First Stereo install, need help with components

[samw]

Winter project:
I would like to upgrade the stock Clarion cd/player. I have no tower speakers or amp. So basically it will be a new install. At this point I am not sure where to start. So any pointers or places to look would be great. $$$$ is a concern so I may have to do this over the year. I am looking around $600 to start. The head unit has to have mp3 input for the Ipod. I don't need an over powered setup. One thing I would like to do is be able to control the tower speakers independently from the cockpit speakers.

Thanks for any help.

Sam

[Domsz06]

might be hard with only 600.

Start doing some looking on this thread, see if you can get some good deals on used items. There is lots of info and people with knowledge on this thread.

You will find anything you want to know. Good used deck is about 1-200 speakers, again 1-200 and then an amp is the same. So... it can be done but might be hard.

Ask away.

[chpthril]

I may have my Kicker ZX350.4 amp for sale after the first of the year. It's less then a year old. Dont have any idea what I might want for it but will make you a good deal.

90w X 4 @ 2ohm
175w X 2 @ 4ohm bridged mono

I have the Tower 0 Power 4 speaker setup. This amp is just not enough to power 4 to near peak out put, but will do great for just one pair.

[Domsz06]

I have 4 speakers I'd sell you and an amp for 200 bucks. they are nothing fancy and were only used for 6 months.

[Moki]

For $600, go out and buy your wiring and then start saving for the rest of the components.

Going down the path of upgrading your stereo is a slippery slope, you'll start wth $600 and several thousand dollars later, you're done!

With that $600, I would just focus on the boat, and get yourself some decent equipment: (head unit, amplifier and in-boat speakers) by buying them slightly used from places like this board, ebay, and UBID.

Then wait for Dom to sell his tower speakers when he buys new Wet Sounds.

Seriously, I would focus on the tower speaker after you get your boat taken care of.

[philwsailz]

Phil's prioritization recommendation for sound system substantiation...

1. Get new headunit.

2. Get good speakers for boat; plan on powering with H/U initially and amp later. Consider purchase of a 4-channel amp, but read step 3 first.

3.Combination purchase of hi-power amp and subwoofer, (this is a big step). Single-chassis 5-channel amps are a good choice for simplicity, as they have boat speaker amplification, AND subwoofer amplification. If you bought an amp in step 2, the step three purchase is a subwoofer and a dedicated subwoofer amp.

4. Buy tower speakers and amp.

In all of these steps, be mindful of the costs associated with wiring, fuses, distribution blocks, etc. Moki is right; a properly installed system has a significant chunk of cash tied up just in copper.


Understand a basic system, with a head unit, 6 boat speakers, two tower speakers, a subwoofer, necessary amplification, and wiring will run very easily to $4,500.00 with necessary wiring and only very basic labor, when bought new and all at once. The price can go way up from that depending on bells and whistles, but the system I described, bought new, will not be much less than that without a serious compromise in power and/or quality.

Work with this group, and be mindful of networking and deals as has been shared. In the meantime, make lots of notes, continue asking, and seriously consider the step-by-step outlined above as an option. Others will prioritize differently, but it can be fun slowly building as funds allow, and it is neat to watch and listen to a stereo sound system grow.

Finally, have fun with the process!! Don't ever let it be not fun, or well... it s just not fun, understand?

[Domsz06]

For $600, go out and buy your wiring and then start saving for the rest of the components.

Going down the path of upgrading your stereo is a slippery slope, you'll start wth $600 and several thousand dollars later, you're done!

With that $600, I would just focus on the boat, and get yourself some decent equipment: (head unit, amplifier and in-boat speakers) by buying them slightly used from places like this board, ebay, and UBID.

Then wait for Dom to sell his tower speakers when he buys new Wet Sounds.

Seriously, I would focus on the tower speaker after you get your boat taken care of.

sorry still like the fact that I have 10's on my tower

[chpthril]

Great plan of attack Phil

[zad0030]

If you have Clarion remotes model #m201rcs, They have the the square green screen. I will be happy to take 1 off your hands if you want to get rid of them.

[dogbert]

Phil's prioritization recommendation for sound system substantiation...

1. Get new headunit.

2. Get good speakers for boat; plan on powering with H/U initially and amp later. Consider purchase of a 4-channel amp, but read step 3 first.

3.Combination purchase of hi-power amp and subwoofer, (this is a big step). Single-chassis 5-channel amps are a good choice for simplicity, as they have boat speaker amplification, AND subwoofer amplification. If you bought an amp in step 2, the step three purchase is a subwoofer and a dedicated subwoofer amp.

4. Buy tower speakers and amp.

In all of these steps, be mindful of the costs associated with wiring, fuses, distribution blocks, etc. Moki is right; a properly installed system has a significant chunk of cash tied up just in copper.


Understand a basic system, with a head unit, 6 boat speakers, two tower speakers, a subwoofer, necessary amplification, and wiring will run very easily to $4,500.00 with necessary wiring and only very basic labor, when bought new and all at once. The price can go way up from that depending on bells and whistles, but the system I described, bought new, will not be much less than that without a serious compromise in power and/or quality.

Work with this group, and be mindful of networking and deals as has been shared. In the meantime, make lots of notes, continue asking, and seriously consider the step-by-step outlined above as an option. Others will prioritize differently, but it can be fun slowly building as funds allow, and it is neat to watch and listen to a stereo sound system grow.

Finally, have fun with the process!! Don't ever let it be not fun, or well... it s just not fun, understand?

Phil makes some great recommendations. Your boat currently has cut-outs for 4 speakers.

I'd upgrade the head unit first. One thing I discovered is that when I added an amplifier for the boat speakers, they sounded a heck of a lot better and louder just with the head unit alone. My boat came with JVCs and they still sound pretty good. An decent head unit will cost around $200. You may want to consider getting a sub next. Kenwood makes a pretty sweet 10" free air sub/amp combo that comes in around $200 for both. I'm sure there are other options, but I will say, for a free air sub, mine will pound pretty good installed into the driver kick panel.

Tower speakers are a whole different story and significantly more expensive than your typical 6.5" 2 way or composite speakers. This is where you really get what you pay for. I've not heard NVS, but I have heard the Wetsounds Pro 80s by themselves and then Tim's setup on the Wetsounds boat. They are definitely in a class by themselves.

I opted for Monster Tower's bullet speakers. They were reasonably priced and I initially started with 1 pair, adding a second pair later. They're pretty loud and some might argue overkill. However, they are definitely not in the same class as NVS or Wetsounds. I'd plan on spending about $1000 for the tower set-up, but I'm with Phil, I'd start in the boat first.

Also, if you do get an amp or two for your boat speakers/sub, think about getting a second battery. You can wire it yourself for less than $150 (extra battery, perko switch and cables).

BTW, you and I have essentially the same boat.

[samw]

Thanks guy's,
I will start putting a list together. I have the factory Clarion set up. Four clarion speakers and the clarion xdm2 H/U. I will start with the H/U and go from there.
I do plan on a second battery. My father n law gave me two perko 1-2 all switches. I only need one so if anyone is in need of one I can give you a good deal. I hope to start this project soon.
I also plan on installing FAE this winter. So there is where some of my money is going.

Thanks again.

Sam

[dogbert]

I also plan on installing FAE this winter. So there is where some of my money is going.

Good plan, you'll be able to hear your speakers better!

[chpthril]

Good plan, you'll be able to hear your speakers better!

Wont need to spend the $$$ on NVS's or W/S's now

[samw]

Does everyone have marine grade H/U or are you using a standard car H/U.
Thanks
Sam

[dogbert]

Does everyone have marine grade H/U or are you using a standard car H/U.
Thanks
Sam

I bought mine at West Marine, but I believe it's a standard car unit. My unit is installed to the right of my steering wheel, but it's in a retractible enclosure. Most of the newer ones had the H/U installed in the glove box, which is watertight. I think you're ok, either way. Most of the marine H/Us I've seen appear to mainly be different in color.