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Hi All,

I decided to do a stereo/dash upgrade to my 2007 222. I read up on the forums but wanted to make sure I get it/grab your opinion before I start.

What I want to do:
- Replace the original Sony system (6, 6.5" speakers & head unit)
- Add an amp
- Add a second battery

Shopping List:
- 6, 6.5 Roswell R1's (https://store.roswellmarine.com/product ... ne-speaker)
- 1, 900.6 Roswell Amp (https://store.roswellmarine.com/product ... -amplifier)
- 1, Sony DSX-M55BT (https://www.crutchfield.ca/p_158DSXM55B ... M55BT.html)
- Blue Sea Systems Add-A-Battery Kit 120A
- 100 feet, 6-conductor speaker/RGB cable (https://www.crutchfield.ca/p_007MRGBS50 ... GBS50.html)
- Pins/connectors etc

The Roswell R1's are Deutsch wired, so each speaker has a female 6 pin plug.
4 wires are for the integrated speaker LEDs and 2 for speaker wire. So I'm going to buy the receptacles/crimp my own pins to make it a one cable run from the speaker connector to the amp/controller location.

I attached my sketch;
#1 is wired if I wanted to add a second amp at a later date, incase I wanted a subwoofer
#2 is wired with no second amp
I drew one speaker for simplicity but there will be 6.

I do have some questions that are seemingly obvious but I don't understand;
- To connect the head to the amp. There are four RCA outputs on the back of the DSX-M55BT. The patch cables I found are 2 inputs/2 outputs. What's the proper way to turn 4 connections to 6?
- To power the RGB controller there is a 12-24VDC input. Where is this connected to? A direct run to the battery or can it be linked to the amp or head to pull power?

And to grab your opinion;
- I have the original remote on my helm. It's finicky so what can I replace this with, is there a way to replace it with a new remote keeping the wire that was factory run? Or do I pull it out/leave it there and not have it connected to anything.
- Would you add a dual zone volume control?

Let me know if I'm missing anything, I've never played with marine equipment before!

Pictures:

I have a 2007 also, so I’ll be following your stereo upgrade journey with interest. The lack of Bluetooth has finally ticked me off.

Does this look familiar? I still have this Sony CDX-F50M from 2007. Hate this radio as I always have to look in the manual on how to use it.


Are the Roswell R1’s really $566 per pair? I just changed out three pair of the original Sony speakers last summer with Polk DB-652’s, but three pair of the Roswells would have me crying.

Have you found the power cables for the amp that Cobalt installed at the factory yet?

I’m guessing you would power your RGB controller from one of the spare circuit breakers under the helm.

I just did something similar a couple years ago, and the thread is here:

viewtopic.php?t=4198

The Roswells are pricey at full retail, but you can find them for cheaper if you're patient (I paid maybe half that?)

John

Titaniumboy: That would be the stereo I believe I have also. I have a usb dongle coming out of it that doesn't work. I haven't ventured far enough to see wires yet, but will update you as I go. The R1's for me are $760 a pair (Canadian dollars) which was pure sticker shock. The main reason I started the build was because I found 3 pairs on eBay for $150 USD/ 200 CAD a pop. Sold as "new" but they were pulled off a 2023 Bennington pontoon, so the the only difference is the speaker grill and how "new" they really are.

John: I can't believe I didn't see your build when I was searching. That helps tremendously. I'm really not looking forward to realizing my holes are too small!! I am going to copy you by organizing the front/rear amp outputs. Two questions for you:
- With your RA670 because it has zone control and the way you wired, does that mean you can play channels 1-2 and 3-5 at separate volumes (and possibly different music all together)?
- On your set up did you run new speaker+rgb cable or were you able to use the speaker wire already run and solder just two pins for the receptacle?

Axmffn wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 4:14 pm Titaniumboy: That would be the stereo I believe I have also. I have a usb dongle coming out of it that doesn't work. I haven't ventured far enough to see wires yet, but will update you as I go. The R1's for me are $760 a pair (Canadian dollars) which was pure sticker shock. The main reason I started the build was because I found 3 pairs on eBay for $150 USD/ 200 CAD a pop. Sold as "new" but they were pulled off a 2023 Bennington pontoon, so the the only difference is the speaker grill and how "new" they really are.

Nice score. The $150 per pair makes a whole lot more sense to me than $566 per pair. I mean, it would be cool and all, but me thinks that money would cause more happiness being spent on Captains Call or trim tabs.

I did the stereo upgrade in our 07’ 222 this past winter using all JL products. Before installing anything I removed all the factory speaker and power wire due to being undersized. Make sure you size your power and ground wire accordingly for the amps that you will be using.