Stereo in a 196

[bojans]

I am looking to add a stereo to our 09' 196. I would rather not cut into the combing pads for the speakers so am thinking about other locations. I am not looking to do a crazy stereo, likely 2 5" or 6" speakers with controlled by one of these https://www.crutchfield.com/S-m0gDbieRRGv/p_13691369/JL-Audio-MBT-CRXv2.html?XVINQ=GLX&awkw=337396667160&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=275781635496&awdv=c&awug=9021457&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo8SKiKaM4QIVMRh9Ch2EKg2pEAQYByABEgKL-vD_BwE

with an amp and small sub under the bow. I need to get some measurements but am thinking I might be able to put a speaker under the passenger seat in the carpeted area and then one near the drivers feet. Has anyone else come up with a different location that doesn't require cutting into the combing pads?

[Sethro]

I remember years ago worrying about cutting the combing pads on my 88 Supra. Turns out the holes for the speakers were already there, so all I had to do was cut an X in the material and had the factory install look. Perhaps Nautique combing pads are the same?

[swc5150]

Agreed, the speaker holes are already there. It's not as horrible as it sounds making the cut. I believe your boat will also be pre-wired for the speakers right from the factory? My '06 SE was, which was a pleasant, money/time saving surprise.

[LOTW]

I bought a MONSTER Bluetooth for my boat last year. wrap a towel around it and it doesn't flop around, I can hear it over the boat noise too. Although I do have to charge it, it will last a long time and goes from boat to boat and dock to deck to house. Problem solved! I still have a decent SONY system in the boat but the speakers never last long and the deck fills the hole in the dash.

[Booze]

I labored over options in my 196 as well. It had no audio at all when I got it.

I opted for a Clarion glove box DIN unit (wiring already in place) with a wired remote.

If you dig around behind the coaming pads at the back you'll find the factory ~6in holes. So currently I'm using just those 2 holes with Polk 6.5 coax's. I kinda like just the 2 speakers. It's not sufficient while cruising, but sounds quite good and balanced with engine off.

I am planning to add an amp and maybe a small sub.

 

Installing those speakers wasn't particularly easy. The foam is very thick and getting the speaker mount holes drilled in the right location was tricky.

 

[keithh2oskier]

@bojans I have a 02 196 and have two 5" (maybe 6") speakers at the drivers side foot. I also have two more in the rear that are mounted in the pads. For what its worth, the stereo isnt very good and I can only really hear it when we are sitting or if I am pulling my wife at 24. Above that and the sound just doesn't carry from under the drivers feet. The image isnt very good but you can see them.

 

 

 

[BraceMaker]

I have a factory stereo in my boat that I don't use - the blue tooth speakers are just so much more useful for me.

[Orlando76]

Bluetooth speakers are the way to go, way less headache/maintenance. I wish my boat didn’t have a radio. I feel there’s no reason for a radio when skiing. The only time when my radio is turned on is when we’re in idling in a canal or floating on the sandbar which is rare.

[BraceMaker]

Ya - we tie up on sand bars and put the speaker on the back of the hull. You have to have the radio really cranked up to hear it in the water with the speakers down inside the hull.

[mfjaegersr]

@Booze I added one of these amp/sub units in the bow of my ‘98; makes all the difference in sound quality for the 4 (new) speakers in the factory locations. Provides the low/end that was otherwise sorely missing. Easy peasy install given the one unit.

 

Jensen 8in. Amplified Subwoofer JMPSW800 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JQVT17G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VGLKCb0BKC3CZ

[Booze]

@mfjaegersr - Hmm, aluminum enclosure. I like it. Thx

 

[Kelvin]

All I did was add a marine amplifier, speakers and a bluetooth receiver to my boat and use my phone as the music source. Works great and no need to go thru the hassles of mounting the head unit.