Low budget audio question

[Irie308]

So I'm fine with our current audio setup and not one to crank the tunes. Current setup on our 420 DB is close to stock. What we've done so far is update the cockpit and bridge speakers to the JL Audio equivalent of what was there. I've also replaced the clarion head unit with the fusion 755. The amp and the sub on the bridge are the stock clarion 4 or 500. I believe the interior is on its own smaller amp which is a fusion.

Currently I have two zones. I've labeled them cockpit and salon. Cockpit plays the 2 cockpit speakers as well as the 2 bridge speakers and the sub. What I would like to do is further divide the exterior zones into "bridge" and "cockpit". How can I do this without adding another amp? My goal is to be able to play audio through the bridge speaker zone without disturbing anyone in the lower cockpit or salon.

 

[Shaps]

How many discrete channels is your amplifier. Your headunit will be able to accommodate your wishes, i think it is all about the amp.

 

[Skybolt]

Simple, if your bridge/cockpit amp has an additional set of inputs or currently my be "Y'd", then run another set of zone RCA's to one of the inputs and then label things accordingly. That way you can control each zone separately.

 

[Skybolt]

I should have said if your bridge/cockpit amp has four rca inputs. Then leave two for the bridge and two for the cockpit.

 

[Wylie_Tunes]

As long as the cockpit and bridge speakers are on different amps. By different amps in this case, a 4 chnl would be different amps since its technically two 2 chnl amps. Beyond that, its an RCA run to the 755 from the amp, and maybe a flip of a switch on the amp.

 

[Irie308]

Thanks all for the response. Won't be at the boat until this Sunday so will confirm but if I'm understanding correctly, If I have a free channel on my current amp (unused rca ports) I can run that to my fusion and label as desired? Would I then need to identify and relocate the bridge speaker wires which I assume terminate on the amp?

 

[Skybolt]

Thanks all for the response. Won't be at the boat until this Sunday so will confirm but if I'm understanding correctly, If I have a free channel on my current amp (unused rca ports) I can run that to my fusion and label as desired? Would I then need to identify and relocate the bridge speaker wires which I assume terminate on the amp?

No, your not going to have any free channels, unless the input is bridged or you have Y adapter going into the amp. If it is Y'd then you remove the Y and then you will have free channels, if it is bridged then you need to change the switch to have free channels.

Take a pic of the amp and the inputs, also the adjustments. If you can't see what we're talking about.

You shouldn't have to change the speaker wires at all.

 

[Wylie_Tunes]

Thanks all for the response. Won't be at the boat until this Sunday so will confirm but if I'm understanding correctly, If I have a free channel on my current amp (unused rca ports) I can run that to my fusion and label as desired? Would I then need to identify and relocate the bridge speaker wires which I assume terminate on the amp?

You dont need free/unused amp channels, you need the bridge and cockpit to be on different amp chnls. Bridge on two chnls and cockpit on 2 chnls. Each pair of chnls will have its own inputs and tuning controls.

 

[Skybolt]

You dont need free/unused amp channels, you need the bridge and cockpit to be on different amp chnls. Bridge on two chnls and cockpit on 2 chnls. Each pair of chnls will have its own inputs and tuning controls.

He's already got one zone of the 755 feeding the amp that covers the bridge and cockpit. Most likely has that zone feed wire Y'd or the amp has input's bridged.

 

[saopm]

I’m thinking of doing the same. I believe the cockpit and bridge speakers are wired together to two channels on the amp. The other two channels on the amp are for the subwoofer(at least that is how it is on my boat). My plan is to separate the cockpit and bridge wires into four channels using the existing amp, and move the subwoofer to a separate mono amp. This will also require a new set of RCA wires from the source unit to the amp, which will take some work. I’ll also need to upgrade to a Fusion 770 with three zone. Sounds like a winter project to me.

 

[techmitch]

I’m thinking of doing the same. I believe the cockpit and bridge speakers are wired together to two channels on the amp. The other two channels on the amp are for the subwoofer(at least that is how it is on my boat). My plan is to separate the cockpit and bridge wires into four channels using the existing amp, and move the subwoofer to a separate mono amp. This will also require a new set of RCA wires from the source unit to the amp, which will take some work. I’ll also need to upgrade to a Fusion 770 with three zone. Sounds like a winter project to me.

Surely not to be a smart ass, but is this info. not in your wiring diagrams?

 

[Irie308]

Will take some pics of amp and wiring when at the boat this weekend. Thanks.

 

[Irie308]

Surely not to be a smart ass, but is this info. not in your wiring diagrams?

Didn’t think about that for stereo but will break out the manual.

 

[Skybolt]

[QUOTE="saopm, post: 1408227, member: 18863"... I’ll also need to upgrade to a Fusion 770 with three zone. Sounds like a winter project to me.[/QUOTE]

Sounds like a rainy weekend to me ...

 

[Skybolt]

Didn’t think about that for stereo but will break out the manual.

Page 149 --> https://owners-resources.searayweb.com/owners-manuals-files/2004_420 Sedan Bridge_2004 420 DB OM.pdf

It looks like it is as @saopm described. So the speakers are in parallel with each other and they need to be split out. Your easiest split would be put the bridge speakers on a new amp that is fed with a new zone run from the 775. A simple two channel amp would work. The new bridge amp would be the new zone on the stereo.

Of course you could also go bigger an add a sub to the bridge as well.

 

[Irie308]

Ok, I understand now. This must have come up before because I do have a new rca run going from the port side to the stereo that is unused. I also have a fusion 2 channel amp laying around. I could use this to either setup as @saopm stated or as @SKybolt suggested. That second sub is a good idea but definitely a winter project as it would require a large hole somewhere in the cockpit where space is already limited.

 

[Skybolt]

Ok, I understand now. This must have come up before because I do have a new rca run going from the port side to the stereo that is unused. I also have a fusion 2 channel amp laying around. I could use this to either setup as @saopm stated or as @SKybolt suggested. That second sub is a good idea but definitely a winter project as it would require a large hole somewhere in the cockpit where space is already limited.

If you use the new amp for the "other" two speakers, instead of powering the sub, you won't have to run an RCA for the sub amp. Leaving the sub and the speakers that match the sub on the same amp makes it easier and you would only have to add your 2 ch. fusion amp for the new zone.

On a side note, if you have to extend the RCA run, use shrink wrap over the joining connection(s). As black tape ages it can expand and can actually separate the connection it is holding together.

 

[Irie308]

If you use the new amp for the "other" two speakers, instead of powering the sub, you won't have to run an RCA for the sub amp. Leaving the sub and the speakers for that match the sub on the same amp makes it easier and you would only have to add your 2 ch. fusion amp for the new zone.

On a side note, if you have to extend the RCA run, use shrink wrap over the joining connection(s). As black tape ages it can expand and can actually separate the connection it is holding together.

Got it, thanks!

 

[Wylie_Tunes]

He's already got one zone of the 755 feeding the amp that covers the bridge and cockpit. Most likely has that zone feed wire Y'd or the amp has input's bridged.

Correct, and he want to divide them into 2 zones, correct?

 

[Skybolt]

Correct, and he want to divide them into 2 zones, correct?

I think we were saying the same thing just a bit differently. But only one zone feeds the amp and why I described it as I did.