replacing tower speakers

[WolfpackRider]

I need to replace my tower speakers. I'm not exactly sure what I currently have. They say MB Quart Reference on them. I've attached a picture of them. The outside diameter of the cans measures about 7.75". I'm not a huge audio guy. I just want to replace them with something that sounds okay and will reach wakeboarders. I saw mention of Kicker KMS67 replacement speakers. If those would work, they would fit my budget well.

Also, any ideas how I would open the MB Quart cans to replace the speakers inside?

24281

Thanks!

[MLA]

The 7.75 OD should do, the OD of the KMS76 is right at 7.0. You will need a 5.125" ID, but those pods could be enlarged if needed. Depth for the compression driver also needs to be taken into account. If need, the cross over can be removed and relocated to the side of the horn to gain the clearance.

The Kicker KMS67 is a real, honest to goodness HLCD, just like a Wet Sounds, Rev, Bullet Hollowpoint or exile xm9. Kicker just does it as component style rather than a pro-axial system like the others. The one distinct advantage is that the separate compression driver and horn, easily allows for the horn's flare to be continuous, rather than a long section of parallel walls before the horn starts to flare. This makes the compression driver very smooth. Its the best sounding 6.5" HLCD.

What amp do you have to drive them?

[David Analog]

That MB Quart 6.5" was over-sized so the pod I.D. opening is already large enough.
There's no doubt that the Kicker is by far the best 6.5" HLCD. However, all 6.5" HLCDs are challenged due to the ratio of a small midbass driver in comparison to an inordinately powerful horn tweeter. The Kicker is no exception, even with the horn attenuated. Now, when you add the second pair of Kicker midbass drivers in order to have four midbass drivers and two horn tweeters, the package comes into balance and this becomes an entirely different speaker. But that means six tower pods. I believe those tower pods and collars are still available, although the silver powder coating would likely be custom. I mention all this because otherwise you are going from FOUR 6.5" coaxials to TWO 6.5" HLCD components. Yes, with considerably more treble power, but with less midbass & midrange power.

[WolfpackRider]

Thanks for the replies on the KMS76 speakers. Should I look at different speakers to keep it at a total of 4 instead of going to 6? If so, I'd like to keep the price in a similar range.

I'll have a look at my amp and post info about it up later today.

Any ideas how I get the cover off of the existing cans? It looks like there are 2 plastic parts. One is a ring or band and the other is the grill cover. The band is between the grill and the metal can. I can make the band rotate around, but I don't see how to get things off unless it is just prying with a flat head screwdriver until something pops off (hopefully without breaking).

[WolfpackRider]

My amp is a Nitro BMW-486 2000 Watt 2 Channel Mosfet Bridgeable Amplifier (http://www.amazon.com/Nitro-BMW-486-Channel-Bridgeable-Amplifier/dp/B0007LIAJA)

[trayson]

Just go with the 4 kicker setup and if later on you want to upgrade to the "6 pack" you can. Your amp will probably be fine. You'll certainly notice an improvement in range.

As far as taking out the MB Quarts, you probably just need to pull the wire mesh from the pastic surround it's mounted in. Get a little metal hook or knife and start to pry the mesh away from the plastic. I'm pretty sure the mesh is just jammed in there with some black goop that holds them into the plastic surround. once you pop off the mesh, you'll have screws you can access to remove the rest.

I started by upgrading to just the 4 kickers. it was an improvement and worked decent for a first step. Later I decided I wanted more than then went to the 6pack. but you can certainly do a phased approach and it won't hurt anything. I had to move my tweeter to the side of the horn for depth.

A pic when I had the four:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sexXZBa6ci0/VEVgpELMY8I/AAAAAAAAYLE/F-la6TTMm10Xb6DkSTPX4myUw13XYJn6wCCo/s800/GOPR1309.JPG

[jtatexc]

To throw a little something out, I have the Krypt hlcd 6.5 and love them. I've had them for 2 years and they sound great for both surf and wakeboarding. I am using a kicker 450.2 to push them and am very happy.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[zd215]

I installed a 4-pack KMS67 during the winter and have been pretty happy with them so far. I also added a JL Audio CL‑RLC so I can control the tower volume from the drivers seat.
I wanted to keep my Roswell speaker bar and had to do some minor cutting to get the mid-bass drivers to fit.

