I posted this last night on the amplifier section but only got one response calling for 3 amps not the two max I have room for. I thought frequent posters here might have some good advice....sorry for it being long-winded...just trying to give a full picture...
First, thank you to anyone with experience who helps me out with these questions.
I have a bowrider boat that has a stero but inaudible once we got the engine running. I don't want anything killer...just decent.
I will get 2 amps, one 4 way for highs and a mono for that sub.
I think a 200.4 to a 350.4 kicker should work for the speakers. ($80-150 ebay). Any suggestions on another brand or amp setup?
For the sub, a 12" Infinity Refernce DVC 300 RMS, I was thinking of a 300.1 mono amp. ($110-180 ebay) Here is where I am unsure. Is this a mix match of ohms? I think the sub is 4 ohms and mono amps are 2 ohms. Does this mean my amp will just really push the sub closer to 600 watts or am I backwards? I don't really have room for two subs due to where my amps have to go. Also, is 1.3-1.5 cubic feet too much for one 12"? This is about the space I have that will work with the box I'm going to build and the area I have and amp mounting space. (Don't want to screw into the deck of the boat). A prefabricated box won't look right or sit well because the deck is off white and has a contour diagonal across the space with one side 2" higher than the other and a max of 20" side to side.
The dude at the stereo shop here said I could put 8 gauge power cables from the two amps to a power block and run a single 4 gauge cable to my battery. Is this right? I also want a separate stereo battery, he suggested a "yellow top" and a battery isolator switch so I don't kill my engine battery if playing while engine is off.
Also, I don't intend on getting "marine" grade amps or subs. Is this a major problem? I usually just go on the lake and the boat is stored indoors. I figure if enough water gets in to hurt my equipment, I've got bigger problems than my stereo. The clarion marine speakers in it now are already contorted and the cones are decomposing and the boat is an '01.
Any help or advice on different brands or setups is really appreciated.
first off, if the amp is 2ohm stable, then a dual 4 ohm sub is perfect, next 300-500w is fine for that sub, and you need about a 1.25ft box for it. you can run 4 guage to a disto block, then 8guage to the amps. you prob be ok with the regualr spekaer and amp, i would monut the amps in a cabinet or something with plenty of ventalation. do you have all the wiring? If not I have a complete setup for 2 amps with JL Blue 4channel rcas, etc that i will send you for $70 delivered.
Thanks for the offer on the wires...haven't really assebled that together yet but was going to take the RCA's off the HU and link to an amp then daisy chain it to the other...same with the power. The speaker wires are already in and look to be of decent grade. I'm not sure what a good rate is for the wiring needed. I'm not going for show or anything fancy looking since it will all be hidden anyway. Is $70 a good price if including the RCA's, 4 gauge and 8 gauge wiring, block, etc. you mentioned I needed?
I have all 4 guage, and you will need to run speaker wires from the amp to the speakers or at least where they are at now. Rca's can make a difference in sound quality, the JLs cost me $79 for them alone, but either way, get some quality rcs, especially since they are on a boat. see my thread under Accessories, 4 guage wiring