G23 stock stereo upgrade

[OxDoc]

I ordered my 2016 G23 with just the stock stereo, but I plan on upgrading a bit. I'm thinking JL 8.8's on the tower and adding more amps to make sure everything is powered correctly. Does anyone know if the stock IB sub is good, or should I replace it with a sub in a ported box? It sounded pretty weak when I demoed, but I'm sure it's under powered. Anyone replaced the 6.5 in boats with the 8.8's (I'm sure some fiberglass would be involved here).

[MLA]

Stock or base? I though Nautique was offering the 8.8 tower as an option. The factory woofer is a JL 10IB, so its leaps and bounds better than before, but its still a mild powered setup and still closed in a locker. I think its less about whats good or bad and more about expectations of bass output. The g i was in yesterday had the dual 10's. Way more bass, but they were still boat shakers and not so much bass makers as they are both still not direct radiating. Opening the port locker seat makes a noticeable difference. The 8.8 is a deep arse speaker, but search around, there are a few that have done custom pods to house the wet sounds xs-808. Better sounding speaker IMO. I think the amps used are driving the speakers with good wattage, but certainly not driving to their full potential. Totally expected with an OEM setup. Overall, I give it high marks for an OEM setup.

[OxDoc]

Nautique is offering the 8.8's but I can get them installed for less than half of what their asking for them. I will probably upgrade the sub as well, I want it to be musical, but still slam at the same time. I doubt I will do all the custom stuff to switch out the inboats.

[Truekaotik]

Keep the Inboats and put 125-150 watts to them
Upgrade to a ported 12" and vent the locker the woofer is in
Get the Icon 8 over the JL8.8. They are basically the 808 in a can with 15hz more bandwidth.

[David Analog]

Keep the Inboats and put 125-150 watts to them
Upgrade to a ported 12" and vent the locker the woofer is in
Get the Icon 8 over the JL8.8. They are basically the 808 in a can with 15hz more bandwidth.

Just so you know, that spec is obviously an error by the I.T. people who do the site data entry. There is no way on earth you can place the identical speaker in a net displacement pod of 0.15 cu.ft. and gain 15 Hz of low end bandwidth. In reality when you place the speaker in the small tower pod you will lose about an octave of low end range. This would be the same effect whether it's the JL Audio or Wetsounds 8-inch driver.

[OxDoc]

Keep the Inboats and put 125-150 watts to them
Upgrade to a ported 12" and vent the locker the woofer is in
Get the Icon 8 over the JL8.8. They are basically the 808 in a can with 15hz more bandwidth.

Why ported vs bandpass, sealed, or bass reflex? I'm not calling you out, I honestly really don't have an idea of how these different types of enclosures will sound compared to each other.

[Truekaotik]

Just so you know, that spec is obviously an error by the I.T. people who do the site data entry. There is no way on earth you can place the identical speaker in a net displacement pod of 0.15 cu.ft. and gain 15 Hz of low end bandwidth. In reality when you place the speaker in the small tower pod you will lose about an octave of low end range. This would be the same effect whether it's the JL Audio or Wetsounds 8-inch driver.

Obviously...
Mute point as they are crossed over higher anyways to prevent that unaudiable range on a tower. Way higher... I was saying they are the same, sorry that wasn't clear and I took the actual Manufacturers writing off the page.

[Truekaotik]

Why ported vs bandpass, sealed, or bass reflex? I'm not calling you out, I honestly really don't have an idea of how these different types of enclosures will sound compared to each other.

Direct radiating sealed is the most musically accurate enclosure but not the loudest for a open envoirnment.
Direct radiating a ported enclosure looses little SQ but gains output, This is about double. So a very audible difference. Covering the speaker or port will take away from its overall output. Basically you are not in a car but a concert (open air) envoirnment and don't have the joys of using a enclosure inside a enclosure basically.
Of course someone will go way deeper in the explanation for you soon to prove their superiority... Lol
Band pass sucks in a boat....

[MLA]

Actually, the 808 and icon-8 are cousins and thats as close as it gets. Both are in the 8" class of speaker, but thats it. Quite a few differences in in order to make the 808 work best in an IB coaming pad and the icon-8 work best in a small sealed pod. Same as JL for years, offering a tower 7.7 version and a different in-boat 7.7.

But hey, just one audio god correcting another, right True-K

[OxDoc]

I had wetsounds xs650's in my last boat, with icon 8s on the tower. Was definitely loud, but a little too bright for me. Thats why I was thinking JL's this time for the tower.

[LakePowellMan]

I just wrapped up my stereo install for my 2016 G23. I'll do a more detailed post of my set-up at a later time, but I'd recommend sticking with the stock JLs in the boat. Personal preference on tower...but you're looking at great stuff IMO. I went with two pair of Rev-10s this time and am excited to see how they preform. They sound great in the shop, as do the JL inboats...with more power. I added two 12" subs that were cut out in the stock locations (second is under helm). Pretty amazing sound with vents in both locations, but even upgrading to 1 12" sub in the stock location is a huge improvement, especially if you vent the locker.

Would love opinions from anyone that has put a new JL 12" Infinite Baffle Sub in the stock location. I have a Polk 12" DB Series sub which is not Infinite Baffle installed in both stock locations, and quite frankly it sounds amazing ( and they're totally inexpensive) powered by a Wet Sounds SD 6 (585 X 3 @ 4 ohms, not using third channel--yet). That said, I wonder what a true infinite baffle sub will do under the locker and under the helm in those stock locations. If anyone has direct experience, please let me know.

If you want to not go crazy, the stock amps are wonderful amps. Just look to add to them. For premium option, consider Wet Sounds or JL audio MHD amps. Can't go wrong with either. Good luck.

[David Analog]

I had wetsounds xs650's in my last boat, with icon 8s on the tower. Was definitely loud, but a little too bright for me. Thats why I was thinking JL's this time for the tower.

I've heard the Wetsounds Icon8 and JL Audio 880 side by side in an equal environment and on big power. They sounded different, as Wetsounds and JL Audio speakers usually do. Each is true to their individual approach. I liked both with no reservations. Both were definitely capable of good projection when powered correctly and within the context of a conventional non-HLCD speaker. I would recommend that you listen to both first hand.

[David Analog]

I just wrapped up my stereo install for my 2016 G23. I'll do a more detailed post of my set-up at a later time, but I'd recommend sticking with the stock JLs in the boat. Personal preference on tower...but you're looking at great stuff IMO. I went with two pair of Rev-10s this time and am excited to see how they preform. They sound great in the shop, as do the JL inboats...with more power. I added two 12" subs that were cut out in the stock locations (second is under helm). Pretty amazing sound with vents in both locations, but even upgrading to 1 12" sub in the stock location is a huge improvement, especially if you vent the locker.

Would love opinions from anyone that has put a new JL 12" Infinite Baffle Sub in the stock location. I have a Polk 12" DB Series sub which is not Infinite Baffle installed in both stock locations, and quite frankly it sounds amazing ( and they're totally inexpensive) powered by a Wet Sounds SD 6 (585 X 3 @ 4 ohms, not using third channel--yet). That said, I wonder what a true infinite baffle sub will do under the locker and under the helm in those stock locations. If anyone has direct experience, please let me know.

If you want to not go crazy, the stock amps are wonderful amps. Just look to add to them. For premium option, consider Wet Sounds or JL audio MHD amps. Can't go wrong with either. Good luck.

About the JL Audio 12-inch infinite baffle. This is going to be a monster subwoofer....like no other infinite baffle sub.
The Polk Audio DB and MM are all low 'Q' air suspension woofers. At lower power levels it's okay. At higher power levels when used incorrectly in an infinite baffle they are way too loose and under-damped for my taste. Too much boat vibration, lacking transient attack, and missing tight tonal construction. Whenever the stock Polk woofer was upgraded to a JL Audio 10-inch true high 'Q' IB woofer it has always been a major improvement.
But now we are talking the new JL Audio 12-inch IB sub. Here's my one concern. The boat. For this serious sub, is the factory environment going to permit this sub to reach anything close to its potential. Meaning, is the mounting baffle thick and rigid enough as is? Is there really full front to rear acoustic isolation with the baffle cavity leading into the gunnel, bilge, and bow cavities as is?

[OxDoc]

I've heard the Wetsounds Icon8 and JL Audio 880 side by side in an equal environment and on big power. They sounded different, as Wetsounds and JL Audio speakers usually do. Each is true to their individual approach. I liked both with no reservations. Both were definitely capable of good projection when powered correctly and within the context of a conventional non-HLCD speaker. I would recommend that you listen to both first hand.

I have heard each, but not side by side. I had icons on my last boat and was able to listen to the jl's on a g23 in the showroom. I have no idea if the speakers in the showroom were powered properly or not, but I thought the jl's had a more natural sound. I would love to be able to compare both at the same time, but I'm not sure thats possible. How would you quantify the sound of the JL 8.8 and Icon 8 tower speakers, and do you think the jl's would be as loud as the wetsounds.

[NautiqueJeff]

Just a couple of things I wanted to point out.

First, even though you can't see it, the under-seat storage where the sub lives is indeed vented on 2016+ G-series boats. The vents are under the side pads (above the cupholders). Stick your head in there and look up. You'll see the holes. This was part of JL's requirements when specing their systems for our boats. Going to a larger sub, you might benefit from additional venting though. I am not sure.

Second, if you're installing a 12" sub, consider the Roswell sub box, even if you don't get thier sub. It is already the right shape for the floor, and fits very nicely.