New setup opinions

[blakekrone]

I'm looking at upgrading the system in the boat I just bought. Speakers are acceptable but I want a different HU. I don't have a need for CDs so I'm leaning on Sirius and AUX inputs. I want to be able to have separate volume control for tower vs bow vs main speakers which means I either need a HU capable of multiple zones or an amp that has a remote fade option. Here are the components I'm thinking of:

HU
Clarion CMV1 or Fusion IP700. The IP700 is nice as the USB drive and ipod can be contained in the unit itself, problem is that it is for older 30pin phones and I haven't gotten a reply from them as to if they are changing it out. The CMV1 is flashy, but not as friendly it seems for ipod control which is what most of the music will be. Both have remotes that can be installed via a round hole in the transom.

CMV1 - $500
IP700 - $375

AMP
JL M600W/6 - $349
Other amps I should be considering? Not finding many marine 6 channels.

SUB
Bazooka MBTA10250D Marine 10IN 250W Class D Amplified Tube - $280

Tower Speakers
http://shop.monstertower.com/p-46-ki...aker-pair.aspx
Kicker Single Barrel - $435
http://shop.monstertower.com/p-61-we...aker-pair.aspx
Wet Sounds XS650 - $525

I'm not looking for towering sound for the rider, more for relaxing in the lake boatside, so HLCD's are not really needed.

[EarmarkMarine]

Here are a couple of suggestions.
Fot the tower, the Wetsounds coaxials are a good choice for surfing. For $50 more you can get the identical speaker in a Wetsounds pod that has far more displacement and has much more midbass as a result. Besides, you want to avoid a soft polished aluminum pod from China. They will dull rapidly and the effort-intensive upkeep can be avoided.
Do not buy a JL Audio amplifier from an unauthorized source. There is zero support and zero warranty as clearly stated on JL's site. If they are not displaying the full JL Audio logo in graphic form or are not listed by JL, they are not a legit dealer.
JL Audio amplifiers are awesome. The power is great for the inboat coaxials but a bit light for the demands placed on a tower speaker. Depending on your time table you might wait for the new JL Audio 8-channel so you can bridge 4 into 2 for the tower. Or, you could run a passive sub and split the duties into two amplifiers.
Also, look at the Wetsounds Icon8 tower speaker. It's a conventional non-HLCD in the same size pod as the XST-650 but with nearly double the cone area.

David

[blakekrone]

Originally Posted by EarmarkMarine

Here are a couple of suggestions.
Fot the tower, the Wetsounds coaxials are a good choice for surfing. For $50 more you can get the identical speaker in a Wetsounds pod that has far more displacement and has much more midbass as a result. Besides, you want to avoid a soft polished aluminum pod from China. They will dull rapidly and the effort-intensive upkeep can be avoided.
Do not buy a JL Audio amplifier from an unauthorized source. There is zero support and zero warranty as clearly stated on JL's site. If they are not displaying the full JL Audio logo in graphic form or are not listed by JL, they are not a legit dealer.
JL Audio amplifiers are awesome. The power is great for the inboat coaxials but a bit light for the demands placed on a tower speaker. Depending on your time table you might wait for the new JL Audio 8-channel so you can bridge 4 into 2 for the tower. Or, you could run a passive sub and split the duties into two amplifiers.
Also, look at the Wetsounds Icon8 tower speaker. It's a conventional non-HLCD in the same size pod as the XST-650 but with nearly double the cone area.

David

Thanks David appreciate the feedback. The price on the JL amp was from Overtons and I'm not sure if they are authorized or not. Doesn't really matter, I could care less about warranties, if they go bad I buy new. I'm not in a rush to pickup the components as the boat is in CA in storage. Mostly trying to develop the list so as stuff goes on sale or good deals are found I'll buy and install this spring when I get the boat back to MN.

[Rossterman]

If you are planning skiing or wakeboarding, consider the kicker 6500.2 hlcd speakers ($280) + an additional 6500 (called a 6pack) ($75) for great sound 80 ft back behind the boat. However, you will need to find some cans. Also polks 4 channel d class amp ($275)is pretty sweet for the money (200 watts rms x 4 @ 2ohms). Polk db651's ($65 pair) are pretty great pricepoint for 6.5" in cabin speakers. Also might consider adding a graphic equalizer ($150) under the dash so you can fade between boat and tower, adjust subwoofer volume, etc. this is similar to what i have (i have arc audio amps & eq) and sounds fantastic at a very reasonable cost!

[blakekrone]

Went up to the boat today, found out it has a Pioneer GM-4300F 4 channel amp already in it, any good? Keep it for something in the boat or replace?