Amp Question

[cbboarder]

So the dealer delivers our new boat yesterday with the wrong amp. It came with the std Kicker 4 channel amp as opposed to the 5 channel Hifonics we had upgraded to when we added the XS650 tower speakers. The stereo sounds fine though I haven't kranked it up. The dealer has offered a $200.00 service credit if I keep the Kicker amp or I can have the units changed at my 20 hour service. What do you think my best option is? Any input would be helpful.

Thx.

[mmandley]

What was the plan for the 5 channel?

Can you buy an amp you want for your system for that 200?

What is really a better value? The amp you asked for or the 200?

[04OUTBACK]

as MMandley asks? what do you need the 5th channel for?
BUT, if you wanted it and paid for it, you'll probably be happiest if you have them change it out at 20 hr!
I would imagine you only need the 5th channel for a sub.... but maybe it was more powerful than the Kicker..

[cbboarder]

The dealer recommended the 5 channel that's the only reason we upgraded.

[mmandley]

OK well TBH if that's the main reason then you might be best off taking a 200 credit from them.

You only need a 5th channel for a sub system. Thats all a 5th channel is good for. You can get a solid sub amp for 200.

Whats in the boat for stereo now and what are your plans for it? Maybe this will help in the advise?

[cbboarder]

Kenwood stereo, (6) kicker cabin speakers and the (2) wet sounds xs650's on the tower.

[mmandley]

If you only have 1 amp then your going to need something for the tower.

If you have 2 amps already id expect ZX200.4 and ZX200.2 are in the boat as these are the normal factory amps.

I would keep the ZX200.4 on my cabins and have the ZX200.2 on the tower. I suspect thats the way it is.

If you want to add a sub of some sort the easiest way is with a 5 channel that would replace the ZX200.4.

If your wanting a sub then id demand my 5 channel because your not going to get a good 5 channel at 200 right now.

[cbboarder]

I only have one amp, the 4 channel factory kicker.

[cab13367]

I only have one amp, the 4 channel factory kicker.

Which Kicker amp did you get and which Hifonics amp did you order? That would help us give you a good answer.

[cbboarder]

Cab,

Honestly I don't know. All I know is the Kicker factory amp is a 4 channel and the Hifonics was to be 5 channel. I'm thinking what I really need is to keep the factory 4 channel and add a 2nd amp for the tower as Mandley described.

[cab13367]

Cab,

Honestly I don't know. All I know is the Kicker factory amp is a 4 channel and the Hifonics was to be 5 channel. I'm thinking what I really need is to keep the factory 4 channel and add a 2nd amp for the tower as Mandley described.

Take a look at the amp next time you are on your boat and let us know what it is. If it's the zx200.4, then your 4 tower speakers are only getting 35w rms each whereas they can handle up to 100w rms so you are not getting anywhere near the potential of your tower speakers. I would suggest using that amp to run your 6 cabin speakers and then getting the ZX450.2 for your towers. Wire the speakers in parallel so that the amp sees a 2 ohm load and it will deliver 112.5w rms to each speaker which matches well with your speaker's rms rating. It will sound so much better especially at higher volumes than it does now.

Here's the link to it:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_11545_Kicker+08ZX450.2.html

Al

[cbboarder]

Thanks for the help! Adding the 2nd amp for the towers is the best solution.