Tower Speakers/Amps

Just bought a new Moomba Mobius LSV and am considering adding additional tower speakers. It's our first wakeboard boat with a tower so I'm not too familiar with the stereo/speaker/amp necessities. I asked the dealership about adding 2 additional tower speakers and in the price quote they added an amp along with the speakers. Do you need an additional amp for ever new set of tower speakers you add? Right now they are installing 2 speakers and an amp but would I need another amp if I added 2 more tower speakers too?

You do not necessarily need an amp per pair of speakers. There are ALOT of variables, though.

What are you hoping to accomplish with the speakers on the tower? Do you know what components the dealership is installing?

Dealers have come quite a ways but they still might not be the ideal people to install stereo, depends on the dealer, and possibly how its worked into the overall "deal".

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Originally Posted by jntMobiusLSV

Just bought a new Moomba Mobius LSV and am considering adding additional tower speakers. It's our first wakeboard boat with a tower so I'm not too familiar with the stereo/speaker/amp necessities. I asked the dealership about adding 2 additional tower speakers and in the price quote they added an amp along with the speakers. Do you need an additional amp for ever new set of tower speakers you add? Right now they are installing 2 speakers and an amp but would I need another amp if I added 2 more tower speakers too?

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It depends on the 4 speakers that are going to be used and the current amp choice. If you want to add that 2nd pair, the ideal amp would be a 2 chnl amp with sufficient 2 ohm x 2 output to properly power the 4 pods. With additional details of the speakers and amp, a yes or no answer can be given, as well as any recommendations.

I've got to check with the dealership to find out the specifics of the amp and speakers, then I'll repost that info. Also, how important is a subwoofer? I know alot of people have those installed too. Just want it to sound good, but not looking to be the loudest boat on the lake. Ha

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Originally Posted by jntMobiusLSV

I've got to check with the dealership to find out the specifics of the amp and speakers, then I'll repost that info. Also, how important is a subwoofer? I know alot of people have those installed too. Just want it to sound good, but not looking to be the loudest boat on the lake. Ha

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Even a 10" sub with moderate power will make a system come to life. The sub will fill in all those missing notes that the 6.5" in-boat speakers can not reproduce. For some, they want ripple water and kill fish, so they go with larger subs with more power handling and more complicated enclosures and installs. So it would depend on your wants.

So true that you have to know precisely the existing tower amplifier make, model and wiring scheme (two-channel, bridged 4-channel, etc.) plus the existing tower speaker make, model & impedance (assuming that the added tower speaker is identical) before coming to a conclusion. You've got to be concerned with thermal capacity (varies with amplifier), final impedance load and what the most power efficient configuration will be for a particular number of speakers. So with complete information it's really an easy answer.
Subwoofer? Even if you are by no means a bass head, the addition of a moderate subwoofer is huge. 6.5" coaxials cannot reach down and deliver the bottom usable octave of music. A well-balanced subwoofer will definitely add musicality to any boat system.

David

MLA, I just sent you a PM. Thanks!

Sorry to threadjack, please return to regular programming!

Definitely go with a subwoofer, also check to see what they are installing as far as speakers and amp and check back with us on the price they gave you. Generally dealers will install the factory option at a premium price which may not be what is best for you in the long run, definitely do it right the first time.

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Originally Posted by tarheelskier

MLA, I just sent you a PM. Thanks!

Sorry to threadjack, please return to regular programming!

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Thanks, reply sent.

Thanks for the info. Since we purchased the boat at the boat show they were running several "included" upgrades in the purchase price of the boat. Amp is a Kicker DX series but not sure which model and speakers are Roswell R6 Classic. I've been told by the dealership if I go with a 10" subwoofer I will also need to upgrade to a larger amp, which makes sense but all of this stereo, speaker, amp, subwoofer is like another language to me. Ha

$700 to install 10" subwoofer and upgrade amp to support the subwoofer and tower speakers. I'll have to research the cost of all this some more.

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Originally Posted by jntMobiusLSV

Thanks for the info. Since we purchased the boat at the boat show they were running several "included" upgrades in the purchase price of the boat. Amp is a Kicker DX series but not sure which model and speakers are Roswell R6 Classic. I've been told by the dealership if I go with a 10" subwoofer I will also need to upgrade to a larger amp, which makes sense but all of this stereo, speaker, amp, subwoofer is like another language to me. Ha

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The Roswell R6 is a traditional 6.5" coaxial speaker. To make the most out of a pair, i would suggest the Kicker IX500.2 2 chnl full-range class-d. It will deliver 125 watts continuous to each speaker pod. Its a better option then installing a 2nd amp of the same model thats going to drive the 1st.

IIRC, the OEM in-boat amp is the 4 chnl DX200.4. With out knowing exactly what amp, if there is one for the in-boats, and how many in-boats, you have, I can only speculate on options. One would be to trade out the DX-200.4 for the 5 chnl DX-600.5. This would power 4-6 in-boats and a 10" sub like the Kicker KM10. Or, step up to the 5 chnl IX1000.5. This would = more power to the in-boats and sub. One more option would be to keep the current DX-200.4 as is and just add a DX-500.1 single chnl amp. It gives you the ability to power a sub up to 500W.

I don't know if they are still doing it like they used but it's possible the dealer plans to use one amp for ALL speakers including the sub. That is how my boat came from the factory but it's quite a bit older.

Also, I'm not sure ive seen a factory box install? It could be they are throwing a free air sub in there.

You need to find out what exactly the plan is for the entire stereo if you agree to the upgrade. How many speakers you have (the model) and how they will be powered (amp model).

Just an FYI, if you hope to hear the music at wakeboard/kneeboard/ski distance then you will want to look elsewhere on the tower speakers. Unsure of your goal on tower speakers but I figured I'd mention it now so there is no surprise later.

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Originally Posted by KG's Supra24

I don't know if they are still doing it like they used but it's possible the dealer plans to use one amp for ALL speakers including the sub. That is how my boat came from the factory but it's quite a bit older...

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That's how mine came...Kicker ZXM 700.5 with the sub, 6 in boats, and a pair of Wetsounds pro 60s. I corrected that as soon as I got the boat home! Put the Pro 60's on a 2 channel amp. Definitely a better setup but the Pro60's lack the projection that I'd like at line length. They are fine for surfing but not so much for boarding/skating/tubing...I'll change that eventually.

Definitely go with Two amps at a minimum. When I'm done with mine I'll probably have 3 or 4 but of course I have volume envy issues...



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