Speaker depth

I just replaced all four of original Clarion 6.5" speakers in the cockpit. They were junk, so I got 2 sets of Alpines. 3 out of the 4 were a perfect fit, but one on the port side won't go all of the way in. The depth of the new Alpine is too big by about an inch.

Should I shim it by intalling a 1" circle made of wood(?) to bridge the gap, or should I try to get 1 other speaker that is the right depth?

I already threw away the boxes, so returning the Alpines are not an option.

Thanks.

Use a piece of star board and cut a ring out the same size of the speaker to bring it out about and inch or so

djboots said:

Use a piece of star board and cut a ring out the same size of the speaker to bring it out about and inch or so

Click to expand...

Yep. That's what I would do too. If anything, err to the "ring too thick" side so the speaker doesn't vibrate against the back side.

I had to put rubber weather stripping behind about 6 plastic panels in my cockpit to get all of the vibrating to stop (around the edges). So, in the spirit of 70 -80's rock bands, I bought pillows and put them behind my subs too. It just seemed like the right thing to do.

If I turn it up enough, the simulated wood grain panel on the bottom/center of my helm will vibrate, but everything else is solid. The nearest speaker to that piece is 4 feet away in another section of the cockpit (they missed on one of the 4 screws securing that panel).

Where can you buy starboard?

Try this site, I have gotten speaker spacers from them for that exact reason. i spray painted them white and it worked out great.
http://www.autotoys.com/x/home.php?cat=271

charlg said:

Where can you buy starboard?

Click to expand...

Starboard is a name brand; sort of like "hey, grab me a Kleenex". Seaboard is another. You can buy it at just about any marine store.

But, you know what will probably be your cheapest way to go? And only you, me and whoever else reads this thread will ever know the difference. Buy a cheap, white cutting board from a dollar store. You might need to make two rings, depending on the thickness. Screw the rings together, sand them smooth at the same time. The gap should be almost invisible. If needed, something like 5200 smeared on like "Bondo" should do the trick.

If you make some cuts and gouges into the adjoining faces of the two pieces, 5200 will make a pretty good mechanical hold. Clamp it tight between two pieces of plywood.

White KingStarboard (or equivalent) is a soft marine polymer that is impervious to UV and the marine elements. This would be the material of choice to construct spacer rings. You can source it in small sections from West Marine or just about any marine retailer.

David
Earmark Marine