Adding Subwoofer to the stock Calrion XMD3/MAA120-2 AMP

[coolmaven]

I'd like to simply add a subwoofer to my stock Calrion XMD3/MAA120-2 AMP set-up on my '04 280D. Thinking of installing this under the cockpit sink:

https://www.amazon.ca/Rockville-MS1...refix=rockville+marine,electronics,70&sr=1-11

Can anyone provide some wiring directions? Do I need a separate amp to drive the woofer or, will the stock 2 channel work.

Not looking for concert hall, just a bit of bass.

Thanks

 

[Skybolt]

You will need a sub woofer power amp for that speaker with ~2K watts of power.

You migth be better served with something like this -https://www.amazon.ca/10-Inch-Low-Profile-Amplified-Subwoofer-System/dp/B09MDNK8N7/ref=sr_1_12?crid=262QR2B4Y4CWP&keywords=subwoofer+amp&qid=1663722958&s=electronics&sprefix=sub+woofer+amp%2Celectronics%2C173&sr=1-12

 

[coolmaven]

You will need a sub woofer power amp for that speaker with ~2K watts of power.

You migth be better served with something like this -https://www.amazon.ca/10-Inch-Low-Profile-Amplified-Subwoofer-System/dp/B09MDNK8N7/ref=sr_1_12?crid=262QR2B4Y4CWP&keywords=subwoofer+amp&qid=1663722958&s=electronics&sprefix=sub+woofer+amp%2Celectronics%2C173&sr=1-12

Thanks! So, I wouldn't be able to simply run that sub inline with the speakers or, feed it with the pre amped output from the head unit?
I'd still like to build in the speaker for a cleaner look... how about this set-up...
https://www.rockvilleaudio.com/ms10lwdbm12rmwk4/

 

[Fill Ess]

I have the XMD3 head unit but not the factory sub.

I think the subwoofer outputs on the head unit are just line level RCA, max of 52 watts x 4 channels. You would need a dedicated sub amp since that low level won't do anything for a sub. On the 300, the front speakers above the berth are powered only by the head unit, but the cockpit ones have their own amp.

 

[Fill Ess]

 

[Skybolt]

Thanks! So, I wouldn't be able to simply run that sub inline with the speakers or, feed it with the pre amped output from the head unit?
I'd still like to build in the speaker for a cleaner look... how about this set-up...
https://www.rockvilleaudio.com/ms10lwdbm12rmwk4/

Yep, that would work.

My sub is self contained and powered 1200w. It is mounted under the cockpit seat. You don't see it and only hear it.

 

[Stee6043]

Good lord almighty....I have a single 10" JL sub in my boat powered at 150W. It's more bass than I could ever need. You guys are nuts...and/or deaf

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BF6HY84/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Wylie_Tunes]

When you say "Under the sink", what exactly do you mean? Placing the woofer in a small enclosure and closing it up under the sink cabinet or cutting a hole in the cabinet and using the cabinet's air space as the woofer's enclosure? A woofer can be built for either installation, but not ideal for both. I did not look at the woofer's T/S parameters to see which its most ideal for.

Now the good news, that woofer is a 400W rms woofer at best, so you so not need a 2K watt amp. Crapville Audio is bad about overstating specs and burying the reality. Honestly, id suggest going with a better quality product. Something like the Kicker KM series 10" or 12". They come with a 3 yr warranty.

You will need an additional amp to drive a woofer. Its not feasible to connect it to an existing 2 chnl thats being used. As to a particular amp model and wattage, you need to make the final woofer choice, know how its going to be installed (infinite-baffle or small enclosure), the woofers final impedance and its RMS rating. Sourcing through a reputable and knowledgeable authorized dealer, can get all those questions answered, so you come away with a good woofer/amp pairing.

Off the top of my head, the XMD3 has at least front and rear RCA outputs. However, I think it also has whats called non-fade RCA output. In reality, any of these 3 would work for a woofer amp.

