Polk Audio MM651um Speakers

[RioRat]

What's up everyone!  I just received delivery of my new Polk MM651um speakers for the interior of the boat.  The boat is at storage so I can't exactly do a test fit of the speaker.  I used calipers to measure the distance from center to center between the mounting holes on the Polks and then on the Kenwoods that I took out.  The Polks measured 4.3" and the Kenwoods measured 3.9".  I thought the Kenwoods were 6.5" speakers, that's why I bought the 651's.  Why aren't the mounting holes matching up?  I thought I had seen someone's boat in the gallery, I can't remember who, that had installed Polk db's 6.5"??

[RioRat]

Has anyone installed the Polk MM651um speakers in their Epic X-22?

[cyclone]

I've had my MM650 polk momos in both of my epics. They were a drop in replacement for the 6.5" (actually smaller) kenwoods. I had to enlarge the rear ones in my Epic 22 to clear the terminals. I used a sandpaper drum on an electric drill to do it, it didn't take a lot of work. The crossover is bulky, I mounted mine with double stick tape, the good stuff made by 3m. I bought a roll about 19 yrs ago, still have some;).

[RioRat]

Cyclone, I'm going to put them in the boat tomorrow.  Looking at the screwhole patterns between the two speakers (Kenwood and Polk) they don't match.  So I might have to drill new mounting holes for the screws.  I have noticed though that the box for the MM651um speakers I purchased off eBay say 6.5", but the add on the eBay store says 6-3/4".  Hmm??  Anyways, I'll let you know how they fit.

[cyclone]

If you have to open up the holes it's a lot of work on that boat. There are other polks and other speakers that are more or less drop in. I think the db's are drop in too. I know they are a much cheaper speaker but they are marine rated and sound pretty good imho. I love my polks, great tweeters.

[RioRat]

Speakers are in! The bow speakers were pretty much drop-in.  I had to drill new holes for the mounting screws, but not bad.  For the rear speakers, I had to cut out the excess upholstery that was stapled to the sidewalls of the cutouts.  I bought a "flapper wheel" (60 Grain) for the drill and sanded the hole until the speakers fit.  Drilled new holes for the mounting screws and finished it up.

I haven't had a chance to here the Polks yet.  Still waiting on my two Alpine PDX4.100 amps to arrive along with the four additional Polk MM651UM speakers for the tower, in Liquid Audio polished alum. cans.  CAN'T WAIT!!  That's the crappy part about eBay, you have to be patient.  I plan on using one of the PDX amps for the interior speakers (100W RMS) and the other for the 4 Polks on the tower (100W RMS).

I have been using a Kenwood KAC 7201 for a 10" MA Audio sub enclosure.  I bought a JBL BP1200.1 amp to use in place of the Kenwood KAC 7201.  A little overkill I know, but I also bought 2 JL Audio 12" subs to use when the 10" explodes.

A necessary upgrade is going to have to be an additional battery.  I have an Optima yellow top right now.  I want to buy another Optima Blue Top and use both batterys in conjunction with a Perko 4-way switch.  At first, I was going to put in a Hellroaring battery isolator/combiner but chose just to go with the switch.  I'll just have to remember to keep the switch on "Both" while riding and cruising.  When we hit the beach, I'll switch it to bank 2 (Blue Top) so that I don't drain the primary (Yellow Top)...save it for start-up.  I am open to any pointers if any one has used this method on their Epics, or other boats.

[cyclone]

That's good to hear! I remember doing some cutting of excess upholstery now that you mention it.

As for the battery, I have a hellroaring that I probably won't reinstall, too complex. I will go with a two way perko switch and a continuous duty (stinger) isolation relay. This is the most reliable automatic cheap solution, the relay is about 20 bucks.

[RioRat]

Cyclone, it's funny you brought up the Stinger relay.  After further research, I decided to order the Stinger relay/isolator (200 amps).  It should be in tomorrow, at least I hope that' the case because I'll be taking a trip to Broken Bow, Oklahoma this weekend.  I'm going to keep the two-way switch in place and wire up the Stinger between the two batteries.  Should be pretty simple.  After the entire stereo upgrade is completed I plan to take pictures.  I'll post the pics later.