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The factory cockpit system featured a Sony CD player, multi-channel
amplifier, subwoofer and four coaxils. The sound was decent
but there were
areas begging for improvement. The forward helm did not have
any full range speakers.
It’s typical for any factory to install the equipment
but not tune the
system. This system wasn’t any different with the crossover
set an octave
too high and all the gains wide open.
The factory CD player behind a water-resistant cover
gave us the necessary expandability given that it’s a changer controller, is
XM ready and has two sets of preamp outputs. In this case we set up the fader to
operate from the cockpit’s six coaxils and two subs (front) to the radar
arch’s two fullrange enclosures (rear).
The factory remote at the helm.
We added a second remote to the aft deck. The backlit remote
only
illuminates when the source unit is turned on.
A custom iPod cradle was added to the helm. This direct connect
scheme uses a changer expansion module for the cleanest possible signal
input. Selecting CD 2 on the source unit’s menu accesses the iPod source.
A single multi-pin plug is the only iPod connection. The iPod cradle also supplies
power and keeps the internal battery charged.
A pair of Alpine marine coaxils were added to the helm, which
is the most
critical location. This position places speakers in an area
with many reinforcing planes and in the immediate proximity of the captain.
A second pair of Alpine coaxils flood the lower aft deck from overhead.
A third pair of Alpine coaxils replaced the speakers at the rear of the bridge.
Up on the bridge we added a second subwoofer and grill identical to
the
factory. This tightened up the bass considerably, especially at high
volume.
Over the arch aft-firing SpeakerCraft enclosures are mounted so they
aim at
a slight downward angle. These speakers are optimum for projecting
over the
slip or out to those afloat behind the boat. Each waterproof enclosure
features dual 5 ¼-inch midbass drivers and a dome tweeter. A five
–channel
amplifier runs all of the flush-mounted cockpit speakers. We added a
400
watt two-channel amplifier which exclusively drives the arch speakers.
This is a perfect system for entertaining since it delivers seamless
sound
at a consistent output anywhere on the cockpit or 50 feet off the
swimdeck.
The two zones feature independent level controls adding to the
versatility
and convenience.
This is the sixth boat we’ve outfitted in one boathouse as one
referral led
