- Joined
- Apr 15, 2008
- Messages
- 13,738
- Location
- California Delta
- Vessel Name
- FlyWright
- Vessel Make
- 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
I completed an installation this month that I have been contemplating for quite a while. It has really enhanced our audio quality and provided greater flexibility in speaker control.
For a couple of years I have had a Bose Accoustimass 3 speaker system on the front channel (salon) and Alpine marine speakers on the rear channel (FB) of the Sony marine stereo. The subwoofer (front channel only) is located under the settee in a limited-access corner. About a year ago I added another 2 small Bose Accoustimass speakers as the salon rear speakers to the rear channel, but never hooked up the subwoofer from that set. The audio results were OK, but not spectacular. I knew this had to be corrected eventually.
Bose Acoustimass 3 Speaker System
Since the subwoofer was only connected to the front speakers, it had no real effect on the FB audio. When we played the rear speakers, both the FB and salon speakers would be operating. We lacked the ability to select salon only or FB only on the rear channel. This caused the salon to drown in music when we only needed audio on the FB or TV audio to blast from the FB speakers when listening to the TV through the stereo in the salon.
I researched the net and found this unpowered switch for around $50 that seemed to provide what I was looking for.
Amazon.com: OEM Systems IW-303-I Push Button Speaker Switch (Ivory, 2 Buttons): Electronics
Installed next to the stereo head at the lower helm, it gives us the ability to toggle the speakers on/off as needed simply and intuitively - TOP is flybridge, BOTTOM is salon, IN is on/OUT is off.
I installed the extra subwoofer under the FB helm console and provided feeds from the sub through the selector switch to all 4 rear channel (salon and FB) speakers. The result is a great improvement in the audio quality of music throughout the boat, espeially at moderate levels. The FB subwoofer fills in the lows nicely throughout the FB and salon and compliments the front Boise speakers perfectly. Being able to select quality sound through the FB speakers only is great when cooking or entertaining in the cockpit.
Next project: Install a new wifi router to enhance our wireless network onboard.
For a couple of years I have had a Bose Accoustimass 3 speaker system on the front channel (salon) and Alpine marine speakers on the rear channel (FB) of the Sony marine stereo. The subwoofer (front channel only) is located under the settee in a limited-access corner. About a year ago I added another 2 small Bose Accoustimass speakers as the salon rear speakers to the rear channel, but never hooked up the subwoofer from that set. The audio results were OK, but not spectacular. I knew this had to be corrected eventually.
Bose Acoustimass 3 Speaker System
Since the subwoofer was only connected to the front speakers, it had no real effect on the FB audio. When we played the rear speakers, both the FB and salon speakers would be operating. We lacked the ability to select salon only or FB only on the rear channel. This caused the salon to drown in music when we only needed audio on the FB or TV audio to blast from the FB speakers when listening to the TV through the stereo in the salon.
I researched the net and found this unpowered switch for around $50 that seemed to provide what I was looking for.
Amazon.com: OEM Systems IW-303-I Push Button Speaker Switch (Ivory, 2 Buttons): Electronics
Installed next to the stereo head at the lower helm, it gives us the ability to toggle the speakers on/off as needed simply and intuitively - TOP is flybridge, BOTTOM is salon, IN is on/OUT is off.
I installed the extra subwoofer under the FB helm console and provided feeds from the sub through the selector switch to all 4 rear channel (salon and FB) speakers. The result is a great improvement in the audio quality of music throughout the boat, espeially at moderate levels. The FB subwoofer fills in the lows nicely throughout the FB and salon and compliments the front Boise speakers perfectly. Being able to select quality sound through the FB speakers only is great when cooking or entertaining in the cockpit.
Next project: Install a new wifi router to enhance our wireless network onboard.