I am looking to buy two 6x9 speakers for my boat and a subwoofer plus an amp for my boat. My alternator on my outboard puts out 40 amps for charging my battery. My boat is a 29 foot open center console.
I would like my 6x9s to be loud enough to adequately host a party and the sub to give some really good base .What should i be looking for in a sub that would make it morepower efficient? These speakers with the sub will have to be mounted overhead under the t top. How much base do I really need .The sub will most likely mounted in a sealed box if this would make a significant difference instead of 'free air" speakers, otherwise free air would be my choice.
Would 250-300 rms for a sub be asking to much considering my power restrictions( 40 amp charger) .Would 80 or so rms per speaker be adequate for the 6x9s ? I do have a dedicated deep cycle battery for my electronics: vhf radio, depthsounder, chartplotter. This unit would be played 90% of the time at a modest volume but I want the power to be there for chartered groups.
Is it possible to hurt my speakers if i am only running my speakers and the sub at a moderate level most of the time. Is there a way to have both?
What amp would be recommended for these requirements and which way should i connect them to have the most power efficient installation?
Would really appreciate some answers please.
Thanks
I would use 4 - 6x9 speakers and a 4 x 100 Watt RMS amp, or similar setup. Your alternator is not gonna support a high powered sub amp. Some 6x9 speakers will really put out moderately good bass if amp gains and tone controls are setup correctly. Everything HAS TO BE marine grade. Not alot of less than expensive choices.
Just an example -
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1086912M/Infinity-6912M.html?showAll=N&search=marine+system&ssi=0
Polk also sells marine rated 6x9's.
I'm not sure I would say the alternator WON'T handle a subwoofer amp - expecially something like a bridged 4-channel. What you could look for is am amp like this, that would be 300W to your sub and 75W to each speaker if you wired them in parallel - two per channel.
Now, in a car, that alternator would not work at all, but a boat doesn't have headlights.
If you are mainly looking at anchoring out and playing the stereo with the engine off, the alternator doesn't matter and the battery will charge back up when you head back in (if the stereo is off).
If you want to crank it with the engine on (when you need to) and when you anchor out, you might need additional batteries or shore power to recharge them.
Also - it might be wise to get a third battery just for the audio and run it off a battery isolator so you don't lose the VHF radio if you party too much with it.
Hope This Helps!!!
Anyone else have suggestions?
2002 Ford Focus Sony CDX-GT410u Sony XT-100HD HD Tuner Stock speakers, no amp, no subs