New Stereo setup for AR190

[Bleed45]

Hey all,
I've been looking over the different threads about stereo upgrades but I am still a little lost. My stock stereo is horrible and one of the speakers has already blown after 1 year. I like my music loud enough to hear while boating but I am NOT trying to be the loudest on the lake haha.

Is this a decent set up to start with? these will be parts I buy over the next year and eventually take to a shop to install. If it was 4 speakers I would to it no problem but I am not comfortable re-wiring the entire boat with a new battery and head unit+the tower.

Any battery recommendations would be welcomed as well. I understand this setup would need a secondary battery and its something I am prepared to buy.

let me know what your thoughts are on this setup? also ill shop around for prices ETC. I just used this to make it easy to see the products.

I have been looking at different brands beside kicker but everyone seems to love their own brand, im not married on kicker but bang for buck it seems to be a decent option. I use my boat in freshwater only but I live close to salt water (less than 5 miles) and it sits covered but outside the rest of the time.

Thank you!

 

[sbeassie]

I recently did a sound upgrade which I plan to post here soon. I used several Kicker products. I think that is a great setup to begin with. You could also add a sub using the same amp. Only thing you may want to consider is going with the 8" tower speakers over the 6.5" tower speakers for not much more money, but you would also need more power.

 

[2kwik4u]

I went way less aggressive on mine and enjoy where it's at. I can hear the music clearly and acceptably, even while on plane.

Polk Db651s speakers in (4) factory locations. These were "take offs" from one of the 24ft guys that were upgrading their stereo. Ask around here I bet you can find someone willing to send you theirs for cheap. I think I paid $10/speaker. There are powered from the stock MA200 head unit. No upgrades there, it's adequate but not stellar.

WetSounds powered soundbar on the tower. I bought a Refurbished Unit online for ~$500. Mounted it to the tower, then ran cables through tower. Used an RCA-3.5mm Audi for signal, and it powers through the battery switch.

Between those two things it's clear, and relatively loud. Not the most bass, but acceptable levels for just "listening to music". The soundbar really throw the sound out behind the boat, so it works really well at anchor when floating behind the boat and hanging out. We were often the "stereo boat" because of that.

Also, I've run this system for over 8hr continuous before and the boat still starts. I only have a single "multi-function" battery that sits on a tender during the week. It is, interestingly enough, the same battery that came with the boat when we bought in May of 2017.

 

[Bleed45]

I was really thinking of only doing the 4 stock speakers and seeing how it goes since

I went way less aggressive on mine and enjoy where it's at. I can hear the music clearly and acceptably, even while on plane.

Polk Db651s speakers in (4) factory locations. These were "take offs" from one of the 24ft guys that were upgrading their stereo. Ask around here I bet you can find someone willing to send you theirs for cheap. I think I paid $10/speaker. There are powered from the stock MA200 head unit. No upgrades there, it's adequate but not stellar.

WetSounds powered soundbar on the tower. I bought a Refurbished Unit online for ~$500. Mounted it to the tower, then ran cables through tower. Used an RCA-3.5mm Audi for signal, and it powers through the battery switch.

Between those two things it's clear, and relatively loud. Not the most bass, but acceptable levels for just "listening to music". The soundbar really throw the sound out behind the boat, so it works really well at anchor when floating behind the boat and hanging out. We were often the "stereo boat" because of that.

Also, I've run this system for over 8hr continuous before and the boat still starts. I only have a single "multi-function" battery that sits on a tender during the week. It is, interestingly enough, the same battery that came with the boat when we bought in May of 2017.

i was really thinking of just starting with replacing the 4 speakers and seeing if it’s loud enough for me to hear while cruising since no matter what build I do I will end up replacing the 4 stock speakers.

 

[Bleed45]

I recently did a sound upgrade which I plan to post here soon. I used several Kicker products. I think that is a great setup to begin with. You could also add a sub using the same amp. Only thing you may want to consider is going with the 8" tower speakers over the 6.5" tower speakers for not much more money, but you would also need more power.

Going bigger on the tower is something I am definitely debating. Mostly I would want to see the size it would take up on the tower since the AR190 isn’t a huge boat to begin with.
If I am going to use an AMP is there any actual reason to Upgrade the head unit?

 

[Bleed45]

So maybe something more along these lines then?
2 8inch for tower
4 6.5 for the boat
1 amp (do I need a 6 channel amp for 6 speakers?)
1 battery
And a lot of labor lol
If I’m using an AMP I don’t need the head unit?

 

[sbeassie]

If you are happy with the head unit then there is no need to replace it. Do the Bluetooth and other functions work to your satisfaction? My audio runs through the Connext system so I had to use some adapters to get audio outputs for new amps. I think your existing head unit should have outputs but not sure. You have options for the amp. That kicker 6 channel can be used in multiple configurations. 1 channel to each speaker, or 4 channels bridged at 4 ohms to the towers and 2 channels at 2 ohms to the other speakers, or 2 channels for the towers and 2 channels for the others at 2 ohms and 2 channels left for a sub later.