Sharing single audio signal to multiple boats

[Clibka]

How do you guys accomplish this?

[perry386]

The WS420 has that boat link system. which is basically a way to splice a 3.5 AUX cable into your system. If you have a WS420 why not try running the 3.5 AUX out of it and into the other guy's AUX in.

[EarmarkMarine]

The great benefit of the Wetsounds WS420SQ 'boatlink' feature is that you (whether the master or slave) can change the master volume control on your boat without changing the level of the other boats.

David

[Clibka]

I would love to go that route, unfortunately I don't think the people in my normal crew will spring for a 420.

Has anyone had luck with Bluetooth adapters grabbing the same signal from one phone? A local wifi network? Or anything creative like that?

I think my stock stereo is loud enough for the entire cove to enjoy my music choices (we can dance if we want to, we can leave your friends behind!!!) but I know people like to feel involved in the action.

[EarmarkMarine]

With any wireless device at this point and time you will be challenged to reliably get farther than one boat over in either direction.
Btw, to use a WS420SQ, the other slave boats do not require the same EQ. Any source unit or EQ with an Aux input will work.

David

[Clibka]

Oh sweet. I thought it was a wireless system. I just run a long wire?

[EarmarkMarine]

3.5mm 3-conductor. That is a routine headphone size and is typically available in up to 20 to 25 foot lengths.


David

[House324]

I added a PIE LD-1 Adjustable Pre-Amp Line Driver (only $20) to my stereo's rca output by using an inline "piggyback rca cable" to the line driver. I then connected the RCA outputs from the line amp to a (male rca to female 3.5mm "Y") which allows me to connect two 20' 3.5mm (male/male) cables which plug into the 3.5mm signal inputs of neighboring boat stereos parked on each side of us.

All of us have pretty big systems, and combined, the boats rock a cove! The sound is exponentially louder and richer than any boat on the lake.

As David and others pointed out, my stereo controls the initial sound level, so I have to be careful not turn my volume up too high, cause their initial volume is slaved off of mine. I just set my stereo at a mid volume and let the neighbors adjust from there.

The WS420 gives the definite advantage of controlling the signal output. But the cheap PIE Ld-1 works well for us.

[EarmarkMarine]

Yes, the unique quality of the WS420SQ is when you use its Aux input then you can use the EQ master control without impacting the slave boats.
If when using a line driver then it would be better to 'Y' the ipod output before the line driver and source unit input so as you raised/lowered your own boat you did not impact the other boats.


David