the headliner above the left ear. Talk about scaring the crap out of you when some one breaks in, it's like a 2" bull horn bellowing in your ear. Few of the drivers use them, and the ones that do complain of all the crap on the CB and turn the radio off. The small speakers have a very harsh sound to them that is very annoying in it's self. I have one of the famous "Texas Ranger" speakers boxed up and stored in my basement, because I can't stand the 4 ohm bullhorn.

Think of the small speaker as a 20 watt halogen light bulb under your dash shining shining on you and your wife. Now, replace that 20 watt halogen with a 20 watt fluorescent light bulb. Which one is easier to look at? The "racket" that your wife is complaining about may be easier to listen to if it is not giving her a headache. I use my radio everyday as a professional tool of the trade and the intense sound of the standard external speakers can and has affected my mood. (Not a good thing when your driving 80,000 lbs in rush hour traffic.)

I am building a new slip seat box that I am putting a 6" to 8" speaker in it. The larger speaker will give a softer, more natural sound that is easier to listen to. I will also put a inductor on it to roll off the frequency's above the human voice, I don't need to listen to all of that static. I have a 5" speaker like this with my current set-up and it is a lot easier to listen to. I realize that this is a little over the top for most people, but you might find a small full range speaker for a computer or rear channel surround sound speaker. Put a .5mH inductor in series with the "+" lead on the speaker, this will roll off the noise above the human voice (2000 to 2500 hertz).

Well a little windy, but you did ask opinions. Good luck!

[Hazelnut 7201]

Dog-gone-it, I have to quit hitting the previous page button.

[whipsnapper]

I agree about small external speakers. I had a 4" in a car I used to have that was much nicer to listen to than the 2x3" that I have tried recently, but still pretty harsh. My radio has a 4" built in that's way better than that 2x3. You're right about mood being affected also. I just found myself getting downright ticked off for no reason because of all the noise breaking through.

That inductor sounds like a great idea, do I just ask for an "inductor" at radio shack, or is it a resistor or capacitor or something?

SavageSam, they do make small externals that clip onto visors that are pretty cheap that you could try, but I would suggest keeping the volume VERY low. Or else you'll find yourself hearing static or ears ringing all the time - not good, obviously.

Hope this helps.

[Hazelnut 7201]

You can ask Radio Shack for an "air core inductor", these are used in crossovers to roll off the high frequencies in a sub woofer. I use a speaker component supplier, PARTS EXPRESS from Springboro, OH. They have good tech support and shipping is very fast. The air core inductor that they recommended for me is 255-036. I don't know if I can post there web address, they really don't have any radio equipment. A quick search should find them.

Good luck!

(I got to remember not to hit the previous page button.)