Need some feedback Looking at making speaker grills, OEM style modified for more modern speakers Options

[Mikey914]

Like the title says. I've been looking at making the speaker pods, but this is a big project. To even think about starting I would need to do at least 100 sets. The tooling is quite expensive, and I'm not sure there's enough demand to support it. In all honesty 200 sets may cover the tooling, but unless there is a big enough demand this could be a dead end project.

Your thoughts?

[Steve]

If they could work with standard 4x6 speakers and retain the stock look, I would be buy a set.

[Mikey914]

We were looking at bone stock, just like OEM. The tooling on these is expensive enough that we wanted to test the waters to see if this would pan out.

[tweet]

Hello Mark,
I am aware that you are always looking out for the little guy, but perhaps your price point may be off. When Porsche still sold these, I believe they were about $200/ side. AA sells crappy repop for $99/ side and $125/ side used. If you made a faithful reproduction, I believe $100 set is still very reasonable. After all, how many parts can you buy at Porsche these days for $45 (two parts)?

[Chris914n6]

There is a bigger market for stock look grilles that fit standard DIN size speakers.

There is absolutely no reason to sell these for 1/4 of competitors price. A fair price covers investment and a decent return.

[Andyrew]

Mark,

I agree, $45/set is too cheap.

I would think anything under $100/set would have buyers looking for an OEM look chomping at the bit.

[tygaboy]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I paid $45 for a used set with (minor) imperfections. Would gladly pay 2x for these!

[mepstein]

Hello Mark,
I am aware that you are always looking out for the little guy, but perhaps your price point may be off. When Porsche still sold these, I believe they were about $200/ side. AA sells crappy repop for $99/ side and $125/ side used. If you made a faithful reproduction, I believe $100 set is still very reasonable. After all, how many parts can you buy at Porsche these days for $45 (two parts)?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) if they are really nice, $100 a set is a great price.

[r_towle]

stock repo grills still cannot fit a readily available speaker.

Your morph acquisition gave you the larger fiberglass ones, and he was selling a few of those to solve the issue.

Seems that those who want decent tunes would be looking for a decent bolt on solution versus a compromise of crappy speakers in a tiny stock shaped grill.

I did a larger grill, can be unbolted.
I did a center console armrest with two more speakers in there, plus the amp.

When I do it again it will have larger front speakers, a custom door pocket solution, and a sub at the passenger footwell.

Those are the types of solutions a person who likes music in the car might be more interested in seeing.

Rich

[jmill]

There is a bigger market for stock look grilles that fit standard DIN size speakers.

There is absolutely no reason to sell these for 1/4 of competitors price. A fair price covers investment and a decent return.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

$100 and modern speakers.

[80cap]

I would be in for 100.00 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

[hcdmueller]

I'm in for a set that fit modern speakers.

I was debating modding my factory ones for a new set of speakers. Unfortunately they are starting to crack and I am afraid to touch them.

[914Sixer]

Modern configuration +1. 5x7 with metric pattern has long gone by the way side. I saw AA is selling the 5x7 reproduction 914 speakers on Ebay.

[JoeD]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) would be great if they'd fit today's speakers, but I'd buy a set either way.

Not sure you make anything I haven't yet bought or don't plan to buy soon... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[zambezi]

I would also pay 100/set if they fit a decent modern speaker. I would then sell my originals to someone who really wants the true original configuration. I think there are still enough good originals out there for those that want to stay correct, but the market for a repop is more leaning towards a factory look, but reconfigured on the back side to fit a current speaker.

[Mikey914]

This is pretty much what I was thinking that the stock OEM profile is very limited with that type of speaker. Really would have to do something that looks pretty gosh darn close to stock may be slightly larger to accommodate the more modern speaker with a larger magnet. That way you can get much better sound and I think I'd only have to increase it by maybe a half an inch which might not be noticeable. I do have the fiberglass ones that fit very well for a six and a half inch round speaker. But I really like the stock look, as I'm sure many others do too I want to play with this one a little bit more and probably will have to bring the price of more than $45 a pair to make a pencil out.

[r_towle]

I agree, 1/2 to 1 inch may all you need to make something fit.
I can't remember what I did, but I got some modern speakers in ther with a spacer...and crushing the tube.

[Chris914n6]

I think a 5x7 would fit flush if the mounting nuts were moved to the far corners. Right now they are in the way of even a normal 4x6. Changing the housing might not be needed.
You also have the height issue on the drivers side with the trunk release, so 5x7 might be too tall anyways.

[porschetub]

I think a 5x7 would fit flush if the mounting nuts were moved to the far corners. Right now they are in the way of even a normal 4x6. Changing the housing might not be needed.
You also have the height issue on the drivers side with the trunk release, so 5x7 might be too tall anyways.

Good replys here for Mark I think the price thing is sorted eh,the remake to modern speakers is the only way to go but there are real issues with magnet size...most are large,go smaller and there is a less gain over stock size.
Should Mark or others suggest a 5 x 7'' that would do the job?,I don't know as I'am sans heater and have fiberglass ones for for Blaupunkt 6''.
Imo the show guys would be a small part of sales so really a mod to larger speakers is the way to go.
Can Mark "tool up"(ha ha) for less numbers and make a run for the higher price..don't know.

[Mikey914]

Thinking that if I could make a stock looking one and allow for the additional space, it would be the best way to go too. I have ot do a little playing around to see if it can be done.