Boss amps....

[slipperyrockTKE300]

I have a neighbor that just acquired an older I/O boat with a tower and he wants to put speaker towers on it - but on the cheap.

He asked me about amps and as you all know, I don't know a darn thing about audio (he can hear mine from down the street :) )

Told him I would ask the experts here.

For about $135 he can get a Boss Audio MR1000 amp.

"1000W 4-Channel MOSFET Bridgeable Marine Power Amplifier"

Are boss decent amps for *good to average* sound quality for wakeboarding and skiing?

I have no idea (nor does he yet) what or how many speakers he is going to mount on the tower. He is probably gonna get used speakers.

[Northstarhi]

I had that boss amp and the boss 6X9 tower speakers in my old 1996 Glastron SX 185 They worked Fine for what I wanted at the time. I could hear the music while wakeboarding 70 feet out. In my opinion Boss audio is like a Kia Rio it will get the job done and get you back and forth to work. Where as Wet Sounds or Exile are like a Lamborghini or a Ferrari they will turn everyone's head on the lake. So for his budget it should be fine. But I'm sure after a couple of years he will want to upgrade everything starting with the boat. Well at least that's what we did.

These are just my thoughts.

[David Analog]

That's a dog with fleas.
The only RMS rating is 4 X 100 watts and it is highly unlikely that it can meet that spec.
What are you going to do with a fixed 200 Hz highpass, and so on.
A company like Boss tends to prey on poorly informed and unknowledgeable consumers.

[David Analog]

Check out this video from Mobile Edge where they tested and compared a Memphis and Boss amplifier.
http://www.mobileedgeonline.com/7-things-to-consider-when-buying-a-car-audio-amplifier/

Odin @ Earmark Marine has even a larger set-up (more power supply and larger resistor banks) for testing amplifiers.
It sure separates the boys from men.

[slipperyrockTKE300]

"I had that boss amp and the boss 6X9 tower speakers in my old 1996 Glastron SX 185 They worked Fine for what I wanted at the time. I could hear the music while wakeboarding 70 feet out. "

Thanks northstar...the guy has some young sons and all they are interested in is enhancing their boating a little - they don't care to hang out in coves and brag about how much they spent on audio equipment.

[New Guy]

Stay away man. What's their budget there are significantly better options out there.

[New Guy]

Better options http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_94894_Hifonics-ZRX616.4.html

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_76494_Kenwood-KAC-8406.html

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_94830_Hifonics-BRX616.4.html

[trayson]

Boss is the bottom end of the audio world. Think bayliner. If you're going to do with anything that is on the cheap but seems to have a decent following go with the Phantom series by Precision Power. I have a whole thread on Wakeworld about their amps.

[David Analog]

What does that say about a company that intentionally deceives you about their power and specifications?
And as a consumer, why would you buy it if you have no idea what you are getting?

[DOCDRS]

Remember guys it's an older used I/O. He doesn't need a stero system worth 2x the value of the boat. He has a Kia , why would you want to put a mofo stereo in a non mofo boat. Unless is purely because you can!

[jmvotto]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kicker-11ZX450-2-450W-2-Channel-Amplifier-Active-Crossover-KICKEQ-Boost-/400626355592?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d47310d88&vxp=mtr


search ebay for used quality stuff, "another mans junk is another mans treasure"

[trayson]

Remember guys it's an older used I/O. He doesn't need a stero system worth 2x the value of the boat. He has a Kia , why would you want to put a mofo stereo in a non mofo boat. Unless is purely because you can!

That's why I said precision power. and others threw out some names that would get him by. I also agree with the idea of getting used stuff. I built a great budget system on my last boat using Rockford Fosgate and Phoenix Gold amps. stuff that was either used, or new but a couple years old. Heck, even the kenwoods/sony/alpine/pioneer stuff would be better and offer more piece of mind than Boss.

[uniwarking]

Boss is the bottom end of the audio world. Think bayliner. If you're going to do with anything that is on the cheap but seems to have a decent following go with the Phantom series by Precision Power. I have a whole thread on Wakeworld about their amps.

Again with the Bayliner jabs... Lol... I owned a very reasonably priced Bayliner for 5 years with zero warranty issues and it performed in all aspects but size... It was a 185. Since our boating centered around water sports and boat prices skyrocket as you move into the 20+ ft territory we leaned toward an inboard and Moomba fit the bill with features and price. Yet, I hear the same comments about Moomba... Even from owners of fancy Natiques which have had their share of warrant issued as well.

Back to the topic at hand, I'd agree there are far better products at or near the same price point. I guess I've been lucky with not having issues... I've had boss, American legacy, Sound ordinance, JBL and other "budget brands" and they've gotten the job done for the time I've needed them. From the sounds of it, this guy is looking for more sound at low cost... Maybe not so worried about efficiency, cross over settings, fancy LED's or other features.


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[New Guy]

For about $135 he can get a Boss Audio MR1000 amp.

