Stereo and Speaker Installation 215 CC

[duffyt]

Hi All,

I am looking to purchase a stereo and speaker system for my 07' 215. Would appreciate recommendations on what to look for. Also, not sure where the best place is to install speakers. I plan to go flush mount, and considering adding a subwoofer (total of 3 speakers), may need to buy amplifier as well. I plan to play mostly ipod/mp3 and cd, so aux input for ipod is desired. Thanks!

Uncle Shim and The Harbourtowne Hookers

[They're bitting]

We have an 03' 210 and mounted our speakers(white of course) under the center panel right below the throttle.Flush mount would be very nice.I personaly would'nt install an amp or a sub only for the simple fact that it's just one more thing draining your batt.We have three batt. and between the amps being pulled from the gps and f.f. screen we still are constantly monitoring it. (i know it does'nt seem like much, but trust me we keep an eye on it when we're out.if it gets below 9 amps we'll start it up . Ideally you want to be at 11 or higher).Plus we use a light to make bait and sometimes we'll really have to soak that light.Having anythng else pulling power would be an issue.I guess it depends on what type of boating you do though.
Good luck and I hope maybe i brought somethings to your attn.
Brian

[fl81turbozx]

Here is what I did......

I just installed an amp (inside console) with 2 speakers mounted to the sides of my console. I ran a head phone line up to my electronics box with an inline volume. I also installed a cigarette lighter jack in my electronics box. Oh, and wired a switch into my electronics box to turn the amp on and off.

Now I can use that plug to play my MP3 (w/ AM/FM) or my Sirrius Satellite Radio. The amp does not take much more power than a head unit. Why install a head unit, you don't need it.

Email me (fl81turbozx@yahoo.com) if you have any questions, I can also send you pictures. I am very happy with this setup. Very clean installation and the sound is way better than a standard head unit. Also, the floor opening below the cooler would be perfect for a subwoofer.

-Frank '07 215

[fl81turbozx]

by they way, one of the biggest reasons I op'ted away from a CD Head Unit is becasue they don't last. If you want CD's, you can use a Diskman with my set up, although who needs CD when you have MP3.

[duffyt]

Gents,
Thank you for sharing your tips. I have not had much success with my previous boats and AM/FM/CD players (CDs skip or radio just goes south early in its life), and have considered just installing an AMP with a few channels to accomodate speakers, my IPOD, and Sirus unit. I have also been looking at speakers that can mount to t-top, above console and directed towards aft. Sounds like you have had success with locating speakers on side of console (which should be easier to install). My boat just arrived at the dealer (113BoatSales in DE) last Friday, I am hoping to settle before the OC boat show (next weekend), plan to discuss with folks doing the install of electronics when we meet. I have a Garmin GPS 498 and ICOM M422 VHF that are also going to be installed. With sound system included, that may be a big drawl on the battery...thanks again!

[fl81turbozx]

My 215 came with pull strings, so wiring through the t-top should not be a problem if you go that route. Good luck.

[Bob5292]

I also run the ipod and Sirius direct to the amp via the headphone adapter and a set of RCA cables. I didn't want to punch more holes into the center console, so I mounted two wakeboard tower speakers to the t-top and it sounds great. Most also have adjustable tweeters so you can aim them at the drivers seat. If you don't have an ipod a cheap $30 flash drive MP3 player would work. They are solid state so there's no moving parts to get damaged from vibration.

http://members.aol.com/kndg616/myfish.jpg

Bob

[duffyt]

Bob and Frank,
Thanks again for your suggestions on sound system setup. Would appreciate if you could let me know make and model of amp, speakers, cables, and any other peripherals to rig a "head unitless" sound system...pics would also be very much appreciated especially location and mountings for total setup. My e-mail address is duffyt@comcast.net I have been looking at stuff on west marine and wmjmarine...not sure if there are other marine audio places with good equipment for reasonable pricing.

[fl81turbozx]

All of my euipment is Clarion, sounds great. I'll take pictures this weekend.

[duffyt]

Frank...I look forward to seeing your hookup. I purchased 6.5" Kicker DS60 Wakeboard speakers today on ebay...100W each, I am going for the tower mount vs. flush. I also purchased a Clarion Subwoofer 10", also a 100W. Got the whole speaker package for a little over 200 bucks (speakers are new and not refurbs)! I am eyeballing the Clarion 480 marine amplifier...has 4 channel (will need that to power 2 speakers and 1 sub). I am curious to see how you hooked up your ipod to your amp, as well as hook up your amp to battery (and what cables you used). Also curious to see how you hooked up remote power to turn amp on and off. Last but not least, would like to understand how to control speaker volume in the absence of a head unit (with ipod connected via RCA).
Tim