Downward firing speakers?

Groucho

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2008
1,614
Albany/Lake George NY
Boat Info
2004 320 DA
Engines
6.2 V-Drives
I am planning/doing a sound system upgrade on my new to me 2004 320. Instead of adding one in addition to the existing I am thinking of putting 2 firing down from the arch ceiling to spread around the sound. My Tech moved to Miami so not sure I can trust anyone else around here for advise...
Anyone done this? I don't want to muddy the sound but sometimes the dual on each side are not the most attractive to look at either...
 
I really hate the arch speakers when you're sitting aft of the helm. It's like wearing headphones when you are trying to converse with someone.
 
Groucho, you're not gonna like my reply, but I'll share it anyway. When we head out on the boat we like the peace and quiet of the water against the hull, the sounds of the birds, the quiet hum of the engines, etc.

Then some dumbsh!t shows up with his new "Blassster Speakers" and ruins the peace for everyone within 1/2 mile or so. He thinks everyone likes rapcrap as much as he does.

I wouldn't like to impose my choices in music on others but I also don't like them to impose their choices on us.
 
Groucho, you're not gonna like my reply, but I'll share it anyway. When we head out on the boat we like the peace and quiet of the water against the hull, the sounds of the birds, the quiet hum of the engines, etc.

Then some dumbsh!t shows up with his new "Blassster Speakers" and ruins the peace for everyone within 1/2 mile or so. He thinks everyone likes rapcrap as much as he does.

I wouldn't like to impose my choices in music on others but I also don't like them to impose their choices on us.


Can't say I disagree with you. In my younger years even though I liked my music loud I was always aware someone else might not. I now only listen to music when I'm on the boat, which 98% of the time is going 8 knots. Boats are very open air so unless your within 100 feet of it most of it drowns. I don't need it loud...I just need it clear, hence my question.
 
I love music. From the music of the motors and water flowing around the hull - to a concert on the water when I'm feeling the vibe.

My last boat was an all JL system. Two 6.5's on the arch facing down, and then a 7.7's at the base of the arch and 8.8's in the body.

I went this route as they all have different frequency ranges and various mid output. I really liked the sound, and I liked the locations as they were out of the way.

On my new to me flybridge, I have 8" speakers at the base of the helm area, and the new 11" Kickers mounted on the bottom of my arch. Pretty amazing speakers - and the set-up allows the speakers to rotate 360 degrees - so when in the back or in the water - I just turn those bad boys around.
 
We have downward speakers on the Sabre. The hardtop is hollow about the same depth as the Sea Ray arch and our speakers sound great, so acoustically there should be enough air volume in a SR arch as well.

H
 
We have downward facing speakers in our arch. The only thing that makes them tolerable is that they are in their own zone, so you can adjust the volume separately. Otherwise the comment above about not being able to hear anything at the helm is correct, because you are about 8" from a speaker when you are driving.
 
Adding speakers into an arch can be quite a task. Where is the placement of the other, and how many, existing speakers? Are they powered by an external amplifier? Is there a specific volume dead zone you are trying to fill, or just want louder throughout? Arch speakers can be dominate in some seating positions. Depending on other factors, I may consider placing a pair of speakers somewhere other then the arch.
 
Adding speakers into an arch can be quite a task. Where is the placement of the other, and how many, existing speakers? Are they powered by an external amplifier? Is there a specific volume dead zone you are trying to fill, or just want louder throughout? Arch speakers can be dominate in some seating positions. Depending on other factors, I may consider placing a pair of speakers somewhere other then the arch.
I should add that the existing amp is too small to say the least. With a good and powerful amp lower volume levels are more enjoyable and clear. On top of that more speakers give better sound at lower levels.


There are 4 existing speakers, 2 in the arch about eye level when your standing, and 2 others...one by your hands near the helm and one as you go down to the salon. I want more and better sound so I want 4 somewhere in the arch as well as the existing going down. I have seen where some have 2 on each side of the arch stacked near each other...but it looks odd to me. Hence my question about the ceiling of the arch. I will probly use Dynamat in the arch as my last boat had a custom install and it sounded awesome. using that.
 
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Groucho, you're not gonna like my reply, but I'll share it anyway. When we head out on the boat we like the peace and quiet of the water against the hull, the sounds of the birds, the quiet hum of the engines, etc.

Then some dumbsh!t shows up with his new "Blassster Speakers" and ruins the peace for everyone within 1/2 mile or so. He thinks everyone likes rapcrap as much as he does.

I wouldn't like to impose my choices in music on others but I also don't like them to impose their choices on us.

I’m with you!
I like to be able to listen to my choice of music at a level where we can hold a conversation when sitting at anchor.
There’s few things more annoying than have that relaxing atmosphere destroyed by some yahoo who drops his hook nearby and proceeds to blast his music loud enough so everyone else in the anchorage can listen to it.
 
I’m with you!
I like to be able to listen to my choice of music at a level where we can hold a conversation when sitting at anchor.
There’s few things more annoying than have that relaxing atmosphere destroyed by some yahoo who drops his hook nearby and proceeds to blast his music loud enough so everyone else in the anchorage can listen to it.
Having an arsehole like that anchor nearby and share his "wonderful" music makes me wish I had a .50 cal machine gun on the bow.

Some people are so disrespectful and seem to be unaware of the fact that others don't respect them, they hate them.
 
We are lucky in some ways up here in Georgian Bay, Canada that there are lots of places to get away from the noise. I love music, and do play it when I am on the boat, but when we are at one of the nice coves on a party weekend (Beckwith Island for those that have been on the Bay) and every has the competing music blasting, it is really annoying. Luckily that is pretty rare.
 
You need something like this :)
20190305_081040.jpg
 
I should add that the existing amp is too small to say the least. With a good and powerful amp lower volume levels are more enjoyable and clear. On top of that more speakers give better sound at lower levels.


There are 4 existing speakers, 2 in the arch about eye level when your standing, and 2 others...one by your hands near the helm and one as you go down to the salon. I want more and better sound so I want 4 somewhere in the arch as well as the existing going down. I have seen where some have 2 on each side of the arch stacked near each other...but it looks odd to me. Hence my question about the ceiling of the arch. I will probly use Dynamat in the arch as my last boat had a custom install and it sounded awesome. using that.
We have two in the hardtop pointing down and one on each side. They are further back so more mid cockpit so not pointed down over your head or in your ear. I like the sound and placement. The two overhead are mounted in an access cover... So I guess if you didn't want them you could replace the cover.
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