04 SANTE - new sound system - ballpark?

[bjlarsen9]

Original everything - head unit, remote, amp, bass, tower speakers. Having intermittent issues with system changing input/channels (w/out being touched), powering off/on, etc. Tower speakers loud enough for surfing however not for anyone wakeboarding. One option is to replace components until issues resolved, however I'd still short on sound level.

So...looking for input on ballpark to replace the entire system. I'm NOT an audiophile, only looking to replace with something to hit my needs: loud enough for wakeboarder, bluetooth to play pandora via my phone (use cord today). It's an 04, so looking to minimize investment. Let's assume I don't need to replace existing 6" speakers in the boat.

Can anyone provide ballpark for new system? BTW - I'd be fine replacing with used components (less than 5 years old) if that made sense. If you have sample spec(s) to recommend (wattage, etc), that would help me understand base level of power, functionality to consider. I'm a novice.

What about installation (marina, or would you recommend audio shop)? Any input is appreciated. Thanks all!!!

[MLA]

For wake range projection, I would suggest at least an 8" or 9" HLCD. 200W rms min, 300W rms is better. This will likely be the largest portion of the budget.

I would not suggest replacing component until you resolve the issue. This would likely cost more then paying for some diagnostic time. However, if you are prepared to gut and replace the entire system, then any existing issues are moot, and get resolved by default, through the course of the complete install.

I would seek out a source that will be for both the components and the installation. They can help you design the system that meets your needs and budget. Evaluate the existing components and determine if there are some components that can be retained without being a handycap to the new system.

[Chuck]

I just did the same thing for myself. I had a home fire and luckily the boat was not at the house, but all of my stereo equipment was in the garage. I knew the boat would be at the dealer for a long time, so I just removed it.

I've been eyeballing Exile Audio for a long time. What I like is that when you order and bundle the items, there will be an additional discount on the items.

2 tower speakers, amp for the tower speakers, amp to power sub and interior speakers (no interior speaker replacement), and a 12" sub will be around $2500. That's not including a head unit though. I do think that this will be the way to go for me. I'm not crazy about audio systems either and am not willing to spend 10K on a stereo.

[bturner]

I've been doing stereo systems for myself and friends for years and most have been like what you're looking to do. The issue is always the same and that is in expectations based on what they're budget is. In general there are 3 aspects to sounds systems.... Cheap, Loud and Good. The problem is you only get to pick two (i.e. you can have cheap and loud but it won't be good or you can have loud and good but it won't be cheap). What most people on a budget do is pick cheap and loud and are disappointed when it isn't good.

The reality is that you're going to be into this for $4K if you do the installation and add at least a $1000 to have someone do a quality installation. Let me do a quick break down of a quality installation for you....

• 1 pair of tower speakers - $1200
• 1 sub woofer - $250 to $500
• 2 pair interior speakers - $1000
• 2 amps for system - $1000
• Head unit - $100 to $500
• Misc installation components - $300
• Labor - $1000 to $2000 depending on what's included

It adds up quickly, doesn't it?

The first place people will costs if they're willing to go deep on components is on the installation and wiring. This is where I usually start getting calls from friends. They've spent $3K - $4K on a sound system and it either doesn't work well or sounds like garbage. The wiring is the foundation of the system, cheap out here and expect to have problems out on the water. Also when I do 2 amp installations, I do a dual battery installation to support it as well and this leads to adding quality batteries. The point here is you're installing a system not a component, everything has to work together.

As to installation options..... Go to your typical car stereo shop and you'll get someone doing the installation making $15/hr out of high school with little to no skill on boats. They'll use cheap wiring, connectors, fuses instead of breakers and auto grade wire/cable. Go to the dealer and they'll either contract the auto stereo shop (with the same results) or charge you an arm and leg to get a marginal system. Go to a marine specific shop and you'll get great components, a great installation and a bill that will knock you off you feet. The best option here if you have any skills or are willing to learn is to suck it up and do the installation yourself. With a modest investment in tools, time and learning (YouTube is your friend here) you can do this and get a better system and installation than 90% of the shops will ever do for you.

[xlwater01]

bturner hit the nail on the head. Like him I've done quite a few installs on my own boats and more recently installs for friends as well. As stated... wiring, batteries, terminals, cables, grounding, etc is the foundation of the system. Get that situated and you have a great base to build a quality system. I know what the stock stereo wiring, amp power cables, etc looks like in an 04 SANTE - marginal at best. If you want to start upgrading the amps you are better off stripping out all the wiring and starting over. $3-4k is probably a good number to build a system but it really depends on how deep you want to go and if you are willing to do things yourself. You can always start simple like adding a bluetooth receiver to the aux input on your current head unit (I have one from wetsounds). Go from there on upgrading the wiring and amps, tower speakers, etc as the budget permits or you find good deals on used components.

Also, if you keep an eye out on the Classifieds forum on Planet Nautique you can find a lot of good components. A good portion of my current system has actually come from fellow PN members who upgrade their systems.