Subwoofer - Is it worth it?

[shar]

Currently in the process of upgrading the audio in the boat, and I'm kind of stuck on what route to go. The only reason I even want to upgrade the stereo, is because there is 0 sound in the mid-cabin. So I figured if I am going to install speakers there, might as well upgrade all 4 corners while I'm at it.

So far I have purchased (6) JL M3's. I can either get the M600/6 and be done with it, or for a few bucks more get the m800/8 and add a small sub (~200 watts). But I'm not sure if a sub on the boat is worthwhile? Does it make that much of a difference?

 

[Compatico]

That's a very subjective question and depnds on your needs. Some people hate subs, others love them. I'm in the middle and like subs for the home theater downstairs, but good towers for clean and accurate music upstairs. No subs in my truck for the same reason, the cabin is too small to need a sub and the speakers thump plenty loud as is. A boat is open air though, so a sub could be more useful, again depending on your needs.

 

[redthumper9]

In my opinion, its not only worth it, it's a necessity. Music of all types doesn't stop where your 6.5" coaxials do. A subwoofer is critical to accurately reproduce all types of music. Not saying you have to go overboard like some of us, but having the low end certainally fills out the sound.

 

[bronze_10]

I'm gonna add a wet sounds sub this year. I have two channels available on an amp I'm gonna bridge to power it. Thinking a 10 inch wet sounds.

 

[F.M.]

I have 2 10" subs currently, and will be hopefully adding a 3rd this year.

 

[tdonoughue]

I have heard it explained thusly:

The audio range that takes the most power to run is the bass. If you think about it, that is where you are moving the cone the greatest distance to make the sound wave. Or you are moving a larger cone a shorter distance (which is why subs are bigger in diameter...). Either way, more effort (power) is required for bass. Treble is the opposite. A little power goes a long way there. So with those little tweeters, just touching them has a big, piercing sound.

When you add a sub, you are not as much adding thump. Well, you may be, but that is not the important effect on the system. The most important effect is that you are offloading that high-power load and rerouting that to the sub (usually through an amp). That means that your head unit or other amp is freed up. Rather than the whole thing running at 90%, you get the sub running at 50% and the rest of the speakers running at 50%. And as anyone who has ever turned up a stereo too loud knows, when you are in mid range, things can be pretty clear, but if you turn it up too much, things get muddled. By moving all the speakers down into the power supplies' middle range, you improve the responsiveness, clarity, and clipping. And, of course, you get more top end (on that occasion you do want something louder).

So, I think I added my sub seconds after I added my amp... and it is on a separate, bridged channel of the amp. Could not be happier.

 

[Dean P]

I agree with everyone here. I suffered from no sound in the mid-cabin. I added 2 10" subs with amps and 6" speakers on port and starboard side walls. WOW! What a difference. Thrilled with the sound. I went with WetSounds; great stuff.

 

[J-RAD]

I have a single 10" JL that sounds great. Definitely adds to the overall richness and quality of the sound. You'll be missing ⅓ of the spectrum without it. Bite the bullet now and enjoy it, otherwise you'll be spending the money to upgrade next season anyway... right?

 

[white2kstang]

I have a similar setup on my 2019 AR195 to what you are looking to do.
I'm running 6 of the JL M6 6.5s and a JL 10tw3-d4 in a replica JL powerwedge box powered by an M800/8. I have 2 Wetsounds Icon8s on the tower powered by a wetsounds Micro4. I finally feel like it's got even sound and good punch in the mid range and lows even in the mid section of the boat. Tuning out the lows from the 6.5s via the crossover works wonders for clarity at higher volumes well.

 

[jacoviii]

Yes a SUB or two is a must. My old '98 270 exciter 4 8" rockfords coax. and 2 RF 12"s

 

[Ronnie]

My vote is for installing the all important sub-woofer or the “.1” in some system descriptions. It’s Ironic that this is often the most expensive part of the the system, next to/under the amp of coarse. Bass is expensive, good base is more expensive, great bass is usually out of my price range.

 

[shar]

Thanks everyone! I went ahead and got the 8 channel amp...

I was kind of already leaning this way, just wasn't sure if the juice would be worth the squeeze. I have subwoofers in a couple of the rooms within our house, and definitely agree with @Ronnie 's comment about good bass being expensive. As with anything boat related, it is inherently expensive , so trying to get good bass on a boat seemed like an (expensive) headache. Ultimately, I agree with the collective voice here - I'll want something to round out the sound. Thanks again for the nudge in the right direction!

 

[Weeb]

I have 2 10" subs currently, and will be hopefully adding a 3rd this year.

Your boat will propel itself with just the vibration from the tunes being cranked.

 

[F.M.]

That's the plan.