tower Speaker volume control?

[subysti]

I want to add a 2nd amp for the tower speakers but want to control the power and volume separately. What's the easiest way to do that? I've seen the Wet Sounds 3 zone controller and its nice but kinda big, I don't want something like that hanging from under the dash.

 

[kthrash]

I used a Kicker ZXMRLC set up... you can see them under the stereo by the ballast switch

 

[subysti]

Does this allow you to turn them off or just lower the volume?

 

[kthrash]

you can turn them all the way down to zero and they are off.. When we wakeboard I turn the boat speakers down and the tower speakers on full.. and vice versa when we are riding I turn the towers off and the boat speakers up..

 

[kthrash]

The sub is inline with the boat speakers so when they get turned down so does the sub...

 

[subysti]

Thanks for the info. Just what I was looking for!

 

[David Analog]

I agree. The Kicker seems to be the right solution for you. It has the added advantage of more line voltage and it keeps you from extending the RCA cable path.
Two things worth noting.
The Kicker comes with one short and one long cable. If you need two long cables then get with Odin @ Earmark Marine as he stocks the Kicker plus the longer cables.
As mentioned above, when you reduce the in-boat volume you also reduce the subwoofer output. However, if that becomes a big deal and you want on occasion to play the sub and tower without the in boat coaxials then you can split the in-boat zone and add an inexpensive PAC LC-1 to the in-boat coaxial channels. This way you can independently turn down the in-boat coaxials without impacting the sub output. Not everybody feels they need this provision but now you know there is a very easy solution.

 

[kthrash]

the cables are just 4 wire RJ11 (phone) cables.. you can buy or make them easily.. I need to cut mine to length and get rid of the excess cable..

 

[Purplebeast]

[QUOTE

][/QUOTE]
This is from Roswell Audio. I have one on order but has two volume controls. planning on hooking up my tower to one and cabin to other.

 

[octavio3311]

I use 3 PAC LC1's - like this! 1 for the 6 in-boats, 1 for sub, 1 for tower.
We removed the knobs from their housing and thru-mounted at the helm.

 

[cozilla]

[QUOTE

]

This is from Roswell Audio. I have one on order but has two volume controls. planning on hooking up my tower to one and cabin to other.[/QUOTE]

@Purplebeast where did you order this from and what was the cost if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Purplebeast]

http://www.onlyinboards.com/AccessoryShop/Products/Speakers/Amplifiers/Roswell-Dual-Zone-Volume-Controller.aspx
$39.00 onlyinboards.com

 

[cozilla]

If I were to use this to control my cockpit speakers and my swimdeck speakers that are powered off the same amp I should be good correct? I have the cockpits running at 2ohms for the front channel and the swim decks running at 4 ohms on the rear channel then I have a sub on the fifth channel on my 5 channel amp. Currently I have to go into the headunit and shift the fader to control the zones and that is a pain.

 

[GTBRMC]

I use 3 PAC LC1's - like this! 1 for the 6 in-boats, 1 for sub, 1 for tower.
We removed the knobs from their housing and thru-mounted at the helm.

Your installation looks great (you posted photos from the cockpit side on another thread). Can you post photos of the back side of the dash showing how you mounted these?

 

[jcyamaharider]

I used both the wetsounds 420 and an extra volume knob. The advantage of the 420 eq far exceeded my expectations. Every single speaker in my boat sounds 10 times better. The extra volume knob works great for the kids. They sit in the bow and I like to not hurt their ears with louder music when they are that close to the speakers. I can control all 4 zones from 0 to 100 percent.

 

[Julian]

I have the same question @cozilla has.

I bought the Clarion 502? HU - the one with ONE knob---BIG mistake....

I wired it with my 4 channel amp (which is matched to the rear fader by default) and put the swim deck speakers on the front side of the HU output, with the bow speakers on the rear of the head unit. This way I can fade to the rear and all the boat speakers are on, and fade to the front and the swim deck speakers are on. This works fine, EXCEPT getting to the fader control is a PITA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It isn't clear to me how any of these faders are wired....

 

[Purplebeast]

If I were to use this to control my cockpit speakers and my swimdeck speakers that are powered off the same amp I should be good correct? I have the cockpits running at 2ohms for the front channel and the swim decks running at 4 ohms on the rear channel then I have a sub on the fifth channel on my 5 channel amp. Currently I have to go into the headunit and shift the fader to control the zones and that is a pain.

Without having this in hand, i really don't know for sure. once it comes in i can say, but i think it works off of input to the amp.

 

[David Analog]

Julian,
They are pre-level faders and not power level faders. All before any amplification stages, whether internal or external power. So after the master volume you have a pre-level fader. Stereo in with four 'outs'. Each pre-level fader 'out' is split between the input of an internal 4-channel discrete amplifier and an external preamp RCA output.

 

[Julian]

Julian,
They are pre-level faders and not power level faders. All before any amplification stages, whether internal or external power. So after the master volume you have a pre-level fader. Stereo in with four 'outs'. Each pre-level fader 'out' is split between the input of an internal 4-channel discrete amplifier and an external preamp RCA output.

So these would only be helpful when all your speakers are hooked to AMPs....

Guess I either need to buy another amp...or change this PITA HU to one with a more easily accessible fader control that doesn't require a laminated card for me to follow to find the fader control. Since I've invested and installed Clarion remotes...that limits me to Clarion....any of them have a fader KNOB?

 

[David Analog]

So these would only be helpful when all your speakers are hooked to AMPs....

Guess I either need to buy another amp...or change this PITA HU to one with a more easily accessible fader control that doesn't require a laminated card for me to follow to find the fader control. Since I've invested and installed Clarion remotes...that limits me to Clarion....any of them have a fader KNOB?

Correct. Only with all speakers connected to external amplification. All you need is more amplifier channels.

Take me back to the day of a rotary knob or switch for every different function and big analog dials. No functions buried in the menu. I miss my Philco radio with motorized station scan.