Cutting holes for speakers.

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Fordiesel69

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On my bayliner, I have 2 crappy 5-1/4 speaker that are only like for real 4" inside. Only 8 watts and sound so bad, a stadiums PA system would sound better.

So on my boat the holes cut from the factory are like 4-1/4 or so. I want to cut them, bigger so I can put 6-1/2 in there, but I cannot cut them evenly bigger or they will be close to the edge. I kinda have to cut them off center to the bottom as much as possible.

I know how to use a sawzall or jigsaw, but I am not sure what to do with the vinyl. I want the speaker to pinch the vinyl upon install as the covers are not any larger than the speaker itself.

Also does anyone have a good 6-1/2 3 way speaker they recommend?
 
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mogfisher

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jul 13, 2009
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Re: Cutting holes for speakers.

For the vinyl, just make your mark with a marker where you want the hole and cut the vinyl first with a razor blade. Then cut the hole with whatever saw you choose. I prefer an air saw for that but not too many people have one as opposed to a jig saw. If you use a jig saw, I would recommend some masking tape over the vinyl so the saw foot wont mar it up.

As for speakers, dont get hung up on 3 way vs 2 way. I doubt anyone could tell an audible difference between the 2, especially on a boat. Just get a nice 2 way and your good. I like the JL audio marine stuff. It looks cool and sounds great. I just wish I could find some marine speakers that are not white.:mad:
 
sprintst

sprintst

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Re: Cutting holes for speakers.

mogfisher said:
For the vinyl, just make your mark with a marker where you want the hole and cut the vinyl first with a razor blade. Then cut the hole with whatever saw you choose. I prefer an air saw for that but not too many people have one as opposed to a jig saw. If you use a jig saw, I would recommend some masking tape over the vinyl so the saw foot wont mar it up.

As for speakers, dont get hung up on 3 way vs 2 way. I doubt anyone could tell an audible difference between the 2, especially on a boat. Just get a nice 2 way and your good. I like the JL audio marine stuff. It looks cool and sounds great. I just wish I could find some marine speakers that are not white.:mad:
Click to expand...

Polk audio has them in grey
 
NelsonQ

NelsonQ

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Re: Cutting holes for speakers.

I installed these last year...... amazing sound (2 way)

http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/sps-m600

Got them new on ebay for $69......search around.

And, of all the speakers out there, I can't speak for the range on the upper end as I was looking for the lower range, but they certainly have the lowest range (bass) of the 2 ways I compared across most marine manufacturers.

My new boat is coming with Sony, and one of the first changes is to exile the Sony's to Craiglist in favour of the Alpine.
 
PeteyDaMan

PeteyDaMan

Seaman
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Jun 30, 2009
Messages
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Re: Cutting holes for speakers.

83Evinrude said:
I installed Polk DB651's in my boat last fall, marine rated and they sound great. Can be found for much less than Polk shows them here:
http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/db/index.php?s=db651
Click to expand...

I second the Polk DB651's
I just bought 2 pair for my boat and they sound great compared to the original Clarions and reasonably priced. Also, they are silver, not white.

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-6-5-Inch-Coaxial-Speakers/dp/B000P0PF9G
 
H

haulnazz15

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Mar 9, 2009
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Re: Cutting holes for speakers.

I also like the Polk Audio brand, but 3-ways and 4-ways are just a waste. They are more a function of marketing than actual audio-superiority. The difference in the two tweeter sizes is miniscule and it doesn't make much sense to separate the frequencies between two cones wich are less than 1/4" difference in size. Find a good 6.5" two-way speaker and you will be happy. Mids and bass is where most people will critique the sound anyway.
 
RWilson2526

RWilson2526

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Jul 23, 2007
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Re: Cutting holes for speakers.

I'd use the jig saw over the sawz-all.....jig saw will give you much better control ...Sawzall can run on away on you in heart beat.....get a couple of blades too...that fiberglass dulls them quick (although if you are only doing 2 holes you'll probably get away with one)
 
P

pole position

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Dec 14, 2008
Messages
156
Re: Cutting holes for speakers.

For cutting something like that,I would use a roto zip. I have cut a lot of fiberglass with it and it is like a knife thru butter. Use the template that comes with your speakers that you choose and follow the lines. You'll love it.
 
P

pentavolvo

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Jul 5, 2009
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Re: Cutting holes for speakers.

have 2 pairs of polk db650 (old version of the new 651s) been running them over 3 years, running more then there rated power i get them wet regularly and they work great still
 
J

jimsheila1996

Cadet
Joined
Feb 26, 2010
Messages
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Re: Cutting holes for speakers.

Another vote for the Polk DB651's. I thought I was unigue :) Bought at Amazon too last summer. Mated them with a BOSS audio am/fm/mp3 stereo with usb and sd slots from Amazon too. Works and sounds very nice.

I had to enlarge the holes in my Larson too, but no vinyl to worry about just be careful.
 
W

wca_tim

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May 28, 2007
Messages
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Re: Cutting holes for speakers.

and yet another STRONG vote of confidence for the polk db series... if you buy the new stock of the old version (db-650 rather than 651), you can find them for a really good deal fairly often. the 6x9's rock as well. can't beat thekm with a good head unit (I like alpine) and maybe an amp... for a "budget" system that sounds great.

regarding cutting / enlarging holes. I would unstaple the vinyl where it goes through the speaker holes (assuming they were done that way)move it out of the way or even remove the staples and vinyl from that section and cut the holes larger from the back. Then wwhen you remount the vinyl cut short slits to allof it to be stretched, pulled through the new hole and stapled from the back side before mounting your speakers. be sure to buy stainless stalpes for your staple gun...

Cheers!
 
NelsonQ

NelsonQ

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Re: Cutting holes for speakers.

Been following this thread, and although I'm a huge alpine fan, I checked out the specs on those DB 651s

After all the thumbs up and the tech specs giving an even better frequency range than the suggested Alpine's I suggested earlier on, I'm leaning towards the Polk Audio ones myself for the next set off upgrades. I'm much prefer the lower ranges. These are are the lowest range at 35Hz I've seen.

So I'm switching my vote to include a thumbs up for the polks...:eek::D
 
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