Stereo on the Cheap

[BrianM]

OK my ski partners are starting to give me a hard time for not having any tunes in the boat. I tell them that we are there to ski not to listen to tunes but deep down I agree it is time for some music so when we are sitting at the dock getting ready for the next set we can jam out.

I am trying to do this on a low budget and still have somthing that is descent. Here is what I am thinking of doing.

Deck:

Awia CD player with preouts cdr/rw and front auxillary input 52 x 4 watt ($99)

Dual 6.5" dual cone marine speakers 150w max ($49 a pair x 2 = $98) In combing pads.

8" 150watt self powered Bazooka Tube ($169) At drivers feet.

I know that really any 6 1/2 inch speaker in the stock location in the combing pads is not going to put out much if any low end. I listed to these Dual marine speakers and the low and mid sound pretty descent. I figure the bazooka tube is a descent way to get some low end and not have to mess with a seperate amp and all of that madness. What do you think especially about the Bazooka tube thing? I am looking for descent tunes and low cost. I could have this setup for less than $400

[rodltg2]

i was considering adding a bazooka as well under my back seat. i went to a car stereo place to buy one and the sales guy advised me that bazooka tubes are designed to use your trunk or car's enclosure to produce the bass. he seemed knowledgable enough , plus they had a centurion in the back they were pimpin out with a awesome set up. anyway i decided not to go that route but i have not heard one in a boat myself.

[Ric]

the bazooka may work well in a closed bow
I had a 10"kicker mounted in an aftermarket enclosure and fixed it in the tip of the bow under the deck in a 190 and it sounded great
I bet bazooka would do roughly the same

[JEREMY79]

my uncle has a bazooka tube in his boat. Dont recomend it. Just for what was said about enclosure. I have a 12" sub and think it sounds much better.

[bcampbe7]

I had a powered 8" Bazooka in an 88 Supra. It sounded pretty decent for an 8" sub. The Supra had a targa top and this sub allowed me to store the top in the back as in was suppose to be stored.
Not sure how a Bazooka would sound in a boat but for the money ($169) I am not sure you will find a better set-up.

[mitch]

Skip the dual cone. Something like this would be better.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32819&item=5745786517&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Skip the bass tube as well, not a fan. An amp and 10" sub would be much better. I know you don't want to get involved w/ amps etc., but it's sooooo much better.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3291&item=5743966729&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I'd also amp the head unit as well. You'll probably spend a little more than you were planning, but it'll be much better :twocents:

[aprgriggs]

It is alittle more...but alpine makes a really good speaker and they are not alot of money

check it out

[BriEOD]

Here is a JBL marine CD player with 4 marine speakers for $250.

[_JR]

make sure to install an amp for the speakers.

[H20skeefreek]

:headbang: It's funny the way other people like to spend your money isn't it BrianM. You went from fighting even putting a steroe in to....ok, i'll put in a cheap unit and a bazooka tube....to hey man you should get an amp, and alpine speakers and so on and so forth.

Do you have a West Marine near you? We sell a pretty nice Pioneer setup with tuner, 2 speakers and a splash gaurd. I think it's 299 bucks. add another set of speakers and your tube and you'll be set. :headbang:

[mitch]

4-chan amp
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7947341743&category=38638

4 chan amp = $100
head unit = $100
4 speakers = $100
amp/sub =$185
tota= = $485 incl ship charges. against Brian's $400 target

I really do enjoy spending other people;s $$, but main point here is that for a few bucks more he'll chillin like a villain :cool:

Brian, if you can take anything away from all his, DO NOT get the bass tube, waste of $$. Lastly, if you want to keep it simpler, get a 5-chan amp. Install will be easier, and you'll take care of your sub and speakers.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39742&item=5745263856&rd=1

:friday:

[River Rat]

Buy a little at a time. Don’t waste money on cheap equipment in a boat. Start of with of with a good stereo and speakers within your budget and slowly work your way up. Add a little at a time and before you know it you will have to turn it down to let the glass come back. :toast:

[BriEOD]

Sorry, I forgot the link. Here is a JBL CD player with 4-6.5" speakers for $250 from Overtons.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/overtons/detail/pdetail2.cgi?r=detail_view&item_num=71167

[BrianM]

Thanks for the replies and ideas keep them coming.:popcorn: I am not in a big hurry to do this so I am going to take some time to figure out what the best solution is for me.