 

[Skybolt]

... Now the good news, that woofer is a 400W rms woofer at best, so you so not need a 2K watt amp. Crapville Audio is bad about overstating specs and burying the reality. ...

You seem to know about these guys, so can you explain how you got 400w out of there listing? I see at the end they list 400w but what are the other listings for?
They list this:
Rockville MS10LW 10" Marine subwoofer with LED (white). max power: 2400 W RMS
program Power: 1200 W RMS Power: 600 W polypropylene cone with Rubber Edge. 2. 0" 4 layer dual voice coil

Then say this:
The MS10LW is 2, 400 W peak, 1, 200 W program RMS and 600 W cea rated.

That is the most confusing rating I have ever seen! My original post was based off of the title. Totally agree on using something better. I am using the self contained Kicker 10" sub they had out a few years ago (don't think that is still made). Truly the best sound is JL Audio amps and speakers. JMO.

 

[coolmaven]

Yep, that would work.

My sub is self contained and powered 1200w. It is mounted under the cockpit seat. You don't see it and only hear it.

Thanks! any chance you could post a pic?

 

[Skybolt]

Thanks! any chance you could post a pic?

Not much of a pic, it's completely covered under the seat. My seat is a wraparound that is fiberglass with storage underneath, but the front is open with a canvas skirt around it, so I put the sub under there.

 

[Wylie_Tunes]

My 400W rms is an educated safe bet. Safe as in I would not suggest an amp with a higher output. Educated; a driver's voice coil size determines its thermal power handling. Thermal being the range where the magic spoke comes out. RMS is a target wattage to shoot for when pairing a driver's RMS handling to an amp's RMS rating. The CEA RMS amp rating is an industry standard measuring test. Its a way to make it easy to compare an amps real world output to other CEA amps. Rockville does not like it and buries it, uses lots of other "rating", and as you noted, makes it confusing.

When Rockville states "600W cea rated", I think they mean this. if you used a cea tested amp, you could use one with a 600W rms at whatever impedance the woofer is, and be good. Me, im not that optimistic about anything rockville.

My gut says rockville passes that woofer off as a jack of all trades, meaning they suggest it can run infinite-baffle, sealed or ported enclosures. While it, and any other woofer, CAN run in those 3 alignments, it will likely not be ideal for all 3. When you run an non-IB woofer IB, it lacks the internal dampening, so its power handling is diminished or you risk fish-flop and over excursion. When you run an IB woofer in a small enclosure, you narrow its bandwidth, thus reducing the sound quality.

If you are talking about the Kicker KM woofer in the black poly box, that was a great marine setup for some that did not want to build a custom marine grade enclosure. the current KM10 woofer has only changed slightly. Its a great sounding woofer, just not a high power handling woofer. One thing I like about Kicker, as well as other like JL, Wet Sounds and Rockford, they offer woofers built for small enclosures AND IB. The Kicker KMF is essentially the same woofer as the KM, but has a stiffer surround and spider, to add the extra needed dampening.

 

[coolmaven]

So I found a deal on a clarion m608/APA4203/Kicker KMF10 Sub. I’ve installed the head unit and the amp and everything is up and running. I also found the “extra” speaker wire in the mirror cabinet in the aft bed however, I cant seam to find the other end of that wire under the entertainment sink in the cockpit (as many have stated this is where it’s pre installed at factory) can anyone help me locate it? Thx.

 

[coolmaven]

So I found a deal on a clarion m608/APA4203/Kicker KMF10 Sub. I’ve installed the head unit and the amp and everything is up and running. I also found the “extra” speaker wire in the mirror cabinet in the aft bed however, I cant seam to find the other end of that wire under the entertainment sink in the cockpit (as many have stated this is where it’s pre installed at factory) can anyone help me locate it? Thx.

 

[coolmaven]

A bit more painful than i expected... But I found it!!

 

[coolmaven]

And finally completed the job!