Need help making an audio system in old barefoot nautique

[rlwagens]

For a while now I've been running a simple audio system setup with a sub and a couple 6x9's in an old Barefoot Nautique, however, I'm interested in finally putting in a cheap but decent audio system this summer. Here is what I have come up with so far, just wondering how it sounds:

Two amps, one a 300 watt mono Clarion that I already have to run a 12" Audiobahn sub that I already have in the boat. In addition, I want to add in a Kicker ZX 350 watt 4 channel amp to run two sets of Polk DB650's that I am going to mount onto my pylon just below a skylon skyrack (able to hid the wiring for the most part in the pylon, while it still being somewhat easy to remove). In addition, I have two different sets of 6x9's from last year that I just want to run off my Pioneer head unit, no amped power going to them.

So basicly I'll have the 300 watt Clarion amp running my sub, and the 350 watt Kicker amp running the four mounted Polk speakers, then 4 6x9's running powered from the head unit (current stock rear speakers in the boat are blown out and just buzz the whole time). Am I going to get adequate sound and loudness from those Polks and is that system gonna pull too much power out of my battery?

Last year I've been running the Clarion amp in addition to a 200 watt cheap amp to run one set of the 6x9's, and I never had a problem with the battery dying on me while chilling in the middle of the lake. Thanks for the help.

[Mikeski]

RE: Need help making an audio system in old barefoot nautiqu

I had no trouble running 1500 watts off the single battery and 65 amp alternator on my 1995. However, we rarely ran the system with the motor off.

Do you already have the Kicker amp? If not you can probably find something cheaper that will work just as well or better.

I would try to avoid using the head unit power if at all possible, you will sure to be disappointed.

How about picking up a used Clarion APX480M off e-bay to run all the speakers except the sub. These amps are capable of pushing up to four pairs of full range speakers (same as the Kicker).

With speakers more is not always merrier, you may get better performance with less.

Not sure I follow your system, let's see if I get it right:

Pylon - 2 Polk db650 cans? (not 2 pairs)
Boat - 4 6x9's
Sub - Audiobahn 12

Try to seal the speaker to the mounting surface or it will not sound that great.

[BHog]

RE: Need help making an audio system in old barefoot nautiqu

I have two amps running on a single battery and never had a problem either. However I dont sit and chill on the lake a whole lot. Also I dont crank it up unless we are riding. Last I think that set up you have will sound good. In my boat I have a the cabin speakers just running off of the head unit and it is still really loud. What I did this off season is have a custom sub box made. So now it fires down unstead of up and it sounds GREAT. Alot more bump. Keep us updated with your project. Sound systems are money pits. Seems like I always want to make a some kind of a change.

[darrel409]

RE: Need help making an audio system in old barefoot nautiqu

I also run 2 amps w/ one battery. I carry one of those jump start boxes just incase the party lasts a little too long. Have never needed to use it..knock wood.

[rlwagens]

Well my system has been changing a bit over the last few weeks. I'm trying to incorporate some better sound with finally more weight in the boat. As well, my friend gave me a deal on a Power Acoustik LT-980 and two 10" subs that I couldn't pass up. So thats running in my car right now, but I want to run that in the boat over the summer, seeing as the two subs and boxes fit perfectly in the bow of the boat for some weight. Would the boat be able to handle those subs and then the 300 watt clarion pushing the polks? Or can that carion amp even work with a pair of speakers