RM6/RM9
™
Boston Rally
Speaker Systems
Installation Manual
Table of Contents
Specifications
2
3
Table of Contents
Notice
3
Tools Required
4
Before You Begin
4
Planning the Installation
Speaker Wiring
5
6
Routing the Wires
6
Installing Speakers In Factory Cutouts
Installation Options
7
8
Installing Speakers In Nonstandard Locations-RM6
Installing Speakers In Nonstandard Locations-RM9
Warranty
10
13
16
Notice
Installation of automotive stereo systems requires experience with a vari-
ety of mechanical and electrical procedures. This manual explains the
installation flexibility of the Boston Rally Series speaker systems, not the
exact installation methods to be used in any given case.
If you do not have the experience that these procedures require,
we strongly suggest you consult your Boston Acoustics dealer about
professional installation.
Tools Required
Before You Begin
These are the tools required
to complete the basic instal-
lation of the Boston Rally
Series speakers. Additional
tools are necessary for more
custom work.
Familiarize yourself with the location of fuel lines, hydraulic brake lines
and electrical wiring. Use extreme caution when cutting or drilling around
these parts.
Shut off all stereo and other electrical devices before you start.
Protect the speakers by keeping them in their plastic bags until final
installation. Speakers attract metal chips and filings. Always rest the
speakers with their cones and tweeters facing up.
1
1. Electric drill with ⁄8" (3mm)
1
and ⁄4" (6mm) bits
Never use force when installing any speaker.
2. Phillips screwdriver
3. Saber saw, hole saw or
nibbler
Check clearances on both sides of a mounting surface before drilling
any holes or installing any screws. Some screws require over an inch of
clearance behind the mounting surface.
4. Utility knife
Use a utility knife to cut fabric away from hole locations before you
drill or cut. Fabric is easily snagged by drill bits and hole saws.
Always wear protective eyewear when cutting and drilling holes or
when using power tools.
5. Silicon sealant or weather
stripping (optional)
6. Pliers or 7mm wrench (RM9
only)
4
Planning the Installation
Read all instructions carefully before you attempt any installation
procedures. Make sure all operations are clear to you.
Make sure you have adequate time and shelter to complete the
installation. Many installations require multiple days to complete.
Examine the Boston Rally Series speakers and hardware so that you
are familiar with them before you start the installation.
1. Decide on speaker placement.
2. Run the speaker wires.
3. Install the speakers and complete the wiring.
5
Speaker Wiring
For your convenience, two sets of two-conductor wire are provided to use
between the speakers and the amplifier or head-unit. Other wire may be
substituted if desired as long as it is at least 18 gauge. Sometimes the
stock speaker wires in the vehicle may be used.
Two-conductor speaker wire connects the positive and negative termi-
nals of each speaker to the corresponding positive and negative termi-
nals on the amp or head-unit. One side of the wire will be marked in some
way. Use the marked conductor to connect the positive terminals and the
plain conductor to connect the negative terminals.
stripe on one side
ridge on one side
different color wires
thread on one side
Routing the Wires
Include a large safety margin when estimating the length of each wire.
For Doors: Run the wires through factory harnesses or existing holes,
if possible. If drilling new holes, file the edges and install rubber grom-
mets and PVC tubing to protect the wires against abrasion.
For Rear Deck: Run wires along the door sills just inside the car, lifting
and replacing carpet as required. You may have to remove the rear seat
to pass wires back to the rear.
6
Installing Speakers In Factory Cutouts
1. Make sure the mounting surface provides a complete air seal
between the front and the back of the speaker. If the surface is uneven,
or if air can leak directly from the back of the speaker to the front, seal the
air leaks with silicon sealant or weather stripping. Make sure that the seal-
ing material does not touch any moving part of the speaker.
2. Attach the wires to the speaker.
3. Attach the assembly to the factory cutout using four of the supplied
#8 sheet metal screws or other hardware. Tighten the screws just
enough to seal the woofer against the mounting surface. Do not over-
tighten the screws.
7
RM6 Installation Option
Most factory speaker locations for 6-inch speakers provide either three or
four screw holes for mounting the speaker. The RM6 includes both sets of
holes. Rotate the speaker until the correct holes line up.
4-hole pattern
3-hole pattern
8
RM9 Installation Option
The RM9 can also be installed from underneath the rear deck to reduce
the installed height of the tweeter module. A spacer is supplied to pro-
tect the rubber surround and ensure a tight air seal. The spacer is
installed between the speaker and the mounting surface as shown in the
diagram.
The Kortec™ dome tweeter on the RM9 is asymetrically aligned with the
woofer cone to minimize diffraction of high-frequencies off of the cone.
Although they are packaged in stereo, matched pairs, either speaker may
be mounted on either side of the vehicle.
9
Installing Speakers In Nonstandard Locations–RM6
Notice
Check the clearance of both speaker locations. Your vehicle may not be
symmetrical. (There may be multiple window controls on the driver’s side,
for example.)
