Q-Form Custom Kick Panel Speaker Enclosures
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.
Find Your Part # & Jot it down for ordering->Application Guide
- Use the application guide to find your specific kick panel.
note: model and color code from chart
-
Then click the link above for either the 5 1/4" or 6 1/2" speaker size
You will be taken to our "Factory Direct" secure shopping site for fast and easy
ordering.
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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