Factory speaker set-up? ? ? ?

[swancer]

Here we go. I will try to give as much info as possible and hope for help laying out my stereo.

1. 2005 SANTE
2. Factory XMD3 stereo, Polk cabin and bow speakers X 6 or 7 speakers ( MMC650 I think)
3. Factory Polk Momo 10" Sub
4. Clarion APX480M
5. Clarion APX280M

Just purchased a pair of Pro 80's with Syn 2 and WS-420. So this has freed up the APX280M to do something else. I will have 3 zones with the WS-420, so I would like to set it as follows: 1) tower 2) in-boat speakers 3) sub, not necessarily in that order.

What is the best way to wire the two amps to the rest of the speakers in the boat? If this is not the best way in laymans terms please tell me another way.

This way for the 4 cabin speakers and Clarion APX480M:


This way for the Sub and Clarion APX280M:


Run the front bow speakers of off the stereo or could it be added to one of the sub in another configuration?

[EarmarkMarine]

swancer,

Definitely get the bow speakers off the source unit. Run two channels of the Clarion 480 to the bow speakers. Run the other two channels to the four cockpit speakers with two paralleled on each channel.

David
Earmark Marine

[swancer]

swancer,

Definitely get the bow speakers off the source unit. Run two channels of the Clarion 480 to the bow speakers. Run the other two channels to the four cockpit speakers with two paralleled on each channel.

David
Earmark Marine

If I ran the bow speakers in parallel and the cockpit speakers (which is where I would like more sound) off the other three channels, would I get more watts in the cabin and therefore better sound, or am I over thinking it? Either way would there be any changes in the amp setting from what is in the photo/diagram above?

[intrlaz]

It depends on what output your amp will run at while loaded down regarding the power driven to the cabin speakers. My Alpine 4 channel amp has the same output even when loaded to 2 ohms. So (please correct me if I am wrong), wiring the 2 bow speakers (4 ohm) in parallel with 2 of the cabin speakers (4 ohm) would halve the power driven to those speakers. The remaining two cabin speakers would be running full output on the other 2 channels.

[EarmarkMarine]

swancer,

Use two front channels of the 480 dedicated to two bow speakers.

Use two rear channels of the 480 to drive four cockpit speakers. At this 2-ohm load the rear channels will produce a premium in power on this particular amplifier.

Then you've got the amplifier's front and rear input gains to fine tune the balance of output between the bow and cockpit.

Keep it simple. There's no better way.

Getting the bow speakers off the source unit avoids premature clipping up front or avoids having to gain the cockpit overly sensitive to eliminate that clipping.

David
Earmark Marine

[swancer]

swancer,

Use two front channels of the 480 dedicated to two bow speakers.

Use two rear channels of the 480 to drive four cockpit speakers. At this 2-ohm load the rear channels will produce a premium in power on this particular amplifier.

Then you've got the amplifier's front and rear input gains to fine tune the balance of output between the bow and cockpit.

Keep it simple. There's no better way.

Getting the bow speakers off the source unit avoids premature clipping up front or avoids having to gain the cockpit overly sensitive to eliminate that clipping.

David
Earmark Marine

I have said it before and I will say it again, you are always on the ball when it comes to electronics. I vote we have a tip jar button with your name on it. Every time you help someone out you get a nickel. In my opinion you would be rich in a short amount of time.

Thanks gain,
Rickey