Can't take the factory sub anymore!

[TxHr]

I am done w/ the awful factory Polk sub in the passenger side locker. I have an 07 226 and I am considering installing a 12" Kicker L7 in the wall of the passanger side walk through. Will this setup provide the best sound or should I consider moving the heater and electrical panel from the driver side kick panel and build a box? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.


Thanks in advance,

Brandon

[EarmarkMarine]

Brandon,
The factory Polk Audio subwoofer isn't bad, but everything else related to and in support of the subwoofer is awful...tuning, usually inadequate supply cable to amplifiers, definitely the enclosure and definitely the location.
Passenger side walk-through: It's better because it's now direct radiating. But the woofer is placed between the cockpit and bow areas and there is no focus on the cockpit. The woofer and enclosure would need to sandwich and seal up against the pass-through wall.
Under driver's helm consule: Good in that it's direct radiating and depending on the orientation can take advantage of boundary loading. Good in that all radiation is devoted to the cockpit. Usually limited in available displacement.
Within observer's locker: Lots of acoustic loss here. In any case the enclosure would need to be upgraded and a bass-reflex works well. The locker has to be vented with a large grill/vent to allow the bass radiation to freely flow. The large and compliant air mass of the locker and the adjoining gunnel cavities in combination with a relatively resistive vent results in storage, phasing issues, loss and filtering of the upper bass region. While there are challenges a better enclosure and vent can make a gigantic improvement from within the same location.

David
Earmark Marine

[TxHr]

Dave,

Thank you for the info. Would you please send me your phone number, as I would like to discuss an ideal system for my boat?


Thanks again,

Brandon

[EarmarkMarine]

Brandon,

PM sent.

David

[kmgs]

Brandon,

You can also look at pushing the Polk Sub with the PA600.1. They are cheap (betw $160-200) and do a pretty good job at pushing that sub. I replaced one of the PA500.4 with a PA600.1, then added (2) Syn4 pushing (4) Rev10s. The other PA500.4 drives the Polk MM651UM inside the boat.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/POLK-AUDIO-P...item4ab1d2fd03

[kmgs]

RE: Can't take the factory sub anymore!

Attached is image of AMP configuration. Dave is right with the wiring, I changed out the gauge and noticed monumental difference.

I'm also adding an AudioControl EQS this weekend to help with sound quality, hoping that the line driver component will help, given that the stock Clarion is not the best deck.

[Nordicron]

The gauge of wire to the amp or gauge of wire to the sub?

I often wonder if my tower wire is a bit weak for pushing my WS 410's each at. 400watts.

[kmgs]

To the AMP. But reading Dave's comments, I'm going to re-run larger gauge to sub. Plus I'm running out of projects on the boat.

According to Wet Sound, the quality of wire in the tower is superb, but it's only 14awg. They thought it would be fine to run the Rev10's, but I would call them about the 410. The tech support team there is top notch.

Dave at Earmark may also be able to weigh in on this though.

[Cam003]

KMGS, how many batteries are you running, and how many amps is your alt? i am looking to install a fourth amp

[gride]

I'm running 10 ga wire to my sub. It's about an 8-10' run. Earmark actually lays out what gauge Tower wire to get in the online store somewhere. Also what conductor for a myriad of tower accessories. Just wanted to chime in.

[TxHr]

Attached is image of AMP configuration. Dave is right with the wiring, I changed out the gauge and noticed monumental difference.

I'm also adding an AudioControl EQS this weekend to help with sound quality, hoping that the line driver component will help, given that the stock Clarion is not the best deck.

Kmgs,

Thanks for all the info. I'm considering relocating the sub under the driver's helm and installing a new amp for the sub. I want the sub out of the locker for two reasons. One being sound quality and the second being room. I'll be pulling the driver's kick plate soon and taking measurements. I'll keep you posted on the outcome.


Thanks again,

Brandon

[gride]

The sub will love you after being moved from its confined space.

[TxHr]

The sub will love you after being moved from its confined space.

Ive heard the sub is very nice acoustically speaking. It hates the confined space, limited power, inferior wiring and poorly designed box. I think I covered all the bases. I can't wait to see what it does in its new home with the new goods.

[Nautiqueman]

Dave is the man on designing and reccomending tweaks in your sound systems. He spent 15 minutes on the phone with me and I have the best sound ever from my Ski Nautique!!!

[fischris]

The factory sub is not at all a bad one if you built a correct small box like this: