www.iFourWinns.com

I am getting ready to add an amp and install 4 new DB651 speakers. For those that have the upgraded stereo system on a 244 or 224 can you shoot me a pic of the location of the amp. I plan to put in in the storage area infront of the helm but a pic of how FW did it would be nice.

Also do you have have the location of where they put the sub (planning for the future).

Todd

_________________
Todd, Tina, Alex (11) and Ava Grace (7)
'07 244 Funship, Black, Forward Bimini, Custom Cover, 5.7 Gi DP
'03 27TBS Coachman Shasta
'08 F250 PSD
'04 Excusion EB PSD, RAS, Bilsteins and Wood Trim
'96 Camry - What I drive!

So does this mean that no one has an updgraded stereo system with amp and sub on a 224 or 244?

What are some thoughts from you 224/244 owners on location options for an amp or sub?

_________________
Todd, Tina, Alex (11) and Ava Grace (7)
'07 244 Funship, Black, Forward Bimini, Custom Cover, 5.7 Gi DP
'03 27TBS Coachman Shasta
'08 F250 PSD
'04 Excusion EB PSD, RAS, Bilsteins and Wood Trim
'96 Camry - What I drive!

I have a 240 so not sure how they compare. I mounted a second amp next to the stock Clarion amp in the storage are in front of the helm, vertical just like the Clarion. I recommend you get a Wet Sounds 420 equalizer if you have tower speakers, the effect is dramatic for skiers and wakeboarders. I'll send pictures is I ever figure out how to download them.

I have an F204 so I don't know how much I can help. I still have the stock Sony headunit... I replaced all 4 speakers with Polk DB651s and I added a Kenwood sub and amp, but the amp is just for the sub and its small. I mounted it under the dash next to the fuse box, but none of this probably helps you at all...

_________________
2008 FW F204 - 5.0 VP "Stand On It"
Former Boat: Larson 186 LXI - 4.3 VP

So how do the Polk's compare to the factory Sony's running off the Sony headunit?

_________________
2008 H210
Volvo 5.0 GXi
"Summer Sled"
Indianapolis

240 and 812 thanks for the info. Did you (or the installer) run the ground cable back to the batteries or to a ground block?

Todd

_________________
Todd, Tina, Alex (11) and Ava Grace (7)
'07 244 Funship, Black, Forward Bimini, Custom Cover, 5.7 Gi DP
'03 27TBS Coachman Shasta
'08 F250 PSD
'04 Excusion EB PSD, RAS, Bilsteins and Wood Trim
'96 Camry - What I drive!

Steve,
Dramatic improvement just adding the polks, even without an amp. I suggest you do it one step at a time. Depending how you use it, you may not need the amp. At this point, I don't plan to add one. I just did the Polks.

_________________
2008 Four Winns F224
5.0 Volvo Penta
Towing with Audi Q7 4.2 V8

I am also just running the DB651's without an amp. It is a significant improvement over the Sony speakers, but I still plan to add an amp at some point as the speakers still get distorted at higher volumes (under way usually).

_________________
2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

The DB651s made ALL the difference in the world! The amp I have powers the sub only... its a Kenwood freeair sub and amp combo. I could have done without it, but it does add a little kick to the setup. Since its a very small amp powering the sub only, I just used an open grounding point on the fuse block since the amp is mounted right next to it.

_________________
2008 FW F204 - 5.0 VP "Stand On It"
Former Boat: Larson 186 LXI - 4.3 VP

Sorry to wait so long to answer the question about whether to "run the ground cable back to the batteries or to a ground block." I had to contact my installer to see what he did. I got this reply:

Both the amplifier’s power and ground cables are connected directly to the battery, this is done for a couple of reasons. 1) From an acoustical and clarity stand point, it assures the “cleanest” possible power and ground for the stereo. A stereo, in nature, is one big antenna, and can easily pick up unwanted “noise” and static that is naturally found in electrical circuits, which in turn is heard from the speakers. When doing a ground-up stereo install, I recommend that the stereo head-unit share the same power and ground as the amplifier, this takes it one step further to prevent noise and static. In your particular install, the Wet Sounds WS-420 EQ is sharing the same power and ground as the new amplifier. 2) The other reason to connect directly to the battery is due to the current draw of the amp. The size/gauge of the factory wire running to the ground block, or BUSS BAR as they are commonly called, did not take into account the added load of a stereo amplifier drawing anywhere from 50 to 100 amp of current.

Pretty well answers the question of the How and the Why.

Just bought the Polk DB651 speakers. Looking forward to adding them

Where's the best place to buy the Polk speakers? I've got to get a new head unit and will add these speakers, as well. I'm not going to do an amp or sub at this point. I just need to get rid of this old 1999 hardware, which doesn't work anyway!

_________________
1999 234 Funship
5.7 GSi

I got mine off ebay, they average about $54 a pair shipped.

_________________
2008 FW F204 - 5.0 VP "Stand On It"
Former Boat: Larson 186 LXI - 4.3 VP