Upgrading sound system: need advice

L

Loose Cannon

Member
Apr 2, 2010
164
Havre de Grace, MD
Boat Info
Between boats
Engines
None
I am pretty happy with the stock Clarion stereo which has Sirius satellite and Ipod hookup; however, would like more power (louder, more bass, etc). No experience with sound systems so I'd like advice regarding options.

For example, what should I expect if I upgrade only the speakers versus adding an amplifier? Also, will the Clarion support these upgrades or should I look at replacing the main unit. Finally, what are the best places to buy these components? Thanks.
 
I agree with each of these guys. Even doing a system on a budget you can get a good sound and bang for your buck by adding a sub. In general speakers tend to distort when they are underpowered or attempting to produce too much bass. Adding a sub takes the pressure off the speakers so that they can run the mids and highs without having to produce the bass. On a tight budget I added a small amp to power the 6.5” speakers and another amp to run a small 8” sub. While nothing I have is very high end I get a very good sound by not asking the components that I have to do more then they are intended for.

I’m not familiar with the stereo you have but you will need to find out if it has the outputs to add an amplifier or not.
 
Nash said:
What typically is the best spot for, say, a 10" sub?
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For me in a smaller boat the best spot was where it was out of the way. While there are some sound advantages to different locations, bass frequency tends to resonate very well despite its location. A sub does not need to be as directional as a regular speaker.

Not sure on your particular boat where the best spot would be.
 
Nash said:
What typically is the best spot for, say, a 10" sub?
Click to expand...
Sometimes the best spot is what ever spot you have because there may not be choices. Take a look at the side panel at helm in the area below your lateral switch panel. You may also consider a smaller driver. There is the area behind your helm seat that houses wet bar. You might be able to squeeze something in there. The interior transom wall in rear seat area. There is possible more than one dirrection for this most reward mounting location. Your photos of your Regal will help us.
 
Take a look at Bazooka Sub. they have powered (amp built in) or stand- alone. I acutally have a 6.5" that I would sell you. you would need to power it with an amp. It is not a marine model and is one year old. I have a 30' and replaced it with an 8" (same style)that a friend had. they are tubes and sound good and I have had it for 3-4 years. I powered it with a 300watt 4 channel Alpine. 2 channels are for JL speakers and 2 for Sub. overall bang for buck is excellent. I mounted amp in closet down below so it does not have to be marine either. I installed mine under my aft facing seat pointed in the corner. good luck rob
 
HIFI said:
Sometimes the best spot is what ever spot you have because there may not be choices. Take a look at the side panel at helm in the area below your lateral switch panel. You may also consider a smaller driver. There is the area behind your helm seat that houses wet bar. You might be able to squeeze something in there. The interior transom wall in rear seat area. There is possible more than one dirrection for this most reward mounting location. Your photos of your Regal will help us.
Click to expand...

If weather permits this weekend I'll be installing carpet and I'll get a few pictures then. I'm really trying to avoid losing storage space, since I never seem to have enough. First, I may just replace what I have and add a amp. I could always add the sub later.
 
JL Audio amplifier and Sub will do the trick. Sound is amazing, but the price may shock you, in the end it will be well worth it!
 
So if room is not a concer which is better. Two 10' or one 12 if say u used JL W7's in either case?
 
hd2002hd said:
So if room is not a concer which is better. Two 10' or one 12 if say u used JL W7's in either case?
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Same location . . . two ten's. Seperate locations, like forward and aft in boat, two 12's. However two 10's fore and aft will be very good. I have a pair of 10''s rear and one ten at helm. The seperate locations help with drop outs in bass as you move fore/aft. It is hard to contain the low stuff in a boat.

DSC00185.jpg
 
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One twelve should be able to provide lower notes than a ten. I would opt for two tens so that you can put them in different locations to give more even bass coverage of the cockpit. Something HIFI taught me is that bass in a boat behaves differently than in a house or car where there are solid objects for the sounds waves to be reinforced.
 
I started composing the above message while waiting to watch a movie, finished it after the movie, and noticed that it was redundant since HIFI already posted the same info.
 
So, since I have a 10" in the side panel of the cockpit, I was thinking of building a box of correct proportions and putting it in the storage compartment under the captains seat with speaker vents in the storage compartment. Any comments?
 
hd2002hd said:
So, since I have a 10" in the side panel of the cockpit, I was thinking of building a box of correct proportions and putting it in the storage compartment under the captains seat with speaker vents in the storage compartment. Any comments?
Click to expand...
I like the idea of your box under helm. This will fill the front part of cockpit well. If the 10" you have now is more reward great! This system will be good.

Here is a thread I started that will help you tune your main spkr/sub/amp(s):

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/40568-Maximizing-Your-Multi-Amp-amp-Sub-Sound-System?highlight=

Also, included in the same thread, I talked about phasing subs and mid bass drivers (your main speakers). Because you are installing a mulitiple location sub system you will want to look at phasing one sub to main speakers first. For me and my system I consider my main speakers the most forward ones mounted on my boat. I therefore would do the phase correction test with those forward drivers and the local sub under my helm. From there I would do phase correction between the forward sub and rearward sub to be sure I am not getting any sound cancelation between the two 10''rs.

DSC00268.jpg
 
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