Opinions:

Is it worth the trouble to replace the 5.25" speakers in the rear doors with 6.5"?

Also, is there a better alternative to using MDF rings? They are such a pain in the neck to make.
I ordered some Polk MM651s for the front and am pretty sure I'm going to have to make some new rings.

 

These?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nissan-6-Spe...ht_2378wt_1110

 

eh, that's really up to you. if you tend to have passengers, it would be nice for them to hear some music. if not, i wouldn't waste the money on the rears. you'll wont be able to hear much from them anyways from the driver seat.

those rings look pretty good to me...i'd say try them out if you don't want to make them yourself.

 

yes!

 

How much trouble is it installing 6.5 components in the rear? I won a set of "broken" MB Quart ONX216 for about $25. They look brand new and I can't find anything wrong with them. The tweeters seem a bit harsh but that can be adjusted. I already have MDF rings.

 

it should be pretty straight forward, you just need to find a place to mount the tweeters and crossovers. the woofer will still go in the doors as usual.

 

Kick panels

 

Kick panels for rear doors?


All the audio experts seem to be suggesting I don't need the rear speakers; sound staging, whatever, etc. But I seem to find that it just sounds better with the fader set to the center or thereabouts. If I put it all the way to the back the crappy little 5.25s sound better than if I turned it all the way to the front (Polk MM651). What gives?

Would the fronts sound better if they weren't talking to my feet? Should I consider putting them at an angle?

 

I've seen it done but the cost of the work is probably more than just getting the panel redone..Which is what I think you should do.

 

What if I just put the mids in the rear doors and left out the tweeters?

 

That's sooooo pointless in your scenario. You might as well grab a nice pair of coax and throw em' in.

 

Agreed, then if the rear speakers do make their way to the front, your midrange will be over powering your high range and might be a little too warm. Some people might like this though, but i still agree with tseng, just throw in some coax. I'm running JL Audio Components up front and coax in the rear, and i couldn't be happier. They get loud as heck, and still sound clean.

Are you planning on putting a subwoofer in too? Or are you not crazy for the boomy bass? Because I know the Polk MMs are pretty serious and I'd recommend tossing a good amp on them to really enjoy them. I just installed those and the 6 1/2 components in my friends G, and boy do they sound GOOD. You won't be disappointed.

 

odds are you wont be able to hear much from the rear speakers anyhow...from the driver seat at least. that's why a lot of us spend more money and effort on getting good front speakers. the rear is just use for fill and to keep your back passengers happy.

are your front speakers powered by an external amp? are your front doors properly sound deadened? achieving good sound involves a lot more than simply throwing speakers in your doors.

 

If you're that worried about the rear stage then look into some custom work on the door panels so you can throw a set of comps in there.

 

The doors are deadened. I am driving all four speakers off a RUB5.800 (4x70W) and I have a 10" JL sub in a DIY fiberglass box in the trunk. The rear speakers are still stock. I am quite happy with the sound, but I have two sets of speakers just sitting here and it's bugging me that the rear speakers sound better than the front.
Maybe I will sell both sets and buy a set of coax for the rear. Or maybe move the Polks to the rear and put the MB Quarts in the front.

 

Doesn't seem like you're willing to work with what you have because nothing seems to satisfy you for the rear stage. I'd say just upgrade to something better at this point.

If it were me I'd just move the polks to the rear and throw comps in the front like it should be like you said in the above post.