Q-Form Custom Kick Panel
Speaker Enclosures
SORRY THIS
MANUFACTURER IS NO LONGER PRODUCING THEIR KICK PANELS OR SUB
BOXES
Many award-winning sound-off competitors put
their mid-woofers and tweeters in custom-built kick panel
enclosures because that's one of the best ways to get a
concert-quality stereo image. But why pay hundreds of dollars
to an installer? Now you can mount your 5-1/4" or 6 1/2"
components in Q-Logic's Q-Forms, which deliver
competition-quality imaging without the expensive custom
installation work. They are fabricated of durable ABS plastic,
color matched to the factory interior colors, and
directly replace the factory kick panels. The positioning
and angle of the speakers provide optimum stereo imaging
and staging. Because no modifications to the vehicles are
necessary, the Q-Forms can be used to improve the sound
systems of leased vehicles. The new Type
C kick panels are available in Carbon Fiber and
Burlwood finishes also. These Type C models
are designed to hold up to 6 1/2" component speakers sets
and are 30% thicker and 50% stronger then the original
Type B sets.
With Q-Forms, each speaker is located and angled to maximize
sound quality. The theory is that the distance between your
ears and each of the speakers should be equal. With your
speakers in the kick panels, it's like sitting in that "sweet
spot" at a concert or right between your home speakers.
All the available colors for the Q-Forms that fit your
specific vehicle are available through links available within
the description of your selected size (type B or type C) below.
Pick the color that matches your interior. If there is no match
for your vehicle, that means Q-Forms are not available for
it.
To install your component speakers in the Q-Forms, you have
to cut holes for them in the Q-Form panels. Installing the
Q-Form panels in your vehicle may sometimes require relocation
of the parking brake pedal or other vehicle parts. The
application charts and the individual kick panel description
for your vehicle should include any special installation notes.
In most applications it is simply a matter of installing your
speakers into the Q-Forms and then replacing the original kick
panels.
Additional Notes:
Grilles: Two color-matched, plastic mesh
woofer grilles are included with all Type
B sets. You may be able to use the grilles
supplied with the component system, instead of the
color-matched grilles, if room permits. The new Type
C sets do not include grilles and this enables
you to use the newer high-tech type grilles that are
shipped with most new, high end speakers.
Compatibility: These Q-Forms are
designed to fit the specific vehicles listed on the
manufacturer's charts. These kick panels match the
factory color interior trim. Note: For each specific vehicle,
please verify compatibility with the attached
Guides.
Installation Overview: You will need
to cut out the mounting holes in the designated areas of
the plastic Q-Form. A "dimple" is provided on the
underside of the Q-Form to mark the center of the speaker
and tweeter mounting surfaces for positioning the pilot
drill. A roll of foam tape is provided for sealing the
woofer in the kickpanel. The tweeter can be flush or
surface mounted. Giving exact mounting depths is not
possible, since it will depend to some extent on the
space available behind the factory kick panel.
Some specific applications will require the
moving of your hood release handle. A simple socket or
nut driver will handle the job. In some cases the brake
pedal will have to be bend from a 1/2" to 1-1/2" to
enable positioning of your driver's side kick panel.
Honestly speaking, we've been selling the Q-Forms since
1998 on the web and have never had one customer complaint
regarding the difficulty of installation. This is not
difficult at all.
A little "Science" Here:
Q-Forms -vs-
Factory Sound Patterns
Axis Response
The speaker axis is an imaginary straight line where a
concentric mode of waves (ripples) spread outward from the
center of the speaker cone. When you are "on-axis" with a
speaker, you are directly in front of the speaker cone. When
you are "off-axis", you are said to be off-center from the
speaker cone. Maximum frequency response, phase and amplitude
accuracy comes from being as close to on-axis with the speaker
as possible. Because Q-Forms kick panels are positioned toward
your ears, music will be accurately reproduced.
Path Lengths
The path length is the distance between left & right
speaker paths to your ears. The best imaging comes from speaker
placement where the path length differences are kept to a
minimum. Typical factory OEM systems place one speaker very
close to one ear and place the other speaker very far. Q-Forms
kick panels separate the speakers so the distances to your ears
are as close to equal as possible.
Dispersion
Pattern
Sound dispersion is the spreading of sound as it leaves the
speaker (like a pebble making waves when dropped into a pond.)
Many factory OEM sound systems have narrow dispersion that does
not allow the sound to spread very far. The listener must be
directly in line with the axis of the speaker to obtain the
best results. Using Q-Forms kick panels, a wide dispersion is
generated that spreads the sound over a larger area so the
effective listening range of the speaker is
increased.
Reflections
Sound can either be direct or reflected. Reflected sound is
comonly called an echo, like when you've ever been inside an
empty house where you hear your footsteps and voice
reverberate. When listening to music through most OEM speaker
systems, you only hear a portion of the sound directly from the
speaker. The other portions are reflections that can alter low
frequency response and destroy your sound stage. Q-Forms kick
panels help create "on-axis" sound that reduce reflections and
enhance sound stage.
Most often asked questions?
-
My vehicle isn't listed for the model
year on the application chart. For example, the chart
says the Q-Form will fit up to a 2003 model but I have
a 2004. Will it fit?
- Answer: NO, the manufacturer has
been creating these custom parts for years and they
publish the recommended applications according to
manufacturer's physical and color specifics. Going
beyond what the chart publishes means you are
purchasing at your own risk of not being able to
install the panel properly.
-
My vehicle isn't listed but I really
want to customize and improve my sound stage, what can
I do?
- Answer: You can purchase the
"Universal Kick Panels". We sell many of these sets
each year. Just read carefully because they require
more customizing work to complete the
install.
-
What components do your recommend for
your kick panels?
- Answer: Actually this is
entirely up to you. We do not recommend any "Heavy
Cast" mids which might have an excessively deep
mounting requirement. We've had great feedback with
CDT Audio 5-1/4" sets and Newer, Heavier Type C
accommodate Rockford Fosgate, CDT Audio and Kicker
or Pioneer comps with no problem. Again, just pay
attention to the depth since this figure varies
with your specific install. We also can provide all
these brand speakers and more at great discounts.
Just contact us for model and
prices.
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