Stereo upgrade for 200 br

[Lightguyjeff]

As I mentioned I have a 200 BR and am looking for a stereo loud enough to hear while I am driving.

Current system:

1. Two polk MOMO's 6.5
2. Clarion 4 channel amp 200 watts powering 2 momos
3. 1 Rockford fosgate 10inch sub
4. Rockford Fosgate 400 watt amp powering the sub
5. Clarion xmd2 with fm modulator for ipod

Should I add two more polk 6.5s in the back of the boat? If so I would have to custom make speaker boxes. If I do that can anyone recomend a good location.

Would I be better served by adding 2 4 inch speakers in the bow? (also would require custom box in the storage spaces. Or should I cut the 6.5's in the bow fiberglass under the seats?

Does anyone have a tricked out system in a 200 br. (2003)

your thoughts

 

[cain]

While my 200BR is a 1989 and I'm sure the layout is different, I have a pretty decent system.

My system consists of:

Kenwood CD head unit w/iPod Control
Phoenix Gold SD800.5 5-channel amp
(2) SpeakerCraft OE5 Three Home Outdoor Speakers (bow)
(2) SpeakerCraft OE6 Three Home Outdoor Speakers (rear)
(2) MTX 6.5" Marine Coaxials
(1) Kenwood DVC 12" Sub

This system can get pretty loud. Being in the home audio/video field I went with a couple of pairs of our higher-end outdoor speakers for the bow and rears and was able to mount under the lip of boat.

I would imagine with just (2) coaxial speakers you need more speakers. I like to use component sets whenever I can to get the tweeter up higher so its easier to hear music while cruising down the water. If you are not comfortable cutting holes in your boat and talking about custom enclosures, then look into home outdoor speakers and find a good one that can fit in the areas you would like to mount them.

 

[blaster]

The more speakers the better. If there are only 2 speakers not including the sub that's the problem. On something that size for good all around sound I would have 4 in the cockpit and two in the bow. Sounds like you have plenty of power to run it all.

 

[Lightguyjeff]

The more speakers the better. If there are only 2 speakers not including the sub that's the problem. On something that size for good all around sound I would have 4 in the cockpit and two in the bow. Sounds like you have plenty of power to run it all.

I Guess I will make some boxes in order to add more cockpit speakers. Now if I could figure out the best place to install the bow speakers. The most obvious place would Be in the tiny open storage compartment in the bow, but I dont want to loose that space. I also could only fit 4 inch speakers in that spot. Has anyone installed speakers in that spot? I can't find pictures any where on the Internet.

 

[blaster]

Can you get under the helm and see or reach up the gunnel behind the bow deck? Maybe if you can drill a couple holes and mount that way. It certainly would look clean and sound better because the deck will help resonate the sound. Might be worth having done professionally if you don't want to get involved in that. Pictures would help with ideas.

 

[Lightguyjeff]

I will try to attach a stock pic.

 

[Lightguyjeff]

http://images.boats.com/resize/1/65...411114429_1_0.jpg&w=600&h=450&t=1302551141000

 

[blaster]

Well that sure limits things. Maybe someone else can chime in with an idea. I think if you mount in those storage areas it will muffle the sound. Someone out there has to have done this upgrade before.

 

[Lightguyjeff]

Yeah, no good answer.

 

[blaster]

Maybe you could have the bolster tailored to fit speakers. I think it would be easy to remove and have two speaker holes made. Then its a matter of cutting through the deck and having it line up. Might be tricky but do able. If you mount speaker boxes on the bulkhead under the helm and companion side it will resonate some sound into the bow but probably not of the quality your looking for. Finding a way to get speakers in the bow is the awnser.

 

[cain]

I would say you best option would be a set of components and cut them into the boat. I did this on a buddy's boat last year. We used the MTX TM6001s and mounted the 6.5" driver under the seats facing each other and mounted the 1" tweeters up higher which allowed passengers to easily hear music while running down the water. I don't have pics handy but maybe I kind find some and post up later today.

 

[Lightguyjeff]

I would love to see the photos. I was afraid the sound would cancel out if the speakers were facing each other under the seats.

 

[relgee]

Alternate solutions: Get a sailboat also if you want to listen to music underway - that's what I do if I'm not on the Sea Ray. Otherwise, just turn it off. Your stereo system is already better than most. If you make it much louder, you're just disturbing those around you who may not want to hear your music. But headphones are actually an excellent solution, in that you can hear the music better and you can spend as much or as little as you want on the 'phones. And it is easy enough to install multiple outputs if you need them. Have a great 4th !

 

[blaster]

I believe wearing headphones while underway is potentially dangerous. So many boaters are drinking and inexperienced. Adding headphones to the mix might be the perfect storm.

 

[jdm4]

I had the same problem and installed a pair of Polk 401 speakers on either side in the front of the storage pockets. There is enough room to install a plywood plate to hold the speakers. I covered the plates with a carpet as close to the existing that I could find and centered the speakers in the plate. I was able to follow the existing wiring around the bow. I also added blue LEDs to the boat; when I installed the speakers I added an LED on either side in the front of the storage pockets so they can shine on the speakers. They sound great up front (the admiral says so and that's what counts) and in the evening they light up with the reflected blue light - otherwise you don't really know they're there.
Good luck.

 

[jdm4]

I'll try to insert a few pictures of my installation so you can see how it looks. The speakers are not that obvious since they are up front in the storage pocket. I have included a closeup of one of the speakers and another not so good photo of the LED at the opposite side of the pocket. Hope this helps.

 

[blaster]

That's a really nice job!

 

[Lightguyjeff]

Thanks jdm4. That is exactly what I was looking for. I like the idea of the LED's as well.

How did you mount the plate? I don't want to shoot screws through the bow.

 

[jdm4]

I would need to take a closer look to confirm it but I cut the plates to just fit in the space and wedge back toward the bow. Then I placed one screw thru the bottom edge into the plywood shelf it sits on. I am traveling on business in Asia until the end of the month and won't be doing much boating in July but that's what I remember from two years ago.
Good luck with your installation.