So after the above responses my thoughts are this.

Head unit, find one that is going to be descent. The way I see it and from what I hear there is not much of a difference between a regular and marine head unit. The location I am going to put it in is as dry as possible in a boat so I am not all that worried. From what I have seen and read there is no real reason (for my application) to spend more than right around $100 for a head unit. Almost every manufacturer makes a unit around that price point that would do what I need it to do. I figure on the boat the thing is going to need to be replaced every few rears regardless of whether it cost $100 or $400.

Speakers. I think that marine speakers are the way to go. Being in the combing pads they are exposed to much more spray, drips, rain abuse and the marine speakers should be better suited for this kind of 'abuse'. Again it seems that 150 watt max 6 1/2 speakers don't cost much more than about $50 a pair regardless of brand. I will just listen around and see which I think sound best.

So for a basic system, Head unit and 4 speakers I am looking at somewhere in the $200 to $250 range. This gets me tunes at the dock.

Amps Bass etc. This is where things start getting crazy. :eek: So far the vote on going the Bazooka route is 3 nays and 2 yays. I thought this might be a simple solution for a little added oomph to the four 6" speekers. I am not sold on the idea by any means. I may very well just stick with a basic head unit and four speaker setup. The more I think this out the more I like the idea of running a 5 channel amp. Buy the amp as my next upgrade and use it to power the 4 6" speakers then add a sub and box the next time around.

I don't know. Keep the thoughts coming but keep in mind that I am not looking for something extreme. Really just something for some background music at the dock and while waiting for the skier when they drop at each end of the course. I usually turn the thing off when we are pulling through the course. For me it has to be too loud for it to be heard while going 36 mph. The engine is already about as much as my tender ears can take, anything more is sensory overload.:eek:

[Ric]

I think your plan is good
BUT, since you are talking about upgrading with 5channel amp and sub in the future, you need to be sure that the deck you buy has the option of "pre-amp outputs"
This way, your deck can power your speakers with its own amplifiers til the day you upgrade to an amp for all four speakers and the sub (this will require pre-amp outputs(rca connections) from the output side of your deck)

[BrianM]

All of the decks I have looked at have at least one set of pre-outs. If I were to go to a five channel amp would I need a unit with 2 sets?

[Thrall]

Brian,
If you are planning on an amp, a $100 head unit may not be the way to go. First, I don't think you'll have to replace it as often as you think. Second, you want a deck that has 2 sets of preamp outs (front/rear). For $150-$200, you can get a good Sony, Kenwood, etc deck. Don't get too hung up on marine speakers, either. Any decent speakers these days have synthetic cone material and will be pretty water resistant. $60-80/pr will get you some good speakers. Remember, look at RMS power, not peak power ratings. The 150W speakers you mention are probably only 30w (4ohm) RMS. Any decent amp you put behind them would smoke 'em. Need at least 50-60W RMS, IMO if putting in an amp.
A decent 4-5 channel, 50watts RMS amp will run you $200 plus.
You can buy a separate woofer (10") pretty cheap, mounted shooting out under the dash works well from what I've seen.
IMO, I'd spend $3-400 on a deck and 4 speakers and get the amp/sub when budget allows. Better to buy decent quality equip that you can add to than get cheap stuff that won't handle any upgrades.
Don't forget, w/ the amp and sub, you'll spend some money on good wire's and cables as well.
Check out Crutchfield. They have usually better prices than most retail places and have some killer deals on closeout stuff.

[east tx skier]

If you really want to save money, look at overstock.com.

[OhioProstar]

I had a 8" Bazooka under the bow near the drivers feet and it didn't sound very good. Last year I switched it out with a 12" Free Air Kicker installed above the kick plate and it sounds MUCH better. If you are going to spend $100 on a CD player you might want to make sure it is a JVC or JBL marine unit as they are made for a wet environment.

[_JR]

another quick thought on the speakers...if you buy them from a Best Buy, Circuit City or Ultimate Electronics, you can also purchase a lifetime warranty for around $25.

This way, you can return them if they get damaged...

Hey, spending other people's money is fun! :cool:

Good luck on your installation, you will be glad you did it!