How can I build a sound system for $2000 ?

[TigeBrooks]

I just bought a 2004 Tige 22v with no stereo system. Now after a few months of boarding im going crazy with no tunes.

My Goals - To hear the music when riding - NOT play music for the cove

My thoughts: A 10 inch sub mounted under the driver side with a box built around it. Deafcon 2 speakers, and 4 4 and 1/2 inch dual mode speakers for the boat.

Currently...I'm leaning toward those new tubbies made by Bazooka

Amplifiers....I have no idea. I get a different story about amplifiers from everybody. Can a 5 channel kicker amp cut it?

What products would you guys suggest or have in you boats?

Please HELP. Can I do this for $2000? Thanks in advance!

[rushin]

Deafcon 2's are $729.00 alone @ Wakeside. Why 4 1/2" speakers? Anything is possible when you shop around, I saved $ 100 by buying some brand new pair of speakers on ebay. 2k might be close. IMO. You don't even have a head unit?

[Matt Garcia]

For the sub I would go with JL Audio and for the speakers look at Fusion Combos or NVS Speakers.

Although I dont have any experience with Bazooka, I hear they are not that good.

[switchme]

6 X 9's I replaced my stock 41/2" with 6 x 9's way louder. I don't think that one amp will cut it. I've got two and will probably add another this year. One for the tower speakers (4), one for the boat speakers and one for the sub.

Definantely get a head unit with a wired remote and I'd look at xm or sirius and also an Ipod input.

[scottie4421]

Easily....ebay is the ticket....try this:

Sony CDX-F50M head unit $160
Fusion T-Series Combos $850 @ www.wakeboat.com (closeouts)
4 Polk Audio DB 650's (6.5") @ www.frys.com (89/set) - maybe cheaper on ebay $180 total
2 Diamond Audio D3400.4 Amps $160 on ebay (1 for the tower speakers - 1 for the interior)
Wiring - $100 bucks

I'm running a similar setup (different Fusions) and it sounds great. My fusions are the 5.25 w/ 1" tweeter components. The ones I mentioned up above have an additional 6 1/2" speaker. Anyone who's heard them will give rave reviews...they sound awesome. I wouldn't spend too much of your available $$$ on a sub if the goal is to hear the music while you're riding. You'd be better off investing more in tower speakers or more amp power. Wired remotes are a great thing to have...the sony head unit above is compatable with them. They're about 100 bucks a pop though, so it will eat up your budget very quickly. I second the Ipod or Flash player hookup as someone mentioned above. Hope this helps....good luck building your system!

Here are some pics:

[scottie4421]

Pics

[scottie4421]

another

[scottie4421]

back view

[scottie4421]

DB650's

[scottie4421]

front view

[scottie4421]

2 DB 650's

[rushin]

I have the DB650's also and I have seen them on ebay for $65. There is a pair of DB675's for $59 right now.

[jeffveldstra]

I have 2002 riders edition with clarion system (stereo & speakers) I just recently had the 2005 black Defcon III speakers (four speakers around $1000) installed on my tower to replace the tige speakers that came with the boat. I also had one more amp added just to run the new tower speakers, I now have 3 amps. I also added a high performace battery with a switch to run the system. I also replaced the clarion stereo with a new clarion stereo I could connect an iPod port which was run all the way to the drivers side.
I could never hear my old system on the water, now it is so loud I can hear it perfectly out on the water and the sub kicks so hard it rattles the inside of the boat. The Defcon III are defintely worth the extra cost.

Have fun

[talltigeguy]

Scottie,

I am very close to replacing my clarion stock speakers with Polk DB650's from ebay for around $60 per pair - are you really happy with them? Will they be as much better than the stock speakers as I expect?

Tigebrooks - I'm not sure some of the suggestions above fit your price tag. For 2K I think you can get a very good system. Many tower speaker setups are 900 to 1100 dollars (both the fusions and defcon III's) or $1700 if you go NVS. One economical way would be to get a pair of Evid 6.2's. They aren't really pretty, but they do put out a lot of volume that is very clear when riding. The sensitivity is 118db. Just another option to consider. It's what I'm using now and have been pretty pleased. They can be had for 390 on ebay for a pair. You'll need some clamps for about $45 to mount them to the tower.

[knelems]

I just had 4 Bazooka speakers installed on a customers 04 22V, they had the MB Quart in Boss Cans. They have an awesome sound for the money, just the two are great for $400.00. I forgot to get a photo, I will post later.

[cmb22V]

I would email Bill at Monster Tower, he has some new horn loaded steups for the tower that are priced right and super loud.

Do NOT get the Defcons. I had those on my last one, now have the Fusion 3 ways... and will probably add a pair of the 2 ways to go with them. Wakeboat has a great price on the 3 ways though.

Also, what engine do you have? The marine power 340 is very very loud. I have 750 clean watts on the fusions, and it isn't enough to hear cleanly.

Do the sub later. I have a Kicker Solo L7 15 mounted at the drivers feet with a box built behind it. I had to build a new wall, but it sounds great. It will eat up budget though.

[scottie4421]

Talltigeguy,

The DB650's are great. I think you'll be very pleased with the sound....especially for the price. They have a nice full sound with plenty of low's and very crisp highs. Of course they won't hit the very low bass notes, so I have my amp set to filter out anything less than 55 hertz. The four in my boat produce a nice surrounding effect so it seems like the music is all around you and not coming from a particular area of the boat.

Another nice thing about them, the cone is element proof....you can spill beer and water on it with no ill effects. Plus the grills are very cool. My boat is a 2000, so it really helps update the look of the interior to match more closely with the newer boats. They were slightly smaller than my stock speakers (JVC's), so I had to drill new holes. It was no big deal though.

Good luck with your system!

[TigeDuner]

Do not forget to add enough battery for your new system. This was discussed in detail a couple of weeks ago on a differnt post. You can easily spend 300 bucks on cables, connections, fuses, and another battery. I am in the middle of installing the second battery and cables from the new battery to the amp. Not cheap. Good luck....

[scottie4421]

I totally agree with TigeDuner. I installed a second battery in my boat. I didn't mention it since the original question said he wasn't interested in a beach system...just a system he can hear while riding.

[Beau McCrory]

I've got a Clarion 10 under the dash, Bazooka 10 tube in the gull wing with the 10, two B52s on the rack and clarion stock around. If it's cranked; i can hear while i board, but i like the sound on the surf so it's just right. fyi, save your money for the JL 10 cause the bazooka is not as good imo.