Kicker Amplifier and Subwoofer Help! Boat Application!

[jmass03 10+ year member]

Well let me give me the application that the amps and sub are going to be going in. It is a 2006 Malibu Wakesetter VLX wakeboard boat. Fully loaded with a tower. The boat already has a 6 Kicker Speakers with a seperate amp, running with a Sony CD/Mp3 player etc. Overall, I think this CD will be fine. I'm somewhat familiar with car systems, but working with a boat stereo is somewhat different being that you have to battle with noise issues--engine noise, water, etc. The tower is going to be outfitted with Skylon Rubicon 450's which are marine speakers outfitted specifically for wakeboarding and high powered applications.

1) Are the ZX series that much better than the KX series?

2) I'm considering the Kicker Solobaric L7 series, but my concern is space. I have two places I can currently mount the sub. The amps will be away from water and moisture. They will be in a compartment behind a seat, next to the two batteries (which leads me to my next question). Since this is a boat application, open in the elements. I will be keeping the subwoofer dry from water as either location will be either A) inside a compartment or B) under the steering wheel, in the driver foot place. I understand that ported or sealed, it still requires a minimum of 3 cubic ft, where would you recommend?

3) Is it necessary to have a marine grade battery, or can I go with a higher amp yellow top, or will this wreak havoc on my boat alternator?

4) I see that the Solobaric L7 can be had with either dual 2 ohm or dual 4 ohm voice coils. My question comes in here: The ZX1000.1 only allows you to transmit 1000 watts at 2 ohms, and 500 by 2 at 4 ohms. The latter is not my worry, however I know the KX series which is obviously older has the KX1200.1 which is stable at 1 ohm, in which case I could run the 4 ohm subwoofer, or would you recommend the 2 ohm? I would prefer to stick with the 2006 series as I am also considering the ZX800.4 which is nearly identical i assume to the KX800.4 (either of these amplifiers will be powering my one pair of tower speakers rated at 425-600 watts rms each).

I hope that my question wasn't too long, and I hope that it is clear enough. Please give me your opinion. Thank-you!

Jonathan

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[PSturmer 10+ year member]

if i were to put subs in a small boat like that i would use a kicker cvr because somewhere i read there water proof. it will be very hard keeping moisture off the amp and corosion will get at the power and speaker terminals. so the dryest spot is prolly right in the dash, so preferbly you would put the amp in there. there should be plenty of room in there, just unscrew the thing that holds all the gauges. i have a 48 searay sundancer and there is a sub on there. next time i go out there i can look at what kind of amps it uses.

and i also know clarion does marine stuff, so you may want to look into there amps.

 

[lvfive.o 10+ year member]

I pretty much just finished my stereo in a 2001 ski supreme direct drive, I ended up putting an RE SX under the driverside where you feet rest. The box was Built out of 3/4 birchwood and coated in polyester resin, the amplifier is under the observer seat (actually expecting the amp in today) then I can hear how it all sounds.