Marine Amplifiers
 

What does everyone like? I need to get a 4 channel amp. Thanks

Alpine PDX.

JL any good? I also need to get a pair of 10" subs. Thinking alpines for them as well

I've used JVC amps for years with good success and great sound. However, I've always used the automotive units mounted in a cabin - over 15 years on two units with no problems when I sold the boat. Went back with JVC on the new boat.

I have JL Audio in my boat. 2 10" subs with 700W sub amp and the 6 channel main amp for the other 10 speakers. Sounds great.

The same here, I always use automotive amps in the cabin. I have been running my Memphis class D hard for years now and no problems.

I have Alpine PDX amps and the Alpine Marine 10" subs.
Get the automotive version PDX amps off ebay. They cost much less than the Marine ones and are basically the same.

I wouldn't hesitate to get the JL digital amps either, but they cost more tha PDX's.

FOCAL. We use FOCAL for all new Outerlimits, the speakers are loud and clear, and the amps are a perfect match for the system. We use JL Subs, but the FOCAL K2 Series speakers are the way to go.

Waves and Wheels in LOTO are huge on FOCAL.

JL and Alpine have always made good stuff, can't go wrong but you do pay a bit of a premium for them. I had Clarion last couple boats and had good luck, have Sony stuff now and like it, they are solid if nothing else.

If I was building from scratch today, prob. go with JL for speakers, Alpine or JL for amps (and Clarion or Alpine for the head unit if you want and / or need a new "marine" head unit).

Thanks for the comments guys. What do you think of these subs?

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-ALPINE-SWRM100...item2a07fa3cd2

Those are what I have in my boat. They sound about as good as free air subs can. I'm putting about 250watts to each one. I've had mine almost 2 years with no issues and no complaints.

Running 6 7" Alpine speakers and a single 10" sub off of a 6-channel JL amp. So far, so good, sounds great!

Focal are VERY GOOD, but I guess just like with an OL you pay for that quality.

For amps stick with class D, they are much more efficient and will drain less battery (doesn't mean it still can't die haha:drink:)

My setup is all Memphis, not bad for the cost. The JL amp (slash series) I had I couldn't turn up off the battery because it couldn't get enough current.

put in a new system with JL amps this spring, really like them so far, great sound and suprisingly little power use, can run them hard all day and not drain the batteries

Slash series or digital?

Their new digital line are great, the slash are huge current hogs. All are good amps.

MHD 750/1 and currently a 600/6, waiting on the MHD600/4 on backorder

I've got the exact same setup going in later this week, what are you using for speakers? Any comments, complaints about these amps?

We run JL in the Outerlimits, all speakers and amps, very nice setup. We also have some Focals in the Formula, the sound is unreal but you do pay a premium for it. I wouldn't be afraid of Alpine, always use to run those in the car audio days. Would recommend any of these. Good luck with the system.

3-10" JL subs under the seat and 3 sets of 6.5 JL highs, no complaints so far after the first month, never had it overheat or shutdown. Amps are really good, sound is better than anything else ive heard around here. My only real negative is I am really picky sound wise and would have loved to do sealed enclosures on the subs, just didnt have the room to waste. Not that they sound bad, really good for free air but I prefer the sound of a sealed enclosure. Also went with the 6.5 over the 770's because I acutally liked the sound a touch better, may just be my personal preference as well.

Nice.

I'm doing 2 pairs of 7.7s, 2 pairs of 6x9s, and 2 10 inch subs, all JL. For amps I'm using JL MHD 600/4, MHD 750/1 and M400/4.

I wanted to do 3 10inch subs, by my guy said it would be difficult to wire amp-wise abd wouldn't match up with the channels. Not sure if that is true, I see a lot of boats with 3 subs.

It is easy. Just wire them up with a fake 4 ohm load (resistor) and wire both pair in parrallel and two in then those in series and you wind up with a 4 ohm load.

You guys need to check out Wet Sounds. I'll put them up to any JL or Focal amp, any day.

www.wetsounds.com

Jon's not just another pretty face... he know's his chit! ;)

Thanks for the input guys. The stereo in question is going in this boat. We have a new deck for it and a pair of 6 1/2"s & 4"s that have already been installed. You can see the old 10"s in the dash pic

For a center console, you may want to consider some DC Gold speakers. 100% waterproof and a 3 year warranty. They sound excellent as well. They make 10" speakers, but they are not actually a sub.

I just installed a JL 1000.1 , and a JL 6 channel model m6450 , I have 2 sets of component 7.7s and 1 set of 6.5 JL coaxes in the cockpit . Was planning on doing some type of free airs in the cockpit as well , but ended up throwing a box with 3 JL w3 12s on the cabin bed.It sounds so good I haven't taken it out yet.. . I am 38 and haven't had a decent stereo since i was 22. Everyone that steps on-board remarks on how clear and loud it is....... I'm sure there is better out there but with this set up I am amazed!!!

Call me the odd man out here, but I've always trusted Zapco. The amp most amps wished they were.
I've used them in my boats, and have overseen dozens of completions in jets with them.
I had Jon's approval of this choice years ago, and would imagine I still do......

X2

Amazing amps if you have the money. I have the competition amps for my truck. One of these days I will get it back in again. 1/2 ohm stable and very efficient. Their 4X25 watt competition amps cost 1800 bucks last I checked when you put in the crossover and noise gate. That is a lot of 100 watts. :D

One of the amps that I used to love for bang for the buck was a company called Audio Art. I beleive that they are long gone but they made some killer amps. If you can find them on Ebay they could be worth a look.

Thanks for all of the responses guys. I ended up purchasing a jl audio amp and alpine subs. They are getting installed on Monday. Can't wait!

Big improvement over those clarions.

Hotjava , how do those JL free airs sound in the cockpit? I would really like to know before i cut holes in my back seat base. Also , should i fab up some type of enclosure under there instead?

i just had 2 8 inch JL's put in mine..wow, whoever sits on the seat really is going to feel it!

They sound great, I honestly dont know if it would be worth the effort and loss of space(to me) for the little added sound quality of sealed enclosures. They sure do hit hard, lifts the seat pad right up if no one is sitting on it.

Do you think it is worth it for me to add that 3rd sub? My guy thinks if we try to run 3 off the JL 750/1 amp it will hurt the sound quality, something about the impedence. He says the best is to run 2 subs or add another amp and do 4 subs.

I just think 3 subs might fill the space better, will it add anything noticeable to the sound?

Im running 4 subs with a 1 ohm stable amp.

JL's new amps just came out. They are alot smaller with more power. If you are hurting for space these amps will be great. The new amp that has more power than my 4500 is half it's size.