Vista 268 Speaker Question

Pac Winn · **Joined:** Sat Sep 18, 2010 8:43 pm **Posts:** 66

I know this is a dumb question and I have searched all the threads for the answer. I have a 2000 Vista 268 and want to replace the two stock speakers on the back of the boat. It appears from everything I can find that the stock holes are for 6.5. Is this correct? The speaker under the padding on the port side looks pretty small.

Second I was looking at the Polk 651, has anyone actually fit that speaker in both existing holes, even the one under the port padding? It looks like their might not be enough room without modifications to the padding. Anyone with any advice is much appreciated. Sorry if I missed a previous post that answers this.

PAC Winn
Vista 268

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Tue May 17, 2011 12:12 am

Polk 651's fit just fine. You will have to drill new screw holes but thats it.

And yes, 6.5" under the port side padding.

Pac Winn · **Joined:** Sat Sep 18, 2010 8:43 pm **Posts:** 66

Thanks! Are you happy with the Polk speakers? I am going to order tomorrow. Thanks again!

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Tue May 17, 2011 12:54 am

Very happy. I replaced both the speakers in the cabin and cockpit with them.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue May 17, 2011 6:26 am

Pac Winn wrote:

Thanks! Are you happy with the Polk speakers? I am going to order tomorrow. Thanks again!

Here is Al's install of the Polk speakers on a 268 Vista. This may help, maybe it won't.

http://www.boat-project.com/electro/proj-7e.htm

Pac Winn · **Joined:** Sat Sep 18, 2010 8:43 pm **Posts:** 66

Cap'n that's exactly what I needed. Thanks!

paigerockson · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2012 5:03 pm

Thanks for the post. How do you remove the port side padding to get to the speaker?

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2012 6:02 pm

Remove that entire panel. There is a screw at the bottom, may be covered up by it. Remove that and the housing will lift up and off. Speaker is in the fiberglass right behind that.

paigerockson · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2012 6:08 pm

Thanks for the quick reply, I have looked all over for some sort of set screw and cannot find it. I have found the one in the front but after removing that one, the panel only lifts up a foot or two and I can barely access the access cutout for the wire. I can't seem to find the one aft to remove the whole panel.

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2012 8:26 pm

I may be thinking wrong. It might only swing up, I don't think I was able to take that entire panel off. You should have enough room to swing it up and remove/replace the speaker.

Pac Winn · **Joined:** Sat Sep 18, 2010 8:43 pm **Posts:** 66

I got my panel all the way off by removing two screws if I remember correctly. One up by the cabin door and one in the vicinity of the speaker. Then the whole thing lifted off a couple hooks. I remember it being a little tight and tapping it a bit. This is from memory though, so Take it easy on the tapping ha ha...

Pac Winn

ric · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:39 am

I got the DB651's originally, they are good but for a few $$ more the MM651's are much better.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:04 am

ric wrote:

I got the DB651's originally, they are good but for a few $$ more the MM651's are much better.

And the 612M's are better than both the Polks'.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:36 am

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

ric wrote:

I got the DB651's originally, they are good but for a few $$ more the MM651's are much better.

And the 612M's are better than both the Polks'.

Really? Have not heard those. All that stuff is just numbers on paper though. You could put the same speakers on two different head units and have them sound 100% different. Spending $$ on good speakers while using a factory radio like a clarion is not worth the upgrade. There's a chance it could sound worse. The polk's on my original JBL headunit sounded like aluminum cans shaking in a trash can. In order for any of the Polk or Infinity speakers to sound good you will need a GOOD radio like a Sony. Now owning a new Sony in my car and taking a chance with the new 2012 model Kenwood for the boat, I can say that my boat with the Polk/Kenwood combo sounds better then my Lexus with the Sony/factory 10 speaker system.

powellcrazy · **Posted:** Sun May 13, 2012 8:31 am

IMHO, you can go with any good major brand headunit, but for good quality sound the entire system must be of quality grade. Just like a chain, it is only as strong as the weakest link!

If you don't have good, head unit sending a clean signal to a good AMP to produce good power, then supplied to speaker thru good wire, you will have no chance of good result.

I installed a head unit that had features I wanted for a weekend on boat, then pulled all new wire from battery, new fuse block, amps, sub and then 6 new speakers. System is adequate while underway.

www.iFourWinns.com

Vista 268 Speaker Question

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