Anyone using a processor?

[Neverenough]

Talking with people today about the new tunes and was recommended to use a processor. I didn't even know this equipment was avaliable. Do they make that much difference or is a 420 enough? Worth the extra$$$$$?

[nauty220]

Were they referring to a ps8?


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[David Analog]

Quote, "Talking with people today about the new tunes and was recommended to use a processor. I didn't even know this equipment was avaliable. Do they make that much difference or is a 420 enough? Worth the extra$$$$$?"

That depends on your objectives and who is setting it up. I know that Earmark sometimes does several of the Audison Bit processors (similar to the Arc Audio PS8) a week in cars and has written a multi-page white paper on the boat application. In fact, they have been doing DSP processors since the advent of Sony ES and Alpine F1 Status for about 15 years. So it is really not new at all.
It's harder to take advantage of the time domain aspects of a DSP in a boat like you would in a car, truck or SUV. In a car, a singular focal point is practical with a single occupant much of the time, but not so practical in an open boat where occupants are many and seating is more diverse. On the flipside, some intending to be the music host will use the DSP time correction ability to produce a focal point just behind the swim deck, more for making a presentation while at rest. Beyond that you have a very precise equalizer.
I have DSP in the cabin of my RV and will be adding it this summer to one of my cars. I'm a big advocate in a car. In a boat? Yes. But with different objectives and a different approach. It's probably a more detailed discussion than is appropriate for a forum.

[nauty220]

Do they make that much difference or is a 420 enough? Worth the extra$$$$$?

A pair of the rev 410 matched with the proper amp and 420 is plenty and can be adjusted to your liking. Can the processor enhance or improve, absolutely.

Other than what you have mentioned with the tower, what interior speakers/amp do you have? What is your sub/amp setup?

[Neverenough]

Yes they are talking Arc ps8. New boat or blank canvas if you will. I haven't bought anything yet. I know I like the 420 and will be doing one but other than that I'm shopping for a cleaner warmer sound than my 410s were.

[David Analog]

NE,
The Wetsounds Rev410 leans towards clean and warm more so than any HLCD on the market. Is it a Hi Fi speaker? No. Because it has to project 70 feet with considerable surviving output.
Some of it is set-up and tuning. Some of it is having the right amplifier power. Some of it is subwoofer selection and integration to fill in the bottom. But even 10-inch midbass drivers, like in the Rev410, are not going to give you commanding midbass and warmth on their own when elevated 5 to 6 feet above the sole with no surrounding boundaries. In the shop? Sure. Outside the shop? Not nearly as much.
Can you smooth out and warm up any speaker, including the Rev410, with the precision equalizer found in a DSP processor? Yes, with a caveat. As you warm up the speaker you will lower the overall amplitude and projection. No exceptions.
Probably the most musically accurate and linear (smooth response) is the new JL Audio 880 (8-inch tower coaxial). It's not an HLCD and it will not compete with a Rev410 in output and projection. Again, there's that same trade-off that is unavoidable.
You can throw a DSP on a boat system for some gain. But the people who have really mastered this process and gain the full benefit generally use a very different amplifier scheme with many more discrete channels.

[Neverenough]

David Thanks for your input! I'm going to do this boat in all JL. You've pushed me off the fence. Any thoughts to in boats? I'd also like to do JLs and was wondering if the 7 inch would fit without having to cut up much of the pockets for the speakers? I'd even consider the 8s again I'd don't want to cut in it much. It's a new 230. I'll take any advise you got on amps and subs as well. Thanks again for the knowledge.

[MLA]

The 7.7 is just shy of 8" OD, where as the current 6.5 speakers are right at 7" OD. So you will need a half inch all around.

[David Analog]

NE,
Here is an all JL Audio MB Sport done recently by Earmark Marine in Lewisville. Nothing custom. Just straight forward great sound. Sign up real quick to see the pics.
http://www.mbboatowners.com/index.ph...r-the-jl-fans/

I would always hear the speakers for yourself and never make a selection based on a recommendation alone. Sound is highly subjective. And sometimes these descriptive terms are interpreted differently person to person.

If after hearing them, if that is the direction you want to go, I'll be happy to get into deeper discussions of systems designs, especially in the realm of sound quality.