340 Sundancer: Forward speaker grill removal?

T

teekster

Member
Oct 5, 2006
327
Minnetrista, MN
Boat Info
340 Sundancer, 2005
Engines
8.1L V-drives
The title is pretty self explanatory. I am trying to upgrade the speakers in my cabin. I have my system entirely done except for the speakers above the V-berth. I can't figure out how to remove the fabric grills without wrecking the boat.

Anyone have experience here?
 
teekster said:
The title is pretty self explanatory. I am trying to upgrade the speakers in my cabin. I have my system entirely done except for the speakers above the V-berth. I can't figure out how to remove the fabric grills without wrecking the boat.

Anyone have experience here?
Click to expand...

they are mounted using Velcro
use flat screwdriver to pull them out
 
That is what Marine Max said as well. I have tried this, to the point of slightly damaging the veneer on the panel next to the speaker grill. I think my problem is that there are vinyl covered trim pieces that run the length of the V-berth above and below the grill. Do these need to come off?
 
when you remove grill there is enough wire to pull it out and install new one
they are using 3M plastic velcro + vinyl around hole made tight fit,
but they only on velcro
 
Well, that didn't work. After failing to pull the grills out, I tried to remove the trim piece that runs across the top of the V-berth. I only tried the port side. There are 1-2 inches of speaker grill behind this piece.

I couldn;t remove the trim piece entirely. There is a screw that exits the piece towards the galley, but no screw exits on the forward end. The trim panel is secured by the screw/ wooden block method, but you can't access the screws :huh: :smt017 .

Anyway, I was able to access the speaker panel by pulling on the trim panel. The result was disappointing. The speaker grill would not budge.

After yet another call to the Marine Max service department, I learned that Sea Ray had been screwing the grills in from behind the panel :smt013 . This means that basically, the trim around the v-berth needs to all be removed.

WTF???

I am open to suggestions at this point.


BTW, the rear cabin speakers were easy. :smt038
 
suggestions are always good...mine would be to leave 'em alone unless they are really sounding bad. Many a time have I started with a simple upgrade and turned it into a major headache. :smt021
 
I certainly see the merits of that suggestion. The factory speakers now overpower my new MB Quarts, as they are much more efficient. This was going to be the final step in a high end audio overhaul.

I would really like to finish it.
 
OK, I finally finished it. I made a BIG hole in the forward part of each storage cabinet, leading to the speaker compartment. This was really necessary, as the folks at SR screwed the speakers in from behind.

pix066.jpg


pix068.jpg


The ugly hole is from my freehand use of a speed saw. The final product was much rounder.
pix081small.jpg


and from the outside

pix070.jpg
 
Nice job. It's interesting. I have the same boat, and the same speakers in my truck. You must really be a great guy - we are so similar.
 
Hampton said:
Nice job. It's interesting. I have the same boat, and the same speakers in my truck. You must really be a great guy - we are so similar.
Click to expand...

Now you have to put a set in your boat!

I'll post a thread with all of my A/V mods once I finish tweaking. I decided to replace one amplifier, so I'm not quite done yet... :wink:
 
I have an amp ready to go in, but down the road in time (Eclipse 450 watt digital). I just ordered a pair of outdoor Bose Speakers to go under the top of the arch. I plan on de-commissioning the aft speaker next to the fridge and the one next to the Captain's knee at the helm. These two power sources will drive the hanging outdoor speakers.

When we're in the boat, this will be aimed down and back. When we're on the beach, they'll be pointed back.

If I don't like them, they'll be out by the pool under the eves of my house. If I do like them, another pair will be out by the pool under the eves of my house.

Future - I imagine I'll use the 4-channel amp to drive two MB's and one sub-woofer - I might try to drive the 2 MB's and the 2 Bose's, but I'm worried about compatibility as you have seen. Fortunately, they would be tunable through the Amp.

P.S. My current speakers are Panasonic Premium Marine speakers. Are these already an upgrade?
 
I spent several hours on the boat today. I'm flushing the A/C water cooling system with Chlorine tabs. I'm defrosting the main cabin frig (that little frig holds TONS of ice!).

