Help me choose components for my system...

mschmidt9461 · Newbie Joined: 07 Sep 2011 Posts: 10

Update: This is where I'm at now after some research. Budget is up to 1K now.

Sony CDX-GT700HD and RMX11M remote - $150 – Head unit not waterproof but I have a water tight cover already. Is this a mistake not going with a “marine” unit?
Amp - kicker zxm700.5 with Kicker ZXRC bass control - $350
Speakers - 4 Polk db651s’s in boat - $120
4ga amp wiring/speaker wire - $50
Tower Speakers - Kicker KS65’s – in can’s already from diywake.com
Subwoofer - Polk Audio MM1040 - $100, Sealed or vented box for this sub, I gave up on free-air... Upgrade to 12” worth it?
Sealed MDF or fiberglass box - $100
Already have 2nd battery and 2 bank charger, still need to get a VSR, Isolator, ACR, or Switch. Which one?

09' Tahoe Q5i with a diywake pro tower. Current headunit and speakers are junk. I want to start from scratch but I'm on a $800 budget for the entire system.

I'm thinking:
- Headunit
- Two 6.5" tower speakers in cans (I already have the diywake cans empty)
- Four 6.5" speakers (bow and stern)
- 4 channel amp with 2 channels bridged for sub or just DVC
- 12" free air sub in walkway

To meet the $800 budget I think I need to power the 4 in boat speakers by the headunit. Any out there good enough. I'm not looking to have the best system, just a good/realiable one.

Also, should I run off the starting battery or get another? I'm sure I will be doing some listening with the motor off.

Thanks in advance guys... I'm pumped, it has been about 10 years since building all the systems in my cars as a teenager.

Mike

mschmidt9461 · Newbie Joined: 07 Sep 2011 Posts: 10

Man I hate to run the boat speakers off the HU, perhaps a 5ch amp and 3 pre-outs in the head unit. This should not cost much more? Double up the boat speakers on the front, towers on the rear, and 5th channel for sub? Seem reasonable? I can then fade it to quiet down the boat if wanted...

What impedence speakers to buy if this is the case? $800 will go fast. Really want HLCD's for tower too.

jmlloyd · Criminal Joined: 20 May 2010 Posts: 61

I have db651's in boat and they are run off the head unit and sound good. I put a 2 channel amp to run the tower speakers independently. I will add to this as I go, but with the budget you are trying to stay in, this may work for you to start out.

Good Luck!!

mattys_ext · Newbie Joined: 01 Sep 2011 Posts: 8 City: Toronto

800$ wont even get you in the door for HLCDs lol....id say stay with polk for that budget.

mschmidt9461 · Newbie Joined: 07 Sep 2011 Posts: 10

OK, how about this... $800. If I stretch the budget to say 1K, where would you put it?

HU - Kenwood KMR440U and Kca-Rc60Mr remote - $200
Amp - Kicker mx700.5 - $350 ebay
Speakers - 4 polk db’s in boat – $120
Wiring - $30 if I'm lucky
2 speakers for tower free - Kicker KS65’s – From buddy that got them with his tower from diywake.com
Sub - $100 left, did not research these yet.

I also would prefer to put the sub in a box but want it to be mounted in the walkthrough on the fiberglass. Any ideas on how to only see the sub on the outside but have a box behind the glass...

Mike

mschmidt9461 · Newbie Joined: 07 Sep 2011 Posts: 10

I cut the hole for the sub and the screws that attach the sub through the fiberglass are long enough to attach to a box behind the glass? Might need a bracket to support the box? Talking out loud here guys.

mschmidt9461 · Newbie Joined: 07 Sep 2011 Posts: 10

I already have the 2nd battery which I currently use for a trolling motor (I know), I have that and the starting battery hooked up to an onboard charger. I would need some more wiring and an isolator, correct? Should be good to go then... thoughts?

mschmidt9461 · Newbie Joined: 07 Sep 2011 Posts: 10

Looking at my boat I should be able to build a fairly square ~1cu ft (or whatever is needed) box and bracket it with the sub coming through the walkway. The fibergalss is only about a 1/4" thick there and is a little uneven. A little liquid nails to even it out and I should be good. A sheet of MDF and I'm good. What marine sub for a small enclosure and the MX700.5? I'm thinking a 10"... JL, Kicker?

mschmidt9461 · Newbie Joined: 07 Sep 2011 Posts: 10

So what else am I missing or what is under/overkill, opinions, suggestions, etc?

I have not dug deep into resistance ratings for these speakers and how they will match up with the amp/wiring... it has been awhile since the car stereo days.

Let me know... ready to get this stuff on order.

mschmidt9461 · Newbie Joined: 07 Sep 2011 Posts: 10

mattys_ext · Newbie Joined: 01 Sep 2011 Posts: 8 City: Toronto

to be honest im at the same point you are with your setup. I ordered my head unit and remote.

I got the clarion CDMV1 unit.

I'm gonna do the wetsounds setup but I gotta wait and save some coin first. Its gonna be a heavy bullet to bite. Worth it in the end.

FOr the battery i was thinking an isolator. have you looked in the differences and which one suits it the best?

mschmidt9461 · Newbie Joined: 07 Sep 2011 Posts: 10

Nice hu and setup your going to have there... I'm thinking ACR+Switch vs. isolator. I have the ks65's but did not pull the trigger on the db651's and zxm700.5. Decisions, decisions.

Mike