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Help! I know nothing about stereos, need to upgrade on my SX210

Sxrmike420

Active Member
Messages
11
Reaction score
5
Points
42
Boat Make
Yamaha
Year
2006
Boat Model
SX
Boat Length
21
I have a 2006 Yamaha SX210 that I want to upgrade the stereo in. When I bought it it had the following: 4 channel amp for speakers, a separate amp for the sub, 4 tweeters, 4 crossovers, and an aftermarket head unit. The sound that comes out of it is decent at first and within minutes it starts crackling and seems to get quieter and eventually starts shutting off and restarting until I get fed up and turn it all off.

I want to replace everything in it and re-run the speaker wiring etc. I tried to do some research and just get overwhelmed and lost pretty quickly, I don't have any experience with stereos, but I feel like installing it all cant be that hard.

Can someone please recommend a decent setup that pairs well with each other for around $500-700:

4 channel amp
4 new speakers
4 new tweeters
what gauge wire for speakers
Head Unit

My boat currently has 2 batteries and power ran to the current amp, I assume that part is fine, I just want to re-run the actual speaker wires and replace the hardware listed above. Any help is much appreciated, please don't flame me for the post, I know there are a ton of articles out there and I looked but didn't have much luck finding what I want in Laymans terms
 
What a bunk site, not even 1 person to flame my post and tell me to use google?

This site is pretty slow in the winter. Check out the FAQ for ideas and look for others that have done an upgrade and PM them.
 
I'd say for your budget about the only thing that MIGHT get you all that stuff is the Rockville marine budget line. Good luck!
 
I just threw a number out there because I see Amps on Amazon for under $200, Kenwood KFC-1653MRW speakers $100 for 4 and speaker wire is cheap. I didn't think a head unit and 4 tweeters would account for an additional $400? If I need to bump the budget I can, I just didn't want someone to refer a $5000 system
 
Have you checked your batteries for the age they were purchased? (I know you said they were good, but how do you know?)

I ran Alpine Marine amps in my previous boat, and all JL amps in the current boat. And if the voltage dipped, the first thing to happen, would be the amps would go into protection mode and shut down. For that very reason, I leave a voltmeter in my 12v outlet to monitor it. So I know when to plug into shore power at the dock to get my onboard charger working.

I'm not saying this is your problem, but it's a very common problem for those that have seen it before. I know you may have the itch to buy new stuff, as we all do once in a while. But it would suck to replace everything just to find out you have to yet replace your batteries. If they have 2-3 seasons on them, you might want to either swap them around (house to cranking) or find that Sam's one day sale this spring and grab a couple new Group 27 or Group 31 Duracell deep cycles.

Good luck,

PS: make waves on the water, not in the forum. The resources are too good here to burn that bridge.
 
I appreciate your response, I actually haven’t checked the batteries I just meant I assumed the wiring was good to feed the amp, and they were starting the boat fine but def something to check out first. Thank you

as for your PS comment, your right. I was just annoyed that 48 people looked at my post and not 1 responded. I’ve been on just about every kind of forum (Paintball, standup jet ski skis, home reno, pwctoday, Supraforums, etc etc etc) I didn’t know how active this one was but hey my comment got 1 helpful response, appreciate that
 
All good, as during the season this place will give you probably more responses than you would ever expect.

I would certainly start with those batteries. Literally, have kept that little 12v Digital readout for that very purpose. And each brand amp has it's tipping point for voltage protection. But both of mine either started to cut out, or would not boot up if the voltage dropped to a certain level. For Alpine, it was the Mono Sub amp. If there was no bass, voltage was low. Now everything is on one monster multi-channel JL amp. So it just says, "nope, you ran the batteries down, i'm not gonna play the kids mumble rap today"

And when I suggested swapping the batteries around, try it. These are glorified waverunner engines. They will use far less power than your stereo will. At least constant load will be less. It's a place to start. But go on Ebay or Amazon and buy something to hardwire or leave inline to monitor the voltage. If it drops and the stereo goes to shit, replace the batteries.



And if you were thinking of adding a 12v outlet near the back for pumps or USB ports for phones, put this in a different location


And in places like stereo forums and automotive or boating forums, it can turn into a big $*$#& contest on who spent the most on batteries. And like buttholes, everyone has an opinion on what you should buy. My opinion is buy the $70-$80 deep cycles and swap them every few years.

The next guy will tell you to go buy $300 Optima blue tops. Guess who has beer money and my stereo sounds the same? No need for crazy hybrid batteries, or special AGM's. These waverunner engines take literally nothing to turn over. Buy what a good stereo shop would put on a system install. And then take the extra bucks and buy a good multi-bank onboard charger with a thru-hull plug. Then you can top those bad boys off whenever you are near power at the dock or at home. As the stators in our boats are not enough to maintain them to full charge no matter how much you drag the kids around on tubes.

