WetSounds 650 install in 04 SANTE

[Rob04]

Hi I just purchased 3 Sets of Wetsounds 650's to replace the stock clarion hull speakers. and while I am waiting for them to arrive, I figured I would ping the Forum for advice.
I have an 04 Sante with the interior in Great shape. I would prefer to install them behind the factory cloth speaker covers (more stealth/stock look).
Does anyone have any experience doing this. Will they fit? (I am waiting on them to arrive at my house).

Thanks
Rob

[MLA]

Theres one huge difference between the original clarions and the Wet Sounds speakers. The clarion can be mounted without the grill because the tweeter is pole mounted. The Wet Sounds and just about ever other quality marine speaker, the tweeter is grill mounted. This makes the grill part of the speaker. This makes it tough to mount in that back-loaded application. The Kicker KM654 has a spider mounted tweeter and separate grill and even it would be a tough fit.

IMO, its worth it to do the work and front load the speakers.

[Rob04]

Thanks MLA, Glad I asked the Question. I had ordered black SW650's thinking it didnt matter, but now that I know I have to have the grills I need either white or go with the silver cross front. Luckily I checked the UPS tracking number and they had not left yet so I just need to decide which to go with white SW or Silver cross.

My Next Question is the Silver Cross will look sexier, (boat interior is Silver Cloud with silver and blue accents grey carpet), However I typically have at least 2 kids on the boat. Has anyone had experience with the speakers getting damaged since the grille is so open? or should i just put in the white SW series. any difference in sound quality?

Rob

[MLA]

With small fingers, is suggest the SW series. The come in black as well. That might look good on silver interior.

No difference in the SW-650 and XS-650 speakers beyond the cosmetics. Same with the 65i series.

[Truekaotik]

This is a Nautique DD converted..

[Rob04]

Thanks Truekaotik,
what did you end up doing to mount the speakers? From what I have read some people make MFG or plastic adaptor rings? Any advice? Thanks Rob

[Truekaotik]

Rings are not needed on the outside at all.. The speakers screw directly into the panel.

[MLA]

Thanks Truekaotik,
what did you end up doing to mount the speakers? From what I have read some people make MFG or plastic adaptor rings? Any advice? Thanks Rob

Rob,

Depending on how your 04 is. Once you remove the exterior cloth grill, you may find that its OD of that opening is wider than the speaker mounting. This would require a sizing backing plate for the speaker mounting screws to bite into. The combing pad, vinyl and foam end up sandwiched between the speaker and backing plate. Not needed on all years, but some with those back loaded speakers and mesh grills.

[Truekaotik]

Your removing too much is why Mike... So far from 2000 up I've done them all the same.

[MLA]

"You're removing too much is why Mike."

So how are you mounting the new speaker without removing the old speaker and cloth grill and its retainer? further, if you remove the grill and find a 6.5" hole in the combing pad for the back loaded speaker, you have nothing to mount the new front loaded speaker to. This is where a new backing plate is needed. As an owner doing a DIY, you can choose to take short cuts and simply screw a speaker right to the vinyl. For a paying customer, I try to do a more thorough job.

[Truekaotik]

I remove the whole side, remove the speaker from the pod as well, I re use the grill ring and my customers are beyond happy with my thorough job without the added cost of adding something not needed on these boats. So your saying Mine looks bad screwed into the vinyl (like all speakers are into vinyl) for a paying customer huh?? Come on, I was trying to be nice but you had to come back with some degrading comments to try and make your added work seem more professional... Why man?

[t.franscioni]

An option if you wanted to would be a flush mount from the front. It's not necessary but looks cool I think. Depending on how thick the foam is in the combing pad you would need to build spacers. I'm working on this currently with my boat. My plan is to build an "outer ring" that is just larger in diameter than my XS650 speakers. That putter ring will go under the upholstery then my speaker with the spacer will just drop into and be secured to the white board of the combing pad. The outer ring will keep the upholstery supported and prevent it from creasing or bowing in speaker goes in. The profile pic of the speaker flush mounted is without the outer ring and you can see the upholstery is disfigured around the speaker slightly which is why I'm going to try the putter rings. Below pics I'm just mocking up the rings and spacers with balsa because I had some laying around that was the right thickness. I will likely use a stronger material like cutting board or hard wood coated in resin to water proof it.

[Truekaotik]

Mike, let's see how you address the pod at the drivers foot well? How do you fit your speaker in that location?

[MLA]

LOL, apparently im doing it wrong, so feel free to school me, true-k.

[Truekaotik]

Didn't say you were doing it wrong ever in my post, I stated you removed too much and that was all. Then you got all bent with sarcasm and insults, so I replied... I have done several of these style interiors for awhile and none have had a 6.5" cut out in the panel behind the fabric grill.. The one you posted isn't even a 6.5" cutout in the panel, you can see it.


My last question was a serious one, "how did you fit your speaker in that location?"

Only you like to school people Mike, my answers are plain until you like to Make people perceive we are doing something wrong. Just because it's not "your" way, doesn't mean it's less professional, but you like to toss that grenade a lot, so I ask again... How are you mounting them?