Stereo Amp. upgrade on 280

[susanandlance]

Hi, A question for all you stereo pros, I have a 01 280 w/ the factory Clarion stereo w/the 120 amp 2 channel amp. I just purchased a sony 4/3 channel 250 watt amp. I just replaced the 4 speakers in the cockpit and added a 10" sub-woofer under the wet bar. My question is how to add the new amp, eliminate the old amp and used the new for everything or use the old to power just the sub and new amp for the 4 cockpit spkrs. Any advice is appreciated in advance!! I don't know if the old factory amp is bridgeable or not, I'm deff. not a stereo guru!! LOL:huh:

 

[gerryb]

I did a similar upgrade last year and threw out the old amp - it's really pathetic. (Actually, I think I sold on ebay for $10). The sony amp you have isn't terribly powerful but should sound much better as far as clarity, especially with the new speakers. I would tie the sub and speakers into the sony amp. This approach will make your wiring a bit easier too.

EDIT: Checking on the amp from your 2nd post I think you may actually want to hold on to the old amp for the subwoofer. "The Sony XM-604M marine amplifier is designed for 4-channel or 3-channel applications. You can use the amplifier to power two pair of full-range speakers or the rear channels can be bridged to power a subwoofer while the front channels remain stereo to play your full-range speakers. The amplifier's peak output in 3-channel mode is 110 Watts x 2 + 300 Watts x 1 in 4 ohms." So... you could connect the speakers to the front channels, and the sub to the bridged rear channel but you're not sending a whole of power to the 6 speakers in your boat at that time... Hang-tight a bit until some of the experts on the board weigh-in.

 

[susanandlance]

Thanks!! The amp is a SonyXM-604M 600 watts rated(what does that mean?? LOL) And says it 4 speakers 110 watt x 4 at 4 ohm, or 3 speakers 150 watt x 2 at 2 ohm, or 300 watt x 1 at 4 ohm........ Stll think I should trash factory amp?? Thanks, Lance:huh: Also, I thought the little factory amp only powers the 4 rear speakers, as they don't work until you switch the breaker on in the access. cabinet in the cabin........

 

[susanandlance]

Thanks Gerryb!! I will wait for some more experts to weigh in, but i think you've got it figured out!!:thumbsup: