rubble Posted November 11, 2022 Report Share Posted November 11, 2022 Made it to FL to do a little fishing before bringing the boat back to KY. Notice the speakers all sounded horrible. They are Clarion boat speakers that have been in the boat for about 14 years. Not sure if they have just made it thru their serviceable life or if being stored outdoors and exposed to the weather could have caused some issues? Thoughts? Recommended replacement speakers? One thing I haven’t done yet is check all of the connections. Used butt connectors which could have some corrosion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted November 18, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2022 Found an old thread talking about replacement speakers. Looks like the 7.7" JL Audios are popular. Is that the best bang for the buck? My current speakers are 6.5". Is there that big of a difference in sound going to 7.7"? I'll likely only be cranking the sound while running. While fishing radio is either off or down low enough to be able to hear it. Going to also possibly replace the Head Unit. Currently have Clarion CMD-4. May go back with something that fits the same footprint. Wouldn't mind going back with a Clarion product but is there something else out there worth jumping on? I could also possibly use one of those smaller head units and find something to fill the void of the old unit. Would an amplifier be necessary? My original system was purchased from Hobo who walked me through the install. Wanted to do some business with a forum member who had provide outstanding contributions to the group. He helped me and so many either directly or indirectly with his guidance. 1. Recommended speakers for replacement? 2. Recommended head unit replacement? 3. Is amp necessary? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lap it Up Posted November 18, 2022 Report Share Posted November 18, 2022 JL Audio is pricey but they are worth. I will say, you have to provide ample amperage to them no matter the head unit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted November 18, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2022 2 hours ago, Lap it Up said: JL Audio is pricey but they are worth. I will say, you have to provide ample amperage to them no matter the head unit. Is the amp a deal breaker? Looks like the JL Audio amps are pricey as well. Is it possible to find something decent to push the speakers at a better price point? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLP Posted November 18, 2022 Report Share Posted November 18, 2022 Hey Rubble I recently replaced my head unit with the Sony DSX-M80. It has a built in amp and was the most powerful unit I could find to fit in the original spot. It has awesome sound quality and I’ve never turned it up all the way. Its perfect for my current set up but has the ability to add an amp if needed in the future. Not sure what size your Clarion footprint is or how many speakers you’re trying to push but this might be worth looking into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplec Posted November 18, 2022 Report Share Posted November 18, 2022 3 hours ago, rubble said: ...Is it possible to find something decent to push the speakers at a better price point? Not usually. Most head units just dont have the umpth. I just went down his road few months ago. Removed old Fusions and old fusion head unit. You are correct in going w JL and the 7.7s M3 are far better than the 6.5 M3s. Like maybe sound twice as deep and clear. Makes no sense but worth the hundred bucks. You want the M3 NOT the M6 series. The M6 I guess are for super high power for extended period maybe and sound much more "tinny." I tried a head unit and 6.5s and it was blah then swapped to 7.7s and it was better but not remarkable then added the small JL amp and it was absolutely stunning to me the difference. Even though everyone had said it would be night and day I had to hear it for myself. I am 60 so I don't need it loud like in my days of youth but I like to hear it clearly and the amp is just amazing at that. You owe it to yourself to call or message these folks. https://creativeaudio.net They packaged me a deal and took several hundred off JL Audio MSRP. They don't post on site but when they send you a quote it is way less than published prices. Florida company with knowledgable folks and lightening fast shipping which was free as well. Can't say enough good about them and JL Audio components. A buddy told me about them and I had never dealt with them but really good help. The head unit they recommended was Rockford Fosgate and that saved quite a bit. I have some before and after video/sound that is amazing. To your questions: 1. JL Audio 7.7 M3 https://creativeaudio.net/m3-770x-s-gw/ 2. Rockford-Fosgate PMX-1 https://creativeaudio.net/pmx-1/ 3. YES Indeed! I run the JL Audio 200/2 amp. https://creativeaudio.net/m200-2/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lap it Up Posted November 19, 2022 Report Share Posted November 19, 2022 21 hours ago, rubble said: Is the amp a deal breaker? Looks like the JL Audio amps are pricey as well. Is it possible to find something decent to push the speakers at a better price point? Amp is imperative if you want quality sound and want speakers to perform. You don’t need a JL amp. I run a Skar 500 watt amp on two 6.5’s and one 8” sub. I had a JL M400 previously and the Skar performs as good or better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted September 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2023 JL 7.7s and amp are headed my way from Creative Audio. No sub or head unit this go around but definitely the next mod coming. Suggestions on speaker wire? Currently just have cheap residential speaker wire in the boat and it seems to work. Do I need to upgrade to a heavy gauge marine wire? