Replace Interior Speakers - Remove Stock Plastic Cans? (2000 Air)

[cdrymalla]

I removed the interior speakers on my 2000 Air, and replaced them with the Polk db651's (exterior surface mount). I know this is a common swap, but I did not see definiitive comments regarding whether or not to remove the white plastics cups/cans that the stock speakers sit inside of. From all of the post, it looks like they are removed.

As of now I have the cans/cups removed such that the backside of the speaker is open/exposed. Is this the way to go?

Thanks.

[seth]

I just left them in place. I dont know if it makes a difference or not.

[cdrymalla]

Thanks Seth.

I know this is a common swap...Does anyone else remember what they did?

[GoBig]

I left mine in place until I re-skinned my interior last winter. I replaced the cups with poly rings and recessed the speakers. You have to cutaway the foam to do this cleanly though. It would be difficult to do without replacing the vinyl. Here are some pics...

(the speaker in the pic was an old damaged one that I used for fitting purposes only)

[EarmarkMarine]

You absolutely, positively do not have to replace the vinyl to do this retro.

David
Earmark Marine

[GoBig]

David, yes, absolutely not for a professional stereo installer But for my limited experience working with vinyl/foam, I wouldn't have attempted this retro myself if I was not replacing the vinyl. I cut ~2" of foam away to fit the new rings. I'm sure I would have screwed something up if I had to work around the vinyl. Then again, I don't do this for a living...

[ckdollar]

I removed the interior speakers on my 2000 Air, and replaced them with the Polk db651's (exterior surface mount). I know this is a common swap, but I did not see definiitive comments regarding whether or not to remove the white plastics cups/cans that the stock speakers sit inside of. From all of the post, it looks like they are removed.

As of now I have the cans/cups removed such that the backside of the speaker is open/exposed. Is this the way to go?

Thanks.

Where did you pick up the db 651's?

[cdrymalla]

Where did you pick up the db 651's?

Amazon, about $120 shipped for two pair.

[Super_sport]

Ive been looking to upgrade the Clarion speakers in my 95 SS.. for cheap stuff they have reasonable bass.. which is nice when you dont have a sub (yet).. Are the Polk a good all around speaker ? I would probably not surface mount them if possible. I would like to keep them behind the vinyl as they are now..so they would mount without the grill from behind.. doable? good sound? not tinny?

[cdrymalla]

Ive been looking to upgrade the Clarion speakers in my 95 SS.. for cheap stuff they have reasonable bass.. which is nice when you dont have a sub (yet).. Are the Polk a good all around speaker ? I would probably not surface mount them if possible. I would like to keep them behind the vinyl as they are now..so they would mount without the grill from behind.. doable? good sound? not tinny?

Sound much better to me. I was able to compare them during the install by putting in the new speakers on one side and fading back and forth and the the db651s were much, much better. I also picked up a cheap 4 channel kenwood 8405 amp from best buy on sale for $79 and a polk mm840 8" sub for $90 - I run the four speakers off of two channels and the sub off the other two channels bridged at 180watts. It is not going to kill any fish below the boat, but it soulds pretty solid - all for about $300.

[Super_sport]

so you went with the Shallow mounts 651S.. not the standard 651? is that correct.. ?

[cdrymalla]

so you went with the Shallow mounts 651S.. not the standard 651? is that correct.. ?

No, sorry just the db651 - I added the "s" out of habit to make it plural.

[SANCasey]

Does anyone have pictures of mounting the speakers externally without cutting the vinyl? I am about to do this and was going to make a plastic ring to mount the speaker/speaker grill to, but I need to figure out how to attach the plastic ring to the pvc pipe spacer that is already behind the vinyl.

[SANCasey]

Someone has to have some pictures of doing this without cutting the vinyl???

I am planning on starting this endeavor this weekend, so some ideas would be helpful.

[cdrymalla]

Someone has to have some pictures of doing this without cutting the vinyl???

I am planning on starting this endeavor this weekend, so some ideas would be helpful.

I did not cut my vinyl but I did poke bolts through right at the piping and through the back of the board - so I am not sure if you consider that "cutting".

Here is another thread that may be what you are talking about:
http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...ighlight=db651