www.iFourWinns.com

Hey all,

I have the XMD3 Sirius system on my 05 Vista. Looking to get it upgraded but not replaced. I like the head unit and the sirius setup but cant enjoy the sound at cruising speeds. I need something louder and clearer. I'm a technical person but not a stereo guru at all. I figure a few of you have made some upgrades to this factory setup with some success. I hope you can share your experiences with me. What do I need to boost the sound on this boat. I have the Radar Arch that seems to be pree drilled for additional speakers. Is the arch pre wired? What about replacement speakers, subs, amps etc..? Also I'm not looking to break the bank.

Sergio

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2005 268 Vista

Polk speakers, search for a great deal on here that Amazon had. I have yet to install mine but from what I hear they are top notch!

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

If your head unit has pre amp out put, add an amp to the new cockpit speakers your going to add.
If arch is pre wired, doesnt matter, stock wiring is too small. rewire from amp to each speaker.

Amp should be under $100
Monster wire is not cheap, but you must have large enough gage wire to carry power to each speaker, very important.
New speakers............ you can use stock ones and not spend a dime, or ............ whatever you deem acceptable.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

Im doing the same on mine but I am replacing the entire system. I found a Pioneer premier head unit with the 4 volt pre outs for $50 very lighlty used. Found a sub for $99, and amp for $99, and the Polks are going on ebay for $120 for 2 sets. I also added a pioneer remote for another $45 so total $400 for a new system.

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1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty

I have the same head unit in my 2005 H230. I am planning to add an amp, sub, and an outlet for my MP3 player. For now, I will probably keep the factory Clarion 6.5" speakers, but may consider going to the Polks next season. I am considering a Kicker ZX700.5 5-channel amp and a Kicker sub/box http://www.amazon.com/Kicker-06SKM10-4-Ohm-Marine-Subwoofer/dp/B000ST96RG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1262898449&sr=1-1.

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Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

You don't mention which model Vista. Update your profile and add your location. Then most of us put out make/model/year boat in our signature. It helps the rest of us figure out the right answers for your model boat and location. Like whether your Vista is already wired for the arch speakers or not. I think most models all share the same wiring harness so the speaker wires may already be present. The easiest way to tell is to get inside the space and look for the connectors.

That said, nothing is really going to help make the music listenable when running at speed. The wind and engine noise will just overwhelm your ability to hear anything. That and the louder you make your stereo the more you irritate the other people on the water. Honestly it's really annoying to have to listen to someone else's music as they approach from a mile away and then even louder as they depart. I like all kinds of music, just not when it's from someone else's boat.

If you don't already have an amp, make sure anything that's installed is in a properly ventilated area. Amps tend to get pretty warm when you crank up the volume. They also draw a lot of wattage, so be sure about your battery capacity.

You may also want to consider speakers that are angled more toward your listening position. Either with speakers that have the ability to be aimed, or with some angled trim rings to pivot them a bit. That might help improve things.

But without knowing which model Vista you've got it's hard to be specific.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I totally disagree, by adding 2 speakers at the helm and adding the amp. We can listen to our music while underway, and no, not the entire lake or even boats 50' away can hear what we are listening to.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

French829, you probably already know this but there are rca style connections in the back of the xmd3 and then you can funnel to 3.5 mini for an mp3/ipod. Thats my plan.

Good point Powellcrazy. I would imaging its all about zone volume control at that point.

I'm wondering if there are some slim speakers that would fit in the Arch. Also how big of an amp on this unit? The stereo is rated at 200 watts. does this mean i need to stick to similar speaker and amp wattage? Again I'm not a stereophile.

Sergio

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2005 268 Vista

Head unit being 200watts max, that is fairly common, that what we have as well for a head unit. That is weak!
What that means is, 50 watts max to each of the 4 speakers
That is why you want to add a amp, to send more power to speaker.

I have the head unit powering only the 2 speakers in the cabin. The 4 speakers in the cockpit are powered by a sony 600 watt amp. What a difference! Especially while underway. Again biggest
improvement was adding another 2 speakers at helm.

Very easy to add more speakers and run new wire. Goto home depot and get hole saw ($40 ish) and cut new speaker hole in sides at helm. Make sure to use masking tape over gelcoat and go slow to start out with to not chip gelcoat, once you get through gel, let it rip.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos