I currently have a 1997 26 ft Checkmate and I am planning on upgrading the stereo. I only has 2 weak 6x9's under the back bench seat and two other 6" round speakers that aren't even hooked up. I plan on the very least adding a bigger amp(only has 100 watt) and putting new speakers in there. The Head Unit is a JVC AM/FM/CD with detachable face. Where else on this boat can I put speakers that will be the most beneficial? There really isn't a lot of room to put speakers. Should I cut into the fiberglass sidewalls or build some type of speaker box for up by the driver maybe down by the gunnel facing slightly upward? Any info would be a appreciated. I have a HP 500 so it is hard to hear it when we are on plain. Thanks!
Stereo Speaker Configuration??
ray628
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I currently have a 1997 26 ft Checkmate and I am planning on upgrading the stereo. I only has 2 weak 6x9's under the back bench seat and two other 6" round speakers that aren't even hooked up. I plan on the very least adding a bigger amp(only has 100 watt) and putting new speakers in there. The Head Unit is a JVC AM/FM/CD with detachable face. Where else on this boat can I put speakers that will be the most beneficial? There really isn't a lot of room to put speakers. Should I cut into the fiberglass sidewalls or build some type of speaker box for up by the driver maybe down by the gunnel facing slightly upward? Any info would be a appreciated. I have a HP 500 so it is hard to hear it when we are on plain. Thanks!
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4,411 Posts
Check out my thread "Our Stereo Installs" and post me some pics of interior is it anv enforcer or convincor??
I'll help ya out.
I'll help ya out.
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Get some subs. You will really like the way it sounds. I have 12's but you could go with 8 or 10". I have 2 12" subs under my rear bench and 2 6 1/2 inch rockford fosgate under there too. I have two 5 1/4 inch rockfords in the cuddy. I would get a 5 channel amp so you can run the whole system from the single amp. Four channels for the four small speakers and one ch for the subs. One word of advice buy a GOOD amp. Audiobahn makes a nice 5 ch amp, and it looks really cool. You could go with sony subs, not the best, but they have red cones which will accent your interior. Some quality subs are
JL audio
Boston acoustic
Kicker
Rockford Fosgate(power series)
Infinity Kappa
Good amps
JL audio
Rockford
MTX
JBL
Audiobahn
Kenwoood
Buying a amp with a built in cooling fan is a good idea if you are going to mount it under the rear bench.
Ray, you should go to Tweeter audio and video. They have a nice store in woodridge on 75th st. The guys in there know their stuff. They can do a custom install on your boat if you bring it there. Also, they sell only good stuff. Little pricey but would be well worth it for you.
JL audio
Boston acoustic
Kicker
Rockford Fosgate(power series)
Infinity Kappa
Good amps
JL audio
Rockford
MTX
JBL
Audiobahn
Kenwoood
Buying a amp with a built in cooling fan is a good idea if you are going to mount it under the rear bench.
Ray, you should go to Tweeter audio and video. They have a nice store in woodridge on 75th st. The guys in there know their stuff. They can do a custom install on your boat if you bring it there. Also, they sell only good stuff. Little pricey but would be well worth it for you.
Joe,
Thanks for the info. Is that enough speakers? You don't have anything up near your drivers seat? Can you hear it when you are running? Do you go with 2 way 6 1/2" speakers? What about watts for the amp? How big should I get and how does that relate to getting speakers? Ex. If i get a 400 watt amp, do I need a 400 watt speaker? I also remember you talked about getting rubber speaker cones or something also. As you can tell, I have a lot of questions. I know a guy at APT and get good prices on stuff there too.
Too bad the boat is in storage already!!
Thanks for the info. Is that enough speakers? You don't have anything up near your drivers seat? Can you hear it when you are running? Do you go with 2 way 6 1/2" speakers? What about watts for the amp? How big should I get and how does that relate to getting speakers? Ex. If i get a 400 watt amp, do I need a 400 watt speaker? I also remember you talked about getting rubber speaker cones or something also. As you can tell, I have a lot of questions. I know a guy at APT and get good prices on stuff there too.
Too bad the boat is in storage already!!
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1,622 Posts
I hear mine pretty good while running if I am sitting. Its harder when standing because of the wind noise. You can have two small speakers on the side panel(where your shifter is instead of in the cuddy.
