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HELP - Rear speakers on Bennington with rear lounger seating

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peoriaone

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Hello, I have received good advice on this forum in the past so here goes...  We spend time coving out in the Summer and half the people are in the water off the back of the boat while others stay on the boat.  The people in the water want the music turned up, while the people on the boat want to talk and not hear blaring music.  I had an audio company come look at adding rear speakers.  They said they would add an amp and separate volume control with a pair of rear speakers.  I liked this approach and believe it will solve my problem.  Here is the issue, when they came to install they showed me their plan and I decided to wait until I got some input from others.  Really nervous about cutting the holes they plan to do.  Wanted some input.  Their plan B was to mount speakers on the rear swim platform.  Aside from being ugly that required drilling holes in the swim platform deck.  At this time I am leaning toward some speakers on long leads that I can set and plug in on the rear platform when I want then put away when not using.  Who has solved this problem and how did you do it?  Thanks for the advise!

rear speakers.jpg
 
Without a flush mounting surface I don't think the install would look good unless they made some sort of mount for them. Then you have to hope the color and material used blends in with the finishes of the boat. Any other smaller speaker with quality sounds that can be used? Or even mounted behind those vents?
 
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Thanks, yes I wanted to do something with the vent but they said that would not work.  They already reduced the speaker size from the 6.5 inch to 5.25 to fit in where they taped it off.  Your reaction was why I did not go forward.  There is no flat surface, they assured me  they could adjust the cover or use some sort of extension to make it look professional.  I just was not convinced.  
 
OK, this was my project for next year, but I will chime in now. I agree with your analysis peoriaone. We have the same issue.(R boat with open stern) The stand alone speaker I am not a fan of. Did that on the first boat (SunTracker party barge) worked OK until that random wave came by. Also just looked too aftermarket and kinda low rent. Our spaceships require that factory look, jus saying. I was thinking same set up as your photo but install the speaker in the area to the outside and parallel to the chrome faux vents . Yep the ESP and I have a Yamaha sticker  would have to go away that's OK with me. Also as you go further outboard from the vents there is a radius in the seat platform that a custom audio shop would have to build a tapered mounting base so the speakers would be flush to the surface. Closer to the faux vent maybe compressible foam behind the speaker?  At least being in this area you would be all on one surface. Just my thoughts, Where you thinking what size and or shape speaker,, 4,5,6inch round? Isn't there a square we could use?? Great winter time project and even better audio in return!! We will not be the last folks to discuss this mod either. We may have to go to the dealer and check out those 2016 Benningtons, I think the factory has added some speakers in this area. OH NO, don't make me go look at the new boats!!

Best Regards

JR
 
JoeR said:
OK, this was my project for next year, but I will chime in now. I agree with your analysis peoriaone. We have the same issue.(R boat with open stern) The stand alone speaker I am not a fan of. Did that on the first boat (SunTracker party barge) worked OK until that random wave came by. Also just looked too aftermarket and kinda low rent. Our spaceships require that factory look, jus saying. I was thinking same set up as your photo but install the speaker in the area to the outside and parallel to the chrome faux vents . Yep the ESP and I have a Yamaha sticker  would have to go away that's OK with me. Also as you go further outboard from the vents there is a radius in the seat platform that a custom audio shop would have to build a tapered mounting base so the speakers would be flush to the surface. Closer to the faux vent maybe compressible foam behind the speaker?  At least being in this area you would be all on one surface. Just my thoughts, Where you thinking what size and or shape speaker,, 4,5,6inch round? Isn't there a square we could use?? Great winter time project and even better audio in return!! We will not be the last folks to discuss this mod either. We may have to go to the dealer and check out those 2016 Benningtons, I think the factory has added some speakers in this area. OH NO, don't make me go look at the new boats!!

