Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

[jgos929]

Let me start by saying I just want it to be clean and as simple as possible using the components I already have.

My head unit is a Dual MXDM70. I know its nothing special but it comes with a wired remote thats already installed beside my swim deck and I absolutely love having that feature, because we spend a lot of time floating behind the boat. I am replacing the 6.5's I have now with the Polk component DB6501's and the 6x9's I have with DB691's. I'm not looking for a sub at the moment that will probably be next year if ever. I just want a clean, loud sound in and within close proximity to the boat when we're floating around. I want to install a 4 channel amp to run all the speakers but here's my problem. My head unit only has one set of preamps. So my question is what would be the best and easiest way to run a 4 channel amp using my head unit? I've heard of using y adapters that would turn the 1 set of preamps into two, speaker level inputs or line out converters etc etc.

What do you guys suggest.

Thanks

 

[Struc]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

y-adaptors work great. I've used them before in car audio applications where the head unit only has 1 set of preamp outputs.

 

[brick75]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

I've got Y-adapters going into my 4-ch amp, works just fine.

You should get plenty of volume out of that setup. And I know you said you want to stick with what you have, but I really think if you're running those speakers with an amp, you'd get MUCH better quality sound from an upgraded deck. You can get nice Alpine or Clarion for a couple hundred dollars. And pretty sure you'd be able to wire a remote to the stern for pretty much any deck. Maybe something for next year too.

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

Most 4 channel amps will allow you to select how you want the inputs handled so you would be able to just use 1 pair of inputs. I have a 6 channel that will run all 6 channels off of one pair of RCA inputs. Essentially there is just a Y cable inside the amp. Or you can buy a pair of Y cables and hook it up that way.

I would recommend a Class D amp for the efficiency and small footprint. More expensive to start, but easier to deal with. JL has the XD line which are affordable Class D amps.

 

[jgos929]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

Thanks for the replys. From everything I've read the Y adapters would probably be the best option. One more question would a marine amp be absolutely necessary? My boat is used only in fresh water lakes and is usually stored indoors. It will be mounted under the back bench seat so it wont have direct contact with water.

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

Thanks for the replys. From everything I've read the Y adapters would probably be the best option. One more question would a marine amp be absolutely necessary? My boat is used only in fresh water lakes and is usually stored indoors. It will be mounted under the back bench seat so it wont have direct contact with water.

A lot of that depends on your climate and where you mount things. I didn't use any marine amps or deck in my system. But, my boat is stored dry, the amps are mounted in a protected area and the deck is in the glove box.

If you are in a salty environment, even salt air, there is a lot of humidity or the amp is likely to get wet, then you might consider a marine unit.

 

[jgos929]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

Well I live in TX and it gets pretty dang humid here so I guess I should stick with a marine product.

 

[plyxrs]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

im very high tec when it comes to anything (audio) amps subs everything, and in your situation go with the Y 100%.. you do not need a class D amp like someone mentioned what you have will be perfect just get the Y. walmart sells them cheap in the audio spot in the car stuff.

 

[jgos929]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

Since my unit has one set of preamps I need two Y adapters for a 4 channel amp correct?

 

[plyxrs]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

Since my unit has one set of preamps I need two Y adapters for a 4 channel amp correct?

hmm not that i know of.. i had a 4 channel that had 2 sets of pre-amps one set was for the rca's coming from the head unit and the other was for another set of rcas to run to another amp or equalizer.

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

im very high tec when it comes to anything (audio) amps subs everything, and in your situation go with the Y 100%.. you do not need a class D amp like someone mentioned what you have will be perfect just get the Y. walmart sells them cheap in the audio spot in the car stuff.

I didn't see where the PO already had an amp. My bad. If not, I still think Class D is a good way to go. You pay a little more, but given that boats are tight on space, often have poor ventilation and need all the efficiency they can get it makes sense.

That being said, Class A/B is fine. Our last boat had all class A/B. This boat is all Class D. I could mount 3 amps in the space of 1 regular amp.

To the PO, what amp do you have? That will help us to determine if you need 1 pair of Y cables or if you can set the amp up to split the signal.

 

[jgos929]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

The amp has has 3 sets of preamps. 1 front 1rear and 1aux. I believe the aux is for running to another amp. It's a JBL 760 4 channel amp

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

The amp has has 3 sets of preamps. 1 front 1rear and 1aux. I believe the aux is for running to another amp. It's a JBL 760 4 channel amp

I can't even find your amp on their website or on the web. You can look in the instructions for a switch that controls how the amp handles the inputs or just buy a pair of y cables and split your signal.

 

[jgos929]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

Here is the link to it on Iboats:
http://www.iboats.com/Jbl-4-Channel...9719848--**********.545996952--view_id.268603
Here is the link to it on the JBL site:
http://www.jbl.com/EN-US/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?PID=MA6004

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

Here is the link to it on Iboats:
http://www.iboats.com/Jbl-4-Channel...9719848--**********.545996952--view_id.268603
Here is the link to it on the JBL site:
http://www.jbl.com/EN-US/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?PID=MA6004

Thanks. Don't know why I couldn't find it.

Doesn't look to have a setup for internal splitting of the signal. Get a couple Y connectors and be done with it. You will need 2 splitters. Female on the single end and male on the split ends. I buy a fair amount of my audio stuff from http://www.knukonceptz.com/. Reasonable prices and good quality stuff.

 

[jgos929]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

Wouldn't I need a male on the single end to plug into the head unit and female on the split ends for the patch cables to plug into?

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

Wouldn't I need a male on the single end to plug into the head unit and female on the split ends for the patch cables to plug into?

Y cables aren't long enough for that. You will run your normal cable to the amp and the splitter sits right there. The ones I have are maybe 6" long.
The cable from your head unit will have a male end on it so you will need a female on the single side. The amp has female's on it so you need male on the end.

You can do it your way, but then you are running double the cable. Split it at the end to make it easier.

 

[jgos929]

Re: Upgrading sound system in 97 Mariah 180 Shabah

Y cables aren't long enough for that. You will run your normal cable to the amp and the splitter sits right there. The ones I have are maybe 6" long.
The cable from your head unit will have a male end on it so you will need a female on the single side. The amp has female's on it so you need male on the end.

You can do it your way, but then you are running double the cable. Split it at the end to make it easier.

So run my two cables from the headunit and split them at the amp. HOLY CRAP!!!! You're right, the way I was doing it does use twice the cable. Jeez thanks bud you just saved me a few bucks