Stereo questions for AR240

[SCSTWG]

As we all know, the stereo and speakers that come with the boat are not the greatest. I don't notice as much as others because my wife and small children don't want the radio on very loud, but the biggest issue I have is that there is no speaker near the helm and I can barely hear the radio while others are telling me to turn it down. Looking for thoughts on adding a speaker near the helm (location, size, brand, etc.)? Also concerned about the path for the cabling. Will I need a new head unit to accomplish this? Amplifier? While there seem to be a number of audiophiles on the board, I am not really looking to get into subs, amplifiers, etc. I just want to be able to hear it from the helm position while underway. I would also consider swapping out all the other speakers if there are some replacements out there that can make use of the same mounting position and cabling without modification. Thoughts?

 

[David Analog]

Adding speakers to the front of the cockpit is less than perfect with having a port side head. But if you can manage, it will make a big difference. In fact, I believe every boat should have four cockpit coaxials regardless of what it has in the bow. You won't be able to get front cockpit speakers as high as the rear speakers so the farther forward the better.
Even one forward mono speaker directly in front of the driver will make a monumental difference.
A BTL source unit can only drive four total speakers. You cannot wire two 4-ohm speakers in parallel (a final 2-ohm load) on a single HU channel without a stability problem. It will actually put out LESS power before clipping really hard. You can series two 4-ohm speakers but you won't have near enough power to drive all speakers. So to have six total speakers, you will have to add a 2-channel amplifier. The internal HU front two channels can drive the bow, while the HU rear two channels remain dormant and an external 2-channel amplifier can drive four cockpit coaxials via the HU rear preouts. You'll still maintain front (two bow) to rear (four cockpit) fade on the HU.
I doubt your port and starboard front cockpit speaker locations will be perfectly symmetrical.
On the starboard side, just outside the driver's right ankle, there may be enough flat surface area to mount a standard 6.5" coaxial (5.0" I.D. & 6.875" O.D.). In advance, look carefully for cables that may run at the bottom of that gunnel cavity.
Best I can do without having the boat in front of me.

 

[txav8r]

Also, if you want zones in the boat, about the only way to get real zones is to put in an equalizer it seems. I added a JL 700 watt/ 5 channel amp and was able to use my existing head unit to power 6 speakers. But I added two speakers to the transom. That gave me the ability to fade from in-boat speakers to transom speakers. You could do the same with cockpit and bow. But to turn down the rear cockpit speakers and turn up the helm speakers, your going to need more ability to control zones that the HU won't give you. Also, when running across the lake at cruise or WOT, you can't hear the music without turning it up really loud, just like you have discovered. But one of the reasons your getting hit with "turn it down!", is because it is just blowing noise and the music is distorting I am sure, with the lower end speakers and just the HU driving them. Add a little power, get some separation of the different zones, and you can enjoy the music while running without tormenting the wife and kids. And a subwoofer will make the coaxials more efficient by taking away the responsibility of having to cover such a wide frequency band, so you get clearer, cleaner, crisper, music...and it is MUCH less offensive than music that isn't all of those things, when you consider the engine noise and wind mixed in.

 

[jawsf16]

Polk db651 is a drop in replacement for new speakers. Also I upgraded the head unit with a three zone one so I can fade between boat and tower and sub as desired. Some guys have added a mid boat pair of speakers but I have not yet. An amp and polks made a big difference to me.

 

[bprender]

I added 2 speakers on each side of my helm area in my 242 ls. Actually had it professionally done so I am not sure about the wiring. I do know the installer us a spacer on the driver side. The speakers make a whole world of difference. I can actually hear the music no problem while driving. It is totally worth it!!

 

[motorboater]

This is a good idea. Just subscribing to see what ideas there are.

bprender that looks like a nice install. I'd be interested in any more details you may have.

 

[JetBoatPilot]

If you want zones check out the Fusion MSIP600 or 700. You have three indendent zones with volume control for each.

