need best stereo recommendation for $400
 

I want to upgrade my stereo from stock.

my criteria is simple, I only want to spend $400.

so here are the assumptions.......

1) keeping my kenwood headunit with line level outs....

2) In Michigan We typically boat to a beach, and go ashore.
So I want good clean sound loud enough for in the cockpit while underway with clean base punch, but no need to hear three boats down like the havasu guys.

3) I do not want to cut holes in the front panel of the bench

what should I do for speakers and amps to get the best sound in the cockpit fopr $400.

from all my surfing ( 3 hours last night)
I need advice on these options:

a) (2) 7" or 8" coax's in stock sidepanel location with a good 2 channel amp ( is this enough ??)

or

b) subs in small boxes set into the gunwhales
6.5's or 7.25's in the stock side panels
4 channel amp with bridged subs

c) subs in boxes or bolted to floor under bench, with above coaxes

d)bazooka subs set into the gunwhales, and 6.5's or7.25's with 4 channel amp


remember....$400.......
would $200 pair of speakers and $200 amp sound better than $100 subs, $75 coaxes, and $125 amp??


thanks

Ramb

Seems you need to save another $400 and wait til next year. :D All the wires, fuses, etc. are gonna cost you another $100 unless you already have all these wired and in place.

BTW: Several guys I know have installed JL Audio subs, amps, 7.7's....expensive but DAM!!!! One guy with a bunch of Clarion equipment just ripped all his out to replace with the JL stuff.

start looking on ebay for stuff.400 is just a start.i bought 2500 worth of stuff from a buddy for 700,all jl audio and mb quarts.i have 200-300 just in wire,connectors,fuse blocks,distribution blocks.it all adds up,save some money and do it right.

I really doubt you are going to be able to do what you want for $400.
I have 4 Babb 6x9's and Rockford Fosgate 500watt amp hooked to Clarion head unit. You have to really crank it up while underway to hear it. The amp and speakers were about $750.

If your listening to tunes running down the lake your boat just aint LOUD ENOUGH!!!!:evilb: Dry Stacks and intercom the only way to fly!!and you can run your tunes through the com....Just yankin you Rob.

dyno Dan,

you got any good speakers for sale cheap since you use headphones with those dry pipes of yours? :D

I know people are temped to say ( spend twice as much) but
I know ther is quality ( not top of line) equipment that can be had

what if I said $600 to spec something out, then I search for it used on Ebay for $400


who on the board retails this stuff?
I know Andy Buzz is one, anyone else?

Ramb

I stock sony, pioneer and clarion marine. Sorry no jl.

I agree with T500hps. A fuse block alone is about 30 bucks. I went through the same thing a couple years ago and waited. I just finished mine up, JL 13w6 subs, polk audio, MTX complete with 2 2fared compaciters. Its 2500 watts and is insane!!! Well worth the wait

$400.00 is pretty hard. I used to work in the wholesale car audio biz, even with my connections I would have a hard time getting much for that.

If it was me I would replace the stock speakers with better stuff, and add an amp. Then when you can add some subs and another amp.

I just installed (4) speakers in my Pantera that I bought off of Ebay. They are all Memphis Audio, and I spent around $250.00 with shipping for all 4. I bought (2) 8" Coax and (2) 6x9. They even came with their own crossovers and they sound really good for the money. I didn't even use an amp and hooked them up directly to my Jensen head unit.

Here's a link to the guys I dealt with.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MEMPHIS-15-MA92-...QQcmdZViewItem

Everything I got was brand new in the box and the shipping was pretty fast. ;)