3 Some or 2 Pro 485's

[kevfran99]

I currently have four alpha 2's and would like to upgrade soon. I know wetsounds is the best in the business.....what's the pros and cons of each set up? Which amp is best to power these set ups? And last and most IMPORTANT show me some pics of each please! Cause everyone knows it's gotta look good.

[SuperSquirt]

RE: 3 Some or 2 Pro 485

485s all the way!! 110% vote from me. The only con is the weight of them, but thats only if you lower your tower often. There are a number of amps to choose from, depends on your brand preference, i would push them no less than 300x2 in 4ohms.

[EarmarkMarine]

RE: 3 Some or 2 Pro 485

The Pro485s have the highest average output (not peak), have a larger horn with a more powerful motor, have a larger pod displacement per midbass driver and have the smoothest response of all WetSounds. They're also slightly more cost effective to power.

The 3-Some has a bit more peak treble output and will fit on a narrower tower.

I would definitely go with the 485s unless the application dictates otherwise.

To drive the Pro485s a bridged SYN4 is a proven match. Also, the Alpine PDX and JL HD amplifiers are premier amplifiers that offer very high efficiency.

Here's a peek at some Pro485s HTTP://earmarkcaraudio.com/install_superairnautique.asp

David
Earmark Marine

[BKinSoCal]

RE: 3 Some or 2 Pro 485

I love the look of the Pro485's, but I have two questions. Once installed, do they have a quick disconnect and how difficult are they to remove from the tower? I'm asking because where I store my boat, people could have access to my boat. It's not outdoors, but access is there. So I remove my current tower speakers after every trip.

[EarmarkMarine]

RE: 3 Some or 2 Pro 485

With the newest collars the 485s only require an allen key to remove. The wiring has quick disconnects. It's pretty straight forward.

[wetsounds1]

RE: 3 Some or 2 Pro 485

kevfran99,

The 485 pair is my personal favorite. Every Wet Sounds demo boat we have had, has at least a pair of 485's. Old MB Sport had 485 pair and 80 pair and last one, Tige RZ4 had 485 pair and 60 pair. New Tige RZ2 has the new Alpha Z tower. And you cannot bolt the 485's to it. So I am custom making brackets for this tower just so I can put a pair of 485's on the new boat!!

With the newer CC towers, you have the ability to run the pair. So run the pair and power them with the SYN-4. This amp does 400x2 on them. Perfect match and very effcient power.

The 3-Some is one of our most popular set ups becuase it fits more towers. So I always say, if you can fit the 485 pair, go that route. If you cannot fit the 485 pair and want a set up that is just as loud, then the 3-Some is the ticket.

Tim
Wet Sounds

[gride300]

RE: 3 Some or 2 Pro 485

tim-get a 230 or 210 nautique!

[Mikeski]

RE: 3 Some or 2 Pro 485

I think Nautique would need to standardize on Wetsounds from the factory before he would buy a nautique...

[kevfran99]

Re: RE: 3 Some or 2 Pro 485

I think Nautique would need to standardize on Wetsounds from the factory before he would buy a nautique...

Top of the line boat with top of the line speakers only makes sense to me! They should offer them as an upgrade with upgraded amps!

[SuperSquirt]

RE: Re: RE: 3 Some or 2 Pro 485

i agree....whats another grand on a new nautique?? Right?

[kevfran99]

RE: Re: RE: 3 Some or 2 Pro 485

I think I'm going to go with the 3-SOME set up. I much prefer the looks. What do ya'll suggest as an amp to run these. I already have a JL M6600 for the interiors and wouldn't mind staying in the JL lineup, but is there one with enough power to run the 3-SOME like the syn6? I also plan on adding another blue top optima into the mix to keep me charged(which will make 3 total)!

[wetsounds1]

RE: Re: RE: 3 Some or 2 Pro 485

Kev,

the best option really is the SYN-6. It was designed around the 3-Some. In bridged mode it will do 200x2 and 600x1. You will not find another single amp solution that can power this set up. Closest you will find in most 4 ch high power amps will be a 150x4. So you would have a set up that would 150x2 and 300x1. with the SYN-6, you get 50 watts more on the 80's and twice the power on the 485. And you will find that price wise, you will be the same for the SYN-6 as you will for most high end 150x4 4 ch amps.

Tim
Wet Sounds

[EarmarkMarine]

RE: Re: RE: 3 Some or 2 Pro 485

kevfran,

Like I mentioned before, a pair of Pro485s are about $200.00 to $300.00 less expensive to drive and more efficient to drive than a 3-some. With the 3-Some its a little harder to find an amplifier or combination with equitable power distribution between the interior single Pro485 and exterior pair of Pro80s.

Simple power specifications do not tell the whole story about power amplifiers, particularly when you're comparing products from different brands into a variety of applications.

From an objective and impartial perspective, I've got to reinforce what Tim said... The SYN6 is a great fit for the 3-some. $900.00.

I'm also a big fan of the JL Audio G and M Series amplifiers and it makes sense to follow with the same model series for a clean install. However, there is no combination within the G or M series amplifiers that can properly address the impedance load and power needs of a WetSounds 3-some. While the G or M6600 can bridge four of its six channels into two, which ideally produces 200 watts per each Pro80, there is not an adequate solution for the 300 watts that is really justified to run the single 485. A bridged two or four-channel is limited to 250 watts into a 4-ohm load.

If you want to stay with the JL Audio brand, your best option is the HD600/4. The benefits over the G/M series are; with dual power supplies its very under-rated at 2x150 + 1x300 watts, it will deliver its full rated power at lower voltages, which is especially applicable to boating, and its a highly efficient Class D design that draws much less current. $800.00 or $840.00 in the marine version.

On another note, two potentially depleted batteries plus a large audio system is too much load for a 100 amp alternator. Shoot me an email. I'd like to go over a couple of charging system scenerios that will make this more manageable.

David
Earmark Marine