MIKESKI hook me up!

[CAN'TSKI]

Mikeski, you seem to have a lot of answers. My new 211 team arrives in a few weeks. I am leaning toward the Wetsound PRO 485's. Where do I put the sub and what kind? How many amplifiers do i need and what brands, models would be best? Oh, and I am sure you are not busy, so can you send me a wiring diagram. Of course I would love input from all. Jeff, please don't send my post to the Stereo and Accessories black hole until I get answers!

[Mikeski]

RE: MIKESKI hook me up!

There are a couple ways to go. I will tell you what I did, what I like and what I don't like about my system.

I have a signature edition so there was a blank panel at the driver's footwell that was easily replaced by a 12" subwoofer. I also have the seat subs under the rear jumpseat. It came with 4 Polk MMC 6.5's, I added 2 more in the bow. The Wetsounds Pro 485's work well. Nothing taking space under the passenger compartment.

For power I have two strong 4 channel amps and a 1500 watt class D sub amp, all running off an EQ that gives me control of things. Two of my amps are suspended from metal bars under the driver's dash, the other is in the passenger storage area (the only thing in that space and it's up out of the way). The boat speaker amp plays the bow speakers off the front channels and four rear speakers off the rear channels (it's not balanced but that's OK). The other four channel amp is bridged to the tower speakers. The sub amp pushes 1000 watts to the 2 ohm 12" sub and 500 watts to the 4 ohm seat sub.

I added my first remote at the dash on my SE, the TE should have one standard. My second remote is back by the speaker closest to the pass thru, so I can control thing from the rear of the boat. I also have the wireless remote from www.h2owaves.com so I can control the volume and a few functions from the end of the tow line while boarding.

For batteries I have two golfcart batteries, that provide power equivalent to four blue tops. These are in the stock battery locations, one on each side. The starting battery is a red top on it's side under the step in front of the pass through. The batteries are charged from the stock 100A alternator via a Yandina C100 combiner. I also have a perko switch but it's not needed.

Wiring: Main power leads from the golf cart batteries are 1/0 wires to a Streetwires junction block under the dash to #4 wires to each amp. I use the stock speaker wires to the boat speakers. The factory just hung my crossover's off the speaker wires so I siliconed them to the boat hull. I used Audiopile 13 gauge 4 conductor wire to the tower speakers. The subs have #10 speaker wire, also from Audiopile. Don't skimp on the wire, thick wire keeps the voltage up which keeps the amps running cooler.

If I were starting over I would use all Alpine PDX amplifiers, two 4150's for tower and boat plus one 1000 for the sub(s). For subs I would just toss your factory Polk and get a 12 for the driver's footwell, a pair of 10's for the jumpseat sub, or both.

Don't forget the EQ, it brings lots of advantages. I also added a PAC-LC1 inline to the bow speaker inputs before the amp so I can turn the bow down so my wife can chat with her friends without behing blasted by music. Everything in the audio system is run off the golf cart batteries. I added a switch next to the key so it can be turned on/off independent of the boat motor. It's a bummer waiting for your amps to start back up again when you start the boat.

I think this about cover's it.

[CAN'TSKI]

Thanks for taking the time for that reply. I will dissect it for a few days and start looking up your suggestions. Is the boat running off your golf cart batteries, too? I remember reading about your cart batteries in another thread. Thanks again for the effort.

[bmh2208]

Mikeski...what type of EQ are you running?

[jroyal]

so I can control the volume and a few functions from the end of the tow line while boarding.

Lol.

[LT206]

Mikeski, that is a great post -we should archive posts like that all in one place so we have a log of what folks are running.

[Mikeski]

Jroyal, yes I have control issues... too many buttons, I hate hearing nothing than BAM full volume when they figure out the IPOD was paused and forget to turn the volume back down. it's just easier to control it myself regardless of my proximity.

BMH, Soundstream MPQ5XO but I would run a PPI, ARC, Massive, Eclipse or other EQ if I were doing it over.

[WakeSlayer]

Let's hear it for the Alpine PDX series, eh Mike ? I love mine, need to get another.

[zax185]

PDX

I also ordered a PDX 600.1 but after my wife hit a tidal wave I put it in my truck. It replaced a ZX500 and sounds so clean and tight. For the boat I ordered a M1400 and a JL13Wv3 2 ohm. All came in Wednesday so I going to start working in the morning.

[zax185]

RE: PDX

Also I am going to run 2 gauge into 4 gauge for the amps to replace the factory 8 gauge