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddyBottomBluz Posted September 9, 2023 Report Share Posted September 9, 2023 I have a kicker marine system and could not be happier! With regards to wire, I used duplex tined marine wire and have no issues, no corrosion as you have with copper wire. #14 is fine, #12 maybe a little better. Remember that you cannot heat shrink the speaker connections at the amp. My .02 cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lap it Up Posted September 10, 2023 Report Share Posted September 10, 2023 I also use marine tinned Duplex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacerxV6 Posted September 10, 2023 Report Share Posted September 10, 2023 My boat came with the Fusion MR-55 with fusion speakers. Going on 3 years now and still sounds great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted September 11, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2023 On 9/9/2023 at 2:52 PM, MuddyBottomBluz said: Remember that you cannot heat shrink the speaker connections at the amp. My .02 cents. What happens at the AMP? Never put in an amp before. Guessing that you run speaker wire from Receiver to amp and then Speaker Wire from Amp to Speakers. Does the amp have set pin type or threaded screw in connections like on the back of home receivers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddyBottomBluz Posted September 11, 2023 Report Share Posted September 11, 2023 Your radio should have a set of RCA female plugs so you will need a set of RCA cables that will attach to the amp to the radio and from the amp you will run your speaker wires out. The amp has compression terminals/lugs that will connect the speaker wire to the amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted September 11, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2023 10-4. Makes sense. I've gotta check on the RCA Jacks. Don't remember seeing them but I found an online OM that says they are there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted September 11, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2023 Guessing I'm going to need some Marine Grade RCA cables as well? In the Connection pic above, Is the Purple/Red Purple/White for Sub? If so, Looks like maybe I will need 3 patch cables? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacerxV6 Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 This the back go your unit...DSX-m80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted September 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 Starting to add up. Thanks, Gentlemen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted September 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2023 Looking at the amp power, it states to use a 4ga wire from battery to amp with an inline breaker. What do your setups look like? Are you coming off of battery or battery switch or powering from a fuse panel? If battery or battery switch, what size breaker. Installing Fusion SG-DA41400 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacerxV6 Posted September 17, 2023 Report Share Posted September 17, 2023 couldn't tell yeah, don't have Amp, but would come off battery switch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lap it Up Posted September 17, 2023 Report Share Posted September 17, 2023 1 hour ago, rubble said: Looking at the amp power, it states to use a 4ga wire from battery to amp with an inline breaker. What do your setups look like? Are you coming off of battery or battery switch or powering from a fuse panel? If battery or battery switch, what size breaker. Installing Fusion SG-DA41400 This is how I wire all my amps… Amp ground goes straight to house battery. Amp power goes to 40amp breaker. Other side of breaker goes straight to house battery. Amp remote wire goes to battery switch or to open power slot on main fuse panel (battery switch should be killing fuse panel). If installing a radio and amp… tie both radio and amp remote together so they turn on and off together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted September 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2023 16 minutes ago, Lap it Up said: This is how I wire all my amps… Amp ground goes straight to house battery. Amp power goes to 40amp breaker. Other side of breaker goes straight to house battery. Amp remote wire goes to battery switch or to open power slot on main fuse panel (battery switch should be killing fuse panel). If installing a radio and amp… tie both radio and amp remote together so they turn on and off together. So Will have radio that has remote line for amp. Just connect Amp remote and Radio remote or run both to same fuse panel or slot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lap it Up Posted September 17, 2023 Report Share Posted September 17, 2023 7 hours ago, rubble said: So Will have radio that has remote line for amp. Just connect Amp remote and Radio remote or run both to same fuse panel or slot? Amp remote wire to the radio amp input is the correct way, as long as the radio remote / memory output is going to the switched fuse panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted September 24, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2023 Does this represent a proper connection for the amp and radio setup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02 Tex Pathy Posted September 24, 2023 Report Share Posted September 24, 2023 2 hours ago, rubble said: Does this represent a proper connection for the amp and radio setup? That is how mine looks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted September 30, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2023 UPDATE: Made the connections today. Sound is amazing. Blows you away inside the warehouse. Look forward to a water test. Need to mount amp and clean up the wires. Happy with the purchase. Now wishing I had a Sub and new head unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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