As for watts, be cautious of some amps claiming 1000 or more. What you want to look at is RMS power. That is the continous amount of power your amp will put out. Peak is not important. 75 watts of RMS power x4 is good for what you need. Same goes for speaker watts. You are better of runnning more power rather than not enough. For intance, a speaker that says 50 watts rms, you are better off running them off an amp that puts out 75 watts than an amp putting out 25 watts. Underpowering speakers creates harmonic distortion at high volume which will damage speakers.
As for rubber cones, yes. Polypropelyne cones with Rubber surrround is the way to go in a boat. Most car speakers are made of this anyway.
ABT has great stuff. I will look at their site now and give yoy a few ideas from what they have. Joe
As for watts, be cautious of some amps claiming 1000 or more. What you want to look at is RMS power. That is the continous amount of power your amp will put out. Peak is not important. 75 watts of RMS power x4 is good for what you need. Same goes for speaker watts. You are better of runnning more power rather than not enough. For intance, a speaker that says 50 watts rms, you are better off running them off an amp that puts out 75 watts than an amp putting out 25 watts. Underpowering speakers creates harmonic distortion at high volume which will damage speakers.
As for rubber cones, yes. Polypropelyne cones with Rubber surrround is the way to go in a boat. Most car speakers are made of this anyway.
ABT has great stuff. I will look at their site now and give yoy a few ideas from what they have. Joe
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Here's a nice 5 channel amp. You can run the whole system off this amp. Good specs
http://www.abtelectronics.com/scripts/site/site_product.php3?id=9765
Nice 6x9's
http://www.abtelectronics.com/scripts/site/site_product.php3?id=8284
Nice 6 1/2 for fronts http://www.abtelectronics.com/scripts/site/site_product.php3?id=8281
Two of these will work. or one.
http://www.abtelectronics.com/scripts/site/site_product.php3?id=8671
Abt has a limited selection. But I have heard of guys gettin huge discounts. Im sure all this I posted can be had for about a 1000.
Go to audiobahn's webiste. They have some really nice amps and speakers. They are not very expensive. There is an ebay store that sells their stuff. I think its hi-fi connection or something like that,
http://www.abtelectronics.com/scripts/site/site_product.php3?id=9765
Nice 6x9's
http://www.abtelectronics.com/scripts/site/site_product.php3?id=8284
Nice 6 1/2 for fronts http://www.abtelectronics.com/scripts/site/site_product.php3?id=8281
Two of these will work. or one.
http://www.abtelectronics.com/scripts/site/site_product.php3?id=8671
Abt has a limited selection. But I have heard of guys gettin huge discounts. Im sure all this I posted can be had for about a 1000.
Go to audiobahn's webiste. They have some really nice amps and speakers. They are not very expensive. There is an ebay store that sells their stuff. I think its hi-fi connection or something like that,
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1,622 Posts
http://www.cardomain.com/item/ABNA6601T
http://www.cardomain.com/item/ABNALUM8P
http://www.cardomain.com/item/ROCT1692C
http://www.cardomain.com/item/ROCT162C
This would be my pick. Good priced. I have those fosgate speakers and they sound great. Those 8" subs would fit nicely under your rear bench, and would have a nice thump without overkill. The amp is a nice looking amp, and audiobahn amps have a good rep from what ive heard.
http://www.cardomain.com/item/ABNALUM8P
http://www.cardomain.com/item/ROCT1692C
http://www.cardomain.com/item/ROCT162C
This would be my pick. Good priced. I have those fosgate speakers and they sound great. Those 8" subs would fit nicely under your rear bench, and would have a nice thump without overkill. The amp is a nice looking amp, and audiobahn amps have a good rep from what ive heard.
Joe,
Thanks for all the info. I appreciate it. I think I will probably go with at least a 10" woofer so it fits in the hole where the 6x9's were. Doesn't that make sense? The other 4 holes will be right there.
I do have that 100watt amp already in there. Could I run the cabin speakers off that amp and then get a 3 channel amp for the 3 other speakers, or would it be better to run off just one amp?
Thanks for all the info. I appreciate it. I think I will probably go with at least a 10" woofer so it fits in the hole where the 6x9's were. Doesn't that make sense? The other 4 holes will be right there.
I do have that 100watt amp already in there. Could I run the cabin speakers off that amp and then get a 3 channel amp for the 3 other speakers, or would it be better to run off just one amp?
