Configuring a New Audio System for Boat

[Essex502]

We're in the process of spec'ing a new audio system for our boat - head unit, 4 speakers and maybe an amp. Budget is $1,000 and that's firm. We'd like a good, clean sounding system at normal listening levels. We tend not to play the audio all that loud as usually our friends are around playing there stereo systems at an elevated level. There needs to be CD capability in the head unit. Brands are open and if an amp can be included so much the better. A sub isn't necessary either but wouldn't be turned away if the dollars were below the limit. Suitability for a marine application is a must.
Any suggestions as long as they're under the $1K limit are welcome.

[Havasu Hangin']

Four components, and two 10" subs would be a good place to look. Due to the lack of accoustics in a boat, subs are a must.
One four channel (75 x 4) and one sub amp (600 x 1) would be my choice.
If the $1,000 has to include installation- forget it (I hear those installers get $75/hour these days)...you're back to a head unit and four 6x9's (depending on the boat).
My 2 cents.

[rivercrazy]

HAH! No stereo system huh? Better start planning more batteries now! J/K :) :)
If you want it to be little more SQ oriented, go with 6.5" seperates. If you want it to be a little louder go with high quality 6X9's.
Headunit wise, I'd go Alpine. And make sure its XM capable so you can easily upgrade to sat radio without much drama. Just make sure if you want wired remotes that Alpine offers that accessory.
Amplifers - you don't have to spend top dollar on the premium priced brands. A clean watt is a clean watt and you won't be able to tell the difference in sound quality. Just satisfy yourself that the brand chosen is well built and reliable.
Just have Howard run thicker power cable, a few extra speaker and RCA's in the stereo wiring harness than your current needs dictate. That way if you do decide to throw a subwoofer or a few more speakers in there, you don't have to worry about rewiring anything and everything will be rigged Howard clean.

[ROZ]

Sparkomatic teamed up with Mecca to bring back the powerbooster. It's rumored to be stable to .01ohms and output 2000watts per channel with a .0009 distortion level. It's power supply is made of a spaceage polymer that allows the same output between 4v and 20v... This means you can rock all day from a 12v NMih battery!
Let me know if your interested !

[OutCole'd]

Sparkomatic teamed up with Mecca to bring back the powerbooster. It's rumored to be stable to .01ohms and output 2000watts per channel with a .0009 distortion level. It's power supply is made of a spaceage polymer that allows the same output between 4v and 20v... This means you can rock all day from a 12v NMih battery!
Let me know if your interested !
I though Sparkomatic teamed up with Kraco, not Mecca.

[Havasu Hangin']

So what's wrong with this picture? I try to be serious for once, and you guys add no value to this poor guy's audio question.
Is it all about jokes with you guys?
:D

[rivercrazy]

Lets get this thread back on track.
How about a 6-pack of Funky Pup Subs? ;)

[ROZ]

I though Sparkomatic teamed up with Kraco, not Mecca.
That was the rumor, but I thought I'd ignore all that sarbanes oxly shit and post the truth.... I may get in trouble from the Sec, Nasdq, fbi, cia, and the w.i.f.e , but you guys are worth it!

[ROZ]

Lets get this thread back on track.
How about a 6-pack of Funky Pup Subs? ;)
And to start off, I'd like everyone to know that Holiday Inn is offering 2 bags of poprocks and a pepsi with early checkin this week!

[rivercrazy]

Just insist on 6 bags of Poprocks followed up by a six pack of Pepsi. That ought to add lots of boom & overexcursion shortly after installation! :D :D

[Phat Matt]

We're in the process of spec'ing a new audio system for our boat - head unit, 4 speakers and maybe an amp. Budget is $1,000 and that's firm. We'd like a good, clean sounding system at normal listening levels. We tend not to play the audio all that loud as usually our friends are around playing there stereo systems at an elevated level. There needs to be CD capability in the head unit. Brands are open and if an amp can be included so much the better. A sub isn't necessary either but wouldn't be turned away if the dollars were below the limit. Suitability for a marine application is a must.
Any suggestions as long as they're under the $1K limit are welcome.
You can do it for that if you install it yourself.
Get 2 pair of these. Alpine 69LP (http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=alpspr69lp&store=&catid=360)
Get this amp. Hifonics ZX8000 (http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=hifzx8000)
Get 2 of these subs. Kicker 05C124 12" (http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=kic05c124&store=&catid=369)
Get this deck. Clarion DXZ745MP (http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=cladxz745mp&store=&catid=317)
You'll be at $740 plus shipping. There will be no tax. The subs can run free air for an easier install. The amp will run all of your speakers. You should be sounding pretty good.
Good luck.

