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thisistank 02-13-2025 12:07 PM


Originally Posted by Brad Christy (Post 4920202)
87CigCafe,

If you can remove the panel.....

Use a router to cut the hole through the panel from behind without cutting the vinyl. Try and suspend the area you're cutting over open air so you're not pushing the vinyl and padding toward the cutter. You might even stop just short of cutting all the way through and finish with a utility knife. Then you can cut slits in the vinyl from the center to just short of the hole in the panel, making triangles that you can stretch around behind the panel and staple. This will keep the vinyl tight. While I've never done it, I've seen it done and it works great.

As for subs, I'm a full-throated advocate of Bazooka tubes. They are self-contained, relatively compact and sound great. They have passive and several levels of powered models. I have an 8" tube, the lower powered model, tucked into the gunwale pocket in our PQ that takes up zero space I can actually use, and it will run us out if I crank it.

Thanks. Brad.

bazooka tubes are actually a good option. They’ve come so far over the past 20 years. Great sound, self contained, small package.

thisistank 02-13-2025 12:08 PM


Originally Posted by F-2 Speedy (Post 4920204)
Im running a 6 channel Sony head unit and two 600 watt JL amps......4 8 inch Fosgate speakers in the cockpit on one amp and a 10 inch sub under the bench seat, I think its important to run a separate dedicated amp for the sub


lol obviously, motor music isn’t the only music you need to hear! Nice set up.

87CigCafe 02-13-2025 12:19 PM

Bazooka tube
 
I’d be curious to what a bazooka tube would sound like under the back seat? I forgot all about those things. I haven’t seen one since high school lol!

Shah Mat 02-13-2025 01:07 PM

Cabin Speakers
 
In my old boat (25 Checkmate) I had 4 speakers and two subs in the cockpit area powered by 2 amps. One for the 4 speakers and one for the subs.
I also had 2 low quality speakers in the cabin that were wired directly to the head unit (no amp). I had a toggle switch next to the head unit that, using the amps trigger wires, would turn the amps on or off. If we were overnighting or just relaxing in the cabin, I could turn the amps off and it killed everything except the cabin speakers. The low volume sounded just fine and we didn't annoy everyone else at the dock. This also saved the batteries and could run music all night. With the amps on, if we had it cranked up for outside music, I didn't care what the speakers in the cabin sounded like and let the shake rattle and... distort.
When its time for the Bullet music system, I'm gonna do the same.

Ironmanwb 02-13-2025 03:19 PM

Ok does anybody have a set up for when your sitting on the water though. I love to listen to music when we are at the beach/sand bar but if you have it loud enough to hear in the water its WAY too loud for anyone to sit on the boat. I was thinking of just a remote set to put on the swim deck or even a pair of wakeboard tower speakers you could take on and off. I don't need it to be concert level loud just enough so you can listen behind the boat and still be in the boat with the same volume.

Brad Christy 02-13-2025 03:52 PM


Originally Posted by 87CigCafe (Post 4920208)
I’d be curious to what a bazooka tube would sound like under the back seat? I forgot all about those things. I haven’t seen one since high school lol!

87CigCafe,

You won't want to confine it. I initially strapped mine down in the engine well, tucked into the back corner, out of the way. It sounded decent in the boat, but made everything rattle. They've got to breathe. Even if there is plenty of passageway for the sound to escape, it will sound like crap.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...df468f131.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c633275dc.jpeg


Thanks. Brad.

thisistank 02-13-2025 04:49 PM


Originally Posted by Ironmanwb (Post 4920218)
Ok does anybody have a set up for when your sitting on the water though. I love to listen to music when we are at the beach/sand bar but if you have it loud enough to hear in the water its WAY too loud for anyone to sit on the boat. I was thinking of just a remote set to put on the swim deck or even a pair of wakeboard tower speakers you could take on and off. I don't need it to be concert level loud just enough so you can listen behind the boat and still be in the boat with the same volume.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...78d5daf608.png








Carter did these in a cafe. This still is from a video. The hatches were on an electric ram. Push the button at the helm and they open up. Bad azz design. Speakers out front for when you’re beached.

as far as off the transom I’ve seen people run wire they can pull from under the seat to hook to pod speakers they’ll grab out of the cabin and set on the swim step. Not glamorous but works. I’ve also seen people in havasu perma mount speakers on the transom. Im
not a fan. The two 6.5 up
high on the dash of our gun actually help
carry the sound out or the boat and down to the water when you’re floating off the swim step. I wouldn’t have put them
there but they’re there and they actually work.