Best Regards

JR
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Yes, they looked at that area of the boat, outside the vents.  They said it was too curved and that even if they installed the speakers would not face direct rear but out to each side.  The fabrication seems complex, I dont want to be their first experiment.  I will wait until you figure it out! :)
 
peoriaone said:
Hello, I have received good advice on this forum in the past so here goes...  We spend time coving out in the Summer and half the people are in the water off the back of the boat while others stay on the boat.  The people in the water want the music turned up, while the people on the boat want to talk and not hear blaring music.  I had an audio company come look at adding rear speakers.  They said they would add an amp and separate volume control with a pair of rear speakers.  I liked this approach and believe it will solve my problem.  Here is the issue, when they came to install they showed me their plan and I decided to wait until I got some input from others.  Really nervous about cutting the holes they plan to do.  Wanted some input.  Their plan B was to mount speakers on the rear swim platform.  Aside from being ugly that required drilling holes in the swim platform deck.  At this time I am leaning toward some speakers on long leads that I can set and plug in on the rear platform when I want then put away when not using.  Who has solved this problem and how did you do it?  Thanks for the advise!
Click to expand...
How about a set of tower speakers mounted to the round fence tubing?  Not sure of tubing diameter differences, but it seems like it could be made to work and would sounds great.
 
fastmnstealth said:
How about a set of tower speakers mounted to the round fence tubing?  Not sure of tubing diameter differences, but it seems like it could be made to work and would sounds great.
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I appreciate the input but I can't be the first to solve this issue. I am waiting for someone who has completed it and will share pictures. Thanks
 
Is your boat an i/o and that's why the vents are there?
 
What about using speakers that are 4 X 6 or 4 X 10 instead of something round?  If they would fit in that area above the vents and centered between the rails it would probably look pretty clean.

4X10.jpg
 
Havasu said:
What about using speakers that are 4 X 6 or 4 X 10 instead of something round?  If they would fit in that area above the vents and centered between the rails it would probably look pretty clean.
Click to expand...
They did not offer a rectangular speaker option. I like it though
 
peoriaone said:
Hello, I have received good advice on this forum in the past so here goes...  We spend time coving out in the Summer and half the people are in the water off the back of the boat while others stay on the boat.  The people in the water want the music turned up, while the people on the boat want to talk and not hear blaring music.  I had an audio company come look at adding rear speakers.  They said they would add an amp and separate volume control with a pair of rear speakers.  I liked this approach and believe it will solve my problem.  Here is the issue, when they came to install they showed me their plan and I decided to wait until I got some input from others.  Really nervous about cutting the holes they plan to do.  Wanted some input.  Their plan B was to mount speakers on the rear swim platform.  Aside from being ugly that required drilling holes in the swim platform deck.  At this time I am leaning toward some speakers on long leads that I can set and plug in on the rear platform when I want then put away when not using.  Who has solved this problem and how did you do it?  Thanks for the advise!
Click to expand...
11993285_931523430249688_456172698027405947_n.jpg
 
Used v- lock mounts so that I can remove the speakers when not in use and still cover the boat. You have to drill a hole in the plate on the detachable bracket. Used Wet Sounds Icon 8 speakers. Upgraded to Wet Sounds SD6 amp. Added the Wet Sounds equalizer to separate out front and back areas. You may want to contact Tim White from Wet Sounds as the v-lock mounts were his idea and the missing link to making this work. He may have other ideas. Hope this helps.
 
Very nice option jsur!!! Our rails are round but I bet the mounting could be modified. And to keep options open for speaker placement when seating on the lounge chairs or covering the boat is key.

Periaone you get this and agree?

We have options!!

Regards

JR
 
JoeR said:
Very nice option jsur!!! Our rails are round but I bet the mounting could be modified. And to keep options open for speaker placement when seating on the lounge chairs or covering the boat is key.

Periaone you get this and agree?

We have options!!

Regards

JR
Click to expand...
My wife is not huge on the look but it will do the job.  Might be a good reason for an upgrade in our boat :)
 
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