Budget Audio Upgrade

For others that may be looking at a budget upgrade...boat came with the stock 6 speaker MB Quart set up, no tower speakers and I was ready to upgrade to something I can hear while surfing and swimming with a little bass. I know I spent 5x,xxx on a boat, why cheap out on audio. Its a family boat and my kids are very young, I only wakeboard 15 minutes a week, so it is mainly a surf and swim boat. This set up should be perfect for me.

4 Tower Cans Aluminum Black Powder Coated - 139.98
4 Kicker 6200 - 144.95
1 Kicker ZXM700.5(refurb) - 297.50
1 Kicker SKM10 - 160.00
1 amp install kit - 27.95


Total $770.38

Attachment 11960

nothing better than a budget system getting it done.

When you get this system set up i'd be curious on your take of the SKM10 sub in particular.I've been contemplating changes ,but have delayed twice,building/upgrading my system. I had that sub in particular in mind Due mostly to the simplicity of the Box,Sub combo ,but have not had a chance to see/hear this product. Its still in the plans ,probably Next year.

I'm not into serious pounding ,just looking for overall sound quality as tunes usually are for floating /rest time between Ski sets.

Nothing at all wrong with your choice of equipment. Im guessing you have an amp to drive the tower speakers?

Mikey,
The Kicker KM10 is a very nice woofer. Very musical and has some good bump with 200-250 watts rms to it. If the SMK10 doesn't fit your intended location, then go with the KM10 woofer and build a custom enclosure to fit the space.

Just got back from the first test run, I am actually fairly impressed with the sub. It hits harder than I thought it would, I couldn't be happier for the price.

Yes the zxm700.5 above is a kicker 5 channel amp to drive the tower speakers and sub.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tegu

Just got back from the first test run, I am actually fairly impressed with the sub. It hits harder than I thought it would, I couldn't be happier for the price.

Yes the zxm700.5 above is a kicker 5 channel amp to drive the tower speakers and sub.

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Yep, very familiar with the Kicker line, i install it quite often. So whats powering the 6 in-boats?

MLA the reason i was/am interested in this sub /box combo in the first place is so i could avoid having to build a custom box,in the first place. I know there are endless options if i decide to go custom box.. For practicallity sake and ease if this combo does what I WANT. Then this is likely the way for ME to go.
I'm really nor wanting a Hardcore ,Pounding "Thumping" system. So this is an option i had starting to persue,with the only problem being as the couple places i was looking ,Neither has one set up or in stock to demo before buying in the first place ,This is why i wanted a realworld take on this product.

My stereo,Will happen next spring so i have time to research and probably reconsider ,What i really want between then and now and may likey change as everytime i start looking seriously i see newer better stuff,often at better prices,Shopping smartly of course..

Where did you install the kicker box? Thanks, Tom

Tcallis, I see you're new around here. Lots of folks install under the helm-- if you run a search on sub or subwoofer and helm you should see lots of pics. Welcome!

Thanks, kaneboats. I've been lurking around the site and haven't come across any pictures of Kicker's marine box under the helm yet, though I figure it'll probably fit. I currently have mine sitting in the battery compartment facing up and it sounds really muffled in there. I guess I'll see how it looks under the helm next time I get over to the storage lot.

i have the skm10 sub in my boat as well. i took it to an audio place to have them hook up my tower speakers amps sub wetsounds eq so i knew everything was done right as i'm not an audio guy. they custom built a box for me and mounted it under the helm in front of the hump facing back to bounce the sound off the hump . i was pleasently surprised how well it sounded then last spring i installed a heater and needed that spot for my heater unit so moved my sub behind the hump of the helm still facing back and still sounds great. for my budget back then i was really happy with it and sounds pretty good...but i think brian has talked me into the exile sub and custom lsv enclosure but that will be next winter.