Stereo head unit upgrade

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AsLan7
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Re: Stereo head unit upgrade

Post by AsLan7 »

Big Block Power wrote: Tue Aug 28, 2018 6:30 pm I don't know if every function works on my remote but it really doesn't matter to me as long as I can turn the volume up and down. But yes it works.
Glad to hear yours is working for ya BBP.

Like bobo87’s, ours was intermittent at best. The CPS remotes are designed to work with Sony units but I think certain newer Sony head units don’t necessarily play nice at times with the older technology remotes. :evil:

On our 2002 262 stock Sony platform, they all worked fantastic. On this 2005 263 with the head unit upgrade, it became very frustrating at times.

Both remotes would have issues controlling volume, mute, source, etc. Sometimes they worked, sometimes not. Plus we could not power the M100BT head unit on or off from the remotes. BT pairing would drop when we started the engine (which we do often with watersports). Ughhh. Time to move on. As important as music is to us on our boat, we need this working right. :geek:

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Re: Stereo head unit upgrade

Post by Big Block Power »

AsLan7 wrote: Tue Aug 28, 2018 6:58 pm
Big Block Power wrote: Tue Aug 28, 2018 6:30 pm I don't know if every function works on my remote but it really doesn't matter to me as long as I can turn the volume up and down. But yes it works.
Glad to hear yours is working for ya BBP.

Like bobo87’s, ours was intermittent at best. The CPS remotes are designed to work with Sony units but I think certain newer Sony head units don’t necessarily play nice at times with the older technology remotes. :evil:

On our 2002 262 stock Sony platform, they all worked fantastic. On this 2005 263 with the head unit upgrade, it became very frustrating at times.

Both remotes would have issues controlling volume, mute, source, etc. Sometimes they worked, sometimes not. Plus we could not power the M100BT head unit on or off from the remotes. BT pairing would drop when we started the engine (which we do often with watersports). Ughhh. Time to move on. As important as music is to us on our boat, we need this working right. :geek:

.
Yea that sounds very frustrating. Exactly old school reviews new school head units. I can see how they wouldn't play nice.
I guess we got lucky on this one. Really not many bt issues either. But to us stereo is low on the priority list of the wife. So it's not being heard most of the time.
I can see you and your family jamming and having a blast though.
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Re: Stereo head unit upgrade

Post by JTinMO »

I have the same head unit as BBP, and the CPS remotes work great. Bluetooth works fine, although to be honest we simply plug in a phone via usb cable as someone always needs charging as well. The remotes will raise/lower volume, and skip tracks just fine from any location. So we are certainly happy with the setup.

And I cannot recommend the 6 channel amp more. It is soo much better than running a 4-channel with the bow speakers running off the head unit.
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Re: Stereo head unit upgrade

Post by AsLan7 »

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Picked our 263 up from Enormis Audio yesterday. Installer Kenny upgraded the Cobalt factory “upgraded” system. :lol:


This is the first of three phases.

Phase 1 is a new RF PMX-5 head unit with separate aux ports, amp, subwoofer, wiring, and remotes. Yay! :P

Phase 2 will be tower & transom speakers with zone control and

Phase 3 will be a small TV in the cuddy if the kids want to play the Nintendo Switch while chillin’ in the cuddy.

It absolutely cranks and sounds amazing!

Bluetooth is so much better and almost seamless (cuts out occasionally when stopping and always when starting engine). No more pairing issues either ...it just plays when I start the boat up. Presets now stay memorized even with battery switch off. Streaming Pandora,, Satellite radio, FM, IPhone playlists, etc are now simple and can be done from anywhere on the boat. Just so user friendly and easy....both for me and for guests who want to connect. Some of the best money I’ve spent on upgrades to date.

Btw, I especially like being able to control the sub from the remotes. 👍. Thanks for all the info and ideas on this site. A huge shout out of appreciation to the CChat members here. 👏👏👏. Rock on. 🤘 .....and to answer the very first question (& post) in this thread posted by Bfun220......YES! :mrgreen:


(YouTube video at the end doesn’t really capture the sound that well but it does document where everything is located.)


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653D973B-BD05-437D-ADE5-1A93B3BB3D17.jpeg
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D19BDD3D-23F4-45EA-9E24-EA839EDAEA53.jpeg
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8632F7D6-2172-44C3-8161-8F25C4C5E058.jpeg

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YouTube walkthrough with half volume...

[youtube]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xB3hrztUHng[/youtube]



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Re: Stereo head unit upgrade

Post by Big Block Power »

Looks nice and clean. Did you have the Sony 100?, what are you going to do with that?
Did he stay with 6.5 speakers or go up to 8 inch ones
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Re: Stereo head unit upgrade

Post by AsLan7 »

Big Block Power wrote: Fri Aug 31, 2018 6:59 pm Looks nice and clean. Did you have the Sony 100?, what are you going to do with that?
Did he stay with 6.5 speakers or go up to 8 inch ones
Thx bruthA.

