Boat audio advice please

[Nick Epps]

Hi everyone, one of my last refit projects is the sound system and it's been a real struggle to resolve. Currently the system is the basic Fairline (44GT) Pioneer stereo running a couple of cockpit 6.5 Alpine speakers and a couple of 5.5 speakers in the cabin. Its OK at best, oh and a very handy JVC CD changer!!

I'm looking to improve the system with the ability to send sound to front deck and the rear cockpit. No disco boom boom boat, but higher quality, better sound distribution. So far my first base is the following considering that I want to keep the costs down and try and fit it myself.

1) Fusion Apollo 670 stereo, pair of JL M3 650's in the cockpit and leave the cabin speakers alone. Then the issue is getting sounds on the front deck area.... no solution there.

I've looked into also installing an Amplifier. It would appear I need something like a 4/5 channel, which is now looking expensive.
Subwoofer - I've decided to leave alone for now as there is no real spot for it to go.

I'm completely open to all ideas and even to the extent of have something portable and separate from the existing system (therefore leaving well alone) I've purchased one of these new Bose SoundLink Flex, but it just doesn't pack a punch when underway, and would never heard up on the front deck.

Your advise, guidance would be, as always, greatly appreciated.
Nick

 

[simonfraser]

if you want it portable and not keen to 'improve' your boat by drilling holes into it
search for 'powerful bluetooth party speaker 12v' and feed it music with your phone

 

[markc]

To get round a similar problem to you I bought a JBL Extreme and its great for using around the boat. The sound is good and pretty waterproof. As above, stream music from phone. I think you can also link multiple units via Bluetooth

 

[petem]

Hi everyone, one of my last refit projects is the sound system and it's been a real struggle to resolve. Currently the system is the basic Fairline (44GT) Pioneer stereo running a couple of cockpit 6.5 Alpine speakers and a couple of 5.5 speakers in the cabin. Its OK at best, oh and a very handy JVC CD changer!!

I'm looking to improve the system with the ability to send sound to front deck and the rear cockpit. No disco boom boom boat, but higher quality, better sound distribution. So far my first base is the following considering that I want to keep the costs down and try and fit it myself.

1) Fusion Apollo 670 stereo, pair of JL M3 650's in the cockpit and leave the cabin speakers alone. Then the issue is getting sounds on the front deck area.... no solution there.

I've looked into also installing an Amplifier. It would appear I need something like a 4/5 channel, which is now looking expensive.
Subwoofer - I've decided to leave alone for now as there is no real spot for it to go.

I'm completely open to all ideas and even to the extent of have something portable and separate from the existing system (therefore leaving well alone) I've purchased one of these new Bose SoundLink Flex, but it just doesn't pack a punch when underway, and would never heard up on the front deck.

Your advise, guidance would be, as always, greatly appreciated.
Nick

We're in the process of upgrading our sound system. We decided not go for the fusion as apparently the Bluetooth range is poor (our head unit is in the cabin like yours). We're just replacing what's there with a new Bluetooth enabled Alpine which will be a plug and play replacement for the old Alpine.

In your shoes I'd get shot of the old CD changer and change that panel with a nice stainless steel one with whatever cutouts you required.

 

[Dino]

I had a Fusion MS UD750 on my last boat and the Bluetooth range was useless. I read online that they were replacing the 750 if you complained to Fusion that there was an issue. I sent off an email and they agreed that there was an issue and agreed to replace the 750 with the newer 755 at no cost. The 755 has better Bluetooth range.
Great service from Garmin/Fusion.

 

[Greg2]

We fitted Fusion to the current and a previous boat and I like their kit. No doubt you can do something for less money with car systems and the bluetooth can be a little temperamental but it is okay most of the time and I really like the Fusion app that enables control of the system from anywhere on the boat.

I added waterproof speakers on the flybridge and had to fit an amplifier as the main unit could only support four speakers but it was a job well worth doing.

 

[Richard10002]

I have a Sony DSX-M80 ....... Says it has a marine coating on the electronics. Through Kef Egg speakers, (2007 vintage), the sound is amazing.

 

[julians]

We have a fusion bb100 head unit, and a fusion signature amp driving 6 fusion waterproof speakers.

It seems to work pretty well,no issues with blue tooth range, and it talks nmea2000 so can be controlled from the chartplotter as well.

It seems pretty good overall, Goes loud without distortion.

 

[julians]

I have a Sony DSX-M80 ....... Says it has a marine coating on the electronics. Through Kef Egg speakers, (2007 vintage), the sound is amazing.

I had one of those Sony marine stereos on my last boat,it lasted 1 season before the circuit board corroded. I replaced it with an aquatic av head unit which lasted for at least as long I owned the boat, ie another few years,and is probably still going strong

 

[ashtead]

Just be aware fusion units have habit of freezing after 5 years -Ra 205 I think but once it happens only solution is replacement of complete unit . Google will set out tales of other users but our unit failed and we tested installation by fitting a lent unit. About 12 months later another boat on pontoon had same issue .