I will be needing to purchase and install a stereo system with speakers in a 22 CC soon. I know nothing about all of that other than I want to cut it on and be able to hear music. I am thinking about installing two speakers in the console down low facing the sides and two mounted up front facing the console.
I do not want to over do things with crap that I don’t need like amps, etc. Simple, reliable and functional is what I am after.
What brands / styles / other important aspects should I be looking for?
I also don’t want to spend more than I have to, but I do want a quality system that sounds decent. I don’t need it to rattle screws loose with bass though.
Go with a Fusion RA-200 head unit and 4 6" Fusion speakers. Mount two overhead at the helm rather than the two you said would be in the console facing the sides. Won’t hear them well. Mount two firing down in the E box, and the two firing back towards the console. Will sound pretty good with just the 40-50W per channel going to them from the RA-200. All will hold up very well in the weather and salt also. 100% waterproof and ipod or USB stick integration will show the menu’s with your music organized in folders from those devices on the screen for easy use. No CD. Bad idea on a boat anyway…
I am dumb with this stuff…will I be able to use my phone or I pod with the fusion package above without adding docks, etc., that I don’t know anything about?
I am dumb with this stuff…will I be able to use my phone or I pod with the fusion package above without adding docks, etc., that I don’t know anything about?
X2 on the fusion… I put one in my Key West and will be putting one in the Skeeter. Two options for linking your iPod or phone to the Fusion unless you get a bluetooth model, then three… On mine, I used a RCA to headphone cable, plugged it into the AUX cables on the back of the radio, used my iPod classic. (using it this way, you control the music through the iPod) or you can buy the accessiory cable to plug into the bottom of your iPod and control it through the Fusion.
Another tip, spend some money and get good speakers. I bought a cheap $20 pair of Pyle Driver marine speakers, they weren’t that great. You get what you pay for.
I was having issues with stereos and finally did away with them altogether. Bought an inexpensive amp for about $50, mounted in console, and connected to speakers (powered from aux switch). Installed the plug that adapts to RCA connectors for connection to the amp. I saw in West Marine you can now get a Bluetooth receiver for $45 and wouldn’t need the plug to RCA adapter, which is $20. Never had any issues with the salt killing the amp. Of course, you don’t have option of radio, you can only play from your phone, iPod, etc. and you use the volume control on that. Inexpensive, easy, and lasts. A rare thing for a boat!
I am dumb with this stuff…will I be able to use my phone or I pod with the fusion package above without adding docks, etc., that I don’t know anything about?
There are several options.
Bluetooth. This unit does not include Bluetooth but some of the Fusion units have it. Fusion also make a Bluetooth dongle that plugs into the aux jack on the back.(Thats what I used on my JBL)
Fusion makes a dock to secure your phone in while connecting it to the system and charging the phone.
Add an Aux jack(3.5mm, headphone) to your dash that plugs into the Aux input on the back of the unit. You must then connect an Aux cable from your phone to the jack on the dash.
Fusion seems to make some of the best marine stuff around.
X3 on the Fusion. I am going with the same unit but in a 2 channel since there is no way to mount 4 speakers on a classic Montauk. Just going with 2 in the console. Planning to add the Bluetooth module as well.
I am going a different route with speakers. These cheaper speakers can’t handle wide open volume all the time, which is how it will be on a boat. So I plan to go with some wet sounds 6.5"s with the built in LED lighting. Just because I need some courtesy lighting and I am sick of cutting holes in this old boat. Also plan to add a Fusion 2 channel amp to get a little richer sound, and be able have less distortion by not having to crank the volume on high while underway.
The RA-50, which is the one I had, is $120 on Amazon with free shipping. Get the MS-FR6021 6" speakers for $110 and you will have a great sounding stereo in the boat for less than $250 and it will last… Mine was over 3 years old and was still going strong!
I am dumb with this stuff…will I be able to use my phone or I pod with the fusion package above without adding docks, etc., that I don’t know anything about?
You can buy a $30.00 Bluetooth adaptor from Fusion that’s about the size of a matchbook with a stereo lead coming out of it that plugs into the fusion’s auxiliary input. That lets you connect to the stereo via Bluetooth and play music off your phone wirelessly if you don’t want to plug it into the USB on the back of the unit. The USB will charge your phone, btw.
The RA-50 is also a nice stereo for the money and will hold up great, but it isn’t going to push the wattage to 4 6" speakers to sound as good as the RA200 will. Not much more for the RA200. I’ve had both, and I’d go with the 200 if you want to hear 4 speakers while running.
I was having issues with stereos and finally did away with them altogether. Bought an inexpensive amp for about $50, mounted in console, and connected to speakers (powered from aux switch). Installed the plug that adapts to RCA connectors for connection to the amp. I saw in West Marine you can now get a Bluetooth receiver for $45 and wouldn’t need the plug to RCA adapter, which is $20. Never had any issues with the salt killing the amp. Of course, you don’t have option of radio, you can only play from your phone, iPod, etc. and you use the volume control on that. Inexpensive, easy, and lasts. A rare thing for a boat!
I was having issues with stereos and finally did away with them altogether. Bought an inexpensive amp for about $50, mounted in console, and connected to speakers (powered from aux switch). Installed the plug that adapts to RCA connectors for connection to the amp. I saw in West Marine you can now get a Bluetooth receiver for $45 and wouldn’t need the plug to RCA adapter, which is $20. Never had any issues with the salt killing the amp. Of course, you don’t have option of radio, you can only play from your phone, iPod, etc. and you use the volume control on that. Inexpensive, easy, and lasts. A rare thing for a boat!
that what we suggest for long term and guys who use a smart phone.
im not smart phone advanced, so I would go with phin’s plan
We rarely use the stereo on our boat. I find it too easy and convenient to use my smart-phone and a jaw-bone.
If I want “radio” I just use the Iheartradio app and if just music, Pandora or music that we have downloaded. The jaw-bone sounds pretty good unless you want all the other boats around to hear your music. They don’t have a very big volume range but it sounds like you’re not really wanting to blast the music too loud. When you leave the boat, all the stuff can leave with you.
Probably the biggest advantage is no wires.
I run the RA-200 myself. Been in my boat for several years. For me, I guess I’m never satisfied. I say go ahead and buy the head unit, an amp, and some JL Audio 7.7 speakers. You’ll never wish you had more or better stereo equipment. It will be crystal clear at any volume level and the speakers are very durable. Otherwise, like me, you’ll buy some stuff and then you’ll quickly be disappointed and eventually spend more money. Also, you can just take all the music you can get your hands on and put it on a flash drive and just leave it plugged in to the back of the RA-200 unit. Nice feature.
Being superstitious is bad luck.
Time and tide wait for no man.
