Speaker Installaton Problem

[DavidW2009]

I installed a Dual brand AM/FM/CD/MP3/USB/AUX receiver #MXD662B from West Marine in my Bayliner yesterday. It came with (2) round speakers advertised as 6.5" in size.

The receiver installation went well.

The speakers are a problem. The Bayliner came with (2) 4.5" round speakers and the 6.5" won't fit in the existing holes.

I have searched iboats to see if there is an flanged adapter or mount available to use the existing holes without modification. The flange part of such an adapter would have to be about 1.25" thick and 7" outside diameter.

Does such an adapter exist? I want to avoid removing and modifying the trim panels.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

Ayuh,... I would guess you need smaller speakers, or a bigger hole...

Never seen what you're lookin' for... Boat, car, or otherwise...

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

Thanks for the feedback. This Bayliner is in nice shape. I don't want to screw up the trim trying to put larger holes in it. No experience here with working on boat interiors.

Looks like I'll have to find some suitable small speakers. The existing OEM's are (14) years old and probably not up to handling a bit higher receiver output.

I found no 4.5" speakers in iboat's store. Nor at a couple other sites. West Marine doesn't have any either. I guess I'll call the Bayliner dealer and see what he's got.

A good audio store should have something.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

Ayuh,... I'd go to a Stereo store,+ just tell 'em what ya want,+ where they're goin'...

Nothing very special about boat speakers other than maybe some moisture resistance...

 

[stylesabu]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

I installed stereos for years, and there is probably an adapter out there somewhere. if you have the room I would open the holes up, take your time and use template. If your still against that, what kind of trim does your boat use? Make spacers out of that. but your speakers are going to still out of the hole.Post a picture of current speaker locations

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

What is the output of your new unit? Your old speakers say that they can handle 30 watts....

I know that it is way too tempting to upgrade your speakers along with your stereo...but if you can't find the adapters, or you are not ready to enlarge the holes, you might want to go ahead and try the OEM speakers and see how they sound. If decent, you can at least enjoy your tunes while you ponder your next move!

Happy boating!

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

Here are some photos.

I believe I know what to do.

Install (2) new 4.5" small speakers in the OEM holes.

Purchase or fabricate (2) speaker boxes for the 6.5" ones .

Run new speaker wire down the port side and across the transom and place a 6.5" speaker box inside the shelf, one on the port, one on the starboard side. The new receiver can handle (4) speakers.

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

"What is the output of your new unit?"

!7 Watts RMS x 4 channels @ 4 Ohms

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

"What is the output of your new unit?"

!7 Watts RMS x 4 channels @ 4 Ohms

Yeah, I saw that on your manual.

Your current speakers will easily handle anything that this unit throws at them.

Radio Shack might have the speaker enclosures that you are thinking of using.

Happy boating!

 

[stylesabu]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

I would open those holes in a heart beat, plenty of room. I dremel tool is good for this. If you worryied about cutting fiberglass, i don't blame you if you never have. but its not that hard. You already have a hole so you know how deep you can go. practice cutting a piece of plexiglass, you can get a small piece at home depot or hardware store. or if realy uncomfortable, cut a template first out of plywood then clamp guide in place and follow with jig saw or dremel tool.if you need I post some pictures as to what I'm talking about making boxes is going to take you alot longer.

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

stylesabu,

I don't believe where the existing speakers are mounted is fiberglass. It's plywood with foam padding, covered with vinyl. The vinyl is wrapped around the sides of the holes.

What I need to do is practice on that composite of material and find the right technique. I'm going with the new small OEM size speakers with additional speaker boxes for the 6.5" ones.

But I'll look at it again in light of using a dremel tool.

 

[made in china]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

Technically those are 4" speakers. The integrated cover makes the speaker measure out as 4.5".

West Marine sells 4" speakers, pretty much same design as your previous speakers. Relatively cheap and decent sounding. I had the same prob as you, I ended up getting the West Marine 4" speakers and they fit perfectly.

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

made in china, Thanks for the correction on the size.

