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  1. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    11

    Default Break it down... make it easy

    Mr SS -

    As my headline suggests, the easiest way not to get overwhelmed in your stereo world is break things down to three different areas: Tower / Cabin / Sub setups. Even though your current setup might be combined amplifier wise, the trick will be to look into the future and chart a path. That will dictate what the upgrades will require amplifier wise, power wise and performance wise.

    To keep things straightforward, i'll give you some general advice. As Johnny mentioned, knowing budget would help guide with further details.

    Here we go:

    Cabin setup - a lot of people have good things to say about those polks. I would use your kenwood amplifier for this as they dont require much power to produce good results. No changes needed.

    Sub Setup - not withstanding budget, dedicating an amplifier to the sub will produce the best result. I know many guys use a 5 ch amp and thats fine if you dont end up using a higher power sub. i'd say for a 10 / or entry level 12 5 channel amp would be fine and you could combine with your current cabin set up. Stepping up beyond that would require a dedicated bass amplifier.

    Tower Setup - If I read your post right you've got polks up here as well. The main difference between your buddies decked out exile tower or say another friends decked out WS tower is going to be the amount of sound they can put out at the end of the rope. they will crush your polk setup hands down. This is because they are driving HLCD speakers with a lot more power amplifier. Word of warning, HLCD's are the most expensive tower option. So, I'd ask yourself if sound at distance is critical... If not your polks will probably sound great in the boat and compliment your existing cabin setup. having a dedicated amplifier to drive the polk set up, would be great. Having a dedicated amp to drive the HLCD configuration would require a more powerful amplifier. A great cheap solution for tower control would be a PAC-LC1, runs about 15 bucks so you can turn off or down the tower sound. Follow me on all this?

    Battery Setup - before going down the road of any of these dedicated sound setups I'd spend the money and add the second battery and then begin upgrades. sinking a bunch of money into tower, bass or whatever would be short lived without the power to run it. Having a dealer install all this will add to the costs but having an expert in the loop has its advantages. If saving $ is critical, all this stuff can be done if you have any DIY experience.

    If you'd like specific Exile recommendations, shoot me an email at [email protected] and I'd be happy to help.

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Minneapolis, MN
    Posts
    3,112

    Default

    Ssmith you should add if you are looking for a budget stereo or high end.
    --WakeMikeys 1987 Supra SunSport--
    Thread - https://forum.supraboats.com/showthread.php?t=3630
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    Follow me on Twitter @WakeMikey

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Cookeville, TN (between Center Hill and Dale Hollow)
    Posts
    332

    Default

    Mikey,

    I'm just the typical person....I want my cake and eat it too. I want high end at a budget price lol. No, I'm really wanting to work my way to a high end setup in the long run. I've just gotta convince the banker (wife).

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Cookeville, TN (between Center Hill and Dale Hollow)
    Posts
    332

    Default

    Does anyone know if there's a cheaper way to purchase Wetsounds equipment or do you pretty much have to pay the website price? I'm not talking about some gray market arena either.

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1,187

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ssmith View Post
    Does anyone know if there's a cheaper way to purchase Wetsounds equipment or do you pretty much have to pay the website price? I'm not talking about some gray market arena either.
    You're about 3 hours away from me..... Sent you a PM.
    07 Launch 24SSV Gravity Games
    My Install Gallery

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Minneapolis, MN
    Posts
    3,112

    Default

    You can get some modest discounts through a dealer. IMO I would choose certain pieces of equipment to save some money on. IMHO I would save lots on an EQ and an amp. Also in my boat we skipped the head unit and just used an ipod into the eq. No regrets!
    --WakeMikeys 1987 Supra SunSport--
    Thread - https://forum.supraboats.com/showthread.php?t=3630
    Photo Gallery - http://photos.wakeboarder.com/showga.../35518/cat/500
    Videos - http://www.vimeo.com/user2034462/videos
    Follow me on Twitter @WakeMikey

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1,187

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 87SunSportMikeyD View Post
    Also in my boat we skipped the head unit and just used an ipod into the eq. No regrets!
    The only problem with that is the loss of sound quality from not using a head unit. You may not notice it, but being in the business I notice it all the time. Compressed music sounds awful. Then you don't have tone controls, only the equalizer. I'm sure he already has a decent head unit though, and if so, there's not much need to upgrade it if he plans to add a WS-420.

    Another good reason to have a head unit is to have separate remotes. My boat has one on the transom and I use it all the time. When we're on the beach, swimming off the back of the boat, before I go out on a set, etc....

    I've still got the stock Kencrapwood in mine, but as soon as I can find the carbon fiBBer piece at the helm that's blank (without the remote cutout) I'll be upgrading mine to an Alpine.
    07 Launch 24SSV Gravity Games
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  8. #18
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Minneapolis, MN
    Posts
    3,112

    Default

    Well the ipod has level control as well as eq control and the EQ has a line driver, but you are by far the pro in this field..
    --WakeMikeys 1987 Supra SunSport--
    Thread - https://forum.supraboats.com/showthread.php?t=3630
    Photo Gallery - http://photos.wakeboarder.com/showga.../35518/cat/500
    Videos - http://www.vimeo.com/user2034462/videos
    Follow me on Twitter @WakeMikey

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1,187

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 87SunSportMikeyD View Post
    Well the ipod has level control as well as eq control and the EQ has a line driver, but you are by far the pro in this field..
    Yes it does, and yes it does.

    I guess I'm just old fashioned and still prefer a head unit. The start of a good stereo is in the signal that starts at the radio.
    07 Launch 24SSV Gravity Games
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  10. #20
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Northern Colorado
    Posts
    1,593

    Default

    John,

    I have the same Kenwood .... that you do, but I still put the iPod directly into the ws-420, because I can't STAND the iPod controller from Kenwood. I would rather have loss of
    fidelity, but ability to control the iPod (and iPhone) than total loss of control with the thing
    from Kenwood - I had it - but sold it to someone in Alaska.

    Todd

    Let us know if you find that carbon fiber blank you're looking for, please!
    2008 24 SSV, Gravity Games Edition.

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