Stereo Questions
 

What are the biggest problems that you are having with the stereo systems in your boats? What have you tried?

Re: Stereo Questions
 

Corrosion seem's to be the biggest fight. Then of course shock and vibration. All the heavy item's , like amp's and such should be fastened using bushing's similar to the ones they use to hold down msd boxes. And all your wiring should be tinned with tinned connector's. Adhesive lined shrink tube is a must, and for the long run's of wire make sure you use adequate ga. size, and at least 8 for the pos. and ground on the amp's.

Re: Stereo Questions
 

Playing cds in 8 footers.

Re: Stereo Questions
 

Memory sticks. If you skip one of those it means the stick fell out :D:D

Re: Stereo Questions
 

I have no problems with the stereo system in my boat.

But if I did, it would be placement. If you are trying to identify the needs of the market so that you may meet those needs with your marine a/v company.... I would say manufacture custom panels on a case by case basis for better speaker placement.

I am not trying to argue that audiophile acceptable imaging and soundstage will be achieved at the helm, but I was able to get great results with using component speaker systems and putting the HF driver in the dash. (Port I attached one using a surface mount adapter, and SB I put one in with the guages by eliminating a 12v assy socket) But for the mids I had to make a substitute panel to get the 6.5 inch mid drivers near enough.

I had good luck with Bazooka subs under the rear seat. I had no way to do traditional woofs. The amps were mounted in a hatch down below with number 4 to a power block and short number 8 to each amp.

The coolest part of the install is that I wired the amp remote leads to two swtiches at the helm. This gives me independent stereo "kill switches" so I can kill the cockpit speakers and or the helm speakers in an instant if we are about to dock, or if there is a problem or emergency. Plus, these kills let me run different combinations of "zones." (Helm only, back seat only, cabin only or any combo) The cabin speakers are run only off of the head unit speaker leads so that when down below at night, you can jam without needing the amps on.

Most guys can get gear ok, and most guys can wire it up ok, but custom fabrication may be your ticket.

Good luck. Welcome to OSO.

Re: Stereo Questions
 

Thanks - my goal here is to link the manufacturer with the consumer here. If you spend $250,000-$500,000 on a boat, would'nt you expect the audio/entertainment system to be of equal quality?

Re: Stereo Questions
 

The audio system in my master bedroom cost me more than my 26 foot boat with twins.

Re: Stereo Questions
 

Priorities. :D

Re: Stereo Questions
 

Need a second battery. Optima cranking and Optima Deep Cycle on order :)

Re: Stereo Questions
 

I run four pptimas, in billit boxes, my biggest problem is fining a short ground with my amps in the cabin