Sea Ray 195 Sport Subwoofer Advice!

[Preston Shobe]

Hey guys! New to the forum and excited to be a part of it! I have a 2006 195 Sport and am looking for some advice with a sub install. Previously I had a 2008 195 Sport (identical) and sold it because my wife and I were moving and needed to free up some cash. Once we got settled I found an '06 that is identical to my '08 so I brought it home! The reason I'm mentioning the 2008 is because I ran two 12's which were 400w rms each, and I supplied them with the full 400w each. With an 800w setup it hit hard and sounded great, but I was only able to install them in the engine compartment. With the engine covers (first photo) closed I lost easily half or more of what the subs were outputting. When they were open, wow!

So my next idea is installing a couple 10" subs under the rear bench seat (just like the second photo, these aren't photos of my boat). Only issue with this is there is not enough space to insert a sub box beneath the rear bench though there is enough space for the subs. This basically means the subs wont have a box, and they'll just be surface mounted which will also most likely hurt their output.

So ultimately all I can think of is two options. #1, use a box and put them in the engine compartment and bury them with the engine compartment doors, or #2, install them without a box but having them open to the cabin of the boat.

Under the helm/consoles isn't really an option as you can see in photo #3, unless I cut bigger holes for 12" subs and install a sub and have them fire down at a 45* angle (still, there won't be a box with this option). Let me know if you have any thoughts or experience. Thanks in advance guys!!

 

[Wylie_Tunes]

they'll just be surface mounted which will also most likely hurt their output.

Not with a true IB woofer and with them properly mounted. They will perform similarly to a 10" in a small sealed enclosure.

A pair of Wet sounds Revo-10FA with 400-500 watt rms to each or a pair of Kicker KMF10 with 300W rms to each. You can RGB LEDs to each as an option to add some bling.

 

[Stee6043]

FWIW....I'd imagine the risk of ignition is low but I'd still bet putting speakers inside the engine room is a no-no for the marine purist. Not to mention....don't you ever have folks soaking up some sun on your engine covers when parked? I can't imagine having to have those things open when you're trying to enjoy your music? I vote a strong no on #1.

#3 looks like a hot mess. I can only imagine how awesome it would be to have your gauges and dash panels pushing in/out to the beat of the music if you're using IB subs.

#2 gets my vote. Many, many of us are running IB JL's. They move plenty of air.

 

[Preston Shobe]

FWIW....I'd imagine the risk of ignition is low but I'd still bet putting speakers inside the engine room is a no-no for the marine purist. Not to mention....don't you ever have folks soaking up some sun on your engine covers when parked? I can't imagine having to have those things open when you're trying to enjoy your music? I vote a strong no on #1.

#3 looks like a hot mess. I can only imagine how awesome it would be to have your gauges and dash panels pushing in/out to the beat of the music if you're using IB subs.

#2 gets my vote. Many, many of us are running IB JL's. They move plenty of air.

I agree on all of your points. I think there are risks with #1, and we did lay out on the engine covers so they never were open, but on the rare occasion that I did open them while the subs were on made me realize that was not ideal. Also on #3 I've considered that too. There's no way the vibrations are good for the instrumentation. In my experience, its rare to have all of the gauges working, so I don't want to jeopardize that! I also don't like the look much. Is there a specific model of JL that you recommend? Thanks!

 

[Preston Shobe]

Not with a true IB woofer and with them properly mounted. They will perform similarly to a 10" in a small sealed enclosure.

A pair of Wet sounds Revo-10FA with 400-500 watt rms to each or a pair of Kicker KMF10 with 300W rms to each. You can RGB LEDs to each as an option to add some bling.

I am currently researching those! Thanks a lot!

 

[Wylie_Tunes]

Is there a specific model of JL that you recommend? Thanks!

JL offers the mid-level MX series 10IB and the upper end series M10IB. Besides price, the biggest difference is power handling. In the MX series, they only offer the IB. In the M, they offer an IB and one for a small enclosure, so make sure you get the "IB" model if you go with the M.

With the MX series, I think an amp that will deliver in the 250W rms range (each woofer) is a good spot, so something like a 600W rms @ 2 ohm amp. For the M series, something in the 300-400 watt each range, so an amp thats in the 600W - 800W rms @ 2 ohm will do well.

Just dont go cheap on the amp, with an IB woofer.

 

[TidePride]

 

[Chris-380]

Not with a true IB woofer and with them properly mounted. They will perform similarly to a 10" in a small sealed enclosure.

A pair of Wet sounds Revo-10FA with 400-500 watt rms to each or a pair of Kicker KMF10 with 300W rms to each. You can RGB LEDs to each as an option to add some bling.

Hey @Wylie_Tunes
Just reading this, what do you mean by properly mounted IB?

https://www.jlaudio.com/collections...-marine-audio-infinite-baffle-subwoofer-93635

This is the one I have powered by the kicker kmxa 800.5

just want to make sure I didn’t miss something

 

[Arminius]

Option 1. They need boxes. Low frequencies belong back there. You can always open the compartment to decloak and weaponize. This will leave more room for your other toys. I don't like cutting fiberglass and something will rattle annoyingly. Woofers belong in thick screwed and glued particle board boxes. Play retro rock! In a gadda da vida-long version. Their progressive heads will rotate and explode.

 

[Wylie_Tunes]

Hey @Wylie_Tunes
Just reading this, what do you mean by properly mounted IB?

https://www.jlaudio.com/collections...-marine-audio-infinite-baffle-subwoofer-93635

This is the one I have powered by the kicker kmxa 800.5

just want to make sure I didn’t miss something

The woofer needs to have an air space behind it that is at least 3 cubic ft, gives 100% front to rear isolation and a wall that is 5/8" thick so its rigid enough to not flex.

The KXMA800.5 is a good amp, but it may be a little light on wattage for the M6 4 ohm.

 

[Chris-380]

The woofer needs to have an air space behind it that is at least 3 cubic ft, gives 100% front to rear isolation and a wall that is 5/8" thick so its rigid enough to not flex.

The KXMA800.5 is a good amp, but it may be a little light on wattage for the M6 4 ohm.

Thank you. It does good, I just wanted to make sure I didn’t miss something. That should be good, not sure if it’s 5/8” but it should be in that ballpark