New Audio for 210 FSH

[Fsh’r92]

Brought my 210 FSH out today for the first time since purchase! Loved it but dang, y’all are right speakers are absolutely trash. Looking for an upgrade but could use some advice.

1. If I replace all 4 oem speakers with some kicker KM (65RMS/195peak) 6.5” 4ohms, what size/type of AMP sound I target?

2. Is it really necessary to replace the stock Jenson head unit? Or should I keep stock.

3. if I do all this, do you all think there will be a noticeable difference in increased volume? Or would I need to go with adding 2 additional speakers, bringing the total to 6?

 

[Marvin willis]

Yes it will be louder than stock. But you might as well keep adding more. Trust me. It’s addictive.

 

[Dixemon]

I haven't done any upgrades to my stereo system other than installing Simrad sonic hub 2. I tossed the Jensen head unit that the boat came with and installed a VHF radio in its place. I need to upgrade my system as well, but I would definitely put another set of speakers in the back of the boat somewhere. I've seen folks put them in the side walls facing the helm that looks like a great place. I can't hear the music when I'm running with only 4 speakers and don't want to blow everyone out in front trying too.

 

[lazergeek]

Stock Jensen head unit is stil underpowered New speakers help but I ended up adding an amp too. It made the new speakers much happier. Either add an amp or or a high powered head unit would be my recommendation but you can start with speakers first and see how it goes.

 

[Stubok]

I’ve just switched out the head unit for a kicker 46KMC4. Haven’t tested it yet. Looks so much better than the Jensen.

I already switch the 4 x 6” stock speakers for kicker 6.5” (45KM654L) and added 2 x 10” 4ohm kicker free air subs (45KMF104), wired in parallel to produce 2Ohms. I’m driving the 4 x 6.5” speakers off the first amp within a 5 channel Kicker amp (KXMA900.5). They’re wired in 2 pair parallel also. The amp also has a sub input/output. I plan to install 4 x 6.5” kicker tower speakers (KMTC65W) and drive them off the second amp in the 900.5. The Kicker Customer support team gave me a lot of good advice on this configuration. Also helped me figure out the lighting configuration.

Driving the 4 speakers and 2 subs off the amp made a huge difference. I think the 4 towers speakers on zone 2 will also make another big step up. If I do find myself wanting more I will just drop in some smaller speakers and drive them off the kmc4 head unit.

will post more pics of the head unit when it stops raining.

 

[Marvin willis]

I tried to hook a couple speakers off the head unit too and I could barely hear them compared to the amped speakers.

 

[jjwelly]

I haven't done any upgrades to my stereo system other than installing Simrad sonic hub 2. I tossed the Jensen head unit that the boat came with and installed a VHF radio in its place. I need to upgrade my system as well, but I would definitely put another set of speakers in the back of the boat somewhere. I've seen folks put them in the side walls facing the helm that looks like a great place. I can't hear the music when I'm running with only 4 speakers and don't want to blow everyone out in front trying too.

I'm researching now on upgrading my audio on my 22 210 fsh, and have the same problem with the helm speakers, terrible location and I can't hear them at all while at the helm. I'm thinking of putting 2 6.5" in the side walls facing helm as you mention, and debating on omitting the OEM helm speaker locations. Just trying to figure out if those would be beneficial in any way if I had speakers in the side walls. Trying to wire 6 speakers seems more difficult than 4, as I could possibly have a single 6 channel amp if I opt for just 4 speakers, leaving 2 channels for tower speakers in the future. Have you done anything to your boat yet?

 

[lazergeek]

I'm researching now on upgrading my audio on my 22 210 fsh, and have the same problem with the helm speakers, terrible location and I can't hear them at all while at the helm. I'm thinking of putting 2 6.5" in the side walls facing helm as you mention, and debating on omitting the OEM helm speaker locations. Just trying to figure out if those would be beneficial in any way if I had speakers in the side walls. Trying to wire 6 speakers seems more difficult than 4, as I could possibly have a single 6 channel amp if I opt for just 4 speakers, leaving 2 channels for tower speakers in the future. Have you done anything to your boat yet?

