Good Stereo and amp?

[iamthunderman]

I have a 99 sea ray 230 br that I am installing a tower with 4 bullett speakers. I have a crap stereo in it right now, but need to get a good enough system to power the 4 bullets and a sub. Any reccomendations?

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Good Stereo and amp?

budget?

Pioneer head units and kenwood amps are decent low-mid budget range units, I wouldn't honestly go much less. (correction, pioneer didn't make any marine head units this year! so alpine and clarion marine are both next on the list, slightly up the price scale a little)

And it IS worth going to a marine head unit for a couple reasons. The wired remotes aren't always compatible with the car head units, they are 'splashproof', and the big one, most marine head units will retain settings with all power disconnected. Important in a boat that most likely doesn't supply constant 12v+ to the head unit, and might not be used for weeks at a time.

http://www.amazon.com/Clarion-M309-MP3-Receiver-Port/dp/B001OQ8K1U
http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-eXcelon-Reference-Five-Channel-Amplifier/dp/B003VZQAN2

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Good Stereo and amp?

I have a 99 sea ray 230 br that I am installing a tower with 4 bullett speakers. I have a crap stereo in it right now, but need to get a good enough system to power the 4 bullets and a sub. Any reccomendations?

What are your plans for your "crap" stereo? Donation to my boat with an even "crappier" stereo? Very cheap sell?

 

[calvinator]

Re: Good Stereo and amp?

I have Sony CDX 60 Marine head unit.
MTX Thunder 4 ch amp
Kicker 1 channel amp
(4) Kicker KM613 speakers (there is a new version out)
(1) Kicker Sub in ported box.

Insanely loud. The Sony head unit is real nice and has AUX and USB input.

the Kicker marine speakers are high RMS power, and have a funky/tribal grille.

Only thing I would do different is buy a 5 channel amp -- 4 chans for speakers and one for sub. Right now I have two amps and that is a lot of wires/space when it could be simplified.

 

[iamthunderman]

Re: Good Stereo and amp?

Well, I would like to stay under around $600 for head unit, 5 channel amp, and a sub.

 

[oldfordcrap]

Re: Good Stereo and amp?

well clairion makes some great marine decks but you might have a tough time finding real marine equipment new in your price range and its very hard finding used marine gear that isnt beat to hell you might end up replacing deck and amp every year if you go low end car stuff buy one good piece at a time it will be well worth the money

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Good Stereo and amp?

Deleted

 

[5150abf]

Re: Good Stereo and amp?

I have a Rockford Fosgate head unit on mine and love it, 160 watts running 2 Rockford and 2 Infinity speakers, it sounds really really good.

Search here at iboats or just a google search, for what you have you should easily be able to get a really good unit and yes stay marine grade, car stuff is good but not the same.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Good Stereo and amp?

Check out Crutchfield.com, I just got my free catalog in the mail & they have a bunch of marine equipment in it, stereos, amps, speakers,GPS, all rated for marine use. They are a little pricey, but top of the line stuff & support. I've used them in the past, worth a shot. You can sign up for free catalogs, fun to just read through when they come.

 

[SmokinBarrel]

Re: Good Stereo and amp?

I just completed installation of a stereo in my boat. It took me awhile to fabricate a housing for the amp. I literally didn't have much room to mount an amp. I used a lid from a pelican case to mount the amp on, and then mounted the lid to the side of my boat. Also, I fabricated a splash guard around the unit. The amp is a car audio amp, of which I don't expect to get years out of because of moisture most likely getting to it. But, I do know I did a fairly good job on the splash guard. So, we'll see how it holds up. I cannot believe how load it is, and the clarity is unbelievable! I am very happy.

Sony Marine Head Unit
Phoenix Gold Xenon x100.2 Amp
Polk Audio mm651um Marine Speakers (mounted in cans - mounted to tower)

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Good Stereo and amp?

smokin, that should be ok. I don't think the amp will get a direct splash, but it will suck in the moisture due to the fact the internals aren't sealed. But like you said, you know it's not going to last forever, never know though, you may be surprised. Install looks good.