Hence my next idea.... Modded door skins so no mods to the dash but modded door skins so they don't look completely out of place.
Honestly, I didn't really like my car when I put the speakers on the dash. Now I actually like it so I'd like it to look nice.
As for being laughed out of a thread, I can tell you honestly anyone who laughed has NO idea what sound quality is and go **** a goat for all I care. I'm FULLY AWARE it looks worse than a 1967 Z/28 camaro riced out but it sounds pretty ****ing amazing for a car. Better than anything I've ever heard.
On axis is VERY important since you basically give up ALL tonality over 2000 Hz if you don't obey it. If you care at ALL about the tonality, then you'd obey the fact that you MUST be on axis. If not, who gives a fvck as long as it meets your goals? Thats all audio is period. making you happy.
Just don't claim "SQ" when you do a kick install or factory position install and claim its all that when really its a pile of **** that you attempted to polish up with fancy equipment.
Rob, go take a look at MUCH older threads on peter euro's forum... much more informational versus bashing. The old threads actually have useful information... the successful home audio section also has useful info but you have to granted entry based on either your posts on there specifically or on other forums.... Its very easy, I and I couldn't see why you couldn't get in there.
I ****ed up my dash, but my system gets louder and does it cleaner than any system I've heard around here and actually has some imaging despite stereo being a somewhat pointless goal in car audio.
Stage height is NOT the issue with the concept of being on axis.
its ENTIRELY due to the frequency response of the tweeter and the nature of the car audio environment.
If you want to have somewhat equal tonality in your left an right channels (which i can safely bet you have the exact opposite at the moment

) then you need to AVOID refections as much as possible. Hence the concept of on axis. It partially negates the effect of reflections by ensuring the first sounds that reach your ears are the ORIGINAL ones, not ones modified due to reflections. I forget the actual term but there is an effect that causes sounds heard just slightly after the first one to be ignored since your brain has already recognized that sound and has instated sort of a buffer to prevent information overload and increase its ability to determine WHERE instead of WHAT.
Audio is fun if taken lightly but its a ****ing load of bull**** when discussed on the internet or with anyone who doesnt appreciate soundstage or tonality.