Tower mounted speaker cans with 6.5'" Kickers midway under the tower top work great. The factory Head unit and speakers are trash. I started by adding tower soeakers, then upgraded all the speakers to Kickers. Then added 1 4 channel amp, then added another 4 channel amp, 2 8" subs and new head unit. I'm finally happy now. Total spend was only $1K for all that

 

[jjwelly]

Tower mounted speaker cans with 6.5'" Kickers midway under the tower top work great. The factory Head unit and speakers are trash. I started by adding tower soeakers, then upgraded all the speakers to Kickers. Then added 1 4 channel amp, then added another 4 channel amp, 2 8" subs and new head unit. I'm finally happy now. Total spend was only $1K for all that

so it sounds like you have 4 cabin speakers, all in the original locations, and 2 tower speakers? I'm always at the helm, and feel like there needs to either be two additional speakers mounted in the sidewalls facing the helm, bringing the cabin number to 6 speakers, or simply omitting the helm speakers and putting 2 new ones in the side walls. I want to add 2 tower speakers either way.

 

[lazergeek]

yes, I also have 2 subwoofers on the sides in front of the center console, forward of the factory locations. My tower speakers are aimed directly at my ears so work great and also can here when on the swim platform at the reef or sandbar. Even if you eliminate the console speakers you will need more power. The head unit does not have enough power to sufficiently get you over the engine noise plus the built in amp on the head unit distorts and clips at about 25 volume level. also at what power you do get there is no bass only treble. I got the Rockville aluminum speaker cans, you will need to request larger rubber pieces to secure to the tubes properly. Unfortunately these are the best pics I have of them,. Some cut the opening larger for Skar speakers since they have oversized magnets, Personally I like kicker which fit the default opening. I also have neoprene covers for when they are not in use.

 

[jjwelly]

ahh, i follow you i think. so your tower speakers are more in the front of the tower, facing you/behind you.?. I was originally thinking the towers would be mounted at the rear of the tower, so they would be only heard behind the boat. If I could mount them more forward like I think you have yours, that would be nice to not have to cut/install speakers in the sidewalls. I'd love to see any pics you have of your setup, would help to see someone with the same boat. I am planning to replace the head unit and add an amp along with the speakers. Not sure I want to mess with subs at this time but that may change, but I'd like to account for them regardless. I see you went with Rockville amps, what did you do for head unit? I was initially looking at Fusion, thought it may be nice to match up with my Garmin chart plotter, but now doubting that route and looking at Wetsounds and Kicker, possibly JL audio. Also see you went with the rockville enclosures for your kicker towers instead of going with the Kicker speaker/enclosure combos. Was this just because of price?

 

[lazergeek]

ahh, i follow you i think. so your tower speakers are more in the front of the tower, facing you/behind you.?. I was originally thinking the towers would be mounted at the rear of the tower, so they would be only heard behind the boat. If I could mount them more forward like I think you have yours, that would be nice to not have to cut/install speakers in the sidewalls. I'd love to see any pics you have of your setup, would help to see someone with the same boat. I am planning to replace the head unit and add an amp along with the speakers. Not sure I want to mess with subs at this time but that may change, but I'd like to account for them regardless. I see you went with Rockville amps, what did you do for head unit? I was initially looking at Fusion, thought it may be nice to match up with my Garmin chart plotter, but now doubting that route and looking at Wetsounds and Kicker, possibly JL audio. Also see you went with the rockville enclosures for your kicker towers instead of going with the Kicker speaker/enclosure combos. Was this just because of price?

Yes the tower speakers are more forward. I went with the Rockville amps because it seemed like the best bank for the buck. At the time everyone one was going Skar but like I said I Dont like Skar. Im happy with the amps. I also did the Rockville head unit https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08TBZTGC6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 which also works great and did not break thge bank and has 4 zone so I can easly turn up s zone if I wanted. I also ran all my wires hidden in the tower tubes. It was a huge pain in the ass that killed a weekend but I worth it to hide the wires. I will get some more pics together for you tonight.

 

[jjwelly]

the few pics you just posted didn't show up initially when I was responding in my last post, so thx for them and i can see where you placed them. Any additional pics you can share would be great! Subs amps wiring... thanks again!