Stereo Upgrade

[SearayPaul]

After reading various posts I got started on my stereo upgrade this weekend. The amp is mounted, the IPOD location is determined and the cable Wish2Fish suggested is on the way to integrate the ipod. The VHF is mounted and working.

I chickened out when it came time to cut the hole for the sub. I got a 12 inch subwoofer and plan to mount it in the factory location which can be viewed at searay. com. Click archives then 2004 then 240 select. I could not make the link work, sorry. There is a good picture of the sub in the interior shots. I have the room for the sub but it is huge. Before I cut the hole I would like to know if I should stick with the 12 inch sub or get a 10 inch. I have plenty of room behind the sub. I know Jeremey did a great job a couple of years ago on his 220 buy I can't remember what he did. My 12 inch sub requires a 11 inch hole vs 9 inch for a 10 inch sub.

 

[wish2fish]

is this the photo paul? I think I might hate to be in that passenger seat when some bass is booming!

 

[SearayPaul]

That is the photo W2F. Blasting my sweet wife out of the boat probably would not be a good idea. Does someone have a suggestion as to where to mount the sub? I thought about the starboard side of the engine compartment. I could put a small box back there. How well would that work with the engine compartment closed?

I just got a brain storm. Probably will be my last idea this year, and it is only Februray. If I build an enclose to fit under the rear seat it will not fit because of the the way SR cut the hole under the seat. The solution is to build the enclosure, finish it and then cut in half. By cutting the enclosure in half I can slide the two pieces against each other to insert them in the hole. Now place cleats on either side of cuts add a couple of biscuts, glue and pull the pieces back together with C Clamps.

Place the top on the enclosure with SS screws, glue, perimeter cleat and the job is done. Not as fancy as Frank's table but no one will see it.

 

[SearayPaul]

Got the box built and sealed today. I hope to install it tomorrow if the rain stays away.

Anyone want pictures?

 

[Hampton]

What? We have to beg now? OK, show us the music!

 

[SearayPaul]

Since I have a lowly select I was not sure anyone was intersted. I did not want to eat up bandwith if there was not any interst.

 

[Hampton]

I have a 340 with the standard system in it, but just by chance and luck, I have an extra 750 watt digital, 4-channel amp by Eclipse. One works great in my truck, so I'm thinking about using the second one in my boat.

I'm not an expert on the topic yet, but I was thinking about using 2 of the channels for a new sub-woofer (currently none installed), and the other two for 2 specialty speaker in the very rear of the cockpit.

So, yes, please post.

 

[First Born]

Of course we want to see the upgrade :thumbsup:

 

[SearayPaul]

Hampton

If your amp is two ohm stable you can run several configurations depending on the impedence of your speakers. One channel could drive the sub, and the other three chanels could be used to drive pairs of speakers wired together. You could bridge two channels together to run the sub, which is what I am doing, and then use your two other chanels to power several more speakers. Series or parallel will depend on your speaker impeadence and how stable your amp is. If you are stable down to one ohm then the possiblities become very intersting.

If your amp has a cross over built into it this is not a problem. If you do not have a built in cross over you will have to get a crossover to send your highs and lows to the correct speaker.

Some one with a 340 can let you know the best places to mount the speakers. W2F pointed out to me that the factory location was not the best choice so to the back went the sub.

 

[Hampton]

Since I have a lowly select I was not sure anyone was intersted. I did not want to eat up bandwith if there was not any interst.

By the way, I saw a guy take delivery of a "Lowly" select the other day - 250 - extended swim platform.... It was almost as much boat as my 340, and every bit as well appointed. Besides, it's not how big it is.....

 

[Aquia185]

Since I have a lowly select I was not sure anyone was intersted. I did not want to eat up bandwith if there was not any interst.

Hey Paul... If your 240 Select is lowly, what does that make my 185 Sport? :wink:

 

[Dave S]

I want to see some pictures Paul.

And all Sea Rays are beautiful regardless of their size. :thumbsup:

 

[Chief]

Stereo

Hi All,

My last boat I had the stock stereo system just did not meet my requirements. So during the winter I purchased

1 - Infinity 6 channel amplifier
2 - JL Audio 10 inch sub woofers
4 Infinity Kappa 6.5
1 - apline cd/mp3 player

Needless to say thetunes were loouder than the boat running WOT. Sitting at the dock ripples were made from the thumping. Now I do not recommend this for everyone. Also hook the stereo into the TV for surround sound. Was like being front row at a concert.

Craig

 

[Hampton]

SR Paul,

Thanks!

I'll get the details and then I hope to begin thinking about specifics with you. Right now I'm trying to pay off 2 months of huge credit card bills due to bottom paint, Cutlass bearings, engine alignments, detailing, canvas work, fiberglass repair, and other necessities. The boat's new to me, but 2 years old, so I had to get it up to speed first.

 

[chuck1]

Hey Paul with the new setup sounds like you are going to be rocking on our trip. :thumbsup: Can't wait to hear it :smt038

Now as to those pictures, where are they :smt021

 

[SearayPaul]

Chuck:

Sadler wanted me to bring some loud country music along just for him. Do you have any suggestions?

Pictures, well the only picture I have for today is 2 inches of rain. The glue might have been a little slow drying. I did use the rain to put two more coats of finish on the box. Under the seat is mostly dry in my boat and the sub will be about 1/2 inch off the floor so ventaltion should keep the area dry.

For everyone who is reading this thread if you do this and live in a high humidity area or leave the boat in the water an epoxy coating would have been a better choice than polyurethane.

This subbox was made with left overs from other projects. Since the box is going to have to be split to slide it into the hole I did not see the point of the epoxy in my area. The interior and the exterior have at least 6 coats of finish and will get 3 more over the weekend. I have to work so I will add a thicker coat on the exposed grain. In addition the planned glue areas have not been coated so the glue will adhere.

 

[First Born]

Paul,

Next time you are in Charlotte, just let me know you can help me with my upgrade :grin:

Wesley

 

[chuck1]

Chuck:

Sadler wanted me to bring some loud country music along just for him. Do you have any suggestions?

Lets just turn the Sirius to 60 and blast it. :lol: :smt043 :lol:

 

[SearayPaul]

Here are the pictures of the subwoofer. This is how to put a 12 inch sub in a 10.5 inch hole. In addition getting enough volume for the encloser was important also. The only way this would go in was to split and carefully slide the two pieces against each other. Align the box with 3 biscuts and glue it back together. Notice the reenforcing strips in the bottom so that the box will not come apart.

First Picture is the completed box

Second Picture is ten minutes later after a quick visit to the tablesaw and biscut jointer

Third picture is the helping boat cat. She had to move and was not amused.

Fourth picture shows the box held together with a strap, C Clamps, and spring clamps. Just 30 minutes and it isn't going anywhere.

Fifth picture is the complete box with top replaced. The top was also split so it would slide in. I glued it on the oversized flanges. A couple of brads held that until it dried. Not sure if I am going to carpet it.

Best of all it worked as advertised.

The pictures are in the wrong order

 

[chuck1]

Thanks for the pic. Where is it mounted?