Upgrading 232 Limited S sound system...need help

[merlinjet]

I'm upgrading a 2009 232 Limited S with a new sound system. Here's my equipment list:

2 x Kicker 6.5" (65 watts RMS)
4 x Kicker 8" (2 in the cabin, 2 in tower cans) (150 watts RMS}
1 x Kicker 10" Freeair Sub (175 watts RMS)
Kenwood KMR-M325BT w/KCA-R55MR remote control
Rockville RXM8BTB 8 Channel Amplifier (I've read relevant posts)

Since I'm a newbe at this, I have some basic questions:
What's the general consensus on this equipment list?
How would I configure the amp to the speakers to get the best output?
For those of you that have put cans on a 232 Limited tower, is this in the "too hard to do" category from a wiring perspective?

Any input would be welcome. I don't really know my a$$ from third base about audio installation but want to give it a go.

 

[Meetball]

If you are deadset on this amp, then it wont work with the equipment list you have. you would get 65 rms to each of your speakers and 190 to the sub.

 

[Meetball]

If I was to spend your money I would do it in stages. How much are you willing to spend the first time so you dont have to do it 3 times?

 

[merlinjet]

If you are deadset on this amp, then it wont work with the equipment list you have. you would get 65 rms to each of your speakers and 190 to the sub.

No, not deadest on any of it.

If I was to spend your money I would do it in stages. How much are you willing to spend the first time so you dont have to do it 3 times?

Around $1500 I suppose

 

[Bruce]

That tower is too hard to wire. How about you sell me the tower and get yourself a new one to make the wiring easier?

 

[merlinjet]

Love that tower, can't part with it. It's a work of (Yamaha) art!

 

[zipper]

I know different tower but, you CAN wire the tower, but the wiring will be visible in three places. Where wiring exits the tower going to the cans, where the two sections of tower join you have to get around that joint and where the tower meets the hull, those are solid so wiring will need to enter tower above the weld or like the pic. below, up thru the drain hole in the tube on the upper section. My 07's AR tower is different, but I managed to only see wiring in two places because of tower design.

getting around the joint between the two tower sections



and top of tower where your speekers will be.



Because of my tower design I used the front tower mounting positions to run wiring thru tower base, I did have to drill a hole thru the fiberglass to meet the existing drain hole in the base, its hollow, directly into the helm locker and the head/storage locker on the other side. It was easier to see when I removed the tower bolts. This probably does not help You much...but it can be done.

 

[merlinjet]

Thx for the info and the pics, zipper. Yes, my tower is quite a bit different from yours. I have posted a picture of a boat (not mine, just representative) with my particular tower. Also, it has speaker cans mounted about halfway up the tower arch. I know there are wires going all the way to the top of the arch because there are factory installed dome lights and tweeters in the top of the arch.

 

[merlinjet]

Hey, @Mainah...what do you think?

 

[Mainah]

The kickers are good budget speakers and I had no idea that they made a free air sub. If set on that amp you could use it to bridge the 8 channels down to 4 for the 8 inch speakers and get another amp for the sub and 6 inch speakers. Or just an amp for the sub and run the 6 inch speakers off the headunit output. Set the crossovers appropriately and start with low volume to make sure they actually work right. To run the wires I would probably tie some string, fishing line, or a fish tape to the existing tweeters pull them back out from below and then pull everything back up with what you pulled down. Multiple strands may be a good idea in case the whole bundle is too much for one.

My disdain for the rockville amp crossovers is well documented and I suspect not the cleanest power for full ranges. That said my two rockville rxm-t2 are still working well pushing subs in my truck and boat but that is with upstream digital crossovers.

 

[zipper]

Thx for the info and the pics, zipper. Yes, my tower is quite a bit different from yours. I have posted a picture of a boat (not mine, just representative) with my particular tower. Also, it has speaker cans mounted about halfway up the tower arch. I know there are wires going all the way to the top of the arch because there are factory installed dome lights and tweeters in the top of the arch.

View attachment 92483

Yes, I know I was looking at how the wiring was run around the joint between upper and lower towers using this example from online when I posted my pics above. I can't tell from this angle, but the rear tower mounting bases may be hollow like my front ones were, allowing consealment of the wire at the tower to deck joint.

 

[merlinjet]

Oh, OK, I see what you were talking about now...thx!

 

[merlinjet]

The kickers are good budget speakers and I had no idea that they made a free air sub. If set on that amp you could use it to bridge the 8 channels down to 4 for the 8 inch speakers and get another amp for the sub and 6 inch speakers. Or just an amp for the sub and run the 6 inch speakers off the headunit output. Set the crossovers appropriately and start with low volume to make sure they actually work right. To run the wires I would probably tie some string, fishing line, or a fish tape to the existing tweeters pull them back out from below and then pull everything back up with what you pulled down. Multiple strands may be a good idea in case the whole bundle is too much for one.

Thank you for the advice! Since I'm not set on the Rockville amp, would you have any alterative suggestions to power this set of speakers that might stay in a modest budget?

 

[Mainah]

I honestly don't have any other budget amp recommendations. Some folks have had luck with some other micro amps that don't have selectable crossovers and such but I have not tried them personally to be able to give a recommendation. I can recommend JL amps but they are far from budget.

 

[merlinjet]

Ok, thx.

 

[swatski]

@merlinjet if your boating is all in NV, no salt, I would consider a car-spec-ed JL amp? those can be found for under $200 with same specs/power as their $$$ marine counterparts.
Just a thought.

--

 

[merlinjet]

Yes, all fresh water, low humidity, fair weather boating. I'll look into the JL car gear...great idea!
.
.

 

[BlkGS]

If you are deadset on this amp, then it wont work with the equipment list you have. you would get 65 rms to each of your speakers and 190 to the sub.

Those numbers are both slightly over the speaker ratings.... not a big deal at all. It would work fine.

 

[BlkGS]

Thank you for the advice! Since I'm not set on the Rockville amp, would you have any alterative suggestions to power this set of speakers that might stay in a modest budget?

Why not a Kicker or Rockford Fosgate amp?

 

[merlinjet]

If you are deadset on this amp, then it wont work with the equipment list you have. you would get 65 rms to each of your speakers and 190 to the sub.

Those numbers are both slightly over the speaker ratings.... not a big deal at all. It would work fine.

Yeah, I figured that.