If installing in the doors, remove the interior panel. Avoid possible
speaker contact with door frames, handles and window tracks. Check the
window clearance by rolling the window up and down. Also check for
clearance with the door open and closed. If installing in the trunk, check
for clearance with the trunk lid opened and closed.
The Boston Rally Series speakers are heavy, and must be held in place
by a strong, rigid structure.
Check for signs of excessive water leakage inside the door. If the door
has a plastic moisture barrier, cut a flap to shield the speakers, or make a
flap from heavy sheet plastic and attach it to the inside of the door above
the speaker.
10
1. Trace the template onto the mounting panel. Mark the pilot hole, the
edges of the large cutout and the locations of the screws.
2. Make sure that the mounting surface provides a complete air seal
between the front and the back of the speaker. If the surface is uneven,
or if air can leak directly from the back of the speaker to the front, seal the
air leaks with silicon sealant or weather stripping. Make sure that the seal-
ing material does not touch any moving part of the speaker.
11
1
3. Drill the pilot hole at the center of the cutout, then drill four ⁄8" holes
for the speaker’s mounting screws. Make the large circular cutout with a
saber saw, hole saw or nibbler (depending on the material).
4. Slip “U”-clips over the screw holes. Position the flat side toward the
speaker as shown in the diagram.
5. Attach the wires to the speaker.
6. Attach the assembly to the cutout as shown in the diagram. Use four
of the supplied #8 x1" sheet metal screws or other hardware. Tighten the
screws just enough to seal the woofer against the mounting surface. Do
not overtighten the screws.
7. Attach the grille. Snap the grille on to the speaker assembly from the
front. Be sure to align the logo on the bottom of the grille before attach-
ing the grille.
Optional Spacers
1
To reduce the mounting depth by ⁄2", optional spacers are available that
can be mounted behind the RM6.
12
Installing Speakers In Nonstandard Locations–RM9
Notice
Check the clearance of both speaker locations. Your vehicle may not be
symmetrical.
If installing in the trunk, check for clearance with the trunk lid opened
and closed. If installing in the doors, remove the interior panel. Avoid
possible speaker contact with door frames, handles and window tracks.
Check the window clearance by rolling the window up and down. Also
check for clearance with the door open and closed.
The Boston Rally Series speakers are heavy, and must be held in place
by a strong, rigid structure.
1. Trace the template onto the mounting panel. Mark the pilot hole, the
edges of the large cutout and the locations of the screws.
2. Make sure that the mounting surface provides a complete air seal
between the front and the back of the speaker. If the surface is uneven,
or if air can leak directly from the back of the speaker to the front, seal the
air leaks with silicon sealant or weather stripping. Make sure that the seal-
ing material does not touch any moving part of the speaker.
1
3. Drill four ⁄4" holes for the speaker’s mounting screws. Make the large
elliptical cutout with a saber saw or nibbler (depending on the material).
13
4. Attach the assembly to the cutout as shown in the diagram. Use the
supplied machine screws and nuts or other hardware. Tighten the nuts
just enough to seal the woofer against the mounting surface. Do not
overtighten the hardware.
14
5. Attach the wires to the speaker.
6. Attach the grille front. Snap the grille on to the grille frame from the front.
Be sure to align the notch on the grille with the logo on the grille frame.
The Kortec™ dome tweeter on the RM9 is asymmetrically aligned with the
woofer cone to minimize diffraction of high-frequencies off of the cone.
Although they are packaged in stereo, matched pairs, either speaker may
be mounted on either side of the vehicle.
15
Warranty
For one year from the date of purchase, Boston Acoustics will repair for
the original owner any defect in materials or workmanship that occurs in
normal use, without charge for parts or labor.
Your responsibilities are to use the speaker system according to the
instructions supplied, to provide safe and secure transportation to the
authorized Boston Acoustics service representative and to present proof
of purchase in the form of your sales slip when requesting service.
Excluded from this warranty is damage that results from abuse, mis-
use, accidents, shipping, or repairs or modification by anyone other than
an authorized service representative. This warranty is void if the serial
number has been removed or defaced.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have
other rights which vary from state to state.
If Service Seems Necessary
First, contact the retailer from whom you purchased this product. If that’s
not possible, write to:
Boston Acoustics, Inc.
Service Department
300 Jubilee Drive
Peabody, MA 01960
We will promptly advise you of what action to take. If it is necessary to
return your speaker to the factory, ship it prepaid. After it is repaired, we
will return it freight prepaid to the U.S. and Canada.
300 Jubilee Drive
Peabody, MA 01960
USA
508-538-5000
Boston and Boston Acoustics are registered
trademarks, and Boston Rally and Kortec are
trademarks of Boston Acoustics, Inc. ©1996
Covered by patents issued and/or pending.
42-652-0
16
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