Replacement Speakers

[99ProAir]

I was wondering if anybody has replaced the stock Clarion speakers with another brand that they are happy with. I have 4 Clarion in the boat and two Bose on the tower. I have the stock amp as well with stock head unit. Please advise.

[jroyal]

You may want to try to add an amp to the stock speakers and run it through a crossover. Before having the crossover, the stock speakers sounded awful. Now, I have alot more control of the sound and the stock speakers sound pretty good.

[99ProAir]

I need to replace a blown speaker. Should I replace it with another Clarion Speaker? Or should I replace it with 4 new speakers, if so, what brand do you recommend and why? Also, should I leave stock amp alone or replace with another?

[Onthewater]

if one is blown and you can't replace it with what is in there already, get all new speakers...or atleast a pair that you can control together.

[99ProAir]

I guess the consensus is to replace all the speakers. What brand do you recommend going with? Should I run a separate amp to the tower spekers and to the boat speakers? Help me out with a new set-up? Something that is good, but not too costly!

[Hollywood]

Help me out with a new set-up? Something that is good, but not too costly!

Help us help you. Define "costly" so we can start picking out products.

[99ProAir]

I'm talking about 4 new speakers in the boat and maybe a new amp if needed. I'm going to keep the Bose Tower speakers and the stock Clarion head unit. Does that help?

[DRAGON88]

I'm pretty shure what hollywood was getting at was $$...

[Hollywood]

I'm pretty shure what hollywood was getting at was $$...

Exackary! It all boils down to how much you want to spend, and what abilities you have as far as install.

[99ProAir]

If I had to put a cap on $$$ I would say $500 range.

[99ProAir]

My abilities as far as install are pretty weak...what ever changes I would make will be done by the tech that services the boat.

[Hollywood]

I will get researching. With that $500, I am thinking one extra small amp for the tower speakers, and 4 new interior speakers.

[Pit_Style]

I also have a question about replacing the interior speakers. I was considering going with MB Quart RKC-116 6.5” to replace the stock speakers. What do you guys think?? Also what size amp would you recommend for it? I was thinking Phoenix Gold Tantrum maybe a 500.4. Thanks for the help.

[Hollywood]

Do you know what the RMS of your tower speakers are? Even without knowing, I would suggest this amp (Kicker, dealer friendly). All details are in the image, taken from www.onlinecarstereo.com. I haven't done any price comparisons yet, but these seem to be decent prices. Remember 2 pairs of the Alpines. Depending on the amp size you already have, you might need to upgrade to lower gauge power and ground wires for the amp(s). This consists of buying thicker wires and/or adding another set of wires for the second amp (easiest and probably cheapest). All the speaker wire should be right there from the old amp, just take the tower wires and pull them over to this amp. Installing the speakers is easy, probably only will need a screwdriver. The only thing tricky is the amp install, find a good spot near the old one to mount it to, maybe have someone help who has done this stuff before. You should be able to do most of the work other than that.

[Hollywood]

Pit_Style, that amp is definitely overkill for 2 pairs of the speakers you listed. A good rule of thumb is to match the peak power of the speaker with what the amp is listed at. For example, 2 pairs of 50 Watt Peak Power speakers would be efficiently powered by a 50 X 4 watt amplifier. Those RKC 116s are rated at 130 watts Peak, 125 watts per speaker is about as good of a match you'll be able to find. If you're thinking of doubling up speakers on a channel inorder to amp everything you have, I have to know more about your system to make a proper assessment. Appropriately setting the gain (turn volume to 2/3 max on receiver, and turn up gain until sound gets distorted) will work just fine, but you're wasting power and $. MB Quart are quality speakers, but those look like they have a paper cone, and won't last long if they are getting wet.

99ProAir, I also forgot to mention hooking up an extra amp to the receiver, hopefully you have 2 outputs (front/rear) on the receiver, each will need 2 channel RCA wires, with Y splitters (female to male) for the existing amp (assuming it's a 4 channel) so you can use all 4 interior speakers (4 channels off amp) off of a 2 channel signal from the receiver.

PM me if you need more details or have more specific questions.

[Pit_Style]

I appreciate your help. What size amp would you say for the four interior speakers? Also what kind of speakers would you suggest that would hold up better to the elements. I was looking at Infinity Kappa's, any insight. Thanks again.

[Hollywood]

I'm not all crazy about 'marine' audio myself, but try to find speakers with a more durable cone, as in a polymer or metal.

[99ProAir]

What is out there that is not "marine" but has a metal or polymer cone? Also, what size amp would you use for the interior speakers? I think I'm set on replacing all 4 interior speakers, powering them with an amp, and possibly replacing sub woofer. I will also need another amp to power new sub and the 2 Bose tower speakers. Now hat is your recommendation on that set-up?

[mattbroad]

I replaced the stock Clarions with Diamond Audio units; they are not marine specific but do have poly cones which is basically the same thing. The difference was pretty dramatic (altho I did add an amp also at the same time). I don't recall the model but he cost was about $80 each.