Speaker Installaton Problem

[made in china]

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.

Yeah the WM guys didn't know they have 'em: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...rue&storeNum=434&subdeptNum=435&classNum=435#
I had them drop shipped to my local WM store to save $$. They are on sale now for $23. As far as them being "crap", I didn't care because I needed a "hole filler" that could put out passable sounds. They are only two of six speakers I have in my 17.5' open bow, if I need too I can turn them down.
But honestly, they sound fine to me

 

[david950]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

I agree with the former stereo installer above - make up some rings to mount the speakers in. This is commonly done when replacement speakers are too deep for the desired location. In cars, I often used 3/4" MDF, though for this purpose I suppose you could use marine plywood. Either that, or paint/treat the MDF so it will last long enough in the moist environment.

In the end, you're just making a ring that you screw to the boat. You then screw the speaker to the ring. You aren't cutting holes in the boat, but you are drilling new holes. I frequently painted the rings black which often matched the speaker grills - maybe that's not the case this time - lots of marine speakers are white. Either way, you can fab something that will look nice, and keep the saw out of the boat in the process.

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

I agree with the former stereo installer above - make up some rings to mount the speakers in. This is commonly done when replacement speakers are too deep for the desired location. In cars, I often used 3/4" MDF, though for this purpose I suppose you could use marine plywood. Either that, or paint/treat the MDF so it will last long enough in the moist environment.

In the end, you're just making a ring that you screw to the boat. You then screw the speaker to the ring. You aren't cutting holes in the boat, but you are drilling new holes. I frequently painted the rings black which often matched the speaker grills - maybe that's not the case this time - lots of marine speakers are white. Either way, you can fab something that will look nice, and keep the saw out of the boat in the process.

Here's something I drew up that might work adapting the 6.5" speakers to the existing hole.

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

It really isn't difficult to enlarge the existing holes. Check the box for a template. (Many times it's the box itself.) Draw the cut on the vinyl. It's usually 1/2 to 1 inch inside the final trim plate, which will continue to give you the weather seal you need to protect the panel's plywood. Cut the vinyl and batting back to expose the wood. Use a roto tool to cut the wood while pulling the vinyl aside (it will stretch enough without tearing).

When you drill the new screw holes, do not drill through the vinyl. It will bind to the drill and rip. Instead, drill through the wood and use an awl, hole punch, or nail to go through the vinyl and batting.

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

Found out that Radio Shack no longer sells speakers and audio stuff for cars.

Went to another West Marine store and they had the 4" speaker in stock: $22.00.

I bought them and tried to fit them to the Bayliner. They are too small!

Well Duh. I've been working on the assumption these were 4". There's no info on the 'net about these old Audiovox BMS 3061's.

I took the speakers into several stores and showed the sales people what I was replacing. The answer I got was they were 4". (These may be 5" but hardly any product pages on the 'net give dimensions.)

The O.D. of the grill ring on the old speaker is 5.81" (5 13/16").

The O.D. of the grill ring on the new 4" is 5.18" (5 3/16").

The mount hole patterns are on differnt bolt circles.

I've got to go around again and compare the old Audiovox with some new 5" to see if that's what I've got. Haven't looked at any 5" yet. My error.

(A lack of knowledge of this stuff is a waste of time and money.)

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

Found out that Radio Shack no longer sells speakers and audio stuff for cars.

Went to another West Marine store and they had the 4" speaker in stock: $22.00.

I bought them and tried to fit them to the Bayliner. They are too small!

Well Duh. I've been working on the assumption these were 4". There's no info on the 'net about these old Audiovox BMS 3061's.

I took the speakers into several stores and showed the sales people what I was replacing. The answer I got was they were 4". (These may be 5" but hardly any product pages on the 'net give dimensions.)

The O.D. of the grill ring on the old speaker is 5.81" (5 13/16").

The O.D. of the grill ring on the new 4" is 5.18" (5 3/16").

The mount hole patterns are on differnt bolt circles.

I've got to go around again and compare the old Audiovox with some new 5" to see if that's what I've got. Haven't looked at any 5" yet. My error.

(A lack of knowledge of this stuff is a waste of time and money.)

I got some 'hits' with my search (one called these 5.25" marine speakers):

http://www.gooddeals18.com/product/BMS306/new-AUDIOVOX-5-WATERPROOF-BOAT-MARINE-SPEAKERS-TAN.html

Good luck!

 

[Audio Greg]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

Hi David,

If you are looking for the simple/inexpensive solution:
Google search "6.5" speaker spacer" should bring up at least 3 retailers selling a black plastic spacer that will probably work for less than $10. Cheap + no fabrication.

-Greg

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

Here's what I did.

I tested the new 4" speakers from West Marine. The (2) 4" in front and the new 6.5's in the rear (routed new speaker wire behind the upholstry inside the starboard shelf, around the transom inside, threading the wire into existing wire loops and into the back of the port shelf, where I set a 6.5" speaker).

Turned on the radio and cranked it all the way, volume and bass. No distortion until the last notch or two. So volume is good for 95%.

Satisfied the 4" were useable, I cut the old trim rings off of the old 5" Audiovox speakers and glued each one to the face of the 4" speaker trim ring (not the grill). I did have to notch the 4" trim rings a bit with diagonal pliers for the 5" mounting screw clearance.

After letting it dry for a couple days, I mounted the Frankenstein speakers in the original holes using slightly longer screws that came with the 6.5" speakers. Fit very well except for a small gap. I bought some small diameter auto windshield washer hose, cleaned it, cut it to length and pressed it into the gap around the original trim ring. Looks good. No gap.

There will be no problem with sealing, since the 4" speakers sealed well against the trim panel.

Now I need to locate some waterproof boxes to mount the 6.5" rear speakers. One of my goals is to not cut up the OEM upholstery anywhere. I'll set the boxes inside the rear of the shelves next to the rear seats.

The local dollar store sells a fairly heavy 8" X 8" X 3" deep unbreakable plastic container with a blue snap-on lid. The lid is flat and could be silicone glued to the box after the speaker is mounted in a hole cut out for it. $3 each plus glue. Just thinking about it.

 

[madurodave]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

I just installed new speakers and had the same issue. Easy solved with a jig saw and a sharpie. Looks great and sounds a LOT BETTER! I tell you what was scary though, cutting a 10" hole in the kicker panel for the sub

 

[Plasma George]

Re: Speaker Installaton Problem

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.

I don't agree with that thinking.

Upgrading speakers will not make the system sound better, at least not noticebably better using the same power source.

Upgrading the power will make a much more noticeable difference, even with entry-level speakers.

ie. go from FM to Ipod and see how much better the sound is.