Location of Amps for stereo

**Darnold390** · 09-20-2012, 07:31 PM

Very nice set-up you have installed. I bet it sounds great!! I noticed you used the M650's and not the MX650's. I was told that the MX650's were a little more efficent and that my stock amp might push them better. Whats your opinion on that statement?

**hack4alivin** · 09-21-2012, 05:01 AM

Originally Posted by Darnold390

Very nice set-up you have installed. I bet it sounds great!! I noticed you used the M650's and not the MX650's. I was told that the MX650's were a little more efficent and that my stock amp might push them better. Whats your opinion on that statement?

The MX650 is not as beefy as the M650, and the good thing is they don’t cost as much as the M650 either. I believe the maximum power rating of the MX650 is 60 watts RMS. Still, I can’t say enough about the quality of the sound. If your plan is to replace your cockpit speakers with JL MX650’s you won’t be disappointed, but if future plans are to upgrade your amplifier to crank out the power consider getting the M650’s. The M650’s will be about $100 a pair more, but they will be able to handle more power as well, and at 6.5 inches they will fit in your existing cut outs.

As I said in my original post, the biggest improvement by far to my system was the addition of the amp to drive a subwoofer, which my boat did not have. The sub combined with the excellent sound reproduction from the JL speakers make one great sound system.

**Darnold390** · 09-21-2012, 02:06 PM

Ok Thanks. I see that the M650 have a larger tweeter too, so i'm sure that they do put out a little better sound. My system has a 10" sub mounted under the passenger seat next to the Captain chair. So i thought about replacing it with a JL also. My main concern is if the stock amp(s) have enough power to push the JL to thier full sound capabilites. I guess I could replace the speakers and see. If not then the Amp(s) would be the next change. Thanks for all of yall's help.

**magstang1** · 09-25-2012, 08:28 PM

When I sold my last boat I had a bunch of higher end audio equipment in it that I wanted to keep. I changed out the amps with some lesser expensive models before I put it up for sale.

The difference was surprising. I figured it would sound a little worse, but the change was more than I expected.

Using inferior amps on a top shelf speaker like the JL will make a tremendous difference.

It just depends what exactly you have in there now. You can always upgrade in stages.

**Darnold390** · 09-29-2012, 10:03 AM

Yes, I know that may happen to me. The real good amps put out a lot cleaner power than some lower priced ones. I will start with the JL Audio speakers and Sub and see how it sounds. I will up grade it from there if needed. Going to mount a 32" TV in the cockpit so I have a large project on my hands. Going to run the TV sound though the boat radio so I think the JL Audio speakers will be a good addition.

**radiojon** · 10-04-2012, 11:58 PM

I'm looking to make the same modification to my Clarion unit in the 2005 320DA that I just purchased. What I'm hoping to do is make a run from that AUX connection on the back of the head-end unit up to a point right beside the Clarion remote control cockpit pad at the helm -- so that I can control the iPod/MP3 from up top instead of down below. BTW, Clarion makes an adapter that mounts flush and connects to that RCA input; here's the link to it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Clarion-CCAAUX.../dp/B00144I3ZK. For my plan, this adapter doesn't look to be long enough; I'll need to connect a longer RCA cable to make it long enough to reach.

My question is this -- how difficult will it be to fish this cable down to the back of the head-end unit? I can see that there are plenty of cables (including those for the Clarion remote control pad) that run from under the cockpit helm back toward the bulkhead -- and presumably down toward the breaker panel/radio area. I haven't yet taken off the cover for the breaker panel to see how tight the space is for those cables going back toward the helm ... and I'm just wondering how easy or difficult that'll be to fish an adapter cable through there.

Any insight (literally)? Thanks!

- Mark

**magstang1** · 10-05-2012, 07:30 PM

I just did this on my 290DA.

It depends on how your boat is laid out, but my stereo was located at approximately the same height as my rub rail.

I have a set of fish sticks, like these:

http://www.greenlee.com/products/FIS...oduct_id=17063

They can be bought at your nearest home improvement store for under $40.

I just slid the rod into the cavity following the inside of the rub rail and fished my cable back to the dash.

Pretty easy actually.

**radiojon** · 10-05-2012, 08:23 PM

Magstang1 - So is that opening through the bulkhead about rub rail-height? I see on the wiring schematics for my 320DA what looks to be a small cut-out alongside the hull that most of the wiring goes through toward the front of the boat. I already have some "fish tape" -- I'm guessing I can simply run it back into that void and it'll come out on the other side near the salon main breaker panel?

Thanks!

**Kreole Kid** · 10-05-2012, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by radiojon

Magstang1 - So is that opening through the bulkhead about rub rail-height? I see on the wiring schematics for my 320DA what looks to be a small cut-out alongside the hull that most of the wiring goes through toward the front of the boat. I already have some "fish tape" -- I'm guessing I can simply run it back into that void and it'll come out on the other side near the salon main breaker panel?

Thanks!

Radiojon, remove your starboard speaker thingie up at the helm, stick your head in that hole and see where that mass of wires is located. Run you wires through there and have someone in your cabin (of course the head unit must be pulled out at this point) pull the rca wires through and you can connect them accordingly.

The way I did mine was the same way, however, I ran MY jack right on the STRBRD side of the throttles on the wall...
Hope this helps Ya

IMG_0002.jpg

**magstang1** · 10-06-2012, 06:48 AM

Dig through here:

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php...-bought-a-boat

Near the end I stop blabbering and post some pictures.

(Be nice. It's a work in progress)

I will caution you that if your fish tape is steel, be careful. In my boat there are many open terminals around my breaker panel that you really don't want to short out. Turn off and disconnect any power you can before you shove a long metal tape into never never land.