I upgraded our stereo in our 180BR this year since when we bought it came with teh POS stock stereo which was outdated.. Am happy with it but think I would like to add speakers up in the front bow or even some back by the rear bench (on sides or under bench seat if possible. Anyone have any suggestions? Right now its just the two speaker under the passenger/ driver seats. I dont know much about car/ boat audio. Adding speakers to a total of 4 would I need an amp? Does adding speakers adn amp pull much more power from the batteries?

I'm not looking to be the DJ at the sand bar. Just be nice when on the boat or swimming/ floating to be able to hear it better and also hear better when in the front bow. I'd appreciate anyone advice or suggestions. Overall if I could add 2 more speakers toward the back I would be satisfied and would prefer to be able to do mysefl ratehr than pull the boat and overpay Mickey Shore or someone to do.

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1998 Corwnline 180BR (1st boat)
Waterford, MI
Go STATE!

Mike if your radio is a 4 channel adding the 2 speakers will be fine.  An experienced audio installer will be able to mount the extra speakers any where you want them.  I added 2 speakers by the bench on the sides and they look great.  I used white 6 1/2 Alpine marine and they sound great.  If  you add more then 4 you will need to add an amp.  My stereo will fade out if I crank it too loud with the engine off.  Im only running 1 battery.  Im fixing to add 2 10's but im going to have to add a battery.  Add the 2 speakers and see how you like it.  I think you will be fine.

 

good luck

eddie

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eddie (no stress)
2000 202 305efi bIII

Thanks Eddie. Idealy I would like to add them at teh rear on the sides. Got a picture of hows yours are installed?

This season I upgraded and had my tech had a dual battery system. So far so good and its nice to know I have the back up of second battery.

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1998 Corwnline 180BR (1st boat)
Waterford, MI
Go STATE!

Hey Mike ill try and get you some pictures this week.  My next project is to add duel batteries to mine so I can install my 10's.  What did you have to do to install duel bats?  Do you have a perko switch?  How much was it to do?

eddie

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eddie (no stress)
2000 202 305efi bIII

Before I pulled my boat out of winter storage my Tech did a few things for me. New stereo and 2 speakers was one and the other was a dual battery system. Looks pretty to do it yourself. 2nd batttery tray/ batters, switch and wired all together. Its a nice back up. When I start the boat I have it on both batteries, when at the sand bar I switch to only use one. That way if it dies, I have a back up and wont need towed in.

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1998 Corwnline 180BR (1st boat)
Waterford, MI
Go STATE!

I've got a 180BR and added two additional speakers along the sides...Mine's a '99, so there was no area under a bench seat.  For the sides, I used a 5" hole saw bit if I remember correctly (may have been 5.25" or 5.5") for the 6.5" speaker and measured on the sides where I wanted them, making sure they were placed exactly where I wanted.  I traced the hole on the vinyl with the hole saw bit, and cut out the vinyl with a blade (didn't just want to start drilling, as it would probably just pull and tear the vinyl), and then drilled the hole.  Speaker fit in perfectly and kept in place with 4 stainless screws.  In my opinion, it TOTALLY upgraded the speakers, as the ones under the helm are not enough when cruising or at the sandbar.  I may add an amp in the future, but the improvement has been great over factory.

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1999 Crownline 180BR

Well said Chad. Thats how mine are mounted also.  The place i bought the speaks from mounted mine.   Hey Mike; How much for the switch and what kind is it?  I really need to do that if Im gonna add 10's.  I loved the way the sytem sounds now but when I added the 2 side speakers it sounded awesome compared to just 2.  So 6 speakers has got to sound even better!!!!!  Right!!!

 

 

eddie

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eddie (no stress)
2000 202 305efi bIII

Eddie or Chad:

 If you could get some quick picks of your speakers mounted in the rear to show me I would appreciate it. Thinking my upgrade my come sooner rather than wait till next year. Figure pick up a set of marine speakers for around $100 and attempt the install myself. Does not seem that difficult (am I right?)

 

Eddie: This is the same switch used in my dual battery system; http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=31620&pdesc=Perko_Battery_Selector_Switch&str=battery%20switch&merchID=1008&r=view

After I had it installed and taking a better look this season it really does not look too difficult to do yourself. Like I said its nice to have the back up batter for "comfort" and know if one dies, you always have one to get you started and back to the land.

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1998 Corwnline 180BR (1st boat)
Waterford, MI
Go STATE!

Take a look at the Infinity 602M.  I've got 6 of them in my boat and they sound great.  They can handle a good amount of power as well.

 http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=228350&i=108602M&tp=3384

 They can be had for about $100 a pair online and they handle more power than the Sony 1620's do.

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Hey Mike,            if you are still thinking about adding an additional 2 speakers to make it 4 here's a little tip I found on here when browsing one day. Yours being a 98 180BR should be made the same way. Your bench structure on the far sides facing the front of the boat already has a pre-cut hole for 6 1/2s the company just cover these holes with carpet if you can slide your bench and you can see where the holes are cut out in the wood. Or you can feel around and should be able to feel the indentation of where the fabric gives a little. I just used a razor blade, ran speaker wire and installed a pair of JL Audio VR's that I had from a previous automotive install they sound great and if you decide to purchase an amp Im sure they would sound awesome. Anyway something useful to know if you decide you wanted to add some speakers.

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1997 182 4.3 "Crownin Around"

Mike,

 This forum is very helpful when it comes to these types of things.  I had the same quesiton and was led to purchase 4 Infinity 602m's, got them off e-bay for $73.00 a pair and Joseph had a link for a 4 channel 600w Pioneer amp that I picked up for $129.00.

 I put the other two speakers under the rear bench, cut the carpet out where the predrilled holes were and installed them myself.  I did take the boat to Circuit City for the amp install and the final wiring for all 4 speakers.  Needless to say, my stereo now kicks some major butt.  My next move is a dual battery with a sub and another amp, but that's gonna have to wait till next season.  Need to use my money to go enjoy the boat now.  Just got back from Havasu and the stereo proved to be well worth the money.

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Garth Bachman

Great thread and timely.  Just ordered speakers today for backmof boat - 2001 180 BR I/O.  I did not look for holes for speakers, butwill now.  Any clues where to look?  No bench seat just the slide in seats to the engine cover.  Any help would be great.

Thanks!

I checked over the weekend and our bench does not have any "pre" fabed gholes in the bench. Wood and carpet, no holes. I think either this year or for next I will do myself in the sides right behiond the driver and passengerseat to add some better sound.

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1998 Corwnline 180BR (1st boat)
Waterford, MI
Go STATE!

Hey Mike sorry I havent gotten you those pictures.  My wife cant find the camera so I guess I will be buying a new one.  There aint no tellin what happened to that thing.  I havent done anything to mine yet, I broke down this weekend for the forth.  Got some bad gas or something and the seal went out in my BIII lower unit.  Hopefully get it running for this weekend.  I got an e-mail from Kyle Dodson from the forum and he was telling me he put 10's or 12's under the dash where the 61/2s are.  I was looking at it and they will fit.  Gonna have to move the light and 61/2s but it can be done.  Thats gonna be my winter project.  Good luck with the jam.

 

eddie

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eddie (no stress)
2000 202 305efi bIII

Hey Mike,

Sorry for the late response...I'll try and take pictures sometime during this week/weekend.

Chad

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1999 Crownline 180BR