Another help me build my system thread... Long read!

[core-rider]

*Edit: Unfortunatly my diagrams are a bit small and the writing is unreadable. If you can't zoom in to read, I can give the info.

Well, I've come to realize I want to make the most of what I have and upgrade a few things. So here we go into another thread about what to buy. I'm prettty set on what components I want to buy, but have a few options/questions about the speakers and amp choices. I made these drawings to give a better visual repesentation of what I'm doing, but I left out the HU and EQ since they will not be changing. Currently I have an '03 SANTE with stock Clarion speakers and HU, Kicker KX700.5 amp, 2 - Kicker Comp VR's (2 ohm load), and Kicker KMT6 tower speakers (currently running parallel to the Clarions in the bow at about 3 ohms).

I'm planning on replacing the stock speakers with Polk's (unsure on which one's) and the amp with two separate Kicker amps to better power the boat/tower speakers and subs. The parts I'm looking at are as follows:

1 - Kicker ZX500.1 (power the subs)
1 - Kicker ZX850.4 (power the boat/tower speakers)
2 - pair of Polk MMC650 or Polk MM651 (I'm disabling the bow speakers)

Below are spec sheets on each piece of equiptment I'm planning to buy...

Kicker ZX500.1 http://www.kicker.com/06/tech-suppor...0f01%20web.pdf

Kicker ZX850.4 http://www.kicker.com/06/tech-suppor...0d01%20web.pdf

Polk MMC650 http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/sp.../6-1-2/mmc650/

Polk MM651 http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/sp...s/6-1-2/mm651/

Now for the questions...

1, The ZX500.1 operates at 500x1 @ 2ohms (RMS) and the Comp VR's I'm running operate at 400 (RMS). Will this be properly powered or will they need more/less power? I can always turn the gain down if needed, but I don't want to underpower anything.

2. The Polk MMC650's will be overpowered by a good bit by the ZX850.4 (215x4 @ 2ohms), but like I said I can always turn down the gain. I was looking at the Polk MM651's which can handle more watts but run at 2.7 ohms which will give me 1.35 ohms once paralleled together to the amp. Is this low enough to cause issues with the amp? Part of the reason I want to run the MM651's is I like the look of the grills better. (I know... 8-) ), but I guess I could just paint the grills on the MMC650's black if those are the speakers I need to stay with.

3. I also like the fact the MM651's don't have an external cross-over I have to mount somewhere. If I do need to go with the MMC650's, where can I mount the cross-over, behind the panels close the to speakers?

4. I'm planning on keeping the 4 gauge cable I have currently to power the ZX850.4 and just change out the fuse for a bigger one. 120 amps (minimum fuse rating) is getting close to the threshold of what I've read 4 gauge wire will hold. Should I swap to 0 or 2 gauge wire to be safe?

5. As you can tell from the diagrams I drew, I'm planning on running each amp off separate batteries, mainly because I want to mount the ZX500.1 behind the driver's side thotttle lever panel close to the sub enclosure. Also, I don't think I will have enough room once I mount the ZX850.4 in the stock location under the passenger seat. (**** thing is big!) This will also save me from running another long RCA from the driver's seat (where EQ is located) back to the amp. I already have to run 2 for the ZX850.4. Do you see any problems with this?

6. I'm thinking of running the remote turn-ons for the EQ and both amps thru a relay to protect the HU's circuit. Does this sound like a good idea or just a waste of time?

I think that is all I can think of for now. Any input is appreciated... I just want this to be the last time I upgrade and want to get it right this time. Like I said, these are the components I want to use for several reasons, so unless you have really good reasons for why I should change something (price, quality, etc...), don't worry about it... It will just confuse me even more. Thanks...

[core-rider]

RE: Another help me build my system thread... Long read!

So is everyone still reading, or am I so bad wrong no one wants to hurt my fellings?

[OHLNautique]

RE: Another help me build my system thread... Long read!

Ok, I'm going to attempt to decipher all of this.

Question 1: The Kicker ZX 500.1 is not enough power to run 2 Comp VR's. They need 400 watts each. So you need a 750.1 or 1000.1. Always run more power than needed to any speaker. Under powering will blow a speaker quicker than over powering.

Question 2: Run the MMC650's. The 651's ohm load will be too low. Very few class A/B 4 channel amps will run below 2 ohms per channel. I think anything below that will cause the amp to go into protection mode.

Quaestion 3: Mount the crossovers behind the speakers. You can use really good double sided sticky tape to mount them if you clean the surfaces with rubbing alcohol. Clean the crossover and the fiberglass then let it air dry. I did this with my bow speakers and it works perfect.

Question 4: 4 gauge is not enough for those two amps. 120 amps gets close to melting wire. (can cause fires) Run two 4 gauge to each amp or run one 0 guage and split through a distribution block close to the amps.

Quaestion 5: If you only have two batteries, run both amps off one of them. This way you can isolate the starter battery and wont get stuck with two dead batteries. If you have three batteries then run the amps off the two that are not starter batteries. If you only have two, using two 4 gauge power wires will solve the problem of running another RCA.

Question 6: If you have the know how to wire a relay correctly, this is not a bad idea. I have run mulitple amps off of HU's before that don't have enough amperage to turn everything on.

Question 7: What HU are you running? A high voltage HU will make a huge difference. One that has at least a 4 volt output can cut down on how big the amps need to be. I'm running one old Alpine 5 channel to four polk 650's, four Titan Towers, and one Alpine type S twelve in a ported box. It's not the loudest system on the lake but it sounds **** good and it's clear. It works because the HU unit has 4 volt pre outs.

I hope this helps.

[core-rider]

RE: Another help me build my system thread... Long read!

Thanks for the info OHLNautique... I've since decided to use the ZX750.1 for the subs and ZX850.4 for the boat/tower. I talked with Kicker about gauge sizes on the 850.4 and they said 2 gauge was actually minimum required for it. I think I'm going to end up running 0 gauge to it since the length will be about 10-15 feet to make sure as much voltage is at the amp as possible and then run 2 or 4 to the 750.1.

I've also decided to stick with the Polk MMC650's. I did think of getting the MMC651's and adding the bow speakers. With the 4 rear speakers at 1.35 ohms on each channel and then adding 2.7 for each bow speaker I would get 4 ohm load, but I don't really want to spend the extra money for speakers that don't really get heard.

I have the stock HU from '03... I think the CMD1? I haven't looked for info on how much VDC the pre-outs make, but planned on looking into that before tuning. This gonna end up being a long term project buying parts here and there as I can.

Again, thanks for your help... I don't claim to be a wiz at stereo installs by any means, but I'm learning.

[core-rider]

RE: Another help me build my system thread... Long read!

Sorry, the HU is a XMD1.