I've been seriously considering picking up a 3-way comp system with the 6.5's and tweets in kickpods and the 4's in the dash where the 4x6's used to be.
However, I just talked to a guy at an audio place who told me that they might play out of phase or experience cancellation and that component systems generall work better in 2-way form. Unfortunately, I've never had the opportunity to hear what 3-way comps sound like in a car, so any input that people could give would be greatly appreciated.

 

Well my setup is somewhat similar...
a MB Quart PSC 316 for the front stage:

6.5's" mid in Kick panels wired out of phase (+ to -, - to +, to help with imaging, and cancelation problems)

4's" in dash top
1's" in dash top

It images very nicely, (I have competed in IASCA I DO know about imaging) BUT I spent a TON of time building plates & enclosures for the dash top 4x6 locations, and angled the tweets towards the passengers. I also have time alignment adjustments and a 18 band digital EQ on the fronts, through my SONY XDP-21 processor, so I'm sure they help with the imaginging also. I hope to have pics soon, when I get a hold of my friends digital cam I hope this helps some, DAVE

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1967 Camaro RS w/ 454 restoration in progress.
1982 Camaro Z28 MANY mods and someday some HP
MECP certified car audio installer
SCCA autox ESP class #28

 

Well, the above was a good example of the extra work it often takes in order to make a non-ideal situation sound better. In general, without going to the lengths he did, you won't usually get good results with having your drivers that far apart. You generally want to keep your drivers as close as possible, at least for your mids and highs. I would say that as long as you can find a 2-way component system that you like the sound of (with the many quality brands that shouldn't be hard) and stick with those. That way you can put the drivers close together to help optimize your staging/imaging.

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The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
Custom Thirdgen Subwoofer Enclosures
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

 

With a 3 way set, you want the tweet and the mid close to each other (like our friend here had, in the dash), and then you have some flexibility in the placement of the midbass.

My favorite 3 way setup is mid and tweet in kickpanels, midbass in the doors.

mike

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custom 3rd gen kickpanels at
http://www.djsexay.com

 

WELLL... NO flame but... The extra work I did was to make it sound better than your typical "two way in the kicks" system, that wasn't enough for my personal tastes (also it won't win in IASCA anymore). More midbass in the front (78hz-up at 12db per octave to be exact) fits my system nicely. Granted it wasn't as easy but is a quality product ever easy? It's sort of like body work (since I've been doing alot of that lately) the more time you spend the better the results... Anyways just sharing my opinion.

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1967 Camaro RS w/ 454 restoration in progress.
1982 Camaro Z28 MANY mods and someday some HP
MECP certified car audio installer
SCCA autox ESP class #28

 

Thanks for info. By the sound of it, I can't say that I have the time or the knowledge to coordinate a proper three-way design. If it was no more than dropping the 4" into the dash with or without the tweet, then I'd do it. Unfortunately, it's too expensive for me to risk messing it up, and I don't feel like cutting up the doors yet=). Maybe down the road... Once again, thanks. I didn't know what I was getting into.