225 Explorer stereo speaker system layout?

[jdevoid]

I'm in the process of purchaingng a stereo system- Clarion M309 and Apx 290 amp and JL audio speakers for 2001 225 EX

I wanted to hear how others have laid out their stereo systems.  My main concern is the speaker location. I don't like the local of the stock speaker setup- 1 behind the cabin folding door and the other below the throttle controls.

Any ideas?

[Circle Hooked]

I cut out holes in the pie plate covers at the base of the walk around, and installed the speakers in the covers,they sound great easy to wire and in the last 12 years i'm on my second set of speakers,and they have not been high dollar speakers to start with and they still lasted.

I have set of pioneer box speakers mounted to the in side of the cabin walls that have lasted since day one,together it all sounds great.

[fishingdave]

i would use the two factory locations on each side of the walk ways, put two in the t-top(if you have one) and two inside the cabin in boxes all the way forward. If you dont have a t-top i would use small pre-load speaker boxes on the console, so this way your not cuting your boat all up. Hey your from LI??  where do you boat out of?

[labboss2003]

I cut out holes in the pie plate covers at the base of the walk around, and installed the speakers in the covers,they sound great easy to wire and in the last 12 years i'm on my second set of speakers,and they have not been high dollar speakers to start with and they still lasted.



Rear speakers in the same place cheapo ones ,but they have lasted a long time. Two in cabin one buy sink the other across from there. Paid about 200$ for everything (including radio)in the thoughts of upgrading latter, but they really sound great as if it was a much more expensive setup, think the whole boat acts like a speaker box. At full throttle (200 2 stroke) I can't hear the motor when at 3/4 volume on the radio.

So in my opinion you really don't have to spend a lot to have a bumpin system ......yo yo (so cal )

[wingtime]

think the whole boat acts like a speaker box.

I took out the two pie plate covers on either side of the cockpit of my XF and made a adapter plate out of starboard for a pair of Sony 6" speakers.   I also belive the gunnel sides act as speaker box since the whole hull seems to boom from them.

[RickK]

On my 230, the speakers are installed in the rod storage area just behind the steps going forward, up towards the top on both sides.  Great place for them. Look right in front of the chair in the cockpit.

[DOCREED]

Be careful with your battery banks.  A stereo with an amp will draw a lot of current.....

[jcaesar625]

Alpine makes some 7" marine speakers that fit in the access holes. Installed mine in the ones at the base of the walk around just as another poster mentioned. No Adapters.

[jdevoid]

Thanks for all your tips.  I will try to apply some of your ideas when i do the install. I am a bit conerned about battery draw. (just installed Two new batteries)

[howesdivin]

I also have a 1999 225 Explorer.  Can you send me information about your speaker installation?  I am about to add a stereo and speakers to mine.

Thank you,

Tom

[GoneFission]

I'm in the process of purchaingng a stereo system- Clarion M309 and Apx 290 amp and JL audio speakers for 2001 225 EX

 

JL makes some nice speakers, but they are pricey!  Polk Audio makes some good sounding marine-grade speakers that won't set you back quite as much.  The marine Infinity Reference series are pretty nice too.  Find a place to listen to them and find out what you like.  If you love bass and you are going to cut holes anyway, consider a 6x9 instead of a 6.5.  Most 6x9 speakers have much better bass response than a 6.5 - almost like a sub... 

The M309 has a 50W x 4 amplifier.  That should be enough - unless you are driving speakers to Richter-Scale levels!  You may not need the amp.  Just make sure you wire it with #14 or #12 wire, and clip the little leads from the unit fairly short.  Often the problem with stereos is the wiring runs 20 feet or so from the battery through the fuse block and is too small to handle high demand transients - then the amp in the unit starts clipping, and it sounds like crap.  I would even consider putting a capacitor on the power lead - you can pick up a 1-2 farad capacitor for $30 or so and it often makes the amp MUCH better.  It's like having your stereo connected directly to a battery - and it won't kill your batteries like a foot-warmer amp!