New Rockford marine speakers.... but theres a problem.

[dane112]

Ok guys, i really hope someone out there could help me.
i recently brought.... 2 Rockford fosgate m2 6.5 inch speakers, and 4 rockford fosgate m2 8.5 inch speakers.
in my boat, i currently have a 4 channel amp... 4x100watt channels.
i installed the two 6.5 inch speakers into one channel, and it really sounds like my speakers are holding back. The cone of the speaker is vibrating lightly but not moving up and down like it should. also it doesnt sound bassy atall!!
i connected one posative to one speaker, one negative to the other speaker, and bridged the other positive and negative together from each speakers.
the amp which i have is a pdx 4.100 alpine. could anyone help me on telling me exactly how i should install all of these speakers.. i havent wired many stereos before and am struggling. as you can most likely see lol!

ALSO.. the thing thats throwing me off track a little, is there are two positive connections on the speakers, and two negative connections...???

 

[-Jim-]

Re: New Rockford marine speakers.... but theres a problem.

Dane,

Okay, the first thing you need to do is grab the manual and read it (although the section on speaker connections is very poorly done). You can grab it here like I did: http://support.alpine-usa.com/products/documents/OM_PDX-4_100M.PDF

Based on your discription you have made the rookie mistake of wiring the speakers in series (which is why there is a lack of sound => there is twice as much resistance for the amp to overcome) and also out of phase (which is why there is no bass => the speaker cones move in different directions at the same time - one moves out when the other moves in - instead of both together which reinforces the sound giving far better bass). You need to connect each speaker to the amp individually and pay close attention to the polarity markings. The "+" from the Speaker needs to connect to the "+" on the amp (as does the "-" connection points). Most speaker wires are marked in some manner to assist. (Look closely and you'll figure it out.)

I noticed there are speaker plugs sold with the amp which should make the connections pretty simple and quick.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[dane112]

Re: New Rockford marine speakers.... but theres a problem.

jim... thank you for taking your time to help me out. ill be heading down to the boat some time soon to fix things up. Do you think the head unit could be wired up wrong to the amp... would this also cause a problem with sound. i did try running them all individually too but the problem seemed to still be there. is there a reason for two negatives and positives on the speakers? thank you once again.

 

[-Jim-]

Re: New Rockford marine speakers.... but theres a problem.

Dane,

I suspect the 2 terminals on each side of these co-axial speakers could be for bi-amplification feeds, or an active crossover, but without a manual (I can find one for your speakers) I'm unsure. If you can find one post it here and I'll figure it out. Similalry I can go pull down the Head unit manual if the model is correct and advise you how to hook that up, but I gott run right now.

Catch you later.

 

[dane112]

Re: New Rockford marine speakers.... but theres a problem.

Once again thanks Jim. what do you mean by a bi amplification feed and active crossover? I don't have the manual.so would be much appreciated if you could find one. my head unit is a jensen msr 307tmg. also just to clarify i should be running one speaker per channel? Could you send me step by step instructions so i know I'm not going wrong somewhere down the line. thanks a lot Jim you've been great help already. much appreciated.

 

[TimBobCom]

Re: New Rockford marine speakers.... but theres a problem.

Are you replacing existing speakers so you know that the amp/head unit combo is fully functional?

The speakers have two sets of terminals so you can add an additional tweeter if you wanted to. Connect only one speaker to one channel on your amp (pos to pos, neg to neg) and connect speakers in pairs at least. So, hook up 4 speakers to your amp (one per channel) and give it a listen, as long as all the wiring is correct it should only need some tweaking (adjusting gain and input levels if available) from that point.

 

[-Jim-]

Re: New Rockford marine speakers.... but theres a problem.

Dane,

If your Speakers are Rockford Fosgate M262B M2 Marine Series 6.5" Full-Range Speaker (coaxial) then the second Spare terminal set is for optional additional tweeters (so you can mount another set up front or wherever you want).

Biamplification is where you have separate amplifiers to drive the woofers (bass speaker) and tweeters.Your amp has switches so it can be used in this manner (if you have more than 1 amp). An active crossover will feed each speaker in a similar manner from a single amplifier. See switch settings - Fig. 9 on the amp instructions. Your unit needs to be set to off so it puts out the full range of sound.

Are you certain on the Jensen Model Number? All I could find was a MSR3007TMG. You can check it out here:

http://voxxintl.com/brands/jensen/

And the manual is here: http://www.jensenmarinedirect.com/jensen-remanufactured-am-fm-cd-ipod-sirius-satellite-radio-ready-marine-stereo.html

If this is the right model I think it's not going to work correctly with this amp as the Jensen does not have fixed level outputs (think RCA type connectors). It only has Speaker (High Level) outputs. The Amp only takes fixed level inputs (think RCA type connectors) and not High Level (Speaker) inputs.

You could test your speaker systems by wiring the speakers directly to the Jensen with the correct polarity (+/-) for all connections. Or get another Head Unit to replace the Jensen or a different amp to replace the Alpine. (I'd replace the Jensen.)

Of course if these are not the correct Models then things could be different.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: New Rockford marine speakers.... but theres a problem.

Dane, PM sent.

 

[dane112]

Re: New Rockford marine speakers.... but theres a problem.

hello and thank you for your time and reply. i do not fully understand the meaning of ohms.. all i know is that all of my speakers are 4 ohms.. and my amp is 4 Channel Digital Amplifier
100 watts RMS x 4 Channel at 2/4 Ohms
200 watts RMS x 2 Channel at 4 Ohms Bridged mode ....... if that means anything? im buying another amp also.
ill explain my plan. it would be much appreciated if you could tell me if this setup would work.
Rockford Fosgate Marine Head unit - RFX9700CD.
Rockford Fosgate Marine 12" subwoofer - M21054 MARINE ( 4 OHMS )
4 Rockford Fosgate 8" speakers full range coaxil M282 MARINE ( 4 OHMS EACH?? )
2 Rockford Fosgate 6.5" speakers full range coaxil M262 MARINE ( 4OHMS EACH??? )
2 Alpine PDX 4.100 AMPS.
My plan is to run one pair of 8" speakers and bridge two channels and run my subwoofer on one alpine amp.. and on the other run a pair 6.5 inch and a pair 8.5 inch speakers on the other. how do you think this would work?