"1000W 4-Channel MOSFET Bridgeable Marine Power Amplifier"


Remember guys it's an older used I/O. He doesn't need a stero system worth 2x the value of the boat. He has a Kia , why would you want to put a mofo stereo in a non mofo boat. Unless is purely because you can!

All three amps price that I listed are in that same $135 price.

[trayson]

Again with the Bayliner jabs... Lol... I owned a very reasonably priced Bayliner for 5 years with zero warranty issues and it performed in all aspects but size... It was a 185. Since our boating centered around water sports and boat prices skyrocket as you move into the 20+ ft territory we leaned toward an inboard and Moomba fit the bill with features and price. Yet, I hear the same comments about Moomba... Even from owners of fancy Natiques which have had their share of warrant issued as well.

Back to the topic at hand, I'd agree there are far better products at or near the same price point. I guess I've been lucky with not having issues... I've had boss, American legacy, Sound ordinance, JBL and other "budget brands" and they've gotten the job done for the time I've needed them. From the sounds of it, this guy is looking for more sound at low cost... Maybe not so worried about efficiency, cross over settings, fancy LED's or other features.


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Sorry if my analogy rubs ya the wrong way. It probably wasn't the best analogy anyway. Bayliner is cheap and utilitarian. "performed" is subjective. I had the displeasure once of driving a 3-cylinder Geo Metro on the german autobahns once. it "performed" in that it got me from my sister's house to the ski resorts in the alps. But it sucked as I was maxing it out at 85mph getting passed like I was standing still by BMW's and Audi's. You can guess that I don't drive a Geo metro, and it's probably not too hard to figure out that I do drive the latter now. :-)

Boss isn't "utilitarian" in my opinion... just cheap and tries to over-represent itself.

The only features the OP should be worried about are quality of the power put out with minimal distortion and the ultimate reliability of the product. IMO, I think Boss will fall short in this category.

Distortion will kill speakers faster than anything. And we all should know by now that under-powering equipment is bad news. So at the minimum, I think that since it's pretty well agreed that Boss over-represents its capabilities, that it's in turn likely that the consumers are unknowingly under-powering their speakers and are likely also delivering higher levels of THD as well.

I guess it's more like thinking you're getting an HD cable TV signal for 1/2 price but instead getting a lower res distorted signal. But in audio, you risk damaging your speakers if you give them too much distortion...

I'd rather have the OP go with a more trusted brand.

[uniwarking]

But Trayson... It has 1000 watts! 😜
All points spot on, no worries on the Bayliner analogy... It's just that there are certainly more accurate and appropriate ones to use.


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[trayson]

But Trayson... It has 1000 watts! ��
All points spot on, no worries on the Bayliner analogy... It's just that there are certainly more accurate and appropriate ones to use.


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Probably. it's just the familiarity that drew to to it. :-)

1000 watts my a$$! LOLOL.

Bottom line is that for the OP there are better, more trusted names at the same price and no reason to give money to a company like Boss.

[kaneboats]

Maybe the chinese hammer or tape measure you buy at Harbor Freight compared to a Stanley one. Or maybe their air tools compared to Bostich or Porter Cable.

Here's a better analogy. Compare your Ford, Chevy, Toyota, whatever to this car:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP9CeHVGE0s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP9CeHVGE0s

[trayson]

Maybe the chinese hammer or tape measure you buy at Harbor Freight compared to a Stanley one. Or maybe their air tools compared to Bostich or Porter Cable.

Here's a better analogy. Compare your Ford, Chevy, Toyota, whatever to this car:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP9CeHVGE0s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP9CeHVGE0s

But I got my tape measure FREE from harbor freight with a coupon!

[MLA]

Man, these Boss Audio V's Bayliner threads always go south fast due to those Boss Fan boyz 8-)

[trayson]

Man, these Boss Audio V's Bayliner threads always go south fast due to those Boss Fan boyz 8-)

They must be from "Camp Boss".

[moombadaze]

Again with the Bayliner jabs... Lol... I owned a very reasonably priced Bayliner for 5 years with zero warranty issues and it performed in all aspects but size... It was a 185. Since our boating centered around water sports and boat prices skyrocket as you move into the 20+ ft territory we leaned toward an inboard and Moomba fit the bill with features and price. Yet, I hear the same comments about Moomba... Even from owners of fancy Natiques which have had their share of warrant issued as well.




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owned a Bayliner for 7 trouble free years myself, always find the Bayliner bashing funny

[trayson]

owned a Bayliner for 7 trouble free years myself, always find the Bayliner bashing funny

You should have heard me bash Moomba's back in the day. Ironic that I now own one. But then again, the boats I was bashing back in the day looked like this:

http://images1.allboatlistings.com/nlarge/moomba_boomerang_19541572.jpg

[viking]

Nothing wrong with that boat if you are into Slalom.
I'd take a boomerang any day if I had the room and a slalom course nearby. As a 2nd boat of course :)

[trayson]

Nothing wrong with that boat if you are into Slalom.
I'd take a boomerang any day if I had the room and a slalom course nearby. As a 2nd boat of course :)

I'm sure it produces a decent wake. At the time, I spent my time in a Boss 200, followed by a sport nautique. Seeing something so stripped down to basically a utilitarian engine and hull just wasn't my thing. Moomba was taking "value oriented" to the max back then.

