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axel_T
04-21-2008, 01:14 AM
need some advice and new to the whole boat 'sound systems'...I have already purchased a 4x4 speaker/light combo (4 HID lights and 4 KS60 (RMS 65....195 watts peak power)) and am looking for a solid amp to power the combo...also thinking of adding a 10 inch sub (do I need an additional amp to power?) thanks for any future inputs...

pickle311
04-21-2008, 10:24 AM
yes you will need an additional amp, look on ebay and pick up a couple of kicker amps cheap.

Well, you can do it 2 ways. The easiest would be to pick up the Kicker 850.4 off of ebay for about $250. Use 2 channels for the tower speakers and bridge the other 2 for the sub and it will rock. You will also need another 4 channel for the speakers inside the boat as well. Grab the Kicker 650.4 for those. All you have to deal with is 2 amps and it will be rockin.

byronkoz
04-21-2008, 10:53 AM
Whats your budget?

axel_T
04-21-2008, 11:05 AM
well I have about 1500 to spend on upgrade sound system, some fat sacs and perhaps a pair of wake skis...Was thinking of spending around 400-500 on the fat sacs so budget for amps 500-700...

any wake ski riders out there? can you comment on the experience? I have snow skied for the past 12 years and am very tempted to purchase a pair...

cab13367
04-21-2008, 02:39 PM
What's a wake ski?

byronkoz
04-21-2008, 03:08 PM
Forgot to ask, what head unit do you have? Are you using the stock kenwood 2 ways?

byronkoz
04-21-2008, 03:18 PM
And with that budget you could do better than Kicker imo, not that kickers arent good amps. You could use this amp for interior and sub.
http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-BOSTON-ACOUSTICS-GT-50-GT50-AMPLIFIER-NEW_W0QQitemZ350048820442QQihZ022QQcategoryZ39739Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And this amp for your tower.
http://cgi.ebay.com/BOSTON-ACOUSTICS-GT42-4-CHANNEL-AMPLIFIER-CAR-AUDIO-AMP_W0QQitemZ270229362693QQihZ017QQcategoryZ39739Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

These would give you some options down the road should you choose to upgrade again plus work great for what you have now.

K_E_N
04-21-2008, 03:26 PM
What's a wake ski?

Yeah, that's what I was wondering.

axel_T
04-21-2008, 04:45 PM
wake ski link:

http://www.hosports.com/gear/product?id=9191

Pickle and Koz-thanks for the suggestions...trying to narrow my search down...should I get both amps the same size or should one be bigger/smaller according to what they are powering...stock kenwood 2-way is what I have right now and dont plan on changing them unless they blow-I havent had a problem with them and think they are decent stock speakers...

axel_T
04-21-2008, 05:23 PM
this is one of the amps I am looking at...

clarion APX480M Marine 4 Channel Amp

what do you all think?

Reese350
04-21-2008, 09:13 PM
I don't know a lot about stereo equipment but I just added a JL M6450 and JL 10" Marine sub to the stock system to my 06 LSV. I had them wire the 6 stock kenwood speakers into the amp as well and the system sounds great. I may swap out the stock kenwoods next year but from what I can tell, the JL equipment is rock solid.

tazz3069
04-21-2008, 09:24 PM
The clarion Amp is a descent amp. I am running 6 Polk Audio DB651 in the boat and 4 Polk Momo for the tower. I also have a 10" Boston Acoustic sub. The cockpit speakers and sub are running a Kicker MX700.5 amp and a Kicker MX 350.4 for the tower. The 700.5 is a five channel amp. It sound great.


the clarion amp, like a I said is a good amp. You can find what ever you are looking for on Ebay.

axel_T
04-22-2008, 12:03 AM
so if you dont mind me asking, ballpark, what did you guys spend on amp(s), battery, wiring and labor? I've installed numerous 'systems' in cars, but with this being my first boat and not wanting to F it up, then I am hesistant on installing the equip...

Reese350
04-22-2008, 01:12 AM
Amp $250 (Craigslist)
Sub $250
2nd battery with case $110
Automatic switchover protection relay - $110
Misc wiring - $50
Installation (6 hours) - $300

Just picked it up today. Very happy with it.

tazz3069
04-22-2008, 08:11 AM
I did the install myself. I purchased my speakers from
Ebay-4 Polk Momo @ $149.00 a pair
Crutchfield- 6 Polk DB651 @ $99.00 a pair. With Crutchfield, Buy one and get the second for half price.
Boston Acoustic sub $199.00
Kicker MX700.5 Ebay $250.00
Kicker MX350.4 Ebay $188.00
Kenwood HU $239.00
Wire and amp wire kits $130.00
Sub box from Audio Formz $250.00
Beer ?????
I also used to install car stereos. This was easy to do. I got the boat already with the extra battery and Perko Switch. I will post Pictures when finished.

ian ashton
04-22-2008, 10:26 AM
I plan to do my install myself, and here is what I got, and for how much (including all shipping cost)

(3 pairs) Polk DB651 (eBay) $190.93
Kicker ZX700.5 Amp (eBay) $197.50
Kenwood KDC-232MR head unit (Crutchfield) $135.00
(2) Kenwood KCA-RC50MR Marine Remotes (Crutchfield) $119.98
Kenwood iPod Adapter KCA-IP500 (Crutchfield) $99.99

I still have to buy all the wiring and such, which will probably be another $100 - $200 when its all said and done.

I'm also using a 10" Kicker Solobaric L7 subwoofer that I already had.

newty
04-22-2008, 10:53 AM
Agree with the kicker 700.5. Great amp good, quality, simple to install. Will run your entire system efficiently. Best bang for the buck.

axel_T
04-22-2008, 11:58 AM
Will the 07 Outback stock Kenwood HU be sufficent in running 4 tower speakers/ 1 sub and the 6 inboat stock speakers? if not, what would you suggest?

ian ashton
04-22-2008, 01:10 PM
The stock head-unit with an amp or a pair of amps should be fine. The head unit only has 1 set of RCA Outputs, but you should be able to split them without any issue. If you are worried about it you could always get a pre-amp to boost the signal voltage, but its not necessary.