Music/sound in the saloon

single

single

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While i'm doing a refit i really need to update the sound system. Currently its all Alpine car stuff (CD autochanger,amps,car speakers etc.) but very dated. What it the best sound solution to play Mp3 from phone, maybe CDs and surround sound from the tv or laptop?
 
Have a look at Fusion stuff. Their MS-RA200 (since superceded with the 205 which has some additional networking stuff) meets my needs perfectly. Doesn't do CDs or surround (neither of which I need) but I'm sure they have models that do. It seems well-made and is well designed for boats - no need for a continuous power supply, for instance. Mostly waterproof - even if your boat is free of leaks, winter condensation can still drip into (and rust) a car unit made of perforated sheet steel.

I have the stereo in the saloon and a wired remote control installed in the cockpit. This winter I have fitted transducer speakers in the cockpit sides, and am currently building boxes for new speakers in the saloon. I don't use Fusion's own ones, no need, though I'm sure they're fine. The volume controls on the main stereo and the remote are "zoned" so that they each control the speakers in their respective areas.

Pete
 
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Yes, the Fusion range is good. I have the 600 series tuner/CD head with the separate iPod dock and a wired cockpit remote. Excellent quality, water-resistant, sensibly sized control buttons which can easily be operated with cold or gloved hands. The standard 2-zone system is good, as you can crank up the volume in the cockpit or saloon separately.
 
pvb said:
Yes, the Fusion range is good. I have the 600 series tuner/CD head with the separate iPod dock and a wired cockpit remote. Excellent quality, water-resistant, sensibly sized control buttons which can easily be operated with cold or gloved hands. The standard 2-zone system is good, as you can crank up the volume in the cockpit or saloon separately.
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I've got the 205... I like it very much :)
 
single said:
While i'm doing a refit i really need to update the sound system. Currently its all Alpine car stuff (CD autochanger,amps,car speakers etc.) but very dated. What it the best sound solution to play Mp3 from phone, maybe CDs and surround sound from the tv or laptop?
Click to expand...

What's the model of the Alpine head unit? Some of the old Alpine is sought after.
 
When this subject was discussed on the forum about 5 years ago there were several people who were vociferous in their condemnation of car audio being used on boats. Their primary concern was the longevity of the head units in a marine environment. If your is still going after 20 years it bows that objection right out of the water. :)

If you have the space a pair, or two pairs of 'HiFi' bookshelf speakers as opposed to car type speakers will make a significant difference to sound quality. I paid about £50 for mine ( KEF ) and the sound is great.

These days USB capability and perhaps an iPad interface is what you need.
 
The Alpine head unit is still going strong although the newer autochanger packed up a few years ago.All the Alpine amps are fine too.
 
+1 for the cheapo chinese job! I'm on my second (first went with the last boat) For £12 the sound is awesome, usb, audio-in, sd card, and FM tuner and remote control. At that price they're disposable. I keep meaning to open mine up to disable the disco light show...
 
To a hifi buff what I am about to say is is, I expect, sacrilege, nevertheless.......I have recently gone to a wireless speaker (Denon in my case) to which I can Bluetooth the iPads, iPods, phones and laptop. Marvellous flexibility. Sound, for my purpose anyway, is more than adequate. The speaker can be charged directly from the ship's 12v supply. A single charge lasts all day. Pick up the speaker and take it wherever you need it - including those dinghy trips when you need to keep close to the action on R4 ball by ball commentary whilst enjoying the shoreside picnic. Splendid.
 
Ardenfour said:
+1 for the cheapo chinese job! I'm on my second (first went with the last boat) For £12 the sound is awesome, usb, audio-in, sd card, and FM tuner and remote control. At that price they're disposable. I keep meaning to open mine up to disable the disco light show...
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I am intrigued so i've ordered one. If its not to my standard the gf can have it!
Same thing here- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301243838731
 
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I've got a Sony Head with Bluetooth and CD aswell as an input on the front. Connected to a couple of Kef Egg speakers, it's very good and very versatile. About £100 for the head unit.

On my previous boat I had a JVC unit with a DVD facility.
 
nimbusgb said:
When this subject was discussed on the forum about 5 years ago there were several people who were vociferous in their condemnation of car audio being used on boats. Their primary concern was the longevity of the head units in a marine environment. If your is still going after 20 years it bows that objection right out of the water. :)

If you have the space a pair, or two pairs of 'HiFi' bookshelf speakers as opposed to car type speakers will make a significant difference to sound quality. I paid about £50 for mine ( KEF ) and the sound is great.

These days USB capability and perhaps an iPad interface is what you need.
Click to expand...

Agree with everything here! I got wharf dales from richer sounds for £50.
 
nimbusgb said:
When this subject was discussed on the forum about 5 years ago there were several people who were vociferous in their condemnation of car audio being used on boats. Their primary concern was the longevity of the head units in a marine environment. If your is still going after 20 years it bows that objection right out of the water. :)

If you have the space a pair, or two pairs of 'HiFi' bookshelf speakers as opposed to car type speakers will make a significant difference to sound quality. I paid about £50 for mine ( KEF ) and the sound is great.

These days USB capability and perhaps an iPad interface is what you need.
Click to expand...

Fully agree. I have owned a succession of Sony automobile radio/CD players on boats and in motorhomes, all of which have performed well with excellent sound through some decent speakers. The current one on the boat is about seven years old. It occasionally fails to make a contact when the drop-down front is replaced after inserting a CD but a brief wiggle sorts it out.
 
Robih said:
To a hifi buff what I am about to say is is, I expect, sacrilege, nevertheless.......I have recently gone to a wireless speaker (Denon in my case) to which I can Bluetooth the iPads, iPods, phones and laptop. Marvellous flexibility. Sound, for my purpose anyway, is more than adequate. The speaker can be charged directly from the ship's 12v supply. A single charge lasts all day. Pick up the speaker and take it wherever you need it - including those dinghy trips when you need to keep close to the action on R4 ball by ball commentary whilst enjoying the shoreside picnic. Splendid.
Click to expand...

+1 we have a JBL flip rechargeable Bluetooth speaker, can also plug in an iPod
 
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