Transom Speakers Part II
#1
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Transom Speakers Part II
I had posted pics of my Transom Speaker install in the Velocity Section a few months back. But since this is revelant information to all figured I would post round two here in the Tech section...
I originally monuted a set of Polk Audio Marine Certified DB691 6x9 speakers at the back of the boat (picture below). I added a set of Xtreme Audio 6x9 Tribal grills powder coated to match the rest of the red accents on the boat. They performed excellent (for a while). I was not shy when it came to washing down the boat, the speakers received a good soaping and rinse. But I found a weak point in the speakers last week. It appears, they do not accept cold rain water if they are in use. We were at Jobbie Nooner last Friday and had the stereo playing at a pretty high volume. WHen the cold rain came in it hit the speakers, which were most likely warm from being played loud. Next thing I knew the tweeters were blown in both.......
So on to round II. I just purchased and installed a set of DC Gold N69C 6x9s. They interesting thing about these is they are tweeterless and tiny (compared to the polk 6x9s) magnets.... So I was a bit skeptical. I installed them yesterday and am completly impressed! As of now I have not re-installed the Xtreme Audio Grills. I trying to decide if I want to leave it the way it is or go back to the Xtreme Audio Grills. But back to the DC Gold Speakers. Part of the general maintenance of these speaker (if boating in salt water) is to remove the speakers and submerge them in a bucket of clean water. So this feature alone has me feeling much more confident that they will hold up better than the Polk Audios. Another nice thing is they are 2db more sensitive, which basically means they more efficent.
Just some reading information for you guys. If you are thinking about going with DC Gold I say do it. I am very picky about sound quality and these are super clean sounding.
Below is a pic of the previous install with the Polk 6x9s w/Xtreme Audio Grills and the new install with the DC Gold 6x9s without the Billet Covers.
I originally monuted a set of Polk Audio Marine Certified DB691 6x9 speakers at the back of the boat (picture below). I added a set of Xtreme Audio 6x9 Tribal grills powder coated to match the rest of the red accents on the boat. They performed excellent (for a while). I was not shy when it came to washing down the boat, the speakers received a good soaping and rinse. But I found a weak point in the speakers last week. It appears, they do not accept cold rain water if they are in use. We were at Jobbie Nooner last Friday and had the stereo playing at a pretty high volume. WHen the cold rain came in it hit the speakers, which were most likely warm from being played loud. Next thing I knew the tweeters were blown in both.......
So on to round II. I just purchased and installed a set of DC Gold N69C 6x9s. They interesting thing about these is they are tweeterless and tiny (compared to the polk 6x9s) magnets.... So I was a bit skeptical. I installed them yesterday and am completly impressed! As of now I have not re-installed the Xtreme Audio Grills. I trying to decide if I want to leave it the way it is or go back to the Xtreme Audio Grills. But back to the DC Gold Speakers. Part of the general maintenance of these speaker (if boating in salt water) is to remove the speakers and submerge them in a bucket of clean water. So this feature alone has me feeling much more confident that they will hold up better than the Polk Audios. Another nice thing is they are 2db more sensitive, which basically means they more efficent.
Just some reading information for you guys. If you are thinking about going with DC Gold I say do it. I am very picky about sound quality and these are super clean sounding.
Below is a pic of the previous install with the Polk 6x9s w/Xtreme Audio Grills and the new install with the DC Gold 6x9s without the Billet Covers.
#3
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Griff and I have been pushing these speakers for a very long time on this board. They do work fantastic and I was so excited that they brought back to live by DC. So far my only complaint is that the grills tend to get brittle over the years and break easily. I think that the red grills you had maybe have some one make them not so tall would be a good look?
Next step is to put in a pool transducer so that when you are underwater you will have toons.
Next step is to put in a pool transducer so that when you are underwater you will have toons.
