stereo advice - How do I work a sub into my setup?

I have a 2000 outback LS. I currently have a Clarion Marine deck in it with 4 clarion speakers. the boat also came with a clarion marine 400.2 amp which is hooked in there somehow.

I don't know much about stereos. I do know that when I turn up the music my speakers can't handle the bass. I am not looking to make this boat win any contests, just to sound good. Keep in mind I won't be pounding this too hard.

I have a bunch of questions I need some answers to. Will I be able to put a sub into this system without adding an additional amp (I was hoping I could)? Is a sub the way to go or should I be looking at different speakers? Would I put the sub in front of the drivers seat? I also need some recommendations on a good durable sub and amp if required and sizes of both. Keep in mind I am looking to keep the costs of this down to a minimum. I won't be adding anything to it after this either (ie. tower speakers, etc). What is the best bang for the buck upgare I can do to my system? If I add another sub and amp will I have to worry about the draw on my battery?

Thanks in advance for the input.

I'm not familiar with your clarion amp and I'm assuming that your amp is powering your 4 speakers, not the deck. To eliminate some of the bass going into your speakers, check to see if your clarion amp has any crossovers built it. In particular, your looking for a high-pass crossover switch. Turn this switch on or too high-pass. This will eliminate lower frequencies being sent your speakers. Many amps have adjustable crossovers as well. If your amp has an adjustable xover, set the dial to around 80-120 hz or to your preference. The higher you set this switch, the more bass you will take away from your speakers. If you go with a sub, I would suggest another amp (200-500 watts) and put the sub in place that can get some type of cabin gain, such as in a corner or in the driver's cabin area. Good luck.

--Ronnie
www.audioformz.com

I have only seen one Clarion marine amp. But it did have dials for crossovers. Check for those as suggested by Ronnie. However at this point you will be taking the lows out completely and it would be best to add a sub. You will need to get another amp it sounds like. Unless your Clarion deck deck can power the 4 speakers in the boat and you can use the external amp for the sub.

You could also look into "Bass Blockers". I think Crutchfield has them. They go on the speaker wire and will block low frequencies.

Good luck
Kevin

Thanks for the tips. I will check for the adjustable crossover tonight. If that doesn't work I may just abandon the sub plan. I really did not want to have to put 2 amps in the boat (cost and space being the reason). Oh well. I will just save the cash for gas (and beers).

Will the deck have enough juice to power the speakers? How many watts would it need to put out to do the trick?

Can you put 1 channel to the sub and one to the speakers plus the deck to the speakers?

Thanks again

no, i have the same amp you've got in you're boat, you have to have a new amp to push a sub, if you're going to try to keep the cost down look on ebay.

You may want to consider running the 4 co-axial speakers off the head unit and use the 2- channel amp for your sub. If you put the sub behind your observer's seat, you can get away with a cheap enclosure.

You can spend a little more and get an Audioformz fiberglass enclosure and an inexpensive sub, and you will have a durable, inexpensive, expandable, high qualty setup.

Check out the 2002 closeouts at www.audioformz.com.

Great stuff!