Advice for Wet Sounds System Setup. Damaged tower speakers? Subwoofer Q

[mgitk]

I bought the following set up for my tower, and after two seasons it seems that the tower speakers are damaged. They have developed a crackling sound at higher volume on certain songs. Is it possible that I just need to tune the amplifier and they're not damaged?

HTX2 Class D 600 2-channel amplifier to drive a pair of Wet Sounds Rev 8 speakers. I believe the amplifier is 150W RMS x2. And the speakers should be 200 Watts RMS each. So I didn't think I was overdriving them. Did I under drive them and damage them? Or is this a well matched set up for the tower?

On top of that I have Wet Sounds HTX6 Class D 900 watt 6-channel amplifier driving 6 Wet Sounds REVO 6-XSG-SS speakers inside of the boat. These have presented no problems. My question there is with the overall setup what kind of sub-woofer should I be running to match the overall boat set up? Currently I have a 500W 10" subwoofer and I think that it may not be enough to keep up with the other speakers.

Thanks in advance.

[core-rider]

Were the amps tuned properly when the system was installed? If the gains weren't adjusted correctly there is a possibility you were running a clipped signal and damaged them. I'd call WS tech support and see what they have to say... they can repair them at a cost to help keep you from replacing the speakers.

And FWIW... you can't "underdrive" a speaker... that's like saying turning down the volume will damage a speaker. You can send dirty, distorted, clipped signals that will damage a speaker at any volume/amp level. If you're not familiar with tuning amp gains find someone who can. Overall the system will sound and perform better and safer.

[mgitk]

I'm not sure they were tuned properly. I had them installed by a local mechanic and that could be the problem that the gain was set incorrectly. I will probably send them off to be repaired.

What do you think a good subwoofer setup for the system would be? Is 500w too small?

[Stevemo14]

I put one of these in my 05, it works well.

https://www.wetsounds.com/product/re...rine-subwoofer

[MLA]

The amp gain is only one portion of a properly tuned system. Improperly tuned system can lead to a damaged speaker, regardless of the amp's potential wattage output.

Is the woofer a 10" with an RMS of 500W, or is its peak 500W or is that amp's RMS thats driving it? if this 10" is currently in the boat and is underperforming, again, amp tuning could be a factor. Can also be location.

[mgitk]

The sub woofer is a Wet Sounds AS-10 500W subwoofer. It has an enclosed amplifier and their website doesn't specify whether it is 500W RMS or 500W peak.

[MLA]

So id presume that the AS-10 is closed in an insulated locker? If so, you got a solid woofer, but the application could be the downside. Closing a woofer in a locker greatly reduces its perceived output. Id investigate a way to vent the locker or look for a spot to mount a 2nd woofer that would radiate directly into the cabin.

[mgitk]

Thanks MLA I guess I will look into cutting a hole and mounting a free air subwoofer. The wind blocker door is the type that swivels and locks. But I've removed that as it was a hassle and one of my children broke it. So I could mount it there.

[Stevemo14]

I put mine in the passthrough.