Brian1973

I have a powered bazooka 6 inch 100watt tube I want to install on my boat... I'm not new to installs but I definitely am not a pro.... Here's what I'm trying to do and wonder if it is possible.... the 4 ch. stereo deck does have a sub rca jack, but the bazooka tube suggests using hi level inputs.... if I want to run all 4 speakers PLUS the amp'd tube, how can I do this? I do have a 320watt marine amp to power the 4- 2way speakers... The sub rca from stereo consists of one ouput whereas the bazooka tube does come with left and right input rca's... again, suggesting in the manual to use hi level inputs ??? :-( Thanks in advance!

IT Hz

iTrader: (1)

You don't need to run high level, all you need is a RCA Y adapter to solve your single RCA sub output issue. 1 male to 2 female. The only other wire you'll need is the remote turn on wire from the Bazooka tube which is orange which will attach to the blue/white wire from the deck. Your Power and Ground wires will go directly to the boats battery. Use the deck power to run your 4 speakers.

Brian1973

alright, did as suggested and logically it seems the radio sub output has a crossover circuit as the bazooka tube seems to have less power than when plugged into the hi level wires (yes, made sure the sub was on lows only and not full)... I had an RCA Y laying around and was sorta interesting how yes, when plugging the Y in the tube gets a little more power than just hooking the stereo deck single RCA to one of the two inputs on the tube... weird

Second idea that I am playing with is, I'm using a JBL MA6004 4 Ch 320W amp to drive the 4 full range speakers... I noticed the amp has aux rca outputs... plugged the tube into that and that sounds better than using the sub output from the deck... I'm guessing that doesn't take any power away from my 4 channels as it's just a pre amp output? but how would it not take power away from the other speakers? it seems when I turn the fader to "front" the sub works, when to the rear, only the rear 2 full range... just curious how that works? should be taking a little power from the front outputs of the radio then right? seems to have better full lows through the tube going that way though so I guess I will go that route...

Seems the boss 8gauge wire kit I am using isn't really 8 guage as I've seen some comments on Amazon (where I purchased it), because the amp is having a hard time when the volume is cranked.... guess I can get some good power and ground wire from rat shack or the big box stores.... any suggestions other than that?

Brian1973

I know this is probably just another silly question but while I have your ear... lol I have a vehicle I want to install another powered tube... if the vehicle deck is standard 4 ch, how can I install a sub tube without loosing 2 of my channels to it? If had this same amp in vehicle I would see the answer with the aux outputs, but I plan to leave the system without an amp other than adding this powered sub...

IT Hz

iTrader: (1)

If you mean "the vehicle deck is standard 4ch" is the factory deck then you have to go high level with the tube, if this is an aftermarket deck then you can use the RCA output.

IT Hz

iTrader: (1)

Did you have your sub level on the deck turned to the maximum? if you didn't, that is why your output is weak.

Brian1973

yes, sorry, factory deck in Toyota 4Runner.... 4ch hi level outputs I would guess... haven't tore into it yet... Suppose I could get an amp like the boat and then I'd have rca pre-amp output for the sub just by using the 4 hi level outputs? (still don't understand where the power is coming from for that aux output on the boat amp?) Suppose if I did like the boat amp, I would need a couple hi level -> low level converters as well though since this amp for the boat only has rca inputs... (had to use a converter on the front speakers but back speakers had rca and hi level)... or for the 4Runner, look for an amp with hi level inputs huh? I guess they exist?

So how can I be taking 4 channels on the boat radio deck and powering 4 channels through the amp and also hooking a powered sub to the pre-amp.... is the signal so minimal through the pre-amp output that it just isn't noticeable drain from the front channels it seems paired up with?

Brian1973

and boat radio deck only has option to turn on subwoofer output or turn off.... no volume... the output didn't seem neccessarily weak as much as maybe the subwoofer output just had a lower crossover frequency??? it just sounded like only very low bass coming from it whereas the other hook ups (thru hi level and then thru pre-amp) seem to give it more punch! maybe it just is a power thing? thank you for your continued help :-)

IT Hz

iTrader: (1)

yes the best thing to do would be to get a high level adapter, with that being said get one that has a remote lead output, this will save you the time searching for an accessory wire to turn the tube on. Here is an example of one just google it to see the details, AX-ADCT2 this is a great piece I use these on a reg. basis when doing high level installs which require it.

Brian1973

ok, confused.... lol guess it's basically the same as this - PAC SNI35 Adjustable 2-Channel Line Out Converter that I used for the boat deck hi levels that needed to be converted for the amp input? seems to work fine so far.... just figured when get to truck tube, put tube in back of truck and run all the wires under the carpet or around some molding... including the accessory wire... ???