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The owner of this 280 requested a loud and clear
cockpit audio system. Initially the boat came factory equipped
with one pair of coaxils on the cockpit. We took what the boat
gave us in our layout of the system and the results were outstanding.
The factory source unit came with a hardwired remote control
at the helm. We added a waterproof radio frequency remote
control that will work in the cabin or from a raft floating
behind the swim deck.
The factory CD player is Sirius satellite radio ready and
also a CD changer controller. We added a hideaway Sirius tuner
and a CD changer in the aft berth.
The Sirius antenna on
top of the arch.
Below the source unit we added an equalizer. The primary purpose
of the EQ is its three-way zone control including arch speakers,
cockpit speakers and sub level control. An important secondary
benefit is that the EQ functions as a six-channel 7 volt line
driver. This definitely improves the dynamic range.
Under the galley sink we installed a Boston Acoustics fan-cooled
five-channel amplifier. The front two channels drive four cockpit
speakers in high-pass two-ohm stereo. The rear two channels
drive the arch speakers that are six ohms. The dedicated sub
channel drives two 10-inch subwoofers that constitute a two-ohm
load. Since this 900 watt amplifier is rated to handle one-ohm
loads it operates very comfortably as configured. A two-gauge
power cable runs directly to the battery bank in the engine
compartment.
The amplifier is concealed behind a galley cabinet.
We cut in a pair of MB Quart marine speakers in the front
of the helm seat console. These forward-firing speakers get
plenty of reflection off the surrounding gelcoat with a great
deal of reinforcement from the surrounding surfaces. The front
presence was very strong even though the only available forward
location appeared to be compromising.
We
replaced the factory speakers with a second pair of MB Quart.
The MB Quart is an oversized 6 1/2-inch speaker requiring that
the holes in the combing be enlarged and re-dressed.
Boston
Acoustics Voyagers were mounted to the interior sides of the
arch. The arch is too low on this model to safely mount speakers
under the arch. They would be a handbanger for anyone who is
medium height or taller.
The
Boston's will project out over the swim deck or they will rotate
forward to project out over the bow when you're sunbathing.
The radio frequency remote control really comes in handy when
out on the bow.
The Clarion Marine free-air 10-inch subwoofers were installed
in the starboard side interior combing over the aft deck. Each
driver received a 3/4-inch thick resin-coated birch backup baffle
to the interior of the fiberglass gunwale. This adds considerable
rigidity and tightens the bass. The two side-by-side woofers
compound load for some impressive output.
This perspective of the starboard side shows the dual subwoofers,
rear MB Quart speaker and Boston Acoustics Voyager.
900 Watts, two subwoofers and six full range speakers
easily get the job done on this medium sized cockpit. Serious
S.P.L. is achieved with everything operating well below its
full capacity. The system is effortlessly loud and very clean
sounding.
