Click on any of
the pictures below to see a larger version.
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MasterCraft X55 gets a redesign of the factory audio system.
From the factory this MasterCraft came with the JL Audio
system. At this time, the JL Audio speakers represent the
best in marine audio from a sound quality standpoint. However,
many MasterCraft owners have not heard the full potential
of the JL Audio marine speakers, particularly in the area
of subwoofer and tower speaker performance. This is because
they are underpowered. You're hearing the limitations of the
amplification and not the speakers. Not that the JL Audio
amplifiers aren't excellent in every respect, there just isn't
enough of them. So we made a number of alterations and additions
while maintaining 100 percent of the existing equipment.
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The X55 came with two JL Audio six-channel amplifiers. We
moved the port side amplifier over to the starboard helm console
locker so that it was better protected from the occassional
roller over the bow. A new amp mounting panel supported the
two amplifiers plus a third six-channel addition. Also, serviceability
is made easier in this large compartment. The power distribution
was as follows:
One JL Audio six-channel amplifier drove six 7.7-inch component
speakers highpass with a discrete channel for each of the
coaming speakers (one pair in the bow and two pair in the
cockpit). Four channels were bridged into two and drove dual
10-inch free-air subwoofers lowpass.
Eight channels were bridged into four and drove four 7.7-inch
tower speakers highpass. So that results in around 800 total
watts to the tower, 400 watts to the collective subwoofers
and over 400 watts to the collective in-boat fullrange speakers.
It was a good balance.
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However, distributing six 2-volt preouts to eighteen channels
of amplification was going to leave us shy in the dynamic
capabilities. So to avoid dynamic compression and really open
up the music's contast and clarity, we added six channels
of JL Audio 7-volt line drivers.
Also, a heat-formed ABS removeable panel next to the line
drivers provide the concealed power distribution blocks with
protection from items stored in the locker.
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Two large DC circuit breakers were installed at the power
source. Upgrading the supply cabling for the amplifiers was
one of the more important steps in getting the factory system
up to its potential.
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 A
second JL Audio free-air 10-inch subwoofer was added next
to the factory-installed sub. We were not happy with the way
the factory sub location juts out into the center of the cockpit.
This invites cancellations off the exterior and coincidental
boundaries of the interior. Recessing the sub into a corner
or on a perimeter surface would have been more productive.
However, we elected to place the second sub right next to
the factory location in order to maximize the effects of compound
loading. In contrast, a second and dissimilar location would
have created a non-uniform phase response where the two woofers
would not have summed as effectively.
We added thick baffle rings concealed behind the subwoofers
in order to get an extremely rigid mounting surface. And,
we added dual runs of 2-conductor 12-gauge to feed the woofers.
In any case, the factory wire needed upgrading.
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After tuning the system, the sound transformation was night
and day.
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The tower speakers had no difficulty projecting to 80 feet.
While not quite as loud as some of the larger HLCDs, with
the added power (200 watts per speaker) they really reached
out. But, the sound quality experience of lounging or swimming
around the boat at rest is now unparalleled.
Doubling up the subwoofers with double the power, improving
the baffle strength and upgrading the power and speaker cabling
produced bass that reached the lower registers and hit with
authority.
I think my favorite part of the system was with six in-boat
7.7-inch speakers. The midbass attack was as good as it gets.
With dialing in just a little residual output from the tower
speakers, the in-boat volume could play loud enough without
clipping to hurt you.
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 While
the boat has a helm remote control, the boat owner wanted the
source unit moved to the driver's side so he had better access
to all functions. The underdash enclosure also got fitted with
an exposed sub level control and an iPod storage pocket. |
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A cover panel was installed over the previous source unit
location in the head.
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 The
transom courtesy light was changed out to blue as were all the
other interior lights. Plus, we added a few more. |
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A light was added on a separate circuit to illuminate this
switch panel.
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| Step light at front of bow
and step lights in the pass-thru between the helm consoles.
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| Forward and rear cockpit step
lights.
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| Courtesy lights in bow and
cockpit coaming pockets.
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Factory underwater lights.
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Blue LED lgiht rings on factory tower speaker pods.
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Upon inspecting the two inside factory tower pods we
discovered that these particular pods (also house halogen
lamps) were not sealed air tight. In fact you can see
daylight through the front of the pods. The halogen
lamps must be accessed and serviced from the rear of
the pods so we created a removable aluminum plate that
could be fully sealed via a foam gasket.
The pods were drilled and tapped to accept machine
thread screws.
With this issue resolved, the power handling and midbass
of any speaker whether it be the factory JL Audio or
a HollowPoint HLCD replacement is dramatically improved.
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We did replace the factory tower speaker with the Bullet
HollowPoint 770 HLCDs.
These dropped into the factory pods and used the previous
light rings. White spoked grills tied in well with the
factory JLs throughout the boat.
The big difference came in the HLCDs ability to project
with absolute authority at 80 feet while competing with
wind and engine noise.
Small aluminum caps were installed to cover and seal
up the prior tweeter pod provisions.
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