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#4
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So I put the DC Gold 6x9s to the test over the weekend, and I have to say they have out performed my expectations. I am very picky when it comes to sound quality and I will ALWAYS opt for quality of sound level. But to my surprise these have exceeded expectations for both sound quality and sound level.
I am concerned about the plastic grills getting broken, but I do prefer the white grills over the previous red billet grills. One thing I did notice, the outside diameter of the DC Golds is a bit bigger than other 6x9 speakers. So unmodified the billet grills will NOT fit over the DC Golds. The Billet grills have a mounting ring the sandwiches between the mounting surface and the speaker, which allows for the grill to be attaced with 2 small button screws for a clean look. But since the DC Golds are made of plastic, it won't be hard to modify them to accomidate the Billet Grills (if I choose to go with them). I did set the red grills over the DC Speakers just to get an idea of what they would look like, and if I do decide to use the billet grills, I will have to spray the DC gold speakers with black paint. THe white grills built into the DC Golds does not look good behind the Red Billet Grills.......
I explained to a few people, that I met this weekend at our normal party spot, the DC Gold speakers do not have a tweeter. EVERYONE was blown away at the simplistic nature, but excellent sound quality.
I am concerned about the plastic grills getting broken, but I do prefer the white grills over the previous red billet grills. One thing I did notice, the outside diameter of the DC Golds is a bit bigger than other 6x9 speakers. So unmodified the billet grills will NOT fit over the DC Golds. The Billet grills have a mounting ring the sandwiches between the mounting surface and the speaker, which allows for the grill to be attaced with 2 small button screws for a clean look. But since the DC Golds are made of plastic, it won't be hard to modify them to accomidate the Billet Grills (if I choose to go with them). I did set the red grills over the DC Speakers just to get an idea of what they would look like, and if I do decide to use the billet grills, I will have to spray the DC gold speakers with black paint. THe white grills built into the DC Golds does not look good behind the Red Billet Grills.......
I explained to a few people, that I met this weekend at our normal party spot, the DC Gold speakers do not have a tweeter. EVERYONE was blown away at the simplistic nature, but excellent sound quality.
#5
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Thanks for the review! I've been looking at a set of 5" speakers for a transom mount like you have, and wondered if the DC's were any good.
Where is your local party spot? I may have to check them out in person sometime.
Thanks
-Rob
Where is your local party spot? I may have to check them out in person sometime.
Thanks
-Rob
#6
I used the Polk MM Ultra Marine 6.5" on my last boat. They worked great and it was just a little 16ft jet. The problem with the DB is that they cannot withstand direct water. Because the cone is not sealed, and the tweeter mounts on a pedistal that comes through the voicecoil. When you look at the MM UM, the tweeter is mounted on the grill.
Last edited by Waveform; 07-05-2011 at 08:13 PM.
#7
Charter Member # 55
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DC Golds are great. They make a great product. The single driver keeps it simple and the sound quality of the highs and lows are comparable to any speaker in there price range and many that cost more. It would be nice if tehy offered some other grill options with a little more bling, but the plain look won't attract thieves either. You can't beat the 3 year warranty either.
I actually used the 8 ohm 7's for the home theater in my basement and they sound just as good as the ones in my boat.
I actually used the 8 ohm 7's for the home theater in my basement and they sound just as good as the ones in my boat.
#8
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I run a twin O/B and am going to install speaker jacks at the sun lounge and attach suction cups to a set of speakers so I can stick them on top of the motors at the beach.
Been thinking about this one for a while.
Been thinking about this one for a while.
#10
Charter Member #232
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The reason they can make them sound goog with no tweeter is that they build the magnet structure with much closer tollerences. They then removed the spider material that is at the back of most speakers so the driver can move much faster. If you can move the diver fast enough then there is no need for a tweeter, and in turn a speaker that has less parts and less chances of blowing up. Make sure you do not distort them of they will blow because of those tight tollerences in the magnet structure. You can remove the grills if you want to. They sell a releasing agent and new grills if they ever break on you or if you want to put on your billet ones.
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