2009 230 Subwoofer upgrade.

[Blamey]

I'm considering upgrading the stock sub. I want to reuse the stock enclosure as, for me, space is more important then bass. I'm also not looking for loud bass more want something for overall SQ.

I've seen some older posts from earmark recommending upgrading to an infinite baffel subwoofer. I'm looking at the JL and wetsound options. The Earmark posts recommend the JLs but I'm not sure if the Wetsounds were available then. I have Wetsound interior speakers.

I wanted to see if IB subs in the stock location are still the recommendation or if there are other options to consider that don't involve a enclosure in the passenger storage location.


Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[MLA]

So your 09 has an actual woofer enclosure, not an IB woofer mounted through the deck? For an enclosure, you would not want an IB woofer. Out of the Wet Sounds stable, you would want the Revo-10HP or the SS-10B. The Revo-10HP would be the best bet if you trying to match speaker grills. These are made for small enclosures. Out of the JL, you would want the M10W5. Also need to take into account, which one offers a coil configuration that matches the amp.

[Blamey]

So your 09 has an actual woofer enclosure, not an IB woofer mounted through the deck?

Sorry but is miss spoke here, should've said stock subwoofer mount not enclosure. I believe the stock factory mount is not enclosed and therefore an infinite baffel is the better option. This is why the stock Polk doesn't do a great job.


Impedence per coil I am fine on, I am using the stock amp which is 200@4 or 400@2. Wetsounds has a 2ohm option but all the JLs are 4 ohm. I might be a little underpowered if I go with a JL but I haven't heard great things about the Wetsounds subwoofers so I am leaning towards the JL. I'll probably upgrade the amp next year.

[Blamey]

Additionally, if anyone can compare the mx vs m series IB subs from JL. Is the M worth the upgrade, particularly considering the stock mount location.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[MLA]

Some will certainly argue one "sounds" better then the other, but its so subjective. No one is right or wrong , its just personal preference. Amp tuning and proper application can also play a huge part in results. Beyond that, the Wet Sounds Rev-10FA is a phenomenal woofer. I like it for its slight power handling advantage, but that may not be an advantage in every system. I also like you can get 2 woofer color choices and 8 grill options.

This is a scenario where i would want to go with a 2 ohm woofer so I can milk a little more power from the amp.

The M series handles a little more wattage and has a little more excursion over the M. In your case, the extra power handling wont equate to anything as the amp output would be the same with either woofer. The excursion difference can yield a little more output though. I have not heard the two side by side in a controlled environment, so I cant comment on which one sounds better.

[Blamey]

I managed to find the Wet Sounds REVO 10 FA S2-B for $210. Considering the price and the fact that at 2ohms it better matches my current amp, I've decided to pull the trigger on it.

They didn't come with grills, hoping to reuse the stock grill but if that doesn't work I'll pickup the grill to match my in boats.

Thanks for the help MLA.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[MLA]

Yep, they dont come with grills because of the 8 choices. You buy it all a-la-carte.

[Blamey]

So after the Wet Sounds didn't fit I've decided to send it back and ordered the JL M10 Infinite Baffel.

I know I am going to be a little under powered for now but should be able to fix that in the near future. I don't listen to music particularly loud so don't expect to be overdoing it.


Now that I have been reading old posts I see a few recommending installing a speaker ring for reinforcement. Is this needed on an 2009 230? The mounting location looks pretty sturdy.


Anybody got advice on how to get the best out of this install. Should I install sound deadening. If so, how much?

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[nautiques4life]

Curious how/why the wetsounds 10" didn't fit? Friend of mine had that same setup... Maybe he had it modified... But looked stock to me

[Blamey]

The hole wasn't big enough. Only by about 1/4". I could've added a spacer but decided for the money, I'd rather get the JL. I also prefer the look of the JL

[ScooterMcgavin]

Any updates on this upgrade ? How are the results?

[distinguishedmotorsports]

personally i hate the 09 230 and up sub location. the stronger the sub the more time the captain has to spend holding the throttle. while jammin last summere on the factory stereo on my 230 if i did not hold on the to throttle the vibration from the sub would cause the boat to throttle up.

also, that panel is not a rock solid as i would like for a great IB set up.

but to each their own.

MX vs M comparison on JL subs is really no comparison. I never cared for the MX. always go for the M10 IMO.

[Blamey]

personally i hate the 09 230 and up sub location. the stronger the sub the more time the captain has to spend holding the throttle. while jammin last summere on the factory stereo on my 230 if i did not hold on the to throttle the vibration from the sub would cause the boat to throttle up.

also, that panel is not a rock solid as i would like for a great IB set up.

but to each their own.

MX vs M comparison on JL subs is really no comparison. I never cared for the MX. always go for the M10 IMO.

I agree with all of this. I don't listen to loud thumping bass. Most of the time I am listening to music it's just from the tower speakers off the back. I have young kids. This sub goes much louder then I need it too. A box may improve the overall sound quality but at the volume I listen to music at its not a big deal.

If you want thumping bass, a box behind the passenger seat would be a far better option. If it's time to replace the factory sub the JL is a good option.

I had already replaced the bow and tower speakers with the same Polk speakers that came from the factory and the difference was night and day. I read about lots of people raving about how much better their replacements sound than the Polks but I wonder if this is just the results of replacing speaker that have been exposed to the elements for several years with new ones because the new Polks sounded amazing compared to the old ones. I had also replaced the main cabin speakers with Wet Sounds. Since the Sub was the only old speaker in the boat, I decided to replace it. I honestly don't remember if it was bad or just under underwelming but the new sub fits my needs and certainly sounds better.

[nautiques4life]

He's right... the wetsounds doesn't fit. Sh!t

[MLA]

A quick look at the specs of each woofer, POLK, JL and/or Wet Sounds, will tell if its a drop-in swap or a little work needs to be done. No need to guess or order in parts just to try. Its nothing a little drum sanding wont take care of. Having that 2 ohm coil option gives to 2X the amp wattage now, so you benefit in two ways from this swap. With 8 grill choices and 2 woofer color choices, hard to no find a style one likes.