suggestions for stock Tower of Power upgrade?

[Duncan]

We have the stock Tower of Power stereo option on our 09 RZ2 with two Pro60s and two MB8s.

I am looking for suggestions to upgrade the system. My first target is the stock open sub woofer. IS it enough to simply build an enclosure or is a new sub also recommended?

Thanks!

[chpthril]

Yes, you can build an enclosure for the OEM XS-10FA, but im not personally a fan of how it sounds in an enclosure. If your 09 can equipped with the Syn-6 driving the in-boats and sub, then you have an available 600W for a 4 ohm sub. This is good solid power a nice 12" sub with an enclosure.

The Wet Sounds Double-Up was a good sounding setup, so use it a benchmark for basing the upgrades off of. What are your listening preferences and goals and where is the current setup not hitting those marks.

[Duncan]

Thanks for the response!

I am satisfied with tower audio -- the Pro60s are loud enough and the MB8s provide nice mids.

Cabin sound not so much. I hear little volume from the drivers seat. And little bass anywhere in the boat.

[chpthril]

Thanks for the response!

I am satisfied with tower audio -- the Pro60s are loud enough and the MB8s provide nice mids.

Cabin sound not so much. I hear little volume from the drivers seat. And little bass anywhere in the boat.

What amps do you have just to be sure. My guess is a Syn-6 for the in-boats and Syn-2 for the Double-Up.

I would first make sure all 6 in-boats are putting out sound, especially from the tweeters. Then, examine the amps tuning. If all is where it should be, then an amp upgrade for the in-boats would be in order. Ive got an idea, but want to just double check what amps you have now.

[Duncan]

What amps do you have just to be sure. My guess is a Syn-6 for the in-boats and Syn-2 for the Double-Up.

I would first make sure all 6 in-boats are putting out sound, especially from the tweeters. Then, examine the amps tuning. If all is where it should be, then an amp upgrade for the in-boats would be in order. Ive got an idea, but want to just double check what amps you have now.

I am fairly sure there is a Syn-6 and Syn-2 in the boat now. And note it is not a "double-up" per se, but rather individual speakers (two Pro60s, two MB8s).

[chpthril]

I am fairly sure there is a Syn-6 and Syn-2 in the boat now. And note it is not a "double-up" per se, but rather individual speakers (two Pro60s, two MB8s).

Ok, buckle your seatbelt, here we go!

Move the Pro60 and MB8 to the Syn-6. Bridge the Pro60 on chnls 1/2 and 3/4 and each receive 200W each. Wire the MB8 to chnls 5 and 6 run on hi-pass and each receive 155W.

Pickup a Syn-4 (or HT-6 if having matching amps is not a big deal) for the in-boats, for a 110W rms to each.

Pickup an XS-12 (or another 4 ohm {2 ohm DVC} 12" sub of your choice) and wire it bridged on your current Syn-2 for 700W rms.

This gives you some improvement in all zones just by adding one new amp to the system along with the new sub that you where looking to upgrade first.

The Pro60 gain a little power. Only a slight reduction on net power to the MB8, but for an 8" surf speaker, this will not be noticed. What you have also gained, is the ability to tune the Pro60 and MB8 independently of each other. Know you can take full advantage of each speakers performance.

You will nearly double the in-boats power. This will be noticeable.

700W to a 12" sub in an enclosure will be a night and day difference over the 300W I/B 10 you have now.

[Duncan]

^^^ Wow.

As always, Chpthril is

[SimonWS]

Chpthril hit the nail on the head perfectly!

[Duncan]

Pickup a Syn-4 (or HT-6 if having matching amps is not a big deal) for the in-boats, for a 110W rms to each.

Chpthril, did you mean a Syn-6 to drive the 6 inboats? The Syn-4 is just a 4-channel right? Is there a drawback with the HT-6 for the inboats?

[chpthril]

Chpthril, did you mean a Syn-6 to drive the 6 inboats? The Syn-4 is just a 4-channel right? Is there a drawback with the HT-6 for the inboats?

No Syn-6 for the in-boats, thats whats gonna drive the tower setup.

The Syn-4 is 4 chnl that will run your 6 in-boats no sweat. Your 6 in-boats are already running on 4 chnl of the current Syn-6, so it will be a simple relocation of the speaker wires to the Syn-4. No drawback to the HT-6 at all. Actually, its a small advantage as the HT-6 will be running @ 4 ohm on all 6 chnls, where as the Syn-4 will have 2 chnls running at 4 ohm and 2 running at 2 ohm. A chnl running a single speaker at 4 ohm has a little more headroom, then a chnl driving 2 speakers and running at 2 ohm. Given the sound quality of these 2 amp and how close their net output is, the choice is up to you, neither really tips the scale in your system. Given that you already have 2 Syn series amps, this would make my mind up to go with the Syn-4 just for a uniform look.

[Bruizza]

I have a syn 4 running 6 in boats and they sound amazing. It also leaves you 2 open channels if you want to add a 4th pair of in boats. With the syn 4 you can run 8 in boats all at 100w. Your 6 in boats will still be getting 100w each you just have an extra channel to add a 4th set. That way if you still feel like you need more sound at the driver's seat you are totally set to add the 4th pair.

[Duncan]

Stereo upgrades in our 2009 RZ2 are done. And it sounds ... amazing

WS Syn-6 powering six in-boats with 2 XS-808s bridged on channels 1/2 and 3/4 for 200W rms and 4 factory in boats on channels 5/6 run on hi-pass for 155W rms.

Syn-4 powering 2 Rev10s bridged on channels 1/2 and 3/4 for 400W rms.

Syn-2 powering XS-12 sub bridged on channels 1/2 for 700W rms.

WS Wetwire. Installer said this product was amazing and install would have been more of a pain without it.

HRT iStreamer (12v) -- this device is fantastic. There is a noticeable boost in sound quality of MP3s. The USB plug replaced the miniplug jack that is to the dirvers right (see Rev10 pic below, white cable visible). There was a thread on TO a few months ago on this device but I cannot find it. Using the iStreamer loses ability to bump tracks from the remote but I hated the Clarion/iPod interface anyways.

The 12" sub hits hard and the Rev10s sound amazing near field -- crisp and clear with very solid mid-bass. But my favorite favorite favorite part of the upgrade is the pair of XS-808s in the bow. Coupled with the sub, the bow is the best place to sit on the boat for music.

First, a pic of my little boy's flow over the tune ...


Amp wall with distribution blocks and Sirius tuner:


Rev10s (these replaced a Double Up, i.e., Pro60s and MB8s -- I love having the extra headroom of one set of speakers. And the Rev10s are about the same size as the MB8s were!!)


And WS Speaker Socks are amaaaaaaazing. Do yourself a favor and order a pair. I know, I thought the price was sort of silly when I ordered them too -- then I started using them and they are worth every darn penny.


12" sub install turned out very nice (picture is funky because of boosted contrast).


Enclosure behind driver bulkhead. Yes, I know. It is too small for an enclosed sub. There was some miscommunication during install and while the size is about right for a ported box, it is not ported. I can get it fixed and will probably do so in the off season. Though in truth, it hits hard now and enclosed space is supposed to be more flexible with respect to smaller size.

[ChrisBarnes05-12-84]

Well done sir!!!

[What she said]

Looks great!! Do you have pics of the 808's in the bow??

[Duncan]

Looks great!! Do you have pics of the 808's in the bow??

Alas, I failed to capture a pic of my favorite part of the upgrade. But I will do so July 4th weekend. It is a tight fit but they went in without having to cut on the speaker. (The installer said it was VERY difficult to get them in there).