New Speakers - What Amps?

sambo · Criminal Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 94

OK, so I finally broke down and bought some new speakers to replace the wore out Clarions which came in our boat. Boat is a 2001 Tige 21V. New speakers are four Wetsounds XS-650 for the interior and two Pro80s for the tower. Current system has Clarion APA2104 and APA4204 amps which came with the original boat. Since I'm poor now after buying the speakers, I'm just going to install the speakers as "plug and play" and do nothing else for the time being. However, I would like to replace the sub and the amps when I save up a few more pennies. Any recommendations on what direction I should take on the amps and sub? I don't want to break the bank, but would like decent amps to drive the new WS speakers. Anything else I should consider? I'm no stereo whiz, so let's keep it in layman's terms. Laughing

Anything I should change with the current amps/setup to give me more until I can afford more goodies? BTW, I'm geeked about finally getting new speakers.
Thanks...

vette74 · Posted: Apr 29, 2008 4:21 am Post subject:

I run profile amps in my boat best bang for the buck IMO. www.millionbuy.com

BrentC5Z · Posted: Apr 29, 2008 5:59 am Post subject:

You can pick up Kicker refurbs on ebay dirt cheap. I'm using one to power my 4 mids and my wetsounds sub. KX700.5 for under $200.

sambo · Criminal Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 94

Let's ask an even simpler question...

(I'm an idiot when it comes to stereo equipment. I just bought the WS because of all the rave reviews, not because I know $#!+ about stereo equipment.)

If my XS650 s (2 front, 2 rear) are rated at 100W RMS at 4 ohms and my Pro80 s are rated at 200W RMS at 4 ohms, then...

a) How many Watts/channel to make them sound right?
b) I'll need four channel amp for the 650 s and 2 additional channels for the Pro80 s?
c) What about the sub? same amps or a different one?

jonyb · Addict Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 844 City: Paducah

MB Quart, JL Audio, and a few others have 6-channel amps that would be perfect for that install. Someone recommended a Kicker ZX700.5, and that would also be perfect for the 4 boat speakers and sub, but you'd need an additional 2-channel amp for the towers.

sambo · Criminal Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 94

Thanks guys. One last question... How do I put my tower speakers on a separate volume control from my cabin speakers?

jonyb · Addict Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 844 City: Paducah

Front to rear fade, or buy the wetsounds WS-420. It has a separate volume control for the RCA pre-out to the tower speakers. It's not the same as a fade because of the volume knob, but front/rear fade on the head unit would work.

Brit Rider · Posted: May 01, 2008 3:16 am Post subject:

sambo, I'd go with 2 Kicker Marine MX350.4's. use one to power your in boat speakers, and one for your tower speakers. Strap 2 channels together on the tower amp, this will allow it to give you 170 watts per speaker whilst still running nice and cool Smile

sambo · Criminal Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 94

Thanks guys! Appreciate the input. Installed the speakers last night on my Clarion amps. Even with the smaller amps I currently have, they definitely kickass. The Pro80's are unbelievable. Very sweet upgrade! Going down South this weekend for a week of baording and can't wait.

wakesk84life · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Posts: 11 City: Carignan

Alpine makes great amps as far as I know.... what do you fellas think?

jonyb · Addict Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 844 City: Paducah

Wet Sounds will have some amps out in April. I've already got the price sheets and specs on them....