Ok audio nerds, I need a plan!

[JTrottaNY]

2014 242ls with factory stereo system. I bought (4) tower cans with (*edit)RE6.5FR 70w RMS/125w max.

*They were advertised with Polks but when I opened the box I found thst they had these RE's instead.

The last time I wired an amp up was is highschool when we were cramming as many subwoofers as we could into a trunk as we could. Little to no emphasis on sound quality. Now that I am older, and tell people im more mature, my goal is not to impress people by blowing out their eardrums but looking for a good quality sound especially in the helm deadspot on these boats as well as projecting rearward for watersports.

Based on my past experience my plan was to find a quality 4 channel (4x60-100w) amp; running RCAs to the amp and one speaker wire from each channel to each tower speaker and "tune" them using the gain on the amp so that they are not too overpowering compared to the rest of the boat nor distorted at higher volumes.

Anything I am missing?

Recommendations for a quality amp that would do well for this application?

 

[ripler]

You want a class D amp because of the charging limitations on a Yamaha. Anything bt Wetsounds would be a good choice.

 

[redthumper9]

Couple of things …. Add speakers to the mid-cabin area. A lot of folks have done it including me. Just above the cup holders is where I went with mine. Also…I tell folks that the amp is the “engine” of your stereo system. Good power can make mediocre speakers sound good. JL and Wet Sounds make great stuff, but so does Rockford and Kicker if your looking for a little more budget friendly. The Polk speakers actually sound good with some power. You may not get the longevity out of them, but they are pretty good. I also always will recommend an amp for the in boats and a separate amp for the towers. I am not a fan of having some speakers amplified and some running off the head unit. Key is to start with a plan and buy in stages if needed.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

Budget for amp?

 

[JTrottaNY]

Budget for amp?

I am figuring I will be in the $250-$400 range for an amp. Which kinda of cuts wetsounds out of the equation. Have been looking at Kicker, Rockford and JL... something like the JD400 which is currently about $250. Was also looking at some of the Kicker amps with a remote gain knob- wondering if it wouldnt be convenient to have and easy adjustment to turn just yhe towers up or down seperately.

I am also a fan of quality RCA and Speaker wires so Im trying not to cheap out on the install- I am budgeting about 100-150 for the install.

 

[Julian]

This thread has a ton of info on adding mid cabin speakers - a great way to fill that sound hole in the middle of the boat!

https://jetboaters.net/threads/easiest-way-to-add-amplify-music-at-the-helm.12049/

My install begins here on that thread:

https://jetboaters.net/threads/easiest-way-to-add-amplify-music-at-the-helm.12049/post-215420

You can also look at the links in my signature (if you are on your phone-turn it sideways to see signatures) - the 242X link has all the mods I've done to the boat so far.

 

[JTrottaNY]

Yeah I have seen the threads about mid cabin speakers and it was honestly on my to-do list. I just scored these (4) tower speakers for about $150 (less the 11% back through active junky)- for the price I couldnt turn them down and they also (hopefully) help with my issue of sound behind the boat where as the mid cabin speakers really dont project backwards.

Aerial Blunt Single Speaker 2.25-2.50

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