Replacing Speakers Help

[BadgerNautique]

I am going to replace the speakers in my 1995 Ski Nautique.

It seems as though the speakers are embedded into the side cushions.

How do I begin and what's the best way to change all four speakers?

[Mikeski]

RE: Replacing Speakers Help

Two options...

1. Load from behind, make sure your speaker surrounds don't hit the rings.

2. Load from the front, you will need to remove the net, the PVC tube, carefully cut the upholstery and load the speakers from the front. Grant has some pictures of the process.

They will look stock if you do #1, they will sound better if you do #2

[BadgerNautique]

Let's try #1

Thanks, I will go with option #1.

Now my questions are:
1. How do I get to that speaker? I can reach to it but I can't tell how it is mounted to the side - screws?

2. If I leave that black netting which I want to do, what do you mean by my surrounds hitting the ring?

3. Who is Grant and how do I find the pics?

Thanks much!

[Batman]

RE: Let

There are small thru bolts that go from the upholstery backing thru the fiberglass. 1/2 in I believe. Anyway just feel behind the gunnel, unbolt and there you are!

[MHayes]

Re: Let's try #1

1. How do I get to that speaker? I can reach to it but I can't tell how it is mounted to the side - screws?

Yes, there will be bolts that come off the back of the side cushions and through the fiberglass with nuts on the back. Once you remove the nuts on those thru-bolts, you can remove the side cushions and have access to the speakers.

2. If I leave that black netting which I want to do, what do you mean by my surrounds hitting the ring?

Mikeski was referring to the surrounds on the speaker (i.e. the rubber expansion ring that connects the cone of the speaker to the speaker frame). You don't want the speaker excursion to hit anything or there would be a possibility of the surrounds ripping and ruining the speaker, so make sure there is enough room for the speakers to move once they are screwed onto the back of the side cushions.

3. Who is Grant and how do I find the pics?

Grant is a member here and a guru with stereo systems. The pictures that Mikeski was referring to regarding front loading the speakers can be found here:

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/m...83/423605.html

[bmh2208]

RE: Re: Let

I did something fairly similar to Grant. It was a lot of work but well worth getting rid of how they did it from the factory. Not sure how they did it 10 years ago, but I can't imagine that it is any better then what they were doing a few years ago.

It starts on this page and continues for a few pages:

http://planetnautique.com/index.php?...&start=105

[jhiestand]

BadgerNautique -- I just went through this exact same exercise trying to clean up the sound of my interior speakers. I'm a little lazy :grin: and also don't like much "downtime" for my boat cuz that means it's torn up in my garage and not on the water, so I did option #1 also. One key thing you might want to consider is the plastic holders the speakers are in are enclosed in the rear, which I don't think is optimal for that type of speaker. Mikeski suggested letting them "breathe" a little better so I removed the speakers & enclosures, then used a jigsaw to cut the backs off the enclosures. I think it improved the sound 70% or so, well worth the nearly zero effort if you're replacing the speakers anyway. That is assuming they used a similar type enclosure in your SN.

Option #2 will most likely get you the best sound, but if you're looking for an easier way out option #1 isn't too bad.

[BadgerNautique]

Thanks

Thanks everyone for your input - I am ready to give it a shot! :razz: