A client from here in Metairie recently visited Prestige Car Audio and Marine to inquire about upgrading the stereo in his 2018 Blue Wave 2400 Pure Bay boat. The owner wanted an entertainment system that was easy to use while providing a ton of output to drown out the roar of the Yamaha outboard motor and the waves. He also asked us to install his Lowrance HDS fish finder.
Blue Wave Boat Stereo Upgrade
The sound system we designed for the client’s boat is simple. We started with an eight-channel JL Audio M800/8v2 amplifier to power two sets of JL Audio 8.8-inch marine speakers. The amplifier is mounted on a weather-resistant panel made from Starboard. Wherever possible, we use materials like Starboard as opposed to wood to eliminate the chances of swelling or the formation of mold should things get wet. We also use stainless steel fasteners when mounting speakers so that nothing will corrode.
Our technicians used 4-AWG power and ground wire to connect the amplifier to the nearby battery for efficient and reliable power transfer. The eight channels are wired in what’s called a bridged configuration. In essence, we use a pair of channels to drive a single speaker. On this amp, this configuration produces an impressive 200 watts of power for each of the four speakers.
The sound system is fed by a JL Audio MBT-CRX Bluetooth controller that is mounted to the right of the column. The client can pair his smartphone to the controller to play music stored on the phone or from a streaming audio source when he has cellular data access. The controller includes the Bluetooth AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile) that allows the operator to change tracks or adjust the volume of the phone so that the phone can be stored in a safe and dry location.
Marine Speaker Installation
The client chose two sets of JL Audio M880-CCX-SG-WH 8.8-inch coaxial speakers for the sound system upgrade. Our technicians cut mounting holes in the cockpit of the boat, then ran dedicated wire from each speaker’s location back to the amplifier. With woofer cones capable of moving more air than some subwoofers, these speakers are capable of producing amazing amounts of output with minimal distortion.
New Orleans’ Marine Audio Experts
With the equipment installed and the amplifier configured to work with the chosen speakers and source unit, the client returned to Prestige Car Audio and Marine to pick up his Blue Wave boat. He climbed on board for a listen and was absolutely amazed at how good the system sounded. If you are interested in upgrading the sound system on your boat, drop by our store or send us an e-mail using our contact form.
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