Stereo upgrade

RaveOn · **Posted:** Wed Nov 26, 2014 11:59 am

I have a 2013 h180 ss and it currently has the stock Stereo. I'm looking to replace the 2 speakers as well as I am going to add 2 more. I'm looking for advise on speakers as well as an amp. I'm thinking a 4 channel amp at 75 rms per channel. I'm going to keep the stock deck or I may put in a blauptunk that I have sitting idle.

Thx in advance Kelly

ric · **Posted:** Wed Nov 26, 2014 1:41 pm

Blaupunkt? The 80's are over man. Does it have 8-track?

RaveOn · **Posted:** Wed Nov 26, 2014 2:20 pm

Lol. I bet it's better than the stock Sony. Head unit update will be later.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Nov 26, 2014 2:30 pm

RaveOn wrote:

Lol. I bet it's better than the stock Sony. Head unit update will be later.

I'm a big fan of Kenwood. I have this in my boat. Bluetooth audio streaming is a must for me. It also works with the kenwood marine remotes and has water protection (turns off if detects water until it dries.. ask me how I know). Some people like Fusion stereos, but their audio quality is garbage. If you're big into sound quality go Alpine.
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entertain ... s/KDC-X597

As far as amps go, make sure you install a "Class D". It will use significantly less power from your batteries. Speakers? Polk Audio Ultra Marine and a DB series subwoofer. At least 75 RMS to the speakers and 150 to the sub. Your boat will sound good. On my last boat I had two amps, one for the monitors, one for the sub. That way I could turn off the subwoofer (the biggest power draw) when anchored out for a while and not drain my batteries.

deafwish · **Posted:** Wed Nov 26, 2014 3:03 pm

ric wrote:

On my last boat I had two amps, one for the monitors.

It's a boat, not a recording studio, so they are coaxials!

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Thu Nov 27, 2014 12:41 am

RaveOn wrote:

It also works with the kenwood marine remotes and has water protection (turns off if detects water until it dries.. ask me how I know).

I'll second ric on Kenwoods, however I have to add, that if it encounters a significant amount of water, it will fry/die (don't ask me how I know).
Because of my above statement, I switched to Alpine, awesome unit, no complaints so far.

fi.na.tine · **Posted:** Thu Nov 27, 2014 3:02 pm

Look on http://www.Crutchfield.com - they have good sales all the time and regularly stock scratch and dent stuff that has minimal flaws.

RaveOn · **Posted:** Fri Nov 28, 2014 5:45 am

We have Crutchfield here in Canada as well. I'm more looking for hands on experience as far as the products go. I'm leaning towards infinity mm612 or polk mm651um to replace the stock speakers. If I go with a set of these then I have to decide to go with either a set of the same to mount up front in the bow area or should I go with a set of 6x9 under the rear bench seat? I'm leaning towards keeping the 4 speakers the same and if need be add a sub next year. Input? The infinity speakers are 75 wrms and the polks are 100 wrms so I need to decide on speakers so I can select an amp to drive them efficiently.

Jdpber · **Posted:** Fri Nov 28, 2014 7:22 am

I am extremely happy with my Polk um651mm components.

RaveOn · **Posted:** Fri Nov 28, 2014 7:25 am

Jdpber wrote:

I am extremely happy with my Polk um651mm components.

Hi. Thx for the input. What amp are u running? Part of this upgrade will be a second battery lol.

ric · **Posted:** Fri Nov 28, 2014 7:47 am

I've used Polk in my last 2 boats and my boat currently has infinity 612. The 612's are very "Bright" sounding. Depending on what type of music you listen to, they might not work out well.

I listen to a lot of EDM and Hiphop. They do not work and I've been wanting to replace with polk

Paul I. · **Posted:** Fri Nov 28, 2014 7:48 am

RaveOn wrote:

We have Crutchfield here in Canada as well. I'm more looking for hands on experience as far as the products go. I'm leaning towards infinity mm612 or polk mm651um to replace the stock speakers. If I go with a set of these then I have to decide to go with either a set of the same to mount up front in the bow area or should I go with a set of 6x9 under the rear bench seat? I'm leaning towards keeping the 4 speakers the same and if need be add a sub next year. Input? The infinity speakers are 75 wrms and the polks are 100 wrms so I need to decide on speakers so I can select an amp to drive them efficiently.

I would look into Fusion. Some people on the board thinks there over rated and high priced. BUT myself, it has some great features and very good sound quality. I think it depends on how you set it up. Its NMEA2k so hooking up remotes is easy. It well worth at lest looking at and reading the reviews!

ric · **Posted:** Fri Nov 28, 2014 7:49 am

Fusion has horrid audio quality compared to Alpine or Kenwood. You don't need zone control on a bowrider.

Jdpber · **Posted:** Fri Nov 28, 2014 8:58 am

Go with the Polk mm651um components with 160watts at each. From the Boss http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_21823_Boss-PH4.400.html for the dollar and output I have been very happy with the cost to power to sound quality. And for less than $100 in a boat it can afford to be replaced every few year if it dies. My amps are in a dry zone so should last a while. Not the top of the line by it is an open air boat so you cannot deep the benefits of the high high end that I would run in a car.

I also have a 12 in a sealed box and a 10" bazooka and this total combination has proven to blast clean clear audio.

I have 3 batteries, 2 are isolated from the dedicated start battery, the dual group 29 deep cycles for the stereo last and last.

One thing to think about is if you have higher power amps than you intend or need to be delivering to the speakers then you will be operating the amp at a lower % of the max capabilities thus using less power. This is something to keep in mind. Me pushing 75w out would be way less power consumed than an amp that maxes at 75x4. More efficient use of battery power.

And trust me when I say that you cannot stand in my cockpit when I have the head unit turned to 50% or your ears will hurt. If that tells you how loud these speakers can be.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Fri Nov 28, 2014 12:11 pm

ric wrote:

Fusion has horrid audio quality compared to Alpine or Kenwood. You don't need zone control on a bowrider.

Its a matter of taste, but we have been though this before. But I would read as many reviews on what ever you buy.

Its also water tight. zone control I would think its not needed.

www.iFourWinns.com

Stereo upgrade

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