Here's where I could use some coaching: Full time cruising, have a very nice stereo (apartment-type) unit on the boat with both cockpit and main cabin speakers, multiple CD changer...all very pleasing. Except that the tuner/player requires AC, which means flicking on the inverter, which means a heavier amp draw than we'd like, which means less music than we'd prefer. What we need to do is move to a 12V player. But meanwhile, both sets of speakers (including some nice 151 Bose all-weather cockpit speakers) are 8 ohm units. Car stereos are looking for 4 ohm speakers. Sure, I can add an amplifier, drive the speakers...and then add a changer to set up more than 1 CD. At this point, the cost is well above the level of dissatisfaction with the current arrangement. I'm sure there are lots of options I simply don't know about, but they don't seem to include "marine" packages such as those sold by WM pricey and often multi-component in nature. So I'd welcome hearing suggestions about how to move, inexpensively, to a DC system given our 8-ohn speakers. (OTOH, I may be better off altogether by picking up one of the Europe/Africa sat receivers (about $250 U.S.) since we'll otherwise have slim pickings for the next few years in the Med & Scandinavia. At least with the sat receiver, we'd get CNN and Bloomburg!) Jack
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Car CD
Jack, I faced the same dilemma - I wanted quality stereo sound but without the bulk of an AC stereo system. Finally settled on a compromise - Bose cube speakers with a Bose unpowered subwoofer connected to a Sony AM/FM/CD player with wireless remote. Plugged that into a Sony car 200W amplifier which had switchable impedance, 4 thru 8 ohms. Didn't buy the CD stacker but the end result is pretty impressive and its all hidden except for the tuner faceplate.
Jack, I faced the same dilemma - I wanted quality stereo sound but without the bulk of an AC stereo system. Finally settled on a compromise - Bose cube speakers with a Bose unpowered subwoofer connected to a Sony AM/FM/CD player with wireless remote. Plugged that into a Sony car 200W amplifier which had switchable impedance, 4 thru 8 ohms. Didn't buy the CD stacker but the end result is pretty impressive and its all hidden except for the tuner faceplate.
Jack, when you said Europe, any ideas I was
forming, went poof. Cruising World did a large story on rewiring for Europe, last year. That's a whole 'nother world.
forming, went poof. Cruising World did a large story on rewiring for Europe, last year. That's a whole 'nother world.
Isn't this stuff fun?
Jack, I don't know if you are tech oriented or not, BUT, if you open up your AC player, you will find that the power is immediately converted with a transformer and 'stuff' to 12VDC. Just hook in ships power at that point. Works for desktop computers too.
Jack, I don't know if you are tech oriented or not, BUT, if you open up your AC player, you will find that the power is immediately converted with a transformer and 'stuff' to 12VDC. Just hook in ships power at that point. Works for desktop computers too.
On board Music
Jack Fred's idea is fantastic. If you're not so inclined, you should be able to find someone who is. If you still don't want to go that route, we bought a Kenwood cassette deck, am/fm tuner with a six disk CD changer a few years ago and it's still working fine. For $210 (on sale, of course, at Circuit City). Installed the six inch speakers in the lazzarette and got a good deal on Radio Shack speakers for the cabin. It sounds (no pun intended!) like you have better ears and speakers than I do!
But I'm still happy with what we have. I have never had marine grade stuff on my boat, and they've all worked without replacement for 20 years. Just get a car stereo you like and go from there. Someone at Radio Shack most likely can get you a little doodad to change the ohms on your speakers. Good luck, Stu
Jack Fred's idea is fantastic. If you're not so inclined, you should be able to find someone who is. If you still don't want to go that route, we bought a Kenwood cassette deck, am/fm tuner with a six disk CD changer a few years ago and it's still working fine. For $210 (on sale, of course, at Circuit City). Installed the six inch speakers in the lazzarette and got a good deal on Radio Shack speakers for the cabin. It sounds (no pun intended!) like you have better ears and speakers than I do!
But I'm still happy with what we have. I have never had marine grade stuff on my boat, and they've all worked without replacement for 20 years. Just get a car stereo you like and go from there. Someone at Radio Shack most likely can get you a little doodad to change the ohms on your speakers. Good luck, StuA little off subject...
I know this is a little off the subject but I will ask anyway. Is there a way to wire a switch to direct current to either the cockpit speakers or the cabin speakers or both (ie an A/B/A&B switch)? Thanks Dan
I know this is a little off the subject but I will ask anyway. Is there a way to wire a switch to direct current to either the cockpit speakers or the cabin speakers or both (ie an A/B/A&B switch)? Thanks Dan
Speaker Switches
Dan Sure, depends on where you want to put the switch(es). Unless someone who is into ohms for speaker resistance proves me wrong, you could just put a switch on the negative legs of each pair, then either turn one or both switches on or off. One question: why the question? Most units have fader controls that allow you to do this from the unit. Stu
Dan Sure, depends on where you want to put the switch(es). Unless someone who is into ohms for speaker resistance proves me wrong, you could just put a switch on the negative legs of each pair, then either turn one or both switches on or off. One question: why the question? Most units have fader controls that allow you to do this from the unit. Stu
Don't worry about ohms
I put a 12v car system in the boat. Yes I was concerned about the ohms issue. The sale people are no help with their "the speakers will explode" disertation. Finally I got a hold of a guy who makes speakers and posed the question to him, to which he confirmed my feeling that its not a problem, unless it is your intention to attempt some sort of outdoor concert in which you intent to crank the volume way up.
