210 sub install idea requiring feed back!

[Careless]

Ok so, I'd like to add some bass to my 2011 210.

The boat was optioned with stereo upgrade factory option HL tower speakers 6 inboat polks and polk sub behind driver 2 factory fitted amps 2 channel and 4 channel. I'm pretty sure the four channel runs the sub off 2 channels and 4 in boat speakers off the other two (bow speakers off the head unit). The 2 channel runs the tower speakers.

My first thought was to forget about the factory fitted sub and run the tower speakers off the 4 channel amp, then run the 4 in boat speakers off the 2 channel (would I get any benefit in connecting all 6 in boat speakers to the 2 channel?)

Then install a sub and dedicated amp SOMEWHERE? The first obvious place is behind passenger seat not real happy to loose the Esky though. Then I had the thought that maybe I could fit one facing into the boat from the front of the engine hatch. The part behind the fold down seat back, that you can remove for access to the front part of the engine? I'm pretty sure there would be enough room to build a box that would fit in that hole and not hit the motor, sealed with fibre glass. If you've got a 2008 or later 210 have a look in there and let me know what you think. David from Earmark if you've got any tips it would be appreciated, also your welcome to have a go at my idea if it works I reckon a lot of people with 210's would want one especially me!

[EarmarkMarine]

Careless,
Alot of the newer Natiques no longer have a cavity to squeeze in a sub enclosure under the driver's helm console. Its unfortunate because you could usually get better performance with a smaller woofer over a larger subwoofer option in an alternate location.
I've never been a fan of subwoofers located at the rear of the cockpit and certainly never from under a deck lid or from behind a bulkhead that was specifically designed to attenuate engine noise. But I'll reserve judgement until I see photos of exactly what and where you have in mind.
We have done a number of things in Natiques that while they were not ideal from an acoustic standpoint they were the best option that the boat had available. We've done a shallow and sealed down-firing 13-inch woofer under a bench seat that used several vents to pass the bass radiation. It lacked some bass definition due to the confinement but it certanly had plenty of output. Plus it occupied very little of the usable storage space.
Its not hard to exceed the factory subwoofer scheme. Nothing against an infinite baffle sub when its executed correctly and nothing against the factory Polk MM subwoofer. But it has no business in an infinite baffle application.

David
Earmark Marine

[Careless]

I'll take a photo so you can see exactly what I mean.

[Careless]

Here are some pictures of here I was talking about.

When you remove a trim panel in front of the engine hatch, there is this access hole. I think that if you built a box that fit in here you would get a 12 in there quite easily, at the very least a shallow mount one. Anyone have any feedback?

[EarmarkMarine]

Careless,
I'm not a fan of placing subwoofers at the back of the cockpit. Its fine when you are at rest but the sub amplifier and woofer have to work inordinately hard while you are underway to create equal output.
Also, I'm wondering if the panel/cushion would remain off and if not how the bass radiation would be vented into the cockpit.

David
Earmark Marine

[STILETTO]

Sub

recently purchased 210, as well having same prob as you.. not enough for the coves ha .. we built a box that was easily removable that fits in where the cooler would sit on pass side hatch area.. pick your power for this 2nd sub that will mount on the back wall ,use banana clips that will allow you to remove the box when needed for extra room .. i just added about 5 ft in speaker wire, so if i wanted i could set the sub inside the sitting area " box would have to look good of course make it match interior" see local trim shop. purchased wet sounds "ws 420" to run all " a must have" both my factory polk sub and my ws sub are using eq sub control knob, my 4 pro 80 and int speakers as well .. sounds amazing i did this because i did not want to drill hole or mess with any wiring or int that could void warranty.. have a no interfence with the linc system either,my advise is to minimize interfering with factory wiring keep it simple and clean,

[STILETTO]

Sub

oh yea sub will sounds a little off inside the pass side storage locker when all closed ,, but when its removed to outside or open side cooler door is open.. all is good

[Careless]

Stiletto, what you have done with placing a sub box in place of the cooler was my first idea but I'm looking for an alternative as I've come to like having the use of the cooler where it is. I've also explored the idea of just placing a box somewhere else within the cockpit, but I'm not keen on that.

David, My thought was to leave the panel/cushion off and order another trim skin from the factory which I could put over another fabricated panel and be able to cut holes in. With this fabricated panel I thought I could build an enclosure off the back of it and Maybe even have the sub pointing into the cabin and even put a port beside it? The idea is to have it fairly easily put back to factory spec. So I was just going to leave the factory sub where it is and disconnect it. Run the tower speakers off the factory 4 channel (which currently powers the sub and cabin speakers) Run the cabin speakers off the factory 2 channel (which currently runs the tower speakers) Add a new amp just for the new sub. what do you think?

[STILETTO]

i would agree cooler is def important :-) as a matter of fact our cooler is going to be on the main floor.. sometimes friends get carried away and want to open it up constantly for that refill , the door is too small and narrow for easy access anyway and dont want to use main door as i was told it would wear the vinly faster .. good luck safe boating as we will be at canyon lake, tx memorial day

[sjames]

Mounted my JL in the JL enclosure right under the dash. I am 6'1" and never hit the thing and it sounds great

Not sure if you have room there or not

[xrichard]

I put a sub under the passenger seat...sealed enclosure to the dimensions spec'd by Wetsounds. My recollection is that there's enough room in front of it for the stock cooler, though you can only get the lid partially open. I ditched the stock cooler and went with a soft cooler I picked up at Costco...so room is not a problem under there. I might switch to a larger vented enclosure...I'd still have enough room for a soft cooler, towels, etc.

Don't forget to vent the space to the cockpit of the boat. I cut holes on the vertical portion of the passage way to the bow and covered it with speaker cloth so it looks stock.

[Careless]

Sjames I dont have room there, plus the boat has to be easily returned to factory spec.

xrichard that is a very neat install!

[Sac Surfer]

Stiletto,

Where did you put the ws 420? I'm looking to add one to my factory system on my 2010 210 with 6 polk's and 10" sub next to the drivers seat. What amp are you running the wsp80's with? How low does it hang?

[n2sandcars]

I have a custom sub box I'd sell. Fits two 10" subs in a 2001 SAN side panel behind the diver seat. Looks really clean.

let me know. I'm in San Diego.

[robertsmcfarland]

when I had my 2008 210, had a sub box built that fit under the back seat, 2 ten inch low profile subs firing down. The box was covered in vinyl , when rear seat was removed to face the rear ,one would just put their feet on , it would also work as a step to come off or step up to the transom ,wish I had picks but don't. someone who bought the boat from white lake maybe could. the color scheme was choc. and mint if any body seen it on the water.