Adding Tower Speakers and Sub

[emagine]

I am buying a 2005 226 TE and will want to add tower speakers and a sub soon. It currently has one original Clarion 480M amp pushing the bow and cockpit Polk/Momo speakers with control from a Clarion XMD3 head unit. The tower is already wired, and the previous owner removed the sub and sub amp. So, my question(s) is this... Would the new tower speakers (possibly 2 Deafcon IIIs or 4 Liq Aud separates) be able to be run off the additional channels of the current with only a dedicated sub amp being necessary ... or would an additional 4 channel amp (possibly another 480M or other) dedicated to both the tower speakers and sub be okay ... or would I need to have an additional dedicated (4 channel?) amp for the tower speakers and an additional dedicated amp for the sub? I have read a lot of really good discussion in the forums, and may have missed this topic. I am new to Nautique ownership (not to boats) and looking forward to it. Also, any suggestions on other equipment components and places to buy (other places in forum too?) would be great appreciated also. Thanks in advance for any help.

[emagine]

RE: Adding Tower Speakers and Sub

Also, I may need to replace the batteris soon. From what I've read, it seems as though the Optima blue tops are the favorite, but it seems there are different types. Is that true, and if so, which is the best type for normal two battery setup application? Thanks again.

[SuperSquirt]

RE: Adding Tower Speakers and Sub

You will need the additonal dedicated tower speaker amp and a dedicated sub amp if you want it to sound remotely decent. Trying to hook everything up at once like Correct Craft does is a terrible idea. The blue top Optimas are the marine batteries that have a deep cycle for running accesories like amps, trolling motors, etc...

[AuMDLST]

RE: Adding Tower Speakers and Sub

If interested in Blue tops make sure you get the deep cycle. Optima does make blue tops that are not deep cycle, in that case they are no better than a standard car battery except they are more versatile in mounting.
Are you sure the bow speakers are on the amp? Most likely they are wired to the head unit and you should move them to an amp.

[OHLNautique]

RE: Adding Tower Speakers and Sub

I agree with AuMDLST, the bow speakers are probably running off the headunit unless someone has rewired it. My suggestion would be to run the 6 interior speakers off of the 480M and find a large 4 channel to power the towers and sub. Blue top Deep Cycle Optimas are the way to go with batteries. I should have bought one myself but I'm to cheap.

[Mikeski]

RE: Adding Tower Speakers and Sub

I would suggest adding another 480M.

amp 1: two channels to bow speakers, two channels to four boat speakers
amp 2: two channels to the tower, two channels bridged to the sub

If the sub and tower are not strong enough get a class D sub amp, run amp 2 dedicated to the tower, give the sub it's own amp.

[MHayes]

Re: RE: Adding Tower Speakers and Sub

If interested in Blue tops make sure you get the deep cycle. Optima does make blue tops that are not deep cycle, in that case they are no better than a standard car battery except they are more versatile in mounting.

Not sure where you got that information from, but all Optima Blue Tops are deep cycle.

[TravisFling]

RE: Re: RE: Adding Tower Speakers and Sub

Not true MHayes.... not true... There's the D34m, which is deep cycle and the 34m/1000m which is a cranking battery. I believe the troll fury actually comes with the 34m's in it.

[MHayes]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Adding Tower Speakers and Sub

Not true MHayes.... not true... There's the D34m, which is deep cycle and the 34m/1000m which is a cranking battery. I believe the troll fury actually comes with the 34m's in it.

That's strange because their website says the 34M is a deep cycle battery. The description for the 34M on the website states:

Premium Starting And Deep Cycle Power
For Use With Boats And RVs
Non-Spillable And Maintenance Free
Vibration Resistant
18 Months Free Replacement Warranty

http://www.optimabatteries.com/optim...ts/bluetop.php

The above link states that the Blue Top is dual purpose, with deep cycling and cranking power all packed into one battery.

Oh well!

[emagine]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Adding Tower Speakers and Sub

I have heard a few people dog the Clarion amps. What's the deal there? Are they really that bad? If good, any body know of any good deals on one? As for batteries, so there are two types of Optima blue tops. Just make sure I go with the deep cycle, right?

[Mikeski]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Adding Tower Speakers and Sub

Lot's of shops selling amplifiers dog the Clarion amps. I would advise against any Blue Top, we saw several Blue Tops fail at spring ride this year, most guys using them are moving away from them. Other industrial AGM batteries provide higher ampacity for less cost. Can't beat golf cart batts for $/amp, maintenance is not too bad.

[emagine]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Adding Tower Speakers and Sub

Anyone had any experience with the new Clarion APX490M amp? I've seen some pretty good deals on these. They seem to be the new version of the previous stock installed APX480M amps.

[SuperSquirt]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Adding Tower Speakers and Sub

Its not that the Clarion APX amps are bad quality, there are just a ton of amps that are better and more powerful. We are all Correct Craft owners right? We own the best quality boat in the industry, so why should we settle for a middle of the road quality amp? They get the job done, but most owners like myself want premiere quality (not to mention quantity). I have been buying car stereo equipment for years, and my preference is Alpine.

[TravisFling]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Adding Tower Speakers and Sub

Oh... MHayes.. always up to argue...
http://www.batteryplex.com/optima.cfm
here's a site with some specs... You can see if look at the difference between the 34 (red top) and 34m, they are the same battery, just a little more crank amps (20) on the m version. The d34m adds the additional amp hours, which is where you get this deep cycle hullaballoo. I'm with Mikeski, as usual (he's hard to argue with... from our previous discussion, it's the AGM part that's important. Mikeski can prolly 'splain it better than silly old me, but it AGM technology provides a much longer cycle life, charability and ampability than a non-AGM battery does. You just a pay a LOT more for the Optima name.

[MHayes]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Adding Tower Speakers and Sub

Oh... MHayes.. always up to argue...

Excuse me? I was just making a point of what was stated on the Optima website, that's all.

As for arguing, sometimes it's just necessary when people make absurd statements......not that it ever helps. Yellow_Flash_Colorz: