Re: Which volume control to use?

["MOSFET" <ntanner@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

A simple potentiometer could be used to control the line-level signal going
to an amplifier (and then to speakers).  I did this once in my car to
control the subwoofer volume.  That was mono and you need stereo, of course,
so you will need a stereo pot, or you could just use two.  I bought mine at
Radio Shack for something like $3.  A stereo one would be a little more
expensive but a better way to go.  Go to http://partsexpress.com/ as they
will have what you need.  You basically just need a stereo line-level
attenuator between your HU and the amp that will drive these speakers.  Just
split the signal that is going to that other amp to get the line-level
signal for the stereo attenuator and then you will have a volume control for
this new amp/speaker combination you want to add to your boat.

Hope that helps,

MOSFET

"Bill Kearney" <wkearney99@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:NIydnbT3So9EUz7ZnZ2dnUVZ_s6dnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> The discussion regarding speaker kill switches triggered an idea.
>
> Whose volume or fader controls would you recommend for handing dividing
> speaker output from what's basically a car head unit?
>
> I've got a setup in a boat that has two speakers in the main cabin and two
> in the forward cabin.  They're both being driven by the 'Front' speaker
> outputs from a Clarion head unit (radio).  The rear line-out is fed to an
> amp that powers the rear speakers out in the cockpit and radar arch.  I'd
> like to consider adding some speakers on the bow to give a bit of coverage
> when at anchor without having to crank up the arch speakers.  I'd also
> like
> to be able to fade between the foward and main cabin speakers.
>
> Output currently:
> Head unit
>    |
>    +-- rear line-out -- amp -- rear speakers
>    |
>    +-- front speaker out --+--main cabin speakers
>                            |
>                            +--forward cabin speakers
>
> I'm not planning on the bow speakers to be anything other than background
> level sound.  I don't expect they'd need amplification.  If they did I'd
> probably add a small amp for them as the existing amp doesn't have means
> to
> support them.
>
> The installation areas in a boat are more like a house, in that it's wood
> bulkhead not automobile dashboard plastics.
>
> Basically I want to accomplish two things, get some audio up on the bow
> and
> be able to turn off the foward cabin speakers but leave the main cabin
> ones
> on.  I'm guessing this means a fader between the main and front, along
> with
> a volume control for the bow.  Something like this:
>
>    +-- front speaker out --+   +--main cabin speakers
>                            |   |
>                            +---0 fader
>                            |   |
>                            |   +--forward cabin speakers
>                            |
>                            0 volume control
>                            |
>                            +---bow speakers
>
> That look about right?  I'd probably use units rated for outdoor use, but
> they'd be mounted inside the main cabin.
>
> So whose controls are worth considering?
>
> Thanks,
> -Bill Kearney
>