HELP me build a sound system!

P

powerdbygarrett

Member
Feb 27, 2014
55
Forked River, NJ
Boat Info
2006 Sundancer 280, Ipad Navi, Full JL Sound System
Engines
Dual 4.3L Mercruisers
Well, its only a matter of time before I pull the trigger for a 05 280da for this season, and the first thing on the to-do list is a nice crisp sounding sound system.
I did a good amount of sub/amp installs in cars before. Long time ago, but I have by now forgot almost everything.
I am thinking to go with all JL components, unless there is something better in the same price range?
Plans are:
4 speakers
New Amp
Adding a Subwoofer
A new deck with a remote
I would scrap the original deck and cd changer.
From what I understand, the boat already comes with an amp with prewiring for a sub so replacing the amp should not be an issue.
I want everything to work together properly so one doesnt over power something else.
I dont mind spending for a decent setup, but I am not looking for competition sound.
All help is appriciated!
Thanks
Side note! The enter key is not working for whatever reason!!!!
 
I upgraded to JL Audio on my 280DA. If you go with the JL 6.5" speakers they will fit in the existing holes for the stock speakers. I enlarged the holes and went with the 7.7s. I put the JL 10" subwoofer under the captains chair base which is where SeaRay installed the OE sub when it was ordered as an option. The JL M600/6 amp is a perfect fit for this configuration. I didn't replace the head unit and left the stock amp in place to power the cabin speakers. Great sound at a reasonable price.
 
I belive the sub wire on a 280 is located under the cockpit sink. The captains chair is a pedestal type chair and has no base for a sub.

I installed 2 of the JL 650's up front and 2 JL 770's in the back. The 650's do fit right in (plug and play). THe 770's require the hole to be enlarged but not too much. I think I had all 4 speakers installed in roughly an hour which included prep and clean up. The 770's hold much more bass and power. I installed a Polk Audio 660watt amp to power the 4 speakers. Sounds pretty good but I still need to add a sub. That's my next project.
 
Last edited:
Bucit said:
I belive the sub wire on a 280 is located under the cockpit sink. The captains chair is a pedestal type chair and has no base for a sub.

I installed 2 of the JL 650's up front and 2 JL 770's in the back. The 650's do fit right in (plug and play). THe 770's require the hole to be enlarged but not too much. I think I had all 4 speakers installed in roughly an hour which included prep and clean up. The 770's hold much more bass and power. I installed a Polk Audio 660watt amp to power the 4 speakers. Sounds pretty good but I still need to add a sub. That's my next project.
Click to expand...

You're right. The sub is under the sink facing the back of the captains chair. Amazing how quick memories can fade.
 
If your not going to be using cd's for a music source and all of your speakers are going to be power by an amp you could eliminate the head unit and use a smartphone or tablet to replace it. Here is a link for detailed how to instructions http://www.instructables.com/id/Android-Tablet-as-Car-PC/.
 
Garrett,

I was in the same predicament you are! I just bought this - http://www.crutchfield.com/p_822MPK250/Infinity-INF-MPK250.html ...It is an Infinity head unit but is smaller than the "normal" head unit. I installed it last week with the two inifinity speakers it came with and I am extremely impressed with it's power and crispness. The thing I love the best is it has a built in bluetooth receiver so I can play my itunes library from anywhere within about 50' of the head unit. The other cool feature is you can control the volume from your phone/ ipod. It only raises or decreases the output volume of the music being sent to the head unit So I crank my unit way up and use the volume control on my phone. Completely wireless! I am like you and could care less about cd's at this point. I am going to be adding two more 6x9 speakers and a sub. I just haven't figured out what kind of sub but I am leaning towards this Marine Rockford Fosgate http://www.crutchfield.com/p_575M212S4/Rockford-Fosgate-M212S4.html . I am also going to be adding a 4 channel amp for the speakers and a mono amp for the sub.

I am like you and just want a full clean sound. That is hard to achieve on a boat sometimes but with the right setup and tuning of the amps and head unit you can get it pretty damn tight even while running at speed and the volume cranked way up. I am exploring adding a couple separate batteries and a solar panel as I do not have a generator and we do a lot of hanging out on the island.

I have used Inifinity and Rockford in all my vehicles and have never been disappointed. I have bought other "less expensive" equipment that claims to have the same power ratings..bla bla bla...but you ALWAYS get what you pay for. I consider myself to be an audiophile and love clean, crisp, loud music. P.S. EBAY IS YOUR FRIEND - but buy from a trusted seller you can buy everything at a huge discount! That's where I buy all mine and save piles of money...
 
Last edited:
Bucit said:
I belive the sub wire on a 280 is located under the cockpit sink. The captains chair is a pedestal type chair and has no base for a sub.

I installed 2 of the JL 650's up front and 2 JL 770's in the back. The 650's do fit right in (plug and play). THe 770's require the hole to be enlarged but not too much. I think I had all 4 speakers installed in roughly an hour which included prep and clean up. The 770's hold much more bass and power. I installed a Polk Audio 660watt amp to power the 4 speakers. Sounds pretty good but I still need to add a sub. That's my next project.
Click to expand...

Bucit,

How much modification to fit the 770's in the 2 cockpit locations? I am guessing you still have the original deck in the cabin? Did you get much better sound than from the OEM speakers? I am not sure if I need to plan a complete system or if the speaker will give me the sound I desire.

Thanks,
Joseph
 
Yeah I priced out an 8 speaker pod ..... With speakers 2300.00 . Too much for my blood , I was close to pulling the trigger though that is some sick stuff they do though


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boltman said:
And why 12000 watts holy crap batman ....... I like my sound clear and very define but not from 10 slips away .


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Click to expand...

Ya...seems a bit overkill...his wife probably wanted it!:grin:
 
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