SX240 rear speakers

[Justin G.]

Has anyone added rear facing speakers to an SX240 similar to those found on the limiteds? I would love to see a picture if this has been done.

 

[GiddYupJoe]

Check out this thread for some insight on adding transome speakers. This will you give you some good insight on what your options are.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/question-about-installing-speakers-in-swim-platform.968/

 

[Justin G.]

Thank you for the link. There are several options for mounting which is nice. Now just have to decide on speaker manufacture.

 

[txav8r]

I am adding my JL MX 650's to the rear transom on my SX240. They are a massively overbuilt physically. The wash onto the deck isn't going to hurt them. I won't be playing them underway, so they won't have to endure range of motion against the wash. They are never submerged there, except when backing into the lake with the trailer, and then they aren't submerged but that deck does flood up to that transom wall, just not up more than an inch, and that is barely to the lower grille of the speaker, if that. They are as durable a speaker that is made out there, and have the best sound qualities among any of the available speakers. I considered having the backrests cut and reshaped, but the cost and appearance didn't appeal to me as much as the first option. And the idea of muting them behind the cushion isn't an option to me.

 

[Jim Robeson]

I am adding my JL MX 650's to the rear transom on my SX240. They are a massively overbuilt physically. The wash onto the deck isn't going to hurt them. I won't be playing them underway, so they won't have to endure range of motion against the wash. They are never submerged there, except when backing into the lake with the trailer, and then they aren't submerged but that deck does flood up to that transom wall, just not up more than an inch, and that is barely to the lower grille of the speaker, if that. They are as durable a speaker that is made out there, and have the best sound qualities among any of the available speakers. I considered having the backrests cut and reshaped, but the cost and appearance didn't appeal to me as much as the first option. And the idea of muting them behind the cushion isn't an option to me.

I mounted mine behind the seats and couldn't be happier. They sounds awesome, I think, and I don't believe they hamper the sound at all. Didn't have to take the seat off, just cut the hole and mounted the speaker. Didn't worry about adding a grill seeing how the seat covers them.

 

[Justin G.]

I am adding my JL MX 650's to the rear transom on my SX240. They are a massively overbuilt physically. The wash onto the deck isn't going to hurt them. I won't be playing them underway, so they won't have to endure range of motion against the wash. They are never submerged there, except when backing into the lake with the trailer, and then they aren't submerged but that deck does flood up to that transom wall, just not up more than an inch, and that is barely to the lower grille of the speaker, if that. They are as durable a speaker that is made out there, and have the best sound qualities among any of the available speakers. I considered having the backrests cut and reshaped, but the cost and appearance didn't appeal to me as much as the first option. And the idea of muting them behind the cushion isn't an option to me.

That is exactly where I wanted to mount them but was concerned about the force of the water pushing on them. You had a good idea about not having them on while you are running which should solve that problem. What kind of amp are you running to power the JL's. I looked into buying the limited rear seats to mount the speakers in a similar fashion, but the seat backs are more than I wanted to replace of the bat on a new boat. Would love to see pictures once you get them mounted.

 

[txav8r]

I changes the 4 stock speakers in the rear cockpit and bow with the same jl mx650's, and I am adding two mid cabin 650's for a total of 8, including the rear transom speakers. I have two JL amps to power them in 3 separate zones and a separate zone for the subwoofer. The amps are the 600/6 and the 500/3.

 

[Kevin1741]

I added them to the swim platform. Love them. No issues with the water washing up on them so far. Had them for 1 season.

 

[Justin G.]

I added them to the swim platform. Love them. No issues with the water washing up on them so far. Had them for 1 season.

What kind did you decide to go with and are you planning on switching them separately of leaving on all the time? Sorry, lots of questions.

 

[Kevin1741]

What kind did you decide to go with and are you planning on switching them separately of leaving on all the time? Sorry, lots of questions.

I put in kenwood KFC-1652 MRW 6.5 inch. Got them on Amazon for $53. I ran the wires from the back speakers to the new ones.

 

[tdonoughue]

I mounted mine behind the seats and couldn't be happier. They sounds awesome, I think, and I don't believe they hamper the sound at all. Didn't have to take the seat off, just cut the hole and mounted the speaker.

@Jim Robeson , do you have any pics of this? How did you mount them behind the seat without removing it? Thanks!

 

[Jim Robeson]

@tdonoughue ... All I did was drill a hole behind the seats that was just big enough for the speaker and to leave me something to screw to. I think those are 6.5 speakers so my hole was like 5 inches max. Then I just wired them into the speakers that were located under the back seats. If I want to have more sound out the back of the boat I just use the fade to do so. The sound is really good as the cushion deflects it under and out. I also wired in an amp to the head unit which I have under the drivers console. I did not use any speaker covers since the speakers are behind the cushions. I did not move any of the hoses that you see now. Just put the speaker where I could at least get three screws to hold it place. FYI...make sure and cover everything up with a blanket or something as there will be a lot of dust from drilling those holes. The screws are long enough through the speaker and fiberglass and don't even come close to the back of the cushion.

 

[tdonoughue]

Ah! I get it! Neat. Perhaps I try that... Seems way too simple. Thinking of getting some Polk's for inside, which will leave me with about 4 extra speakers I could put somewhere... <grin>

 

[Jim Robeson]

It was really easy. The hardest part was covering everything so I didn't get fiberglass dust on everything. And they are very secure. Good luck!! Oh, I reached up under the seat to see just how far the speakers would be. If you look at the picture, I could feel where the vent hoses were attached so I knew that they would be far enough behind the seat that you really can't see them unless you actually look under the seat back.

 

[txav8r]

Ah! I get it! Neat. Perhaps I try that... Seems way too simple. Thinking of getting some Polk's for inside, which will leave me with about 4 extra speakers I could put somewhere... <grin>

TIm, @tdonoughue , those polks are cheap enough you could just give away or sell the seaworthy speakers and offer the grilles to anyone that needs them. Buy 4 more polks, those seaworthy speakers aren't worth keeping! They are PAPER!

 

[tdonoughue]

Yes, yes, Mel. But you forget: I am CHEAP!

 

[Glassman]

I'm resurrecting this...I know I asked this once before...maybe over there....has anyone put spa speakers on a boat?

Like these:



I don't have the same placement choices the newer boats present and I'd like to stay away from putting big holes that low to the waterline by placing them on the swim platform.

These I could place just aft of the rear hatches. I don't need loud - I have tower speakers for that. I just want to augment the sound from the cockpit - it's a bit muffled way back there. I was thinking that these small ones would clear it up a bit.

Thoughts?

http://www.spadepot.com/shop/Milennia-Pop-Up-Spa-Speaker-3-Element-60W---4-ohm-P9998C789.aspx

 

[Jim Robeson]

I always liked that idea and even thought about that until I went the speakers behind my swimdeck seatbacks. I don't see why they shouldn't work.

 

[Justin G.]

Finally bit the bullet and cut the new speakers into the swim platform. I believe the Limited S runs the same stock head unit, but has 6 speakers instead of the stock 4 on the SX240. Does anyone know what wires are used for the rear speakers on the limited S. The wiring harnesses appear to be the same, but trying to trace the wires down from the head unit to the back is horrible. My other question would be if anyone has the wiring diagram for the 2013 boats? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!