Unfortunately I can't post pictures or links yet....

[trayson]

I installed a 4-pack KMS67 during the winter and have been pretty happy with them so far. I also added a JL Audio CL‑RLC so I can control the tower volume from the drivers seat.
I wanted to keep my Roswell speaker bar and had to do some minor cutting to get the mid-bass drivers to fit.

Unfortunately I can't post pictures or links yet....

5 more posts and you'll be able to. Look forward to seeing your XLV!!

[MLA]

Packrider,

The only other option is going to be 2 pair of 6.5" HLCD. Read what David posted about lack of mid-bass. Going with 2 pair of 6.5" HLCD is going to be twice as "bright" as the Kicker KMS67 setup because it consist of 2 more compression drivers.

The other thing to consider, is that Kicker dropped the extra mids, so finding them may be a challenge. Likely could be found through some online clearing house.

[WolfpackRider]

Thanks all for the responses! I found a seller on Amazon with the KMS67's and went ahead and ordered them.

Trayson - Good call on just pulling the wire mesh out. That worked.

[jcornell26]

Thanks all for the responses! I found a seller on Amazon with the KMS67's and went ahead and ordered them.

Trayson - Good call on just pulling the wire mesh out. That worked.WP, I know I'm digging up an old post, but how did you like those KMS67's? Thinking of picking up a pair.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[WolfpackRider]

I'm somewhat mixed on them. I think they produce great sound (though I'm no where close to an audiophile). However, they don't get the sound to someone at wakeboard distance behind the boat the same way my old speakers did. I have to crank the volume enough to get it back to a wakeboarder that it's rather overwhelming in the boat - it pretty much cuts out any conversations in the boat. If I set the volume to what sounds like the level I used with my old speakers (from the perspective of in the boat), you can't even tell it is turned on from the end of the rope. It's that big of a difference.

I've actually been meaning to come back here to ask if there is anything I can do to direct the sound behind the boat better. Does anyone have any ideas on that with this same set of speakers, i.e. not changing the speakers themselves, but changing the configuration, mounting, etc?

[MLA]

@wolfpackrider.

Seems clear that the KMS67 are getting the tunes out to the rider, as intended, but with an amount of volume filtering down into the cabin at said volume level.

In part, you are experiencing a typical 6.5" HLCD. They lack mid-bass near field, so they seem a bit overwhelming in and around the boat when cranked up for the rider 75ft back behind the boat. There some things to possibly minimize this:

Tweeter setting: Is the jumper on the 0 or 6 dB? The 0dB is more tame.
Tuning: is the amp cross-over tuned too high, reducing the production of mid-bass.
Aim: with boat loaded for boarding and riding at its attitude, how are the speakers aimed? Are they parallel with the floor, adding to the volume in the boat, or are they more parallel to the water, pointing more out to the rider?
Adding in the extra mid-bass driver to add more mid-bass.

[trayson]

I'm somewhat mixed on them. I think they produce great sound (though I'm no where close to an audiophile). However, they don't get the sound to someone at wakeboard distance behind the boat the same way my old speakers did. I have to crank the volume enough to get it back to a wakeboarder that it's rather overwhelming in the boat - it pretty much cuts out any conversations in the boat. If I set the volume to what sounds like the level I used with my old speakers (from the perspective of in the boat), you can't even tell it is turned on from the end of the rope. It's that big of a difference.

I've actually been meaning to come back here to ask if there is anything I can do to direct the sound behind the boat better. Does anyone have any ideas on that with this same set of speakers, i.e. not changing the speakers themselves, but changing the configuration, mounting, etc?

Also, do you have some kind of zone control? Being able to dial in the tower speakers separate from the cabin speakers and sub is crucial for a balanced listening experience with a rider in tow.

[WolfpackRider]

MLA and Trayson - thanks for the responses.

I'll check on the tweeter jumper setting and the amp crossover. Good call on the speakers being parallel to the boat floor or the water. I'm pretty sure they are parallel to the floor. I'll check that the next time we're out as well.

If I remember correctly, I have the tower speakers connected to an AUX out that corresponds to the front (bow) speakers so I can use the fader to decrease the volume in the main part of the boat. But, I'll add that to the checklist of items to tweak.