Stereo help...
 

Well picked up my boat from the stereo shop and i'm very disappointed with how my Rev 8's sound. I'm hoping I can get some advice on what my best options are. I was expecting something in line with how my previous boat sounded with NVS speakers. I don't think its necessarily the speakers but am fearful they are way under powered. I'm not taking it back to the original installer as its almost 2 hours from my house and it took over a month to install a few amps, sub and batteries. Also they were the ones who originally talked me into how it's setup today.

Ok enough ranting.

What I've got.
Qty 4 - Rev 8's - powered by a single Arc Audio 600.2 (2ch @400w @4ohm)
qty 4 - Wet Sounds 6.5" powered by a Exile 800.4 (2x 400w @4ohm)
qty 2- SPG555 subs powered by a JL1000/1

Now I have an extra Exile 800.4 amp (brand new) I originally took both to the installed and asked that an amp be dedicated to each set of tower speakers for maximum power.

They talked me out of it said it would be overkill and just use the Arc audio I already had in the boat and tune it. Well that didn't work as you can nearly make out the words wakeboarding.

Should I move the Arc amp to the Cabin speakers and bring in the additional Exile and dedicated it to each tower speakers?

Or should I sell my extra exile and buy another Arc Audio?

Is there any single amp on market that can properly power 4 rev 8's? If I can get away with 3 amps that would be my first choice as the amp rack that the previous shop made does not have a lot space.

thanks WW

I find it VERY unlikely that you'll see substantially more output from any tower amp configuration.

What does your signal path to the rev8s look like (headunit, eq, etc)?

If you want to throw money at the issue and double perceived output at the end of the rope, a FAE is a great way to go.

I think you are right probably underpowered. Maybe a dumb idea,,,but how about doing a test by power 2 of the rev 8's with the arc audio amp, and the other 2 with the exile. Then you can confirm or deny it is a power issue. Or just try hooking up the extra amp to power one pair like you thought you might.

Nate,
The two Exile 800.4 amps bridged into four channels would be 4 X 220 watts or 880 watts total in RMS power. The Arc Audio 600.2 is 1200 total watts in RMS power, which is 300 watts to each Rev8 plus the Arc Audio is Class H and more efficient. These numbers are based on independent testing so they're accurate. More power to the Rev8s won't net you much. The Arc Audio 600.2 is actually dead on for four Rev8s.
I can't comment on the past NVS to current Rev8 comparison. NVS is long gone. But if you want more than what an 8-inch HLCD will provide then you need to go larger in both surface area and pod size and your only upgrade option is either the Wetsounds Rev10s or Rev410s.
It's hard for me to understand why four Rev8s and 1200 watts is less than impressive. However, there are countless components that could lead to the tower under-performing. Without full knowledge of every single aspect of the system, equipment, installation execution, signal voltage, and so on and so on, the potential reasons will be just speculation. Ultimately, you need a very competent local technician that is also very familiar with Wetsounds gear to tell you that a) there are real issues that need to be corrected, or b) that you are running at the Rev8s expected performance level.

I ran just just one set last year with a WS HT-4, so 300 each. They were LOUD. Almost 2 loud. Easily heard loud and clear at the end of the rope. They should be WAY better than what you are describing.

The KS600.2 is delivering 300W to each Rev-8, where as dual exile 800.4's in 2 chnl mode would deliver far less. The 800.4 would not be overkill, but rather underkill compared to the KS600.2

No, you do not need to buy another KS600.2

yes, the KS600.2 will properly power your 2 pair of Rev-8.

The Deck is an Alpine deck into a WS420SQ, with BT.

Thanks for the information guys. I'm going to go out this week and take a picture of the amp settings. I wonder if it's wired wrong? If it's bridged at 1200watts at 4ohm's how should the speaker wires come in?

There has to be something wrong. I have many friends that have Wetsounds and they are 5x louder than mine.

FAE is already ordered.

Does anyone have any experience with Kar Tunz in Pleasanton Ca? They sell WetSounds, and have a good reputation in the auto world.

Thanks WW.

If your experience is with the BT, is its volume turned up? It defaults to low when the power is interrupted like when the battery switch is turned off.

yep BT volume at max, I put it back on high every time i start the boat. The in boat and sub's are perfect. I had to have the EQ for the tower / in boat lopsided. The tower volume was at max and the in boat at min with the main at max to get sound out of the rev 8's while surfing, as i mentioned before barely audible at wakeboard length.

Towers run two speakers to each channel on the 600.2 for a 2 ohm load. My guess is it is the tune. gains to low and set on all pass. I just did my install with four rev 10's on a Arc 600.2 and it is stupid loud

Nate,
If you have a nearby trusted car audio shop then definitely take the boat by. There is a big difference between car and marine audio but the issues in the signal path related to your situation would be basic to both. If they happen to sell and are familiar with Wetsounds then that is even better.