I put a 12v car system in the boat. Yes I was concerned about the ohms issue. The sale people are no help with their "the speakers will explode" disertation. Finally I got a hold of a guy who makes speakers and posed the question to him, to which he confirmed my feeling that its not a problem, unless it is your intention to attempt some sort of outdoor concert in which you intent to crank the volume way up.
Bill, that's opposite to what I've heard...
...and potentially good news. The whole point of my question was to find a way to hold onto our existing speakers, avoid buying an amplifier, and plow the money we spend into the 12V tuner/player (and perhaps a changer). Your comment suggests you have a 12V car tuner driving 8 ohm speakers: do you use it to drive two pairs of speakers? and if so, do you get any distortion or warbling? That's what I've been warned is the consequence of mixing resistance ratings. Jack
...and potentially good news. The whole point of my question was to find a way to hold onto our existing speakers, avoid buying an amplifier, and plow the money we spend into the 12V tuner/player (and perhaps a changer). Your comment suggests you have a 12V car tuner driving 8 ohm speakers: do you use it to drive two pairs of speakers? and if so, do you get any distortion or warbling? That's what I've been warned is the consequence of mixing resistance ratings. Jack
Yep Polk
Yep I have 4 Polk Atrium speakers and they sound great, and they are being pushed with a 12v car stereo. If you talk to the people who are selling the speakers, you are creating a potential disaster of biblical proportion and the boat may sink, but they want to sell speakers. The difference is do you intend to run your stereo cranked way up. If that is your intention then match the ohms, but odds are you won't be trying to push the system that hard.
Yep I have 4 Polk Atrium speakers and they sound great, and they are being pushed with a 12v car stereo. If you talk to the people who are selling the speakers, you are creating a potential disaster of biblical proportion and the boat may sink, but they want to sell speakers. The difference is do you intend to run your stereo cranked way up. If that is your intention then match the ohms, but odds are you won't be trying to push the system that hard.
Get an Ipod and a Car Stereo...
An Apple Ipod will hold more music than you own and if you purchase a car stereo with an Aux input you can plug the Ipod into that. I bought an Eclipse car stereo (a very high end unit with very clean power and a beautiful sound) with CD player but we usually just use the stereo as an amplifier for the Ipod. If you use a car stereo with 8ohm speakers you will get less volume but it won't hurt the stereo. By contrast if you add to many speakers and you drop the load to 2ohms you could get a lot of volume but you would probably fry the unit! Don't buy the hype on "marine stereos" they are ridiculously over priced and a good quality car unit kept out of direct contact with water will sound better and const a lot less $....By the way I have over 370 complete CD's on my Ipod and it is the size of a deck of cards! Multi disc changers are like the Dinosaurs and Model T's R.C.
An Apple Ipod will hold more music than you own and if you purchase a car stereo with an Aux input you can plug the Ipod into that. I bought an Eclipse car stereo (a very high end unit with very clean power and a beautiful sound) with CD player but we usually just use the stereo as an amplifier for the Ipod. If you use a car stereo with 8ohm speakers you will get less volume but it won't hurt the stereo. By contrast if you add to many speakers and you drop the load to 2ohms you could get a lot of volume but you would probably fry the unit! Don't buy the hype on "marine stereos" they are ridiculously over priced and a good quality car unit kept out of direct contact with water will sound better and const a lot less $....By the way I have over 370 complete CD's on my Ipod and it is the size of a deck of cards! Multi disc changers are like the Dinosaurs and Model T's R.C.
Here's a picture my Apple Ipod Install....
Sorry the picture is not so crisp. Follow "Related Link" to see the picture.. R.C.
Sorry the picture is not so crisp. Follow "Related Link" to see the picture.. R.C.
Not a problem
Not a problem with your speakers and car stereo. I would advise getting a head unit that is XM capable. This at least gives you the option of adding XM radio at a later time (which I HIGHLY recommend). I have the receiver in my car and have wired my boat so that I can take the unit between the two vehicles to get the most value out of my subscription. I purchased the pioneer unit that has a single CD in the unit. You also have the ability to purchase and AUX-IN cable so you would have a load of options - AM/FM, CD, XM, and MPS through AUX-in. Darren
Not a problem with your speakers and car stereo. I would advise getting a head unit that is XM capable. This at least gives you the option of adding XM radio at a later time (which I HIGHLY recommend). I have the receiver in my car and have wired my boat so that I can take the unit between the two vehicles to get the most value out of my subscription. I purchased the pioneer unit that has a single CD in the unit. You also have the ability to purchase and AUX-IN cable so you would have a load of options - AM/FM, CD, XM, and MPS through AUX-in. Darren
Jack, the Bose 151's are rated for 4 ohms
not the 8 ohms like you listed. The Bose 131's and 251's are rated @ 4-8 ohms. Go to www.bose.com and click on the owners manual for all the speakers. I see that the 151's are now only $148 , I beleive that is a huge price reduction from the last time I saw them. I might have to buy some now.
not the 8 ohms like you listed. The Bose 131's and 251's are rated @ 4-8 ohms. Go to www.bose.com and click on the owners manual for all the speakers. I see that the 151's are now only $148 , I beleive that is a huge price reduction from the last time I saw them. I might have to buy some now.