[OutCole'd]

Matt, what does it mean, "the subs run free air"? Does that mean they don't need to be in a box?

[Phat Matt]

Matt, what does it mean, "the subs run free air"? Does that mean they don't need to be in a box?
Yes in a way. You couldn't set them on your seat and get bass out of them but you could use your hull or seat base as a box. A sealed box would sound better but this is an easier way of doing it and it will sound much better than no subs at all. Not all subs can be used in a "free air" or "infinite baffle" set up.

[Essex502]

Sparkomatic and Kraco? Those folks still around? I think Kraco only makes floor mats now. :D
Installation is NOT counted in the $1K budget. That is covered separately.
HH - Thanks for the suggestions. Subs are considered but at the volume levels we usually use I don't know if we'd even "hear" them.
RC - Loudness isn't a requirement at all. The wife likes the music kept to a level less than I prefer and when beached with friends, usually someone else is more than willing to crank theirs up for everyone's enjoyment.
Matt - I'll definitely look into these links and consider them carefully.
ROZ - Come on...this is a serious question. After $45K in the motor and drive (not counting the rest of the boat) there's only so much left for the "other kind of music" - i.e. stereo.

[ROZ]

ROZ - Come on...this is a serious question. After $45K in the motor and drive (not counting the rest of the boat) there's only so much left for the "other kind of music" - i.e. stereo.
How come I always have to be the serious one... Those guys always have all the fun.... :(
:D
HH and RC pretty much covered it in their posts....
If it's just for inside the boat listening and don't want to spend a lot of money, I'd run a 2 pair of effecient speakers from the headunit and a single 10" sub from a 250watt class D amp...
If you're looking for a little more volume, do as Matt suggested. Good deck, good 5 or 6 channel amp, 2 pair of effecient speakers, and a good subwoofer(s)...
I helped one of TremorTherapy's employees with a small Alpine system in his boat a while back, and I heard it sounded great! Think we used an Alpine deck, STm6666 6.5 marine speakers, 10w04, and a 5channel Alpine amp... It was all he needed... I think he spent around 1200.00 or so including all the cables...

[Essex502]

How come I always have to be the serious one... Those guys always have all the fun.... :(
:D
HH and RC pretty much covered it in their posts....
If it's just for inside the boat listening and don't want to spend a lot of money, I'd run a 2 pair of effecient speakers from the headunit and a single 10" sub from a 250watt class D amp...
If you're looking for a little more volume, do as Matt suggested. Good deck, good 5 or 6 channel amp, 2 pair of effecient speakers, and a good subwoofer(s)...
I helped one of TremorTherapy's employees with a small Alpine system in his boat a while back, and I heard it sounded great! Think we used an Alpine deck, STm6666 6.5 marine speakers, 10w04, and a 5channel Alpine amp... It was all he needed... I think he spent around 1200.00 or so including all the cables...
Thanks! Now that's more like a post from the ROZ that knows! :D

[ROZ]

Yes in a way. You couldn't set them on your seat and get bass out of them but you could use your hull or seat base as a box. A sealed box would sound better but this is an easier way of doing it and it will sound much better than no subs at all. Not all subs can be used in a "free air" or "infinite baffle" set up.
The only way I would do this is if the you have an external, the deck, or the amp have a subsonic filter on it. That way the speaker isn't overdriven trying to reproduce too low frequencies at high volume and blow.... An enclosure behind it will give it much more suspension...

[BOBALOO]

This Hifonics, Zeus ZX8000 that Matt recommended has a sub sonic filter. I an convinced that not having a ssf on my other bass amp, a PPI art series 600w from way back, led to many subwoofers demise. Try getting this stuff on EBAY.
Good luck with your project