A client from Metairie recently dropped by Prestige Car Audio and Marine to ask about a 2017 SeaDoo RXT260 stereo system. He loves the little personal watercraft, but wanted to be able to listen to music while out on the lake. We talked about several options for speakers and a source unit before settling on a simple four-component system that would be easy to use and look like it belongs on the SeaDoo.
Bluetooth SeaDoo RXT260 Stereo System
The controller was flush-mounted into the compartment lid.
Anyone who has been aboard a SeaDoo knows that you are going to get wet while having fun. For that reason, we didn’t want a conventional source unit onboard. At the same time, we wanted to give the client complete control over what he was listening to and the volume of the system without the need to open the storage compartment. We settled on the cool little JL Audio MBT-CRX Bluetooth system controller. We mounted the controller on the storage compartment cover and used automotive body filler to blend the recessed mount into the top panel.
The MBT-CRX uses Bluetooth A2DP to play music from the client’s smartphone or a streaming service. The Bluetooth AVRCP profile allows the volume, tracking and play/pause buttons on the control to relay commands to the smartphone, so the whole thing works just like a radio, but is completely waterproof and will handle all the shock and vibration the SeaDoo experiences.
JL Audio Marine Amplifier and Speaker
The next step was to create a set of pods for two JL Audio M770CCXSGTB speakers. We masked off the footwells on either side of the SeaDoo and laid down several layers of fiberglass-impregnated matting to form the rear of an enclosure. Once the fiberglass had cured, we removed the panel and trimmed it to its final shape.
Our fabrication team created a set of acrylic plastic mounting rings for the 7.7-inch speakers, and we glued them to the fiberglass molds. We wrapped everything in flexible cloth and layered fiberglass onto the back to create a tough and durable enclosure for the speakers. Once everything had cured, we sent the speaker pods and storage compartment cover out to be painted black to match the hull of the SeaDoo.
A JL Audio MX280/4 four-channel amplifier powers the speakers. We bridged the amplifier to a two-channel configuration to provide up to 140 watts to each speaker. The MBT-CRX includes a remote turn-on wire that activates the amplifier as soon as the client starts playing music from his phone.
Client Loved His Upgrades
The client loved that all our upgrades looked like they were part of the SeaDoo.
Once we finished routing power and speaker wiring through the SeaDoo and the amplifier configuration, it was time for the client to return to Prestige Car Audio and Marine to have a listen to his SeaDoo RXT260 stereo system. He was completely blown away by the sound quality and volume level of the system. He loved the way everything looked like it came from the Bombardier factory.
If you are interested in adding an audio system to your personal watercraft, side-by-side or ATV, drop by our store and speak with one of our product specialists. We’d be happy to design something awesome for you! For more information, give us a call at 504-833-2824 or send us an e-mail using our online contact page.
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