XM Satellite Radio
Thoroughly recommended! Last year we didn't play a single CD even though we had over 100 on board. Next month they will become completely commercial free. I have the Delphi receiver, with the home adapter and the FM modulator. I take the (small) receiver home during the week so we can enjoy it there. Works pretty well with the standard antenna below decks - the occasional drop-out - but my son gave me a marine XM antenna for Xmas - looking forward to installing it in the spring.
Thoroughly recommended! Last year we didn't play a single CD even though we had over 100 on board. Next month they will become completely commercial free. I have the Delphi receiver, with the home adapter and the FM modulator. I take the (small) receiver home during the week so we can enjoy it there. Works pretty well with the standard antenna below decks - the occasional drop-out - but my son gave me a marine XM antenna for Xmas - looking forward to installing it in the spring.
Speakers can blow
if you plug them directly into a 120v outlet. It doesn't take long, and they shoot a small puff of smoke straight out of the center. Great Fun! ;D ;D; ;D
if you plug them directly into a 120v outlet. It doesn't take long, and they shoot a small puff of smoke straight out of the center. Great Fun! ;D ;D; ;D
Speaker impedance explained
If you have a stereo that is rated for 4 ohm speakers and you connect it to 8 ohm speakers it will work fine. However, if you connect 4 ohm speakers to a stereo rated for 8 ohm speakers you could cause damage to the amp. Stereo speaker impedance ratings are for the minimum speaker impedance the amp is designed for, so raising the connected impedance won't harm the unit, and, without going into a lot of detail, is actually better for it and will usually produce slightly cleaner sound. Fred was, once again, correct. You should have little problem adapting your current stereo to 12 volts, if you're not comfortable with the task any electronics type worth his salt should be able to do a clean job of adding a 12 volt input jack to your stereo in about an hour. Because 12 volt audio equipment is so prevelant, most manufacturers simply place a 120 vac to 12 vdc convertor in front of off-the-shelf designs and call it a home unit. It's a good idea to check the output voltage of the convertor before making the modification though, as some units don't follow the norm. Finally, if you don't want to do that, how about using a small dedicated invertor just to run the stereo? Anyhow, best of luck and keep the tunes on !
If you have a stereo that is rated for 4 ohm speakers and you connect it to 8 ohm speakers it will work fine. However, if you connect 4 ohm speakers to a stereo rated for 8 ohm speakers you could cause damage to the amp. Stereo speaker impedance ratings are for the minimum speaker impedance the amp is designed for, so raising the connected impedance won't harm the unit, and, without going into a lot of detail, is actually better for it and will usually produce slightly cleaner sound. Fred was, once again, correct. You should have little problem adapting your current stereo to 12 volts, if you're not comfortable with the task any electronics type worth his salt should be able to do a clean job of adding a 12 volt input jack to your stereo in about an hour. Because 12 volt audio equipment is so prevelant, most manufacturers simply place a 120 vac to 12 vdc convertor in front of off-the-shelf designs and call it a home unit. It's a good idea to check the output voltage of the convertor before making the modification though, as some units don't follow the norm. Finally, if you don't want to do that, how about using a small dedicated invertor just to run the stereo? Anyhow, best of luck and keep the tunes on !
Thanks to all...and what power for 4 speakers?
I appreciate both the options offered and Tom's correction on the Bose impedence. Can I not only ask for a wattage rec for the auto tuner/player, but also ask who some 'good' vendors might be? (I don't mind buying on the web at all, but look for low price and excellent customer service for that kind of vendor). Very helpful comments so far; thanks very much. Jack
I appreciate both the options offered and Tom's correction on the Bose impedence. Can I not only ask for a wattage rec for the auto tuner/player, but also ask who some 'good' vendors might be? (I don't mind buying on the web at all, but look for low price and excellent customer service for that kind of vendor). Very helpful comments so far; thanks very much. Jack
XM it is
I never never never thought I would pay for a radio broadcast-hate cable TV even though I have it. But after 3 mos of "demo" XM radio in the car-I'm sold! So much music, so little time! If I was putting that much stereo in to my boat I would probably to the XM thing.
I never never never thought I would pay for a radio broadcast-hate cable TV even though I have it. But after 3 mos of "demo" XM radio in the car-I'm sold! So much music, so little time! If I was putting that much stereo in to my boat I would probably to the XM thing.
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