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Im not sure how you want to mount your speakers. I was figuring two 6x9's under bench, 1 or 2 10 inch subs under rear bench and two 6 1/2 inch on side panels near driver and passenger seat.
If you dont want to run too many amps, just use your existing amp to power the 4 cockpit spaekers, buy an amp for the subs, and run the cabin speakers off the head unit.
Remember though, in order to get loud, clean sound, you must have a quality amp with enough wattage.
With my setup, my head unit has two sets of rca outputs. I run them to the main amp for the small speakers. That amp has a rca sub output. I run a set of rca cables from that amp to the sub amp. It makes the setup much more easy to adjust. Both amps have built in crossovers. I set my crossovers so that the small speakers play all sounds above 100hz. Subs carry sounds below 100hz. I get clean, deep bass from subs, and clear highs from small speakers. Sorry if I am confusing, just trying to give you ideas, so you can have a nice sounding stereo system.
If you dont want to run too many amps, just use your existing amp to power the 4 cockpit spaekers, buy an amp for the subs, and run the cabin speakers off the head unit.
Remember though, in order to get loud, clean sound, you must have a quality amp with enough wattage.
With my setup, my head unit has two sets of rca outputs. I run them to the main amp for the small speakers. That amp has a rca sub output. I run a set of rca cables from that amp to the sub amp. It makes the setup much more easy to adjust. Both amps have built in crossovers. I set my crossovers so that the small speakers play all sounds above 100hz. Subs carry sounds below 100hz. I get clean, deep bass from subs, and clear highs from small speakers. Sorry if I am confusing, just trying to give you ideas, so you can have a nice sounding stereo system.
here are some pic for you
http://www.speedwake.com/upload/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20978&highlight=amer3
http://www.speedwake.com/upload/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20978&highlight=amer3
Joe,
You lost me long time ago. I get lost with Watts, RMS, SubAmp, Crossovers, ect... I am spinning right now. I thought you said go with 2 Subwoofers and two/four 6 1/2" and not the 6x9's? The only think I don't like about putting speakers up on the sidewall is that it is fiber glass there and I don't want to drill into fiberglass. Wouldn't mind making some sort of speaker box to fit right up in the corner where the side wall hits the dashboard. That might work out well.
You lost me long time ago. I get lost with Watts, RMS, SubAmp, Crossovers, ect... I am spinning right now. I thought you said go with 2 Subwoofers and two/four 6 1/2" and not the 6x9's? The only think I don't like about putting speakers up on the sidewall is that it is fiber glass there and I don't want to drill into fiberglass. Wouldn't mind making some sort of speaker box to fit right up in the corner where the side wall hits the dashboard. That might work out well.
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1,622 Posts
If youhave cutouts for 6x9's already, replace them with 6x9's. Less cutting. You can add some marine speakers that come in a box already that look good so you dont have to cut into fiberglass. I think bose makes a nice set.
I been thinking about adding a set of exhaust turn downs like you have. I think its cool how its dead quiet at idle but roars as you take off. Your boat is way louder in the cockpit than mine. I think it has something to do with the exhaust reflecting off the water with those turn downs.
I been thinking about adding a set of exhaust turn downs like you have. I think its cool how its dead quiet at idle but roars as you take off. Your boat is way louder in the cockpit than mine. I think it has something to do with the exhaust reflecting off the water with those turn downs.
Joe,
Right now I want what is going to sound the best. That is kind of why I posted this. Price seems to be close in the components too. Would it be better with 6x9's and 6 1/2's or 10" subs and 6 1/2's? I don't think it is a big deal to convert a hole from a 6x9 to a 10" sub if that is the better way to go.
Right now I want what is going to sound the best. That is kind of why I posted this. Price seems to be close in the components too. Would it be better with 6x9's and 6 1/2's or 10" subs and 6 1/2's? I don't think it is a big deal to convert a hole from a 6x9 to a 10" sub if that is the better way to go.
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Ray, we are confusing each other.
You have 2 6x9's under the rear bench. Replace them with a quality 6x9 like the rockford fosgate ones I listed.
Cut two 10" holes under rear bench for two 10" subwoofers.
If you really do not want to cut fiberglass near driver and pass seats, look into a marine speaker that comes in a box already. You can mount them wherever you want.
Get yourself a 5 or 6 channel amp for the whole system, or a 4 channel amp and a mono amp(for the subs).
You can get good sound from a 6x9, 6 1/2, 5 1/4, etc.
The main thing is quality, not size.
Its amazing how far speaker technology has gone. For instance, listen to a factory 6x9 in a chevy or ford. Crank it up loud with some heavy rock or hip-hop. It will sound crappy. Then go listen to a boston acoustic 6x9 cranked up off a stock head unit. It will sound great. Even better when you run an amp on it. You get what you pay for when it comes to audio. There's a reason a set of radio shack 6x9's cost 19.99 per pair and boston acoustic 6x9's cost 350 a pair. You know what im getting at.
I think first off, you should decide roughly how much you want to spend. Thats what it boils down to.
You have a kick @#& boat in my opinion. I would put a kick @#% stereo system in it.
Give me a better idea of how much you want to spend, and I will put together a nice system and help you install it if you wish. Just feed me some cocktails.
Be cautious of most car audio salesman at best buy, circuit city, etc. Most of them are 18 years old, and 2 days before you walked in they were selling microwaves in the appliance dept. They usually try and tell you what they recommend. Tell them that you need a speakers that will play notes around 10hz. He will probaby point to a set of 15" subwoofers. Then you can tell him that 10hz is inaudible. Point is, do your homework. Especially if you plan on shelling out big dough.
You have 2 6x9's under the rear bench. Replace them with a quality 6x9 like the rockford fosgate ones I listed.
Cut two 10" holes under rear bench for two 10" subwoofers.
If you really do not want to cut fiberglass near driver and pass seats, look into a marine speaker that comes in a box already. You can mount them wherever you want.
Get yourself a 5 or 6 channel amp for the whole system, or a 4 channel amp and a mono amp(for the subs).
You can get good sound from a 6x9, 6 1/2, 5 1/4, etc.
The main thing is quality, not size.
Its amazing how far speaker technology has gone. For instance, listen to a factory 6x9 in a chevy or ford. Crank it up loud with some heavy rock or hip-hop. It will sound crappy. Then go listen to a boston acoustic 6x9 cranked up off a stock head unit. It will sound great. Even better when you run an amp on it. You get what you pay for when it comes to audio. There's a reason a set of radio shack 6x9's cost 19.99 per pair and boston acoustic 6x9's cost 350 a pair. You know what im getting at.
I think first off, you should decide roughly how much you want to spend. Thats what it boils down to.
You have a kick @#& boat in my opinion. I would put a kick @#% stereo system in it.
Give me a better idea of how much you want to spend, and I will put together a nice system and help you install it if you wish. Just feed me some cocktails.
Be cautious of most car audio salesman at best buy, circuit city, etc. Most of them are 18 years old, and 2 days before you walked in they were selling microwaves in the appliance dept. They usually try and tell you what they recommend. Tell them that you need a speakers that will play notes around 10hz. He will probaby point to a set of 15" subwoofers. Then you can tell him that 10hz is inaudible. Point is, do your homework. Especially if you plan on shelling out big dough.
Joe,
I think we are getting back on the same track. I like that 6x9 and 8/10" subs in the back bench seat. I just need to figure out what I am going to do up front, if anything. There is something about drilling that glass that I don't like. I should have took pictures of that inside of the boat and I didn't, now it is in storage!
I was thinking of spending around $1000 as a nice upgrade and could always go more from thier. I have a guy at ABT that me and my familly have bought LOTS of stuff from and he always gives us money off from even sale/floor model prices! Then I have a friend I raced JetSkis with that works at a sterio place down in St. Louis that said he could hook me up too. He gets a big discount also. You would think that the neighborhood we live in, we can find some of this stuff falling off a truck somewhere!!
Amer3,
Can you even here that stereo? You better put a few more speakers in there!
I think we are getting back on the same track. I like that 6x9 and 8/10" subs in the back bench seat. I just need to figure out what I am going to do up front, if anything. There is something about drilling that glass that I don't like. I should have took pictures of that inside of the boat and I didn't, now it is in storage!
I was thinking of spending around $1000 as a nice upgrade and could always go more from thier. I have a guy at ABT that me and my familly have bought LOTS of stuff from and he always gives us money off from even sale/floor model prices! Then I have a friend I raced JetSkis with that works at a sterio place down in St. Louis that said he could hook me up too. He gets a big discount also. You would think that the neighborhood we live in, we can find some of this stuff falling off a truck somewhere!!
Amer3,
Can you even here that stereo? You better put a few more speakers in there!
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