I couldn't be happier with my XLV though. :-)

But I'd have to be pretty desperate to wakeboard behind a Bayliner. LOL.

[uniwarking]

But I'd have to be pretty desperate to wakeboard behind a Bayliner. LOL.

We learned to board behind that old '07 Bayliner, threw a decent wake with that 07 hull, V6, full tank of gas and a few people :) The only thing the Mojo has done for me is make the wake approach more scary lol... my bag of tricks is still limited. That Mojo wake can be like a launch pad...

[trayson]

We learned to board behind that old '07 Bayliner, threw a decent wake with that 07 hull, V6, full tank of gas and a few people :) The only thing the Mojo has done for me is make the wake approach more scary lol... my bag of tricks is still limited. That Mojo wake can be like a launch pad...

i havent ridden a ton of i/o's but every one of them produced a wake that would make you arc up in a jump rather than up/out. The dd and vdrive wakes tend to have that nice shape that makes wake to wake jumps more effortless.

I can most certainly tell the difference and I'd often pass on the i/o wakes. guess I have got spoiled and a little wake snobbish.

Heck, in my XLV, I only fill the center bag and I can launch well into the flats every time. It's just beautifully shaped. I am quite happy!

[beat taco]

Can you Boss fan boys get this back on topic please.

[slipperyrockTKE300]

ah guys.....you keep mentioning the OP should do this, the OP should do that...


I am the OP.

The guy got his answer (he has been reading this thread) and he knew after the 1st couple responses that he ain't gonna get a Boss amp.


thx

e.

Hyundai owner since 2008 and lovin' 'em more than the European cars I had.

[MLA]

Are BOSS amps decent? No, they are the bottom of price-point. Is it going to deliver the advertised power, no, probably about 1/3rd of that even with all chnls driving at 2 ohm. The chassis mounted fuses give a little clue. Amp dont "make power" they convert DC battery to usable speaker wattage. Its take a certain amount of amp consumption to produce that speaker wattage, there is no magic way to do it.


Are boss decent amps for *good to average* sound quality for wakeboarding and skiing?

Here is what jumped out to me! To achieve this goal, your friend is going to need some HLCD speakers and respectable wattage to drive them. Past the point of verified output, amp brand is irrelevant. But, better quality amps are, well, just better. David pointed to a couple obvious things.

I would suggest something like the Memphis Audio 6.5" HLCD as a budget wake range setup. Bridge them a decent, better than BOSS, 4 chnl with a 200w rms x 2 @ 4 ohm bridged output.

[uniwarking]

Good to hear Ed.

I suppose it all depends on what speakers he wanted to install on the tower as well, but a pretty solid Exile Harpoon demo can be had for ~$280 on the website: http://exileaudio.com/store/index.php/hot-deals/demo-harpoon.html

As many others have mentioned, there are lots of other options at the same price point as the boss. I was pretty fond of this ~$100 JBL amp in my last boat, it's cheap and pretty solid... but depending on what you go with may not have enough power. I used it for cabins. http://www.amazon.com/JBL-MA6004-4-Channel-Full-Range-Amplifier/dp/B000N3S83K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428407287&sr=8-1&keywords=jbl+marine+amplifier

[MLA]

Are BOSS amps decent? No, they are the bottom of price-point. Is it going to deliver the advertised power, no, probably about 1/3rd of that even with all chnls driving at 2 ohm. The chassis mounted fuses give a little clue. Amp dont "make power" they convert DC battery to usable speaker wattage. Its take a certain amount of amp consumption to produce that speaker wattage, there is no magic way to do it.



Here is what jumped out to me! To achieve this goal, your friend is going to need some HLCD speakers and respectable wattage to drive them. Past the point of verified output, amp brand is irrelevant. But, better quality amps are, well, just better. David pointed to a couple obvious things.

I would suggest something like the Memphis Audio 6.5" HLCD as a budget wake range setup. Bridge them a decent, better than BOSS, 4 chnl with a 200w rms x 2 @ 4 ohm bridged output.

Minor correction, I forget the Memphis is a 2 ohm speaker, so I doubt you will find a 2 ohm bridgeable 4 chnl. Look for a 2 chnl thats got a 150-200W rms x 2 @ 2 ohm. May be out of the budget, but the Kicker KXM400.2 would do it.

[slipperyrockTKE300]

so where's that illustration of beating the dead horse when it IS needed?

Forgive them Joel - sometimes Moomba owners just can't help themselves.