My 2016 and the magnificent Polk Audio HU.

[Wayward]

Looks like I am at a crossroads with the stereo head unit in my 2016. I have never liked the