Help w/ Boat Stereo upgrade please ...

boattunez

My winter project is an upgrade to our boat stereo - yet another boat components/wiring question(!). Any and all help/advice GREATLY appreciated!

Here is what I have planned out (diagram is attached - I hope!):
1. Speakers - 8x Polk MMC650
2. Amp - 1 x JL 36450m

Planned to run a pair of parallel speakers on each of 4 channels (2 ohms) - 2 in bow, 4 in main open cabin, and 2 on swim platform, and bridge channels 5/6 for a sub (4ohms).

I think speaker loads are ok for this amp, but what about the sub - am I underpowering it or will it be ok? I really don't want to run 2 subs or 2 amps if I don't have to.

Not planning to run anything off head unit but maybe I should(?). Probable head unit? - right now leaning towards the 2007 Sony Marine Stereo CDX-HS70MW. Others considered: Clarion CMD4A, JBL M32S, Aquatic AQ-CD-1, Jensen MSR4115. Primary factors: marine-rated/weather-proof, wired & wireless remotes, iPod ready/control thru head, sat ready, flexible aux inputs.

Any and all help/advice GREATLY appreciated! Thanks all!

PolkThug

Looks like a fun setup. I know Clarion has been in the boat HU game for a long time. Only thing I would be worried about is the amp heating up, but I'm not familiar with JL amps.

boattunez

... gif schematic hard to read - try this word doc ...

polktiger

Are you planning one playing the stereo while running? What kind of boat is it? (Do you have inboards with battery recharging or is it a couple of big out boards?)

Most boats I have been on, including the large sport fishers are all have engines that are too loud to realisitically have a stereo that is anything more than a noise maker. If this is for play while anchored - that is where my power question comes from.

I know some people try to tune their hull to attract fish. I have never been on a boat with a sub. If you tell me a sub can attract fish, I will have a new secret weapon this season.

boattunez

Plan to use sound system mainly while anchored - not so worried about sound levels while running - motor does not run real loud ...

... boat is a 2001 Larson SEI 226 w/ 5.0 GXi (fuel injected Chevy 305) w/ Volvo-Penta outdrive ...

... dual batteries w/ Perko switch - so can isolate from start battery while anchored ...

... not sure about whether sub will attract fish (LOL) ...

polktiger

In that case, my only concern would be heat from the amp. You probably would want to add a capacitor in line, and given all the current you are running, I would guess you would need a couple farads. I am not familiar with that particular amp, but I would be concerned about having enough headroom to really deliver with that many speakers and the sub. You could really have some high peak power demands.

While I would never wish it on anyone - that chevy 305 should be heaven to work on. The last inboard I had was basically a 6 cylinder chevy w/ a carbourator - far more enjoyable than outboards. Now the outdrive - I would hit the grease fittings, but the shop could always have those repairs.

You might check and make sure your other electronics don't create a ground loop. I know what they sound like, but preventing them is above my pay grade.:o

Dennis Gardner

I would run the six channels of the mains on their own 4 ohm channel and get a separate sub amp dedicated for the sub channel.

You are simply asking too much out of a single amp, since boats have the loudest ambient noise level when runinng at speed.

My setup will be much like yours including the Clarion CDM4 with Ipod port, but with 2 bow speakers and 2 cockpit speakers, Polks MMC650 and 2 Momo 10 inch subs.

boattunez

After LOTS of analyzing/comparism (over-analyzing?) have decided to run the Clarion CMD4A head unit ... was tempted to get new Sony CDX-HS70WM (nice!) but went w/ CMD4A multiple remotes capability, Sirius-ready and fully integrated iPod interface ... plus silver face fits better w/ my finish than the Sony black ...

... also added a Clarion APX480M marine amp ... will run cabin spkrs and sub off JL 6ch ... and run bow and aft spkrs off the Clarion 4ch ...

... now looking for an on/off/fader/vol control to put between amps so I can fade 4ch amp bow vs aft/swim platform spkrs ... any ideas GREATLY appreciated ...

... also have to decide where to put amps ... leaning toward next to batteries in engine compartment - lotsa room, easy access, and figure amps should stay as dry & cool as batteries ...plus very short power runs vs longer RCA runs to head unit ...

... fun, fun, fun ... will be glad when weather gets above freezing here so I can start installing ... instead of planning !!! :eek: