Time to Upgrade System - Need help pulling the trigger!!!

[shawnb7]

Goals: 1) Get the music out to the wakeboarder loud and clear for the FIRST TIME EVER. 2) Replace in-boat speakers with better quality sound when cruising and anchored

Have now(Stock, with exception of bow speakers, which were previously replaced):

Amp: 1 - Kicker 700.5(almost dead)
Sub: 1 - Kicker 12"(fine for now)
Towers: 4 - Kicker 6x9's(dead)
Bow Speakers: 2- JL Audio M770's--Love these!
Cockpit: 4 - Stock 6.5" Clarions or whatever junk(almost dead)


Looking to Do:

Amp: Looking for advice for set-up below, will replace the 700.5 with 2 new amps
EQ: WS-420----Do I go with the SQ + BT add-on OR the BT(reading there may be some problems with the current stock?)
Sub: 1 - Kicker 12"(fine for now)
Towers: 2 - REV8's OR 2 - JL Audio M880-ETXv3-SG-TB(Has anyone heard these? They look sweet...I feel they will provide better quality sound while anchored/swiveled, but will these coaxials be able to reach the rider???)
Bow Speakers: JL Audio M770's--Love these! (I know it's overkill for the bow, but these babies are staying right where they are)
Cockpit: 2 - JL Audio M770's in the back, and 2 - M650's in the middle(smaller size primarily because the one on the Starboard side is down low facing the driver, and has to be mounted from behind w/o using the JL grill)

I know there are a lot of similar questions and set-ups talked about on the forum, but I am a noob at trying to figure out what combination of amps and configuration I should go with--Oh, yeah, on a budget to boot. As you can tell, I like the good stuff, but gotta watch the cashflow...kind of an oxymoron, I know.

Any help/clarity is greatly appreciated!

[MLA]

What Kicker 12 and what is its voice coil configuration.

If you want wake range projection and near field sound quality, consider a pair of rev-10 or 2 pair of the 880's.

[shawnb7]

Thanks MLA,

I'm not sure what model, but the sub is located inside a custom built ensclosure under the middle port side seat.

What kind of power should I consider to push 2 pair of 880s?

[MLA]

Kicker has made a number of woofer series over the years, with varying degrees of power handling. To make the best amp suggestion, knowing the woofers model is important. Also, need to know its coil config. You may need to pull the woofer and look at the sticker on the magnet.

For the 880, I would like to shoot for the neighborhood of 200W rms to each and 250W rms to each at the upper end.

[Neverenough]

I've had rev 410 and now have 8.8 JL. If your a wakeboarder I'd do the Revs over the 8.8 JL. JL are super clean and warm but I don't think they have the reach of the Revs.

[shawnb7]

Kicker has made a number of woofer series over the years, with varying degrees of power handling. To make the best amp suggestion, knowing the woofers model is important. Also, need to know its coil config. You may need to pull the woofer and look at the sticker on the magnet.

For the 880, I would like to shoot for the neighborhood of 200W rms to each and 250W rms to each at the upper end.

I pulled it out, and from what I can tell, this is the model: 03C124: 12" 4-Ohm Subwoofer with dual 4-Ohm voice coils

[shawnb7]

I've had rev 410 and now have 8.8 JL. If your a wakeboarder I'd do the Revs over the 8.8 JL. JL are super clean and warm but I don't think they have the reach of the Revs.

Thanks, Neverenough!

I appreciate the opinion coming from someone who has experienced both.

[shawnb7]

What are your thoughts about going with the best of both worlds--putting one Rev410 and one pair of JL880s on the tower. How would you recommend powering that along with the 6 in boats and 1 sub?

I am trying to decide on which amps--wetsounds or jl?

[MLA]

Best of what 2 worlds? For the money, you could do two Rev-410 or a rev-10 and a Rev-410. Amp wise, the money is about the same. SD-4 to power two rev-410 or SD-6 to drive a pair of rev-10 and a rev-410.

To drive a pair of 8" coax and a rev-410, the SD-4 would be ideal power wise, but i dont see this as being the best of any worlds. The larger rev-410 is going to dominate unless you gain down the 410 or over drive the smaller 8" coax.

[shawnb7]

Oh, I was thinking the Rev-410 to get sound to the rider, and the 8" coax for more pleasant listening while anchored and swimming around the boat, etc. That makes sense that the 410 would overpower the 8's while still not projecting enough for the rider at full riding distance and outside both wakes. Seems I should focus on which is most important and configure accordingly.

Thanks

[MLA]

We all know how popular wake surfing is as well as people just like to hang out behind the boat and dont even partake in water sports. My Rev-10 to Icon-8 ratio is likely 10-1. Once people hear them, they go with them! They just sound that good, even though they are an HLCD. I would just go with the Rev-10 rather than try to do a mix. This would be the best of both worlds and more economical all the way around. If budget permits, then do a pair of Rev-10 on an Syn-DX or SD-4 for even better near field sound quality and still have wake range projection.

[shawnb7]

Thanks for the tip! Next problem: I just measured and I don't have room between the tower and bimini for the 10's...Tell me I'll be OK with a pair of Rev-8, or should I step up to 2 pairs of Rev-8?

[MLA]

How much clearance to you lack? Can the support polls or mounting points to the tower be adjusted?