R7 Stereo Help/Suggestions

[FLCErik]

I have a 2019 R7 with the stock non upgraded stereo. It includes the RF deck and qty 6 JL speakers. My first question is does this system have an amp? Also what JL model speakers are these? 2nd question is what is the best option to upgrade? I was thinking of adding an 8 channel amp using 6 channels to power the existing speakers (if they can handle it) and the other 2 channels to power a 10" sub that I would install behind the drivers seat. Any opinions would be appreciated.

I do not have a tower so tower speakers are out. I am not looking to blast eardrums but to be able to hear the music clearly while cruising at 30mph. I would like something similar to the premium sound option.

[AsLan7]

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Hey FLCerik. Welcome to the Cobalt chat forum. So glad you found us!

Any pics of your R7? We have some R owners on the forum who will chime in shortly.

Again welcome aboard mate!

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[FLCErik]

Here are a few Pics.

[Big Block Power]

Will looks like there is plenty of Cobalt company on the bouy system.

[AsLan7]

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Hey thanks for those pics....and she really stands out in that sea of Cobalt’s with that red hull!

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[Norris_Boating]

Nice boat! love it!
I have the premium package so not sure how things may be different. My sound is great at speeds 30mph or even higher.
I do have a sub right behind the captains chair. Both amps (one for the sub and one for 8 speakers spread across 3 zones.) are located in the storage compartment just in front of the helm. If you have an amp it should be there.
Sorry I can't help more, I know the current setup and controls but not much info for upgrades.

[gdane]

FL Erick, Must be an Iowa State Grad? Welcome aboard to the Chat! As for your stereo all depends on how you want your stereo to perform!
Do you want to listen to your music or do you want to also feel your music? That will make a difference in what you want to do with a stereo upgrade.

[Big Block Power]

FL Erick, Must be an Iowa State Grad? Welcome aboard to the Chat! As for your stereo all depends on how you want your stereo to perform!
Do you want to listen to your music or do you want to also feel your music? That will make a difference in what you want to do with a stereo upgrade.

We could feel gdanes in the next area code

[shrfdeputy]

I can't tell you for sure if you have an amp, but your JL speakers are almost for sure MX series 6.5". They are capable of up to 125 watts each. I run a JL 800/8 amp to my 8 house speakers, and they sound unreal. I can't imagine they wouldn't run some sort of an amp to power those speakers in your boat, but you may need to call Cobalt to find out if you can't find an amp somewhere. Even if you do have an amp I would suggest pushing 100 watts on individual channels to each speaker. The difference will blow you away.

[jhnmdahl]

Amp would usually be behind the bow seat just in front of the passenger side console, right? It should be easy enough to check back there and see how it's wired up in any event. I think the panels that separate the storage space from the console wiring are just a few screws.

JL MX series are most likely, and I'm not sure the M series (or the new M3 or M6) are enough of an upgrade that I'd put money there as part of my initial plan, as there's little additional expense to go back and change speakers later. I would plan to run new speaker wire to each location, as the stock wire from the factory can be undersized and my six stock speakers share four output channels from my Sony receiver (although I have a smaller boat). The JL 800/8 amp and new wiring is a great first step, and the sub will help a ton below 80Hz or so if that's important to you.

John

[shrfdeputy]

Amp would usually be behind the bow seat just in front of the passenger side console, right? It should be easy enough to check back there and see how it's wired up in any event. I think the panels that separate the storage space from the console wiring are just a few screws.

JL MX series are most likely, and I'm not sure the M series (or the new M3 or M6) are enough of an upgrade that I'd put money there as part of my initial plan, as there's little additional expense to go back and change speakers later. I would plan to run new speaker wire to each location, as the stock wire from the factory can be undersized and my six stock speakers share four output channels from my Sony receiver (although I have a smaller boat). The JL 800/8 amp and new wiring is a great first step, and the sub will help a ton below 80Hz or so if that's important to you.

John

Good call on the wiring. I'm in a different boat (literally) because we were putting a new system in a 24 year old boat, so it was a no-brainer to completely rewire everything. You bring up a good point though, and a lot of people miss it. Factory wiring is usually just barely adequate.

As far as speakers, I listened to the M Series and MX Series back to back. In the 6.5" there is very little if any difference. I actually thought the MX's (the cheaper ones) were just a touch better and a little clearer. I think you can start to see the M Series stretch its legs when you get into the 7.7's and 8.8's, and then definitely in the subs. Both my 10" subs are M series as are my amps.

[FLCErik]

Thanks for the suggestions. I am not a Iowa grad but a Nevada grad. I purchased the boat from a dealer in Iowa and had it transported to Reno. After contacting Cobalt they confirmed the standard system has MX series speakers. I decided to have a 10" JL sub installed behind the captains chair, a 600/6 M series JL amp to power the 6 stock 6.5" MX speakers, and a 600/1 M series amp to power the sub. This setup will mimic the upgraded Cobalt system minus the transom speakers. To purchase everything and have it installed will cost just under $2K. I think it is well worth the money and will give us a great sound.

[shrfdeputy]

Thanks for the suggestions. I am not a Iowa grad but a Nevada grad. I purchased the boat from a dealer in Iowa and had it transported to Reno. After contacting Cobalt they confirmed the standard system has MX series speakers. I decided to have a 10" JL sub installed behind the captains chair, a 600/6 M series JL amp to power the 6 stock 6.5" MX speakers, and a 600/1 M series amp to power the sub. This setup will mimic the upgraded Cobalt system minus the transom speakers. To purchase everything and have it installed will cost just under $2K. I think it is well worth the money and will give us a great sound.

That is definitely a fair price. You will be blown away with the way the MX speakers sound when they are properly powered. Hopefully whoever you have do it will know what they are doing. The 10" M Series subs from JL are supposed to get between 75-250 watts. That 600/1 will need to be turned way down. I only bring that up because I have blown 3 of the M Series 10" subs this year. The last 2 were at the same time, and they have taken almost 2 months to ship them to my installer. I highly suspect my 600/1 amp was either pushing them too hard, or there is something messed up in the crossover. All of that will be checked before I get it back. Just make sure they don't push the one sub too hard. I definitely think buying the 600/1 amp is a good idea on your part because it will give you the option to add another sub down the road if you decide you want to shake your fillings with some Cardi B.

[FLCErik]

Thanks for the advice. The installer called JL and they recommended the 600/1 over running 7 speakers with the 800/8. After adjusting for the ohms he said the 600/1 will be pushing 300 watts which he will turn down so I do not blow the sub. Seems if JL had a 400/1 it would be perfect for the 10" sub.

Is it summer yet?????

[shrfdeputy]

Thanks for the advice. The installer called JL and they recommended the 600/1 over running 7 speakers with the 800/8. After adjusting for the ohms he said the 600/1 will be pushing 300 watts which he will turn down so I do not blow the sub. Seems if JL had a 400/1 it would be perfect for the 10" sub.

Is it summer yet?????

Definitely sounds like they know what they are doing. I don't remember all the reasons, but my installer told me it is always a good idea to power subs with their own amp. And I absolutely agree. Summer can't get here fast enough.