Yes, was going to list the 100 on eBay. Paid $270 for it on crutchfield less than a year ago. Figured it would bring a couple bills since it’s hardly used. You want it?i. I’ll give you BBP price. :mrgreen:

Still have the Sony Xplod 6.5’s. Phase two will upgrade the four in the cockpit to RF 8’s or JL A’s. Although honestly it sounds pretty darn good with the 6.5’s for now. We didn’t see the need to upgrade the two in the cuddy when phase 2 happens.

What are your thoughts?

Nite shot... :D
..

A
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Re: Stereo head unit upgrade

Post by Big Block Power »

8's are nice but will it bring to much bass and lose your mids and highs. I don't think you need 8 in the cuddy. I like my 6.5 but I want at least 8 for towers. I heard 6.5 don't work on the tower very well.
I'm debating on the 100. I don't don't if it has the options I like. The rear USB and the remote. Plug in for the remote.
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Re: Stereo head unit upgrade

Post by tgrace98 »

So I did a little stereo upgrade myself. :D

I went with 6 RF 6.5’s to replace the old Sony speakers. Then I did 1 RF 10in sub. Then as you can see 2 custom built RF tower speakers. Mine are only 6.5 in and they are loud. I’m still running the old Song bt head unit. I’m thinking a new head unit and remotes will be my spring project. I just happened to catch my stereo installer at the right time and he quoted me a price I couldn’t pass up.
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Re: Stereo head unit upgrade

Post by AsLan7 »

Nice tgrace. Do you find yourself or guests bumping their heads on the tower speakers? They look pretty much out of the way on your arch. It’s a concern I have if depending on whether we use 6.5 or 8” speakers up there.

Btw, this Rockford Fosgate stuff is the bomb. 👍
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Re: Stereo head unit upgrade

Post by tgrace98 »

AsLan7 wrote: Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:05 am Nice tgrace. Do you find yourself or guests bumping their heads on the tower speakers? They look pretty much out of the way on your arch. It’s a concern I have if depending on whether we use 6.5 or 8” speakers up there.

Btw, this Rockford Fosgate stuff is the bomb. 👍
So far no head wounds!

So with the center walk through of a 260 series you have to step on the starboard or port side transom seats to hit your head. Even standing up from those seats you won’t hit them.

From what my installer said if you just want to be able to hear crystal clear music from the water 6.5’s are perfect. Which is what I was going for.

He said if you want some thump and for your tubers to hear the music go with 8’s.

Are you just running your speakers off the head unit? Or are they amped?

I’m running 2 4 channel wet sounds amps
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Re: Stereo head unit upgrade

Post by Big Block Power »

Did he switch the tower speakers to turn them off. That's a nice set up you have going now.
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Re: Stereo head unit upgrade

Post by jasonm »

Nice speakers! Did you make the tower speakers yourself or did you have the stereo guy make them? I think eventually I will want a pair too.
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Re: Stereo head unit upgrade

Post by AsLan7 »

tgrace98 wrote: Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:38 am
AsLan7 wrote: Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:05 am Nice tgrace. Do you find yourself or guests bumping their heads on the tower speakers? They look pretty much out of the way on your arch. It’s a concern I have if depending on whether we use 6.5 or 8” speakers up there.

Btw, this Rockford Fosgate stuff is the bomb. 👍
So far no head wounds!

So with the center walk through of a 260 series you have to step on the starboard or port side transom seats to hit your head. Even standing up from those seats you won’t hit them.

From what my installer said if you just want to be able to hear crystal clear music from the water 6.5’s are perfect. Which is what I was going for.

He said if you want some thump and for your tubers to hear the music go with 8’s.

Are you just running your speakers off the head unit? Or are they amped?

I’m running 2 4 channel wet sounds amps

Ok. Great. Thanx tg98.

Currently powering speakers with separate RF amp.

I’ll power the tower & transom speakers with a separate amp as well. Plan on using the zone switching feature on the RF head unit to be able to turn those on and off.

.
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Re: Stereo head unit upgrade

Post by tgrace98 »

jasonm wrote: Sat Sep 01, 2018 10:56 am Nice speakers! Did you make the tower speakers yourself or did you have the stereo guy make them? I think eventually I will want a pair too.
Stereo installer made them. I can get you his info if you want a set made.

A7 I was coved out yesterday with 6 adults on board and tied up with another boat and no one bumped their heads on the towers.

And you were right this RF stuff is awesome. I’ve always been a big JL audio fan and that is what I was going to put on this boat until my stereo guy talked me into RF. He said they sound just as good as JL just way cheaper. And I will admit he was right!
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Re: Stereo head unit upgrade

Post by Big Block Power »

Jason you have a tubed tower you don't need custom made speakers you can get a thousand different ones off the interweb. Just saying.
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