Diamond Dave 02-13-2025 05:49 PM


Originally Posted by thisistank (Post 4920080)
My go to though was JL Subs, MB Quart mids and highs pushed by Precision Power amps. This was before stereo companies were offering all components (subs, components, amps, receivers, etc). So, you had to piece out your systems. And I still believe the best system is built not package purchased. I don't think each big brand builds the best everything. I think each have some great products and some OK products. Running German Maestro marine speakers in the gun. It came with the current system. 6 sets of the GM 6.5 coaxle speakers and 2 12" GM subs under the rear seat in separate enclosures.

Funny I always ran Alpine heads, MB Quart separates, Phoenix gold amps and JL subs. Sounds like we have similar winning tastes in audio lol. In case you weren't aware, when MB Quart sold out the original MB guys started German Maestro so the story goes. I still have OG MB quarts Q series separates in two of my trucks. Always wondered if the Maestro stuff mirrored the quality of the OG Quarts since I've never known anyone to own any.

My current boat has JL 7.7's and my last one had 8.8's. If space were permitting, I'd 100% go with the 8.8's they are amazing IF powered correctly and you don't need a lot of them as with the smaller sizes.

thisistank 02-13-2025 06:27 PM


Originally Posted by Diamond Dave (Post 4920230)
Funny I always ran Alpine heads, MB Quart separates, Phoenix gold amps and JL subs. Sounds like we have similar winning tastes in audio lol. In case you weren't aware, when MB Quart sold out the original MB guys started German Maestro so the story goes. I still have OG MB quarts Q series separates in two of my trucks. Always wondered if the Maestro stuff mirrored the quality of the OG Quarts since I've never known anyone to own any.

My current boat has JL 7.7's and my last one had 8.8's. If space were permitting, I'd 100% go with the 8.8's they are amazing IF powered correctly and you don't need a lot of them as with the smaller sizes.

phoenix gold is good stuff!!! Agree on all your points. Specifically with the 8.8’s and running appropriate power to them. I did not know about the MB Quart and German Maestro connection. But makes sense because got dayum the pricing on the GM high end stuff mirrors MB Quart high end pricing. Frankly I’d never heard of GM until I was buying RWTD and was told about the “crazy money” the owner spent on the stereo. I’ve been out of the stereo game for a while so I looked em up. Good stuff.

ive actually not had the opportunity to
really crank the GM’s or even fine tune the system. Mostly because I’m not a fan of the older Sony head unit it has. Not impressed. I’m changing it out this season. I’d like to get a JL MM105 head unit. lol then plan on putting a smaller garmin unit in the dash above the cabin where the current remote is. So stupid it’s there.

speaking of good stuff, I always liked Focal too. Crisp, clean LOUD sound.

Griff 02-13-2025 09:57 PM


Originally Posted by Brad Christy (Post 4920202)

If you can remove the panel.....

Use a router to cut the hole through the panel from behind without cutting the vinyl. Try and suspend the area you're cutting over open air so you're not pushing the vinyl and padding toward the cutter. You might even stop just short of cutting all the way through and finish with a utility knife. Then you can cut slits in the vinyl from the center to just short of the hole in the panel, making triangles that you can stretch around behind the panel and staple. This will keep the vinyl tight. While I've never done it, I've seen it done and it works great.

Nearly exactly how I did mine. Only I used a Dremel with a rotozip type bit and circle cutter attachment.


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