Good luck and keep us informed of what you find. We all can learn. And don't let this thread deter you from replacing the system. As someone has to boost the economy! HA!
 
Will do! Definitely going to start with the batteries. I had no idea. I never got into subs or anything in my teenage days haha. Thanks again
 
I’m in the process of upgrading mine, new polks for the 6.5, adding a wet sounds sub and two wet sounds amps.. this place has decent deals if you’re cool with refurbs Creative Audio
I should get mine done for maybe 1k.

I have a clarion marine head unit in like new condition With tray and new harness I’d let go cheap..
 
Could be a corroded power/ground wire/terminals. Have you checked those out? You could also have a loose wire causing the interference or potentially a short.

Lastly, what’s shutting down, the head unit or the amp? Might just want to start with the head unit...
 
I have a 2010 SX210 and here's everything I installed and what I paid for them, some items aren't available any more or have changed model numbers.
It's loud and clean sounding, I get compliments from anybody that hears it. Because of the limitations of our charging systems you want a class D amplifier because they are less power hungry than a A/B. I would also run new quality RCA cables that are shielded. I ran 12ga speaker wire to all of the speakers.

I've included the new model numbers and pricing if they are available in parenthesis. I bought all of my stuff on Amazon and some of the Items aren't carried anymore so I got pricing from Crutchfield, you may do better if you search around.


I have 1 amplifier running the tower speakers and 1 amplifier running the four 6.5" and 10" sub.


Clarion M303 receiver $189.00 (M508 Crutchfield $190.00)
Clarion MW1 stern remote - $111.00 (Crutchfield $180.00)
Clarion MWRXCRET remote extension cable $29.00 (Crutchfield $40.00)
Clarion EQS746 equalizer, I used this because it allows me to control the sub level and I use the fader to control the tower speaker level. (EQS755 Amazon $63.00)
2 Rockford Fosgate R600-4D amplifiers - $250.00 (these aren't made anymore, they do make 4 channel 400 W version R400-4D Amazon $176.00)
4 Rockford Fosgate M262 6.5" speakers - $125.00/pr (PM2652 - Amazon $445.00 for 2 pair)
1 Rockford Fosgate M210S2 10" sub woofer - $250.00 (M2D4-10I Crutchfield $350.00)

All of this for about $1600.00. If you only want the receiver with new remote, speakers and amplifier, you can do this for just over 1K.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.
 
iFly - Thanks Ill check that site out

Vitamin - Ill have to check that out, my boat is in storage currently. It was the head unit that would start turning off and on. The system would sound decent for the first few minutes of use and then all the speakers would start crackling and whatnot until Id just shut it off. I felt the amp when that happened too and it wasn't hot to the touch.

Ripler - Thank you for all of that. Ill check those products out, that was the main thing I didn't know what what speakers paired to what amp as far as Ohms and Watts or wiring them in series vs parallel and bridging haha I have no idea. I might have to shoot you a PM a little later about wiring after I make some decisions. I can swing ~$1000 for a new system, that's half the fun of boating
 
iFly - Thanks Ill check that site out

Vitamin - Ill have to check that out, my boat is in storage currently. It was the head unit that would start turning off and on. The system would sound decent for the first few minutes of use and then all the speakers would start crackling and whatnot until Id just shut it off. I felt the amp when that happened too and it wasn't hot to the touch.

Ripler - Thank you for all of that. Ill check those products out, that was the main thing I didn't know what what speakers paired to what amp as far as Ohms and Watts or wiring them in series vs parallel and bridging haha I have no idea. I might have to shoot you a PM a little later about wiring after I make some decisions. I can swing ~$1000 for a new system, that's half the fun of boating

4 speakers and 4 channel amp, 1 speaker to each channel, easy peasy.
 
It was the head unit that would start turning off and on. The system would sound decent for the first few minutes of use and then all the speakers would start crackling and whatnot until Id just shut it off. I felt the amp when that happened too and it wasn't hot to the touch.

Based upon your feedback, I would start with the HU then, but if revamping the entire system is within your budget, go for the overhaul.
 
The sound that comes out of it is decent at first and within minutes it starts crackling and seems to get quieter and eventually starts shutting off and restarting until I get fed up and turn it all off.

This sounds like something is getting hot and causing your components to slowly go into protection mode. It's probably time well spent to look for wiring or ventilation issues first before replacing any expensive electronics. Loose connections are easy to check for and fix.

If you're not sure how to pair things up, Crutchfield has very helpful and knowledgeable reps you can chat with who will recommend things within your budget.

What a bunk site, not even 1 person to flame my post and tell me to use google?
Come on, now. There are better ways to introduce yourself to a forum and ask for a 2nd look at your post. This place is one of the most genuinely helpful forums you'll find.
 
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