Sub Woofer Install

comsnark

comsnark

New Member
Apr 10, 2007
4,106
NJ Shore
Boat Info
SeaRay SunSport
Engines
5.7LX
Ok. . . I am considering the addition of a subwoofer to my 280SS.

I have never installed a subwoofer in a boat or a car.

My existing system has cabin speakers driven by the head unit, and cockpit speakers driven by a 2 channel amp (this looks like a factory install). I imagine that I want to split the signal to the existing amp, and run the subwoofer off of a second amp.

Somewhere in the circuit, I imagine I need a crossover gizmo so that I don't bother sending low frequency stuff to the existing speakers. I imagine I can use standard automotive stuff for this?

I saw these "in line" filters -> http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=82600&i=069900061&search=crossover&tp=117. . . . but I am not sure what frequency to select. I imagine one set of "low pass" and one set of "high pass" should do the trick.

But this http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=82600&i=20603KX2&search=crossover&tp=117 looks more interesting.

Am I on the right track? Thoughts?
 
Ok. . .I have a thought. How am I mounting the subwoofer?

I think the logical choice is to place the woofer below the captains bench seat. But I don't much want to cut a whole in the fiberglass if I install something like this:

http://www.byownerelectronics.com/store/product.php?productid=21893&cat=0&page=2

So I could install something like this:
http://www.byownerelectronics.com/store/product.php?productid=21894&cat=0&page=2

I imagine the sound would be compromised by being BEHIND the fiberglass. . .but . . .it should still "kick", right? Or should I just punt and cut the 10" hole?
 
You are spending too much money on boating...........at least that's what you said in an earlier posting. :smt100

Your credit cards must not be maxed out yet? :smt001
 
Dude Just cut the whole for the Sub, run an Amp separartely for the Sub or do as I did and buy a 5 channel amp, might run you about 500.00 dollars and the sub should be about 250.00 it's if any Good and can handle Marine life...

5 Channel lets you bridge your cockpit speakers into it withou the use ot 2 amps..
And you'll only be out about oh ... 800.00 , you'll need better cockpit speakers too...

I suggest Kickers, they have a Great Marine Speaker series, though they are very pricey..

Robert
 
Dave; Yup. Spending too much. I read about people putting a sub into a 260DA. . .and I got inspired. Hence my thread in the "General discussion" forum. Now, while I *itch and moan over there, I am down here doing the nuts and bolts planning.

And no. . .the credit card is not maxed out. . yet. I do know a friend who took out a boat loan -> as a means to "save" incremental cash and not spend it on other things. I may yet have to do the same. :)

Boltman; Still trying to figure out the mechanics of what I am doing. The "front" speakers are in the cabin, and I have four "back" speakers. I was browsing at the BOE website. . .and I was not seeing equipment in the price class you are talking about ($800 -> I am sure it exists though). I am thinking to not spend that level of cash. In my mind, there are places for "high fidelity", and a boat ain't it!
 
Boltman, what kind of 5 channel amp are you using? I'm looking for one but theres slim pickin's in the marine market. Did you go with standard automotive stuff? Comsnark, dont mean to hijack here but it seems like were on the same page. Thanks SB
 
Newbie: No worries. I was actually worried about swamping YOUR thread, in which you were asking some very specific questions on the 260DA.

From what little I have researched, the "marine grade" stuff doesn't seem that pricey. Which is why I am thinking to go for it. Of course, the audio quality probably leaves a little to be desired -> but should be an improvement over what I have now.

What places can you buy good Marine stereo equipment from?

Or do you just buy standard car stuff, and figure that it will corrode away in 5 years (like the risers on my engines!)? And does "marine grade" matter that much for amplifies and crossovers that are mounted in the cabin? Ok. . the speakers get hosed down when I wash the boat ever weekend. And the weather proofing enclosure on the head unit is probably not perfect. . .but the AMP and CD changer in the cabin seem to stay dry. . .
 
Com- Almost all amplifiers will have an on board x-over. JL Audio makes a great 6 channel amp, but there are a lot of good amps out there. The SAS Bazookas are a real bargain. You could convert your 2 channel for use in the cabin and get a 4ch to drive the cockpit speakers on channels 1 & 2 and drive the sub off of the bridged Ch3+4. As for the hole.... cut it. Try Wet Sounds speakers. Their 10" Free Air Sub (intended of use without a back box) is the best free air sub I've heard and their XS650 coaxials, though diminutive in size, provide excellent quality and volume.
 
a sub is the best thing you can do to upgrade your sound system. I cut an 8" hole with a roto zip to put in a bazooka sub. I took my time and made lots of measurements.

 
So how would you install a bazooka? Do they have clips for mounting screws? Do you use metal straps? I imagine you need to have the bazooka external to the benchs, not inside of it->Correct?

Quint has made me think cutting a hole wouldn't be so bad. . .
 
Newbie, I have a Son-in-law that works at circuit city, he order direct from the factory a Five channel Kicker Amp...I will try to put it into a link so you can look and see where you can get it. Circuit city shows it now for around 350.00 I paid a lot less because of son in law from factory... but I cannot tell you how well this Amp performs......

I have most of it's power turned way down for the Sub, I also have a kicker matched 10" sub, in the compartment under the starboard seat, it rock and as for High Fidelity, A boat is the best place for it, Newbie I can hear my music, Jazz and R&B clearly at 27.7mph with the speakers I have matched with this Amp, I would recommend it to everyone...

Boltman
 
Heres a few more shots of the bazooka sub install. I made an enclosure for the sub in my mid cabin. Not sure of how your boat is configured and if a Bazooka would work. I like it because it has the power amp built in.





 
If you don't want to cut a hole into your fiberglass, this is a very good (IMHO, better) alternative. I paid $300 for this last year. It is now $81 !!!

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/prod...S&cm_ite=1 PRODUCT&cm_keycode=67#availability

A sealed box gives much more predictable bass than a free air sub (ie. what Sea Ray uses). I have put one of these under the aft seat in my 340. It truly rocks. You will still need an amplifier, but you will be much more satisfied with the sound compared to a free air sub or a bazooka (ported tube). I had a free air sub in my 280. There ws varying bass depending on where you were in the cockpit.

The sub that comes with it is quite capable. I picked up another to put in a custom enclosure under the captain's seat (the Kicker enclosure wouldn't fit). I think I paid $150-200 just for the sub.

This is such a steal that I just bought one for the runabout I may buy in the next 2 years.
 
Teekster...with the sub under a seat, does it not rattle the seat or your rear end if you are sitting on the seat? I want to add a sub on my 300DA and have a spot were I could mount it facing the port side under the helm seat...and then put a box behind it. Do you have any pics of your sub?
 
Dang. . that looks sweet.

So about the subs in the cockpit: You bought one enclosurse, and built another enclosure? Were the subs too big to cut a hole in the fiberglass to put the woofer on an external surface?

I would have thought you would loose too much "oomph" by putting an enclosure inside another enclosure (the other enclosure being the seat)
 
Teekster...awesome pics...I remember seeing them after your install. Do you have 2 subs...one under the back seat and one under the driver seat? Does the one under the back seat viabrate the seat when you sit on it?

Looks like you have some serious thumpage!!
 
Teekster,

Nice job on the audio. Are your compnents "marine grade", or are they just the regular "car audio"? Looks like you lost some stowage?
 
comsnark said:
Dang. . that looks sweet.

So about the subs in the cockpit: You bought one enclosurse, and built another enclosure? Were the subs too big to cut a hole in the fiberglass to put the woofer on an external surface?

I would have thought you would loose too much "oomph" by putting an enclosure inside another enclosure (the other enclosure being the seat)
Click to expand...

They are just 10" subs. I didn;t want a free air installation and I didn;t want the enclosures to be out in the open. I still have not gotten around to cutting some "vent holes." You do lose a little (made up for by watts), but it was easier to install.
 
Bottom Line said:
Teekster...awesome pics...I remember seeing them after your install. Do you have 2 subs...one under the back seat and one under the driver seat? Does the one under the back seat viabrate the seat when you sit on it?

Looks like you have some serious thumpage!!
Click to expand...
\

The back seat does not rattle if that's what you meant. You definitely know there is a sub on board.

I had more rattling issues on my 280 with a free air sub.
 
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