In a large sense, a RV is a collection of aftermarket/OEM products, with the RV mfg only building the basic structure. In a larger sense, the current state of RV quality is poor. This is manefested in the cheap aftermarket components that find their way into the typical RV. Such is the use of cheap speakers.

One of the projects I had on the back burner was to install a new set of speakers in the living area. I had held off as I was wanting to do both inside and outside speakers. However, I rarely use the outside speakers, and on a scale of cheap to cheaper, the inside speakers are cheap; the outside speakers are cheaper.

So I will save the outside speakers for another project - if and when I decide to replace them. So I am just going to replace the inside speakers for now.

When I began the project, I discovered that the speaker wiring is even cheaper than the speakers, the wire size is probably 24AWG, so I am glad I did not spend $250 for a set of JL speakers or I probably would not realize the performance they would provide. Small speaker wire, if you don't know (in the worst case), tends to increase series resistance of the speaker loop. This can affect the "Q" of the speaker/enclosure, and result in poor Bass frequency response.

I really don't want to tear into the RV to replace the speaker wire, which would require pulling down the ceiling, and routing new wire around the slideout. So the less expensive Polk DB-651s are a good fit for this project.

I have designed several speaker systems using the DB-651s, namely my last two boats. If you would like to see those projects, I am providing it here. The Four Winns project in particular is interesting as I custom designed enclosures for maximum performance. In my typical project style, I go through a lot of theory on speaker enclosure design, including use of the Thiele/Small design model.

I won't be doing any Thiele/Small modelling with the RV as the ceiling provides for a sufficient enclosure.

A few pitfalls to avoid. The Polk DB-651s have the typical automotive style speaker spade terminals (0.187 and 0.125), which are sometimes hard to find. If you cannot locate them, you can always solder the speaker wires directly to the terminals.