2004 226 - Stereo - Cabin and tower speakers stopped working...replacement amps?

[mikeki]

Recently bought this 2004 226, and am having a blast with it. Recently the Cabin and tower speakers stopped working.

It appears to wired as such:
Octane - drives the two tower speakers. Stereo to these line ins - line outs go to KX 300.4.
KX300.4 - Amp 1 drives the four cabin speakers. Amp 2 - drives the sub-woofer.

The Octane appears to be toast, because only the front speakers work when it's fully connected. Bypass it and connect the stereo directly to the KX300.4, and all the cabin and front speakers work (minus the two that are bad...) It appears the sub-woofer is bad also, because it doesn't work ever, not even connected to my home stereo.

So for the questions:
1. Sub-woofer's seem so simple, is common for them to break? The wiring in the speaker is intact, so it must be the actual driver, or I haven't tested it correctly. It's a Kicker sub-woofer.
2. What is a recommended replacement amp? It likes a Kicker ZX350.4 would be a decent replacement ($160 from amazon). Any other recommendations?
3. Does anyone have a recommended replacement cabin speakers? Honestly, ease of installation is the key for me (maybe a pipe dream, I haven't trying taking apart the interior of my boat.

Thoughts for this?

If it weren't for the remote volume control, I'm half tempted to pull the stereo, cd-changer and just use an ipod hookup. Simplify all the wiring and be done with it. If it weren't for the gaping hole in the dash where the remote is.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

[obd666]

i just replaced my in cabins with these kicker km6200's, was happy with how they ended up sounding and looking. as for ease of installation, do you have the mesh covered, rear mounted speakers? i did, and had to remove both side panels to work with front mounting them ... which i wont characterize as a walk in the park. Once they were out though, it wasn't too bad to get them top mounted.

[mikeki]

Yes, they are mesh rear mounted speakers. I'm truly dreading replacing the bow speakers, apparently they are really hard, and the cloth covers have been ripped off of those.

[obd666]

Yes, they are mesh rear mounted speakers. I'm truly dreading replacing the bow speakers, apparently they are really hard, and the cloth covers have been ripped off of those.

start with the four speakers behind the windshield to see how the panels come off, is the same way the bow panels come off. shouldn't be too bad but will require some contortionism if you have a speaker in the kick panel under the helm, leave the panel out when you replace it for getting into where the bow interior is bolted up

[Mikeski]

Hmmm,

I feel like somebody is trying to steal my username or my identity???

[EarmarkMarine]

I noticed the same thing.

Daveski