 

[SCSTWG]

Now I am pissed off. It turns out this forum is just like the other one was. All these members making me spend more money! LOL.

Seriously, I like the ideas of zones and would consider the idea of the transom speakers as well. For the helm I don't know that I need a separate zone, but I just want to be able to hear similar to the other speakers. So assuming I were to go with a 3-zone unit (bow, cockpit/helm, transom) what is the equipment list required? What brand HU and speakers would you recommend keeping in mind this is not for a loud thumping system. I am looking for value....the most bang for the buck.

 

[SCSTWG]

This is a good idea. Just subscribing to see what ideas there are.

bprender that looks like a nice install. I'd be interested in any more details you may have.

I love the look of it. I would also like to learn more about how you chose those locations, how the wiring was run and other relevant details. Thanks,

 

[JetBoatPilot]

@SCSTWG the head unit and your standard speakers in the cockpit will suffice but if you want to add speakers on the swim platform you are going to need to get creative with the placement. The cushions wrap around the swim platform pretty far. I like the Polk audio speakers that Yamaha is installing on the 2014's.

 

[SCSTWG]

Thanks Will. Glad to see you are on the forum and I appreciate your thoughts. Always loved your videos and doing business with you has been great.

 

[JetBoatPilot]

Thank you very much! We love what we do!

 

[jawsf16]

Hang some speakers on that tower...

 

[Julian]

@SCSTWG You can run a couple more speakers off the headunit by just splicing them into the existing outputs. You could try this and see if it is loud enough for your tastes. If it isn't, then you could add an amp. Running the wires is pretty easy, there are already wires running all over your boat, just follow them and zip tie your new speaker wires to them. Cutting the holes for the new speakers is the most puckering factor....I used the grill spacers for the Polks I installed as a cutting guide. You need to be sure where ever you plan on putting them, that there is enough depth for the speaker. Then roto cut the holes, drill the screw mount holes, pull the wires into the hole, hook up your speaker to them and insert and screw them in. Think about which wires you want to splice to so that when you fade front to rear your paired speakers are together.

 

[octavio3311]

I added 2 speakers - 1 near the throttles and 1 directly across - all 6 in boats powered by a WetSounds HT6. The additional 2 speakers make a world of difference.

 

[David Analog]

Zone controls are not the issue at this point if there is only the inboat zone.
The head unit provides dual zone on the fader as is (say between the bow and cockpit or between inboat and transom zones).
If you require level matching gain controls for the front and rear cockpit speakers, which shouldn't be needed, a small 4-channel amplifier, rather than a 2-channel, will accomplish this. You can also power the front cockpit speakers only with an external 2-channel amplifier and drive the remaining four speakers with HU internal power.

Now, if you add transom speakers you can add the additional inboat to transom zone control without changing the HU. You'll just need another two channels of external amplification with a couple of PAC LC-1 level controls or you can accomplish this with a speaker selector switch.
Transom speakers are great when you are at rest and floating behind the boat. Usually there isn't much need for the inboat speakers when at rest, plus defeating the inboat zone while at rest can save considerable battery reserves.
No single pair of transom-mounted speakers will be powerful enough to hear with any authority while boarding so it would be unusual to need the transom and inboat zones playing simultaneously.

On another note, you do NOT want to splice in another speaker on a HU speaker output that is already connected to a speaker. A HU uses a BTL IC chip output stage that is very unstable into a 2-ohm load. It will distort and fall on its face hard! You also risk damage to the HU.

 

[bprender]

I would like to tell u about all the wiring but I don't know much about this stuff. So I had it installed professionally. The installer also choose the exact placement of the extra speakers. We had talked about the general area before hand. I had to add one amp since I also put in 2 12 inch subs under the passenger seat at the same time. Sorry can't help more with details

 

[Sotally Tober]

Wet Sounds, Wet Sounds, Wet Sounds......Get um!

 

[giroux68]

when you replace factory speakers, are you all replacing the wiring too? I've got new speakers and amp on the way. Polk mm651. photos to follow.