I spent 15 minutes with the counter help at West and the smallest speaker he could find was 5". I also realised he didn't know much about electronics or boats in general.

Thanks for the tip. I'll go online and see if it's in their catalog.

Edit: This is the only 4" panel mount speaker that came up in a search at West Marine.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...Primary Search/mode matchallpartial/0/0?N=377 710&Ne=0&Ntt=4" speakers&Ntk=Primary Search&Ntx=mode matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=4

$60 per pair. I think I'll check a couple audio stores and Radio Shack.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

Easy enough. Pull the old speakers out, and measure for depth. If you have enough depth to accomodate a bigger speaker. Then just take the new speakers trim ring and screw it to the panel, from there you can use a sharpie to mark it all up as to what you have to take out for material. Use a razor blade to cut the vinyl, and a dremel/rotozip or a jigsaw to cut the wood.

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

Easy enough. Pull the old speakers out, and measure for depth. If you have enough depth to accomodate a bigger speaker. Then just take the new speakers trim ring and screw it to the panel, from there you can use a sharpie to mark it all up as to what you have to take out for material. Use a razor blade to cut the vinyl, and a dremel/rotozip or a jigsaw to cut the wood.

The trim rings are intregral with the speaker body. They don't separate from the speaker. Depth is not a problem since both the 4" and 6.5" are about 1/8" different.

See the attached photo. Bayliner leaves much of the vinyl so when the speaker is installed, the vinyl covers the exposed edge of the foam and the plywood, thus offering some protection. If I razor bladed it out, I'd lose that bit of protection.

I'm not dealing with a high end receiver with a real amplifier. I'll just look around until I find some suitable 4" speakers and 6.5" speaker boxes.

 

[stylesabu]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

can you remove the panel the speakers are mounted to? If so pull them out, it will be much easier to work on. flip panel over and pull stapels out of padded vinyl and peel back far enough to enlarge holes. if you can set a depth gauge on cutting tool you won't have to loosen vinyl. Thanks for the picture it help to see what your dealing with

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

It's not easy to find 4" marine speakers any more. A marine mechanic I called today said auto speakers would deteriorate quickly in the humidity. He said 4" marine are no longer available thru his sources.

I re-installed the OEM 4" and cranked the volume up to about 3/4 max.. The speakers buzzed badly with full bass. Back off on the bass and it wasn't too bad. The original ones are just too old to be useful.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

A quick search found some:

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?r=view&i=520085&cID=SHOPZ_520085

http://www.bizrate.com/marine-electronics/planar-ma5104w-2-way-flushmount-speaker--pid447801110/

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/MP63487404.htm?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=ShopZilla

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UQIDKW...e=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B001UQIDKW

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VZ6EYO...e=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B001VZ6EYO

http://www.bizrate.com/marine-elect...ord--4+inches+marine+speakers__start--20.html

Happy boating!

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

Thanks a bunch, Rocky Road!!

I'll go thru those links asap, tomorrow.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

Most of those speakers are off brands. Most everything West Marine sells now is crap.

since you have to mount them so low in a boat the sound won't be as good as it could be when mounted higher. Since you are stuck mounting low, I'd get a decent speakers since the speaker is more important than the radio. If you get off brands and crank them they are going to start sounding distorted eventually.

A search on eBay for "4 inch marine speaker" turned up a bunch. Those Polk Audio's sound like a brand name, at least they used to be. says they list for $99 and "buy it now" for $59 new in box. They may have black grills too in stock. But you can't tell anymore by a famous name, because the old line brands sell the name out and most are junk with the old brand name slapped on.

I think I paid $80 or less for two 6.5 inch Marine Kenwoods. But a search does not list 4 inch Kenwoods available. Look up a member here called "Pondtunes" (If he's still selling stereos) Sean sold me my whole setup at great prices. He's very knowledgeable and he could tell you which are a decent set of 4 inch speakers for a good price.

Just my opinion and experience with past cheap speakers!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Polk...edQQitemZ350332698093QQptZCarQ5fAudioQ5fVideo