www.iFourWinns.com

Ok I need to know the difference in amps in regards to channels. If i'm putting in 4 speakers and a sub do I need a 5 channel amp?
Speakers what size are the original cut outs.....as I do not want to do any cutting.

And what brand equipment do you all recomend?

Please explain this thing about bridging on amps????

Lee

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2006 F150 FX4
2008 H210 SS
5.7 GXI SX
Compass
Ratchet cover
Bow and cockpit covers
Bow cushions
Q&Q

I just put in an Alpine PDX 5, 5 ch. 600 watt amp. 4x75 and 1x300 (Not a marine grade but it is enclosed in my cabin area, does not get as hot as some other amps or use as much power according the mfgr), (4) JL Audio 6.5 ccx, and (1) JL 10" sub. Drop in for my factory speakers, free handed a cutout for the sub and wired it up......awesome compared to factory. Knew nothing about installing before this project but it came out great.

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2005, 268 Vista, Table Rock Lake "Choices II"

Where did you put your sub?

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Excellent question. Also, where did you mount the amp as well ? I have an idea where I would like to put a sub in our 268, but would like to know where others installed theirs.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Think of every individual speaker and sub being a channel. 4 speakers and sub requires either a 5 channel amp or a 4 channel and a separate mono sub amp (my set up). Bridging is tricky because you need to know if your amp and sub can handle bridging. Some amps are bridged internally. Its essentially powering up your sub with 2 channels versus one. Don't do it unless you know what you're doing. Your stock cut outs are most likely 6.5. My preference is for the JL Audio but there are other good brands out there.

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

No, can do it with a 4 channel.


If you do a search there are many opinions here. I personally went with Sony and Pioneers that were within my budget. ( I really got a good deal on my speakers and the amp was a gift).

First of all you need to make sure that you can bridge the amp you are using, some are already bridged internally. But assuming you have an amp you can bridge then in simplest terms bridging is taking two channels on the amplifier and wiring in a way where the power of the two channels are "bridged" to power a speaker unit.





For the 268 guys asking about sub and amp locations here is what I did...



I went with a Sony Marine XM-604M which I located in the aft berth locker.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

I second this Alpine amp. It is a very nice choice.

Another option is the JL Audio M6600 6 channel marine amp (was the 6450). You can run 6 individual speakers or 4 and a sub (by bridging channels 5 and 6 into one channel)

JL also has a new line of digital amps that are supposedly VERY nice. From a local shop, they were touted as a step above the alpine PDX line - but also had a price tag to go with it.

The M6600 was about the same price point as the alpine as I recall.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

I did two amps as well. I removed the storage compartments under the helm seat (for a Vista) and put them there. I made two wooden doors out of oak with latches to cover the area.

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"Where Da Go"
2002 248 Vista
Lafayette, IN
http://blueoceanlife.worldventures.biz

woggy, that is where I was thinking of putting the sub. And use some starboard
to close off the area. We just use the underseat storage for life jackets now, and
one side could still be used for that, and the other for the sub.

Of course the most difficult part of all of this is, getting the admirals approval.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I have my sub in there as well. You have to make sure you get an open air sun though. I purchased the Clarion marine sub, cut the fiberglass and installed it. It sounded like crap. I then proceeded to install a air tight sun box inside that compartment which was not fun. After sealing the compatment' it sounds much better now.

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"Where Da Go"
2002 248 Vista
Lafayette, IN
http://blueoceanlife.worldventures.biz

Thanks woggy. I was wondering about the sound. I was thinking of a Free Air Sub, and sealing it in and add a port on the front side. Still in the planning (wishful) stages now.
An enclosure would be the best however. And I have another idea on how to do that, and
fit a sub already in an enclosure in the space under the seat. I need to measure this Friday
to see if the sub and enclosure I am thinking about will fit. Then all I need to do is secure the enclosure, seal up the under seat area, and only have to add a port to the side under the
seat., and not have to make as large a hole as I would if I put the sub there.

Oooops, sorry for the hijack, I got a little carried away.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Way back around 1992 or 1993, a buddy and I installed a Kenwood head unit, wired 10 disc changer, amp, crossover and 6" KIcker cannon in my 1988 Jeep Comanche. the truck has been in dry storage for the last ten or twelve years..... I wonder if I could recycle this stuff. I'll post some pictures if I get a chance for your opinion.

But, i've got to ask.... How many $ am I really saving? What are the components for your systems adding up to?

Why do you guys not discuss crossovers? Is that internal to the new amps or maybe I have a single channel amp that required it? I can't remember but do remember having to mess with the settings to get it sounding OK.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

The Sony Marine Amp I posted up top has a built in crossover. Definitely makes a HUGE difference.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

Another location for the sub, which worked well for my 268 was under the aft seat, starboard side, aft wall. There is enough room for a 12' sub if you wanted to fit it in , 10 was good for me. The back side is protected from the elements. It is inside the same compartment that the aft shower and stereo control opens up into and is enclosed to some degree. The "floor" of that compartment covers the engine compartment so running the speaker wire was pretty simple and open.

The amp:

I put mine in the same compartment under the stairs where the trash can is. Pull out the trach can and I mounted it in the forward wall of that compartment. It was close enough to the head unit that I did not have to do a lot of wire running. Secured it with a sylon strap with a clip on it so I can pull the amp out and make adjustments if needed and have it hidden and out of the way other times.

It will be a couple weeks but I can get pictures next time I am down if you want them.

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2005, 268 Vista, Table Rock Lake "Choices II"

Great ideas for sub locations guys ! Thanks.

ChoicesII, I would love to see some pics of how you mounted your sub and amp.

Another question. Are the powered subs decent compared to a sub with a seperate amp?
Like these:
JBL MPS-100 Powered 10" Sub


Clarion CMSW10 Powered Sub



Jensen MX6BA

http://www.boatersland.com/mxa6ba.html

I would imagine having the sub and rear/front speakers powered by an amp would be much louder than just the head unit and a powered sub itself. But, is it acceptable at all, or not?
Just curious as I am exploring different ways of adding a sub/amp to our boat.

Any comments would be welcome.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy