Upgrading Stereo- Where to start?

[Kmayotte]

I'm looking towards replacing the stock stereo components in my 04 SANTE. I'm not into steros much so this is new ground for me. My plans is to do one or two components a year to keep it budget friendly. Question is where should I start? Tower speakers, in boat speakers, sub?

I'm thinking about starting with Wet Sounds Pro 80's on the tower. By all accounts they're the highest quality and best for hearing behind the boat.

[74green]

if you dont have tower speakers that is a good place to start. make sure to get a good amp to drive them

[obd666]

im in the same boat as kmayotte ... who has the most competitive prices on wet sounds stuff? are pricey as h$ll for a couple of 8s on their website

[Kmayotte]

I have Kicker tower speakers but they leave a lot to be desired. You can somewhat hear them if surfing.

Also looking for a good deal on wet sounds. I'll have to keep my eyes open for some pre-owned for sale.

[EarmarkMarine]

Earmark Marine is an authorized on-line dealer for Wetsounds.
Btw, the new Wetsounds REV series are nothing short of spectacular.
Contact me privately for pricing or package questions.
david@earmarkcaraudio.com

[Kmayotte]

Earmark Marine is an authorized on-line dealer for Wetsounds.
Btw, the new Wetsounds REV series are nothing short of spectacular.
Contact me privately for pricing or package questions.
david@earmarkcaraudio.com

Sent you off an email David. Thanks.

[TurboFan]

I'm looking towards replacing the stock stereo components in my 04 SANTE. I'm not into steros much so this is new ground for me. My plans is to do one or two components a year to keep it budget friendly. Question is where should I start? Tower speakers, in boat speakers, sub?

I'm thinking about starting with Wet Sounds Pro 80's on the tower. By all accounts they're the highest quality and best for hearing behind the boat.

Can you start by telling us what you currently have for audio in the boat? Also, a rough budget? I just did a few minor upgrades to mine, and its paid HUGE dividends.

[Kmayotte]

I have the kicker upgrade that was stock in an 04 Team Edition. It's a 10" kicker sub in a plastic housing under the passenger compartment (doesn't sounds great) a 2 channel amp (not sure about specs) running the sub and two kicker tower speakers. Clarion head unit, dash remote.

I'd be willing to throw $1000 at it this year and $1000 next year...

If I can do something fun for less that obviously I'd like that. What did you do turbo?

[TurboFan]

My thread is right below you http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...20-stereo-help

I just finished the boat work last night. I'm still wating for the new HLCD drivers to go into my stock tower cans.

My advice:

Year 1 - buy a new enclosure for the sub. Earmark has some nice pieces, I just put one in my boat. Use the 2 channel amp, bridged mono, to feed the sub.

Buy a quality amp to feed the tower speakers. Wetsounds Syn2 or a JL Audio XD series would be fine. I assume the boat speakers are being powered by the HU?

You should be able to do this for about $800.

Year 2 - Purchase an amp to drive the boat speakers. I have 6 boat speakers and went in the direction of overkill using a six channel JL XD600/6. If your boat speakers are 4 ohm, you could do it with a 4 channel amp. If you only have 4 boat speakers, and they're 4 ohm, you could use a 2 channel amp. In year 2 consider some HLCD speakers for the tower. This could kill your budget to do the boat and the tower at the same time, so you may need to choose one or the other. If you don't care much about the boat audio, or it sounds ok, maybe just do some HLCD tower speakers connected to the amp you bought in year 1.

[Kmayotte]

That sounds like great advice. I'll read through your thread.

Is the sub ok staying under the passenger seat in a new enclosure? Or should I be looking to move it elsewhere? I have been contemplating custom making a seat for behind the drivers seat to complete the wraparound seating, maybe work the enclosure into that...

[TurboFan]

I think the port locker is a fine place for the sub in a new enclosure. You'll need to move the cooler around and vent the door. I'm getting a Nautique "N" cut into the locker door, then backing it with some painted blue speaker mesh to cover the hole. This will allow the bass energy to radiate better into the boat.

If you're making a seat and have about 1.5 cubic feet available, and room for a proper port, you may be able to work the sub into the new location.

[Kmayotte]

Update: I bought a 10" JL Audio sub & enclosure from Earmark for a first step. Wow, what a difference already. It thumps. Just that one $300 upgrade made a big difference. I'm getting the stainless steel mesh powder coated that I'll eventually use to vent the walk-through. Not sure if I'll cut out the whole panel or just a portion. Stay tuned...