Subwoofer / Amp

[Dave0549jv]

Howdy gang,
I just installed a new stereo unit in my dash, and now my speakers are a little lacking. I've got two good aftermarket ones, and two crap stock ones that are blown out. I'm thinking of replacing the stock ones with something a little boomier. Do I need an amplifier for a subwoofer? any reccomendations? I'm a total noob with this stuff, so feel free to explain it like i'm five. Thanks!

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Subwoofer / Amp

The best place to get equipment and technical advice is a car audio forum. However, to answer your very simple question about the subwoofer...YES, you need a discreet amplifier channel to properly power a subwoofer.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Subwoofer / Amp

An amp will help any speaker! What kind of boat is it going on? What is your typical usage? (lots of time on a sand bar with the stereo running, or is the engine running most of the time?)

In GENERAL, I recommend against marine amps. Find a decent multi-channel amp, install it in a protected location, wire it up, and enjoy! If you plan on not having a sub, I recommend a kenwood 2404s, otherwise if you do think you might have a sub, go with a 7005ps. I've always been very happy with kenwood amps, I'm running the 700 in my boat right now. (Used to compete in car audio competitions, last year I entered a boat I designed in a car audio competition... It took second place!)


Kenwood - KAC-2404S
Kenwood - KAC-7005PS

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Subwoofer / Amp

I have also had good luck with Kenwood amps, but I've used others that did just fine, too. Don't get caught up in name-branding though for amps. No reason to pony up for PPI, MTX, Rockford-Fosgate, etc if you aren't entering SPL competitions. I am a big fan of Polk Audio speakers though, especially the subs.

A single 10" sub with 200-300w will be more than enough bottom end for most people, whether it's in a car or boat. I prefer 6.5" 2-way speakers for all other speakers, unless you want to step up to components.

After I get this new trailer painted this afternoon, and get the teak swim platform done, the stereo upgrade is next for me. I plan on getting a single 5-channel amp to run a sub and 4-6.5" speakers (300x1, 50x4). Simplifies the wiring having only one amp vs two, and gives a lot more top end to the volume than using just the deck to power the 6.5's.

 

[Dave0549jv]

Re: Subwoofer / Amp

An amp will help any speaker! What kind of boat is it going on? What is your typical usage? (lots of time on a sand bar with the stereo running, or is the engine running most of the time?)

In GENERAL, I recommend against marine amps. Find a decent multi-channel amp, install it in a protected location, wire it up, and enjoy! If you plan on not having a sub, I recommend a kenwood 2404s, otherwise if you do think you might have a sub, go with a 7005ps. I've always been very happy with kenwood amps, I'm running the 700 in my boat right now. (Used to compete in car audio competitions, last year I entered a boat I designed in a car audio competition... It took second place!)

Its going on a 29' Cruisers, somewhere in the cockpit. I do a mixed bag of cruising and anchoring, but the longest periods will be while the engines are off.

I'm not going to enter any competitions or anything, and I really don't need any more volume, I'm just looking for a better mix. Right now, it's just too tinny. There's really no low end to speak of. I don't care what brand it is, as long as it works and is reasonably priced.

If i was to get a package like this Kenwood Marine Bass Package and wire it up so that the woofer is the only component that's going through an amp, would the woofer overpower the rest of the speakers?

 

[Dave0549jv]

Re: Subwoofer / Amp
I plan on getting a single 5-channel amp to run a sub and 4-6.5" speakers (300x1, 50x4). Simplifies the wiring having only one amp vs two, and gives a lot more top end to the volume than using just the deck to power the 6.5's.

This is the setup I ended up buying. I went with the Kenwood 700 that haulnazz recommended, and I found a four pack of Alpine 6.5" speakers and a 10" sub on ebay.

I'm fairly confident that I can figure out how to wire it up (hopefully) but I'm wondering how it will affect my power system. did you guys have to add any additional batteries? I have three house/starting batteries now.

 

[midcarolina]

I tried to reply to your thread yesterday but there was a system glitch...........anyway a sub is a power sucking device. once you install the amp and play with the hi/low pass filters you will be amazed at the sound you will get without a sub...with that amp you can set how much power you are sending to the sub, so that will help with power consumption......
Make sure you run the correct size power and ground wires to the amp.......my 600 watt RMS Kenwood specs #4 awg wire ( wire cost almost as much as amp )

I would seriously consider adding a second battery just for the amp........or atleast carry a battery jump pack with you until you are confident the system will not kill your battery.

 

[Fjandy]

I went with a JL Audio 880/8v2 amp and a JL Audio 10" marine sub. I did a fair amount of research and this is what I chose. I hae two Polk Audio speakers in the cockpit with the sub and it sounds great. I run a total of 7 speakers off the one amp. It will kill your batteries in a few hours. I have two batteries on that system and I'm looking into more.

This is NOT a huge sound producer but it sounds great on the water. I bought most locally so I could bother them with the idiot questions. I did buy the amp online as the deal was too good to pass up.

 

[Dave0549jv]

To be honest, this is turning into more of a project than I had in mind. I think first step will be to just replace my two blown speakers, and see how that sounds. If it's passable, I'm probably going to forgo the amp and subwoofer. I'm only going to have a week to use the boat in June, and I don't want to spend it wiring... haha

I do appreciate all of your help, though. Thank you everyone.