Amp advice

[CD262]

Hey guys, I know there are a few of you here that know ALOT about stereo setups, which happens to be ALOT more than me. Hoping you will lend your .02 to this question/setup. I am going to replace my Sony head unit in my boat this winter with a Rockford Fosgate PMX-5can. I'm also going to swap out the Sony remotes with the RF remotes. This may sound silly, but I'm going with the RFs because I really like the aesthetics of the remotes that are visible in the helm and walk through (Please don't judge). The fact that Cobalt uses RF on their newer boats is also a factor.

Currently, I have 6 Polk MM652 6.5"s throughout the boat and 2 Polk MM522 5.25"s out the back. I also have a 10" Kicker sub that was added prior to my purchase. I'm planning on the speakers staying. I think the specs for each of the speakers are 100 watts per channel, peak 300W. No idea about the sub. It was mounted in a box.

There are currently 2 amps mounted in front of the helm, and I have no idea if they are sufficient or not. One is a kicker, 08DX100.2 and the other is an ARC Audio XDi803. I am not sure if either of these are what I need. I've attached pictures of what is in there, sorry the quality is not the best.

Any suggestions on what amp(s) I might want to consider for this setup? I don't need to be the loudest on the lake, but I want what the setup I am going for to sound solid and I'm not opposed to spending some money on the system if it's worth it.

Thanks in advance!

[Big Block Power]

They are running the sub off that kicker amp in guessing? Here's the specs on it. I would remove it.

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-fYtXpv3qp ... 100-2.html

Here's the specs on the arc.
I would such it out to. I like matching equipment.

https://www.woofersetc.com/p-10311-xdi- ... ifier.html

I am happy with my wetsounds htx 6 you can run the inboats on that one amp.
I didn't look at you sub specs but could run a htx4 for the 2 diskettes or the back and the sub. Bridged.
You need to look at your wiring also. What did they use.

More will comment im sure.
This is just a start. We can tweak from there. You want class D amps no matter what.

Or you could get a JL 8 channel amp and run all 8 speakers off that one amp. Maybe keep the amp running your sub. I don't think it's a classD though. I didn't look that close at it.

[Bfun220]

I'd get the wetsounds htx6 to run the 6.5's. Then run your 5.25' off the head unit. I think you'll get 25watts per channel. You may want more.
Check the specs on the sub. If the subs rated for it, Add a htx4 for the sub. If not, replace the sub and add the amp.
Or I'd go jl and get their 8 channel for all the speakers and another amp for the sub.

[jhnmdahl]

Big thing I think is getting a digital or Class D amplifier - they use a lot less power, and go farther and louder on a battery than the old school amplifiers. Also, make sure peak output power is decent (75-100w+/channel?) if you're going to replace what you've got. Wet Sounds and JL Audio both have great multichannel marine options, as do some other manufacturers. I picked up one of these, for example, to drive six channels in a setup with no subwoofer: https://creativeaudio.net/m600-6-k/

John

[sailor55330]

You could run the mains off of the head unit, but honestly, I wouldn't. 25w is really not much. You have to remember, in most cases, the power rating is the peak power rating, which means that if the unit can achieve that output power for just long enough to be measured, they can claim it. In reality, you are probably getting 6-10 watts at best. You really want to look for continuous power rating (which the head unit might be rated at, who knows). If you like higher volumes, which for an outdoor setting, you'll want more power. BBP has a good suggestion. Now, I'm not really up on marine amps, but I'd definitely go class D. As said, much more efficient and will definitely run cooler.

My guess is they are running the sub off of the Arc Audio as it's bridgeable to 240w at 4ohms and if you drop it to a 2 ohm load, you could possibly see 400w. That makes more sense for the sub than the Kicker, which doesn't have the guts to drive it at higher volumes (Bass eats power) The Amp is technically capable I just don't know how much headroom (extra oomph) it has.

I have always had good luck with my RF amps both in the car and the boat. I also think they are a little cleaner amp (less total harmonic distortion, but now I'm getting geeky) and maybe a little under rated in the power specs. Both RF and Wetsounds are quality units and it may come down to looks and price for you We are in an outside environment so it's going to take a little more to make the DB's if that's what you want. Over time, water and humidity will take a toll---that's why I'd go Marine. Everyone has a favorite brand. Remember, a good speaker can handle more clean power than distorted power. I'd take a solid clean 50w amp over a 250w "dirty" amp anyday....an amp that delivers clean power will sound much better with significant'y lower wattage than a dirty amp with a higher rating. Also as mentioned, please be sure to use good quality wiring of the correct gauge. Too small a wire gauge will choke the amp....think of hooking a garden hose to a fire hydrant---it doesn't work too well.

If it were me, I'd be looking at a marine amp for the 4 main speakers, somewhere around 80w RMS continuous power, with a built in crossover/cutoff and then probably a separate power amp for the sub, around 250 watts, continuous power, RMS. You might also consider a six-channel amp, that way if you want to expand someday with bow speakers, you've got the engine for it--just a thought.

Don't fall into the peak power games--sometimes called dynamic power....it's a fools bet. I also wouldn't drop it to a 2 ohm load...not really much to be gained here except some heat and strain on the amp.

Now, if you're lucky, the real gurus will come by and tell you what to really do.

[CD262]

Thank you all for the advice, it is very much appreciated and gives me a good start to jump into this. Seems to me the logical move would be to put the 4 pairs of polk speakers on the JL 8 channel as they all have the same output levels and capacities. Then get a separate amp for the sub.

[sailor55330]

Sounds like a good plan