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Before profiling the audio system
a few photos of the custom paint and engine compartment.
We
used the factory Kenwood CD player. The preamp output was
light for this type of system so we added a 7-volt line driver.
We maintained the pair of Kenwood coaxils in the berth. In
this case the cabin was not priority. The source unit fader
functions from cabin to cockpit.
We added a CD changer
in the cabinet just below the source unit.
A hardwired remote control at the helm.
This waterproof radio frequency remote control provides basic
stereo controls from a minimum of 50 feet away.
Two
Boston Acoustics fan-cooled amplifiers deliver up to 1700
watts. Even though these amps are one-ohm rated we purposely
operate them at a more conservative two-ohm stereo. A four-channel
drives eight integral marine speakers while a two-channel
powers two 10-inch subwoofers.
One gauge power and ground cables were run battery direct
via this 100-amp circuit breaker.
The
factory came equipped with two coaxils at the rear of the
cockpit. We enlarged the combing openings and installed these
oversized MB Quart integrals. Given the high location the
rear bench passengers wear these speakers like headphones.
The
helm was our main focus so that the system was audible to
the driver and occupant, who are typically standing while
motoring at high speeds. A concentration of three MB Quart
speakers per side compound for serious amplitude. The bridge-mounted
tweeters are rotated up and back for the best possible directionality.
This compensates for the low placement.
We custom fabricated three-dimensional pods to direct the
mids and highs up and back towards the bolster seats. The pods
are constructed from resin-coated birch and fiberglass. A white
marine vinyl wraps the pods to match their surroundings. Using
a vinyl in a bright color to match one of the existing accents
is another option.
We
custom built two .6 cubic ft. enclosures to ideally fit the
locker under the rear bench seat.
Each enclosure contains a down-firing JL Audio
W6 10-inch subwoofer. The JL W6 has a 1.2-inch peak-to-peak
excursion (under control) that means it can displace a lot of
air! Also, the W6 is engineered for a very small sealed box
(as small as .5 cu. ft.) making it perfect for this boat.
Aluminum brackets and stainless steel hardware elevate the
drivers 2-inches off the soul for optimum loading.
The impressive JL Audio W6 drivers.
The enclosures are polyurethane coated and are impervious
to water or UV. Every driver, terminal and screw is sealed
with marine silicon.
The
bass radiation is vented out of the rear bench locker through
two powder-coated 10-inch grills. The locker acts as a bandpass
enclosure of sorts. A triangular shaped white polymer spacer
is located above and between the two grills. This protects
the grills’ finish from contact with the stainless piano
hinge when the seat is folded forward.
This system plays at volume levels high enough
to be dangerous and without a hint of clipping. The response
is amazingly linear in an open-air environment. The bass plays
as low as techno goes and is tight. In a word… Smokin!
