Infinity Marine Amps - Any Experiences?

[shanes17]

So shopping for my first after market system for my AR240 and while doing so, found this Infinity M4445 which apparently is 1800 watts/5 channels. Its listed on Creative Audio website for $380 but while searching for reviews, found it on Newegg for $200. Pretty big difference.

Actually seems almost too good to be true, anyone on here have much experience with Infinity Marine amps? I am thinking of grabbing this to power a pair of 8" Kicker tower speakers (rated 150 RMS) and possibly adding my 4 stock polk speakers to it as well.

For me this is about just adding a little more sound in the boat and directly behind the boat when beached/anchored. I know a lot of folks here are fans of JL Audio and Wetsounds. It comes down to money for me, if I can get a system that will last 3-5 seasons on freshwater for under 1k I would be pretty damn happy (and so would my wife).

TIA

 

[anmut]

Is it actually the Infinity brand or a rebadge? Sounds too good to be true - how's their warranty? Another thing to be concerned with - budget amps on a boat will tend to have more grounding-related issues. However if you're willing to try it, I'd say go for it.

 

[shanes17]

Looking at the wiring diagram looks like I wouldnt be able to hook up all 6 speakers and supply sufficient power.

https://www.infinityspeakers.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw8be81f2a/pdfs/Infinity%20Marine%20Amplifiers%20_QSG.pdf

Wonder if I can leave the 2 bow speakers connected to the stock Fusion head unit, then run the tower and cockpit speakers to the amp and get sufficient power while also keeping the bow/cockpit speakers on the same Zone and having the towers on their own Zone (currently have 2 zones, bow and cockpit). Not sure if its possible to have speakers on the same zone that are running from the amp and a couple directly from the head unit.

If that is possible then I may as well give this amp a shot.

 

[PastMaster32]

Looking at the wiring diagram looks like I wouldnt be able to hook up all 6 speakers and supply sufficient power.

https://www.infinityspeakers.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw8be81f2a/pdfs/Infinity%20Marine%20Amplifiers%20_QSG.pdf

Wonder if I can leave the 2 bow speakers connected to the stock Fusion head unit, then run the tower and cockpit speakers to the amp and get sufficient power while also keeping the bow/cockpit speakers on the same Zone and having the towers on their own Zone (currently have 2 zones, bow and cockpit). Not sure if its possible to have speakers on the same zone that are running from the amp and a couple directly from the head unit.

If that is possible then I may as well give this amp a shot.

That amp is designed for 4 cabin speakers and a sub . Infinity is the same speakers/amps as the JBL essentially. They don't have a lot of bells and whistles, but they test out about 20 percent over their rated wattage at either 2 or 4 ohms, which is usually a good indication of quality. My good friend got a full Infinity Kappa System powered with that amplifier in his 29' Sea Ray and it performs very well for the bucks. Convinced me to do the same on my Ar195.

 

[shanes17]

That amp is designed for 4 cabin speakers and a sub . Infinity is the same speakers/amps as the JBL essentially. They don't have a lot of bells and whistles, but they test out about 20 percent over their rated wattage at either 2 or 4 ohms, which is usually a good indication of quality. My good friend got a full Infinity Kappa System powered with that amplifier in his 29' Sea Ray and it performs very well for the bucks. Convinced me to do the same on my Ar195.

Thanks for the reply.

I was thinking about running the stock speakers in a series (2 at the bow/2 in the cockpit) so that those 4 speakers are only using 2 channels, then running the 2 towers each to their own, but now that I’m looking at this amp closer it doesn’t appear that it would have enough juice for that setup.

 

[oramac]

I just installed the four channel infinity amp in my SX210 (see the thread and video in this same forum). If all six of your speakers were in the cabin, I'd say you could split the channels and be fine, but the tower speakers need the power. If you're happy with the cabin volume, I'd suggest using the head unit for the cabin speakers, and bridge the amplifier to power the tower speakers. The fifth channel is for a dedicated sub. The five-channel amp is only rated at 45w per channel or 130w x 2 bridged, perfect for the towers, while my four-channel is rated at 75w per channel. I got my amp for $150.

 

[PastMaster32]

Thanks for the reply.

I was thinking about running the stock speakers in a series (2 at the bow/2 in the cockpit) so that those 4 speakers are only using 2 channels, then running the 2 towers each to their own, but now that I’m looking at this amp closer it doesn’t appear that it would have enough juice for that setup.

Regarding running in series, you can, just as long as they are 4 ohms, making them 2 in series... This amp is better for running the 4 stock speakers and a subwoofer rather than a tower though... In my setup I am replacing the absolute garbage Polk speakers it came with with two pairs of Infinity Kappa 6.5s at 3 ohms each, and the sub channel will power an Infinity Kappa 10 inch sub dual voice coil 2/4 ohm switchable... Therefore it will be pushing 55 watts RMS through the mains and either 320 or 500 watts through the sub. Your towers would be better served with its own 2 channel amp or the 4 channel amplifier mentioned above...

By the way, if you go the subwoofer route, I have an extra Kappa 10 sub in white... brand new in box for $120 plus shipping... I was going to go with twin subs and decided to go with one...
Regards,
Scott

 

[shanes17]

Regarding running in series, you can, just as long as they are 4 ohms, making them 2 in series... This amp is better for running the 4 stock speakers and a subwoofer rather than a tower though... In my setup I am replacing the absolute garbage Polk speakers it came with with two pairs of Infinity Kappa 6.5s at 3 ohms each, and the sub channel will power an Infinity Kappa 10 inch sub dual voice coil 2/4 ohm switchable... Therefore it will be pushing 55 watts RMS through the mains and either 320 or 500 watts through the sub. Your towers would be better served with its own 2 channel amp or the 4 channel amplifier mentioned above...

By the way, if you go the subwoofer route, I have an extra Kappa 10 sub in white... brand new in box for $120 plus shipping... I was going to go with twin subs and decided to go with one...
Regards,
Scott

Thanks and appreciate the offer on the sub but will have to pass for now.

Going to go with a 6 channel amp and 8” towers then see where we are with the sound.

 

[BlkGS]

Late to the party here.... But Infinity amps are usually very high quality. I would have no issues running them. I think they're pretty close in quality to a rockford or JL, and definitely above something like a Polk.

 

[ar240tg]

Looking at the wiring diagram looks like I wouldnt be able to hook up all 6 speakers and supply sufficient power.

https://www.infinityspeakers.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw8be81f2a/pdfs/Infinity%20Marine%20Amplifiers%20_QSG.pdf

Wonder if I can leave the 2 bow speakers connected to the stock Fusion head unit, then run the tower and cockpit speakers to the amp and get sufficient power while also keeping the bow/cockpit speakers on the same Zone and having the towers on their own Zone (currently have 2 zones, bow and cockpit). Not sure if its possible to have speakers on the same zone that are running from the amp and a couple directly from the head unit.

If that is possible then I may as well give this amp a shot.

I left the bow speakers on the fusion head unit and it was fine for the summer but ultimately it wasn’t loud enough anything above 35 (for me at least) so I’m adding another amp vs just getting a big enough one the first time

 

[shanes17]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I actually went with the 6 channel MBQuart amp that I found a good deal on. Mainly so I could put all 6 speakers on their own channel (adding two to the tower).

We will see how it goes. Just added the SXM tuner and swapped the 4 stock speakers with Kickers and can already tell a difference. Will tackle the amp and towers sometime this April.