Cobaltchat.com

I have a 2014 R5 with the standard Rockford Fosgate stereo - six speakers, no subwoofer. Stereo works and sounds fine for me at this point. But, I am curious where the amp is located. Based on suggestions here I have looked in the space to the rear of the head and of course in the storage compartment behind the STB bow seat. I have not taken any panels of etc. yet, mainly because nothing is wrong, I would just like to know where it is hidden.
One thing I am planning to do is add bluetooth, which from what I have read, the easiest thing there is to get an adapter that uses a USB for power and plugs into the Aux port - curious what others have done for this. Currently I just plug my iPhone into the Aux jack and have the cable to contend with.

Is it possible that the unit in your dash includes the stereo/Amp . The unit in the dash of the latter R5's was only a wired remote that lead to a black box under the passenger seat. What is the model of the unit on the dash.

I guess that is possible, just seems kinda small if that's all there is. The model is RFX-MR5BB - Media Player 4x50watts.

Looks like its a wired remote as well. Try to follow the cable on the back end.

Not sure if you found the head unit or not, but this thread may help - viewtopic.php?p=110435#p110435

In my 2014 R5 the stereo head unit is in the head. if your siting on the head looking out the door to the right of the door is a access panel. This is were you can install your bluetooth module. My amps are installed on the bulkhead behind the STB bow seat

Are you talking about the square access panel below the light? Will be at the lake in a couple of weeks and plan to find it. I want to verify I have the RXF 5000 vs the 3000. Apparently the 5000 supports Bluetooth and there is a Rockford Fosgate Bluetooth dongle that plugs into the RXF 5000. If not I will go with a BT adapter that plugs into the Aux port. Long term a stereo upgrade may be in the works, but this is ok for now, if I can get an acceptable BT working.

Yes that is the panel were i found mine (and yes it took me a long time to find it as well). I also have the RFX5000. When i was trying to hook up bluetooth as you are. I found that the dongle was already there. I think the connection was never tight. The original owner told me that there was no bluetooth. If you need the dongle look up RFX- btd3 or https://www.ebay.ca/itm/294159692150
Good luck let me know how you make out
PS Great Boat!!

Yes, that's exactly what I am trying to do, planning to buy the dongle from that Ebay seller if it will work with mine. But maybe like you I will find it just not connected properly - that would be a nice post Christmas present!

Finally got to the lake today, pulled that panel off and guess what? Just like yours the Bluetooth dongle was right there, just not plugged in securely. Plugged it up and I now have Bluetooth!

Excellent!

Nice!!

Hi! I've same setup with 2014 R5, 6 speakers, no sub, and the RFX5000. On a budget (maximum value, minimal investment) I'm trying to add transom speakers and want to see if my thought process is correct here. The wiring diagram on the RFX5000 shows 4 speakers with a pair of RCA outs. Working with Crutchfield, they advised the following:

- JL Audio M3-650X-S-Gw [$225, handles up to 60 watts RMS (225 watts peak power))
- JL Audio MX280/4 ($250 50 watts RMS x 4 at 4 ohms)
- Stinger SEA4283 (8-gauge marine amplifier wiring kit)

I think the stereo is either in the head, behind the compartment below the light or under the flooring. I'd have the installer put the amp near the batteries and run the RCA pre-out from the headunit to the amp. I know the M6 series speakers are the "popular" choice, but I'm not an audiophile and not sure I could justify paying double the cost.

As an attractive option, I could add a 10" sub behind the cockpit seat ($290 JL Audio M3-10IB-S-GW-4) running off the remaining 2 channels from the amp above.

Am I on the right track here? I'm comfortable with these equipment prices but would spring for the M6 speakers if its a noticeable "must".

Can almost guarantee your headunit is behind the little glovebox area left of the head door, you access it from the panel in the head (see my pictures above).
I have thought about adding a subwoofer to my system, but that's a different topic - admiral has put a stop to boat project$ since when I bought the boat last fall, I presented it to her as "turn key".

Back to your project -- I am not a audio expert, but have worked with Crutchfield on some car / boat audio projects, I would trust what they say. Only thing I would do different is I would not put the amp near the batteries in the engine room, I think the heat would eventually be a problem. I think the bulkhead in the STB bow seat storage, the head (with the head unit if it will fit or the little storage area back under the door) or the port compartment with the battery switches would all be better locations.

Good stuff, thank you for your input. I think Crutchfield has it right but a stereo upgrade may be window shopping at this point for a subsequent season.