I ran speaker wires from the top of the arch to the right knee speaker hole (PITA), and to the left frig speaker line (intercepted in the bilge in front of the stbd engine - much easier).

Now, I'm ready for my new speakers to arrive for mounting on the bottom/front of the arch.

I found the tiny, 40 watt amps today behind the DC panel. Neat - Pre-amp lines in and speaker wires out. Not bad for 6" X 4" X 1" black boxes.
 
Those tiny amps sure are a joke. Unfortunately, they are a recipe for disaster, as Sea Ray had them running at a 2 ohm load (I'm sure they were crying for mercy).

The Panasonics are definitely not an upgrade. The upgraded system was/ is Polk separates. They actually sound quite good. I tried them in my previous 280DA, but they were too small for the factory holes.

I just finished the project this afternoon. Here is what I installed:

4x MB Quart Q series QSD 216 component speakers (cockpit)
2x Kicker KM10 subwoofers (cockpit)
4x MB Quart Premium series PCE 216 component speakers (cabin)
1x MB Quart Premium series PWE 252 subwoofer (cabin)

1x MB Quart RAA1000 amp (cockpit subs)
1x MB Quart RAA4200 amp (cockpit speakers)
2x Rockford Fosgate 25 to Life Punch 75 amps (cabin sub and speakers)

Harmon Kardon Drive + Play Ipod interface/ controller (I also have the Clarion one , but it is awful.)

2nd Clarion remote at swim platform

Hisense HDTV tuner for galley TV

Audiovox 27" LCD HDTV/DVD

Hampton, I picked up a few good ideas during the process. I stumpled upon the best place to mount your amp(s). It is under the cabin sofa. At first, it seems as though they would overheat, but the space under the sofa communicates with the space behind all of the cabinetry, and even above the headliner.

pix088small.jpg



Also, If you plan on installing a cabin subwoofer, look carefully at a 340 with the factory installed sub. Here is mine:

pix090small.jpg


The factory mounts theirs more toward the right (aft) of where mine is. This is important, because there are two panels that you have to saw through if you do it my way. The factory already cut a 10" hole in the inner panel. If you center it properly, you only have to cut through one panel.

When I get all of my pix uploaded, I'll start a dedicated thread.
 
Beautiful job on the install. I like the location for the amps. That thing must rock!
 
Thanks :smt001

It does rock. It is crystal clear if I want it to be while I'm on plane (even WOT).

The Aft sub is under the seat near the transom door. It is in a Kicker marine enclosure. I think the model number for the combination is SKM10.

The Forward sub is under the captain's seat. I had to make a custom enclosure due to the size constraints of the opening. I used 3/4" MDF.

I much prefer the sealed enclosures. I had a free air sub in my 280 and it sounded like garbage. These are much tighter.
 
I installed one of my new speakers today, and de-commissioned the associated one (back of the bar). The new speakers are Bose 151 outdoor/marine three-ways. They are rated at 6 ohms. The previous ones are 4 ohms, so, since they share a common amp, the Bose's sound is rather subdued, but the Panasonic premium marines speaker on that side now rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not compared to Tweekster's, but compared to before. Those things must suck down a lot of power, like the other speakers we've discussed. Compared to my previous, random banging sound pattern, the new one with TONS of bass from the side arch combined with the finesse of the Bose from the top/front of the arch is really a nice combo.

I'll know more after I mount the other one tomorrow am.

I hated the mounting brackets, so I took the new speakers apart, and drilled the bottoms (best shape). Then, I reassembled them up-side-down, with the grills facing upright. End result - the previous back mount (that would probably bounce unmercifully) is now a centered, balanced, top mount for the bottom of the arch.

Also, I had to machine two wedge-shaped corian spacers to allow the speakers to sit level at the outer edges of the rounded arch. They also allow the speakers to tilt face down without hitting the arch. I REALLY like the mounts. They (it, for now) look(s) great. The sound is much, much better than before, even if the new speakers are not booming. I think I'll leave the Bose's on the little 40 watt amp when I add my digital amp and new side arch speakers (MB Quart, of course).

I just really wanted hanging, aft-facing speakers under the arch so I can feel the music while I'm driving, and so I can hear it at the beach.
 
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