Stereo setup advice

[morgro269]

I just bought two Westsounds XS-808's. I want to put them next to each captain chair to try and get some sound in the cockpit. I am running the 6 stock polks that came with the boat off of an HT-6, two tower speakers (Rev-10's) off of an HT-4. Everything runs through a Westounds WS-420 equalizer. How should I run the new XS-808's to get the best sound out of them?

 

[PaulyB]

I would run the 4 in bout Polks off channels 1 and 2, I would run the 2 polks on the swim platform off channels 3 and 4, and I would run the 808s off channels 5-6.

 

[morgro269]

Thanks, but I should've explained myself better... I have two channels open on the HT-4 that I was going to use. The HT-6 is busied up with the polks in the boat and the swim platform. My question is more around the equalizer. Is there anyway for me to run the new 808's in the same zone as the boat speakers and be able to get the sound that they are capable of? I think I'm only going to be able to over drive the polks or not use the 808's to their potential....

 

[PaulyB]

You shouldnt have any channels available on the HT-4 if you do you are seriously underpowering the REV10s.... They should be bridged, one REV10 on Channels 1&2 and one REV10 on 3&4.

 

[PaulyB]

As long as the polks are 4 ohm speakers you can hook up two speakers per channel.... So essentially you could power 12 speakers with the HT-6

 

[Addicted]

You shouldnt have any channels available on the HT-4 if you do you are seriously underpowering the REV10s.... They should be bridged, one REV10 on Channels 1&2 and one REV10 on 3&4.

My thinking exactly. Those REV 10's need juice. I have the same but using the ARC Audio (non-marine version of WS) and the REV 10's are soaking it up. I can't imagine that running them of only 1 channel each is close to their potential.

 

[morgro269]

I'll have to check. The dealer did the install and I just assumed it was a Rev10 per channel...

 

[jawsf16]

What RCA outputs does your HU have? I have Sub, Front, and Rear RCA outputs. I have Sub to Sub Amp, Front top In Boat Amp, and Rear to Tower Amp (bridged). Easy to fade from the HU without a separate EQ.

Definitely bridge them...

 

[morgro269]

Thanks @jawsf16 .... I don't know the answer to that either. Hopefully the same, that'll make things easier. I won't be able to get in to this until the boat get's back from the repair shop in March....

 

[David Analog]

To do it right you should....
Have the HT-4 bridged to a single set of Rev10s. Absolutely no less.
Certain zones deserve dedicated channels so that you first can level balance and second have independent variable control.
The transom speakers, if applicable, would be one of those zones, just like the tower speakers being a separate zone.
So with RCA 'Y' adapters you can come off the inboat zone of the EQ output and split it up and add a Wetsounds RCA passive level control.
The 808s are going to need to dominate from the listening perspective of the driver and observer....because the speaker deserves to dominate, and because of the positional advantage. Then the rear cockpit speakers become somewhat fill for the rear cockpit occupants. This is going to require an additional amplifier, perhaps the new HTX2 for the 808s. If you bridge four channels of the HT-6 to drive the 808s, you end up with a couple of channels short. Adding another amplifier in order to net a couple of extra channels and more power will certainly mean an upgrade or addition in DC supply cabling and distribution.
It's often easy for the rear cockpit and bow speakers, when the same speaker, to share channels.

 

[morgro269]

Great info, thanks @David Analog ! Can't wait to get the boat back....