Stereo help

[maxpow]

Hey guys the stereo in my boat is getting old and stopped working at the end of last season. Its mostly clarion. stuff 7 cabin speakers 6.5 clarion and 4 tower speakers phoenix gold a 12 inch sub sony explode all ran by a clarion deck and 2 400w clarion amps. I really don't know much about stereos so looking for a little help i want to replace it but im on a budget. i was planning on keeping the cabin speakers for now, and maybe replacing the tower speakers. Both amps are done and for the deck I was looking at removing it and installing one of the newer media style ones that are blue tooth capable and they don't play CDs. I was thinking about getting a better media player like maybe a rockford. As for amps how important are they? do they have to be good quality (name brand) or are ones a little cheaper still good like kicker, kenwood. or can I go really cheap them and get the boss ones? Or can I get a higher end 5 channel and bridge it to a lower end amp ? the stuff is all going in my 22v and I want a good sound system it doesn't have to be the loudest or the best.

[Jetdriver]

CHPTHRIL!!!!
You get what you pay for with stereo stuff. I’d definitely stay clear of the low end amps. Kicker makes quality stuff that’s affordable. I’ve always Liked both Kenwood and alpine decks but there are a ton of options when it comes to that. If you’re on a budget replace the big items(deck and amps, maybe sub) with good stuff and upgrade in boat and tower speakers when you can afford too. That or bite the bullet and do it all right at the same time and enjoy it all summer!
Chpthril aka Mikes liquid audio is the forum member you wanna talk to regarding stereos and ballast. I’m sure he’ll be along shortly

[chpthril]

Head unit: I like the Clarion M505. Fits a standard 2x7 opening, marine, supports wired remotes, blue tooth, USB and 3.5MM AUX. No CD. Some of the rockford media players are good, but none will fit where a traditional head was, without some custom fab work. Not an issue, just a consideration.

Amp: Yes they are important. Yes, quality amps make a difference. Kicker is most definitely a quality marine brand at an excellent price. There are other quality lines that offer a solid product without the premium price. The Wet Sounds HTX line is an example. Cheap amps are cheap. Some do make the advertised power, most are grossly overstated. Cheap components make tuning tough and end up lacking sound quality. They skimp of heatsink and come up short on protection circuits. Step 1, make all the speaker and woofer choices, then the amp options will fall in line.

Tower speakers: What are your tower speaker goals? Wake range projection, surf/party cove? Both?

Woofer: does the current woofer work, sound ok and look ok, not overly weathered? Reusing it can stretch the budget out. Just need to know some particulars, in order to make the best amp pairing. model and coil impedance.

[maxpow]

Hey guys thanks for the response. Ill tel you guys what im thinking and this will stay within budget as I am trying to keep the cost down. CHPTHIL thanks for the mention of the M505 I look at it and it will work perfect as its a good price and it will also work well as its compatible with my existing remotes. I then looked at the Clarion XC2510 and getting 2 of those. I will keep the boat spaeakers the same for now as they work well they are clarin 6.5 100w (7 of them) the tower speakers are in rough shape so i was thinking Rockford Fosgate RM1652B Prime Marine 6.5". they sub is still in really good shape so I will keep that as well. I am hopeing the 2 5 channel 700w amps leave me enough to replace the older speakers next year. We would like the music for both partying in the coves and surfing we dont need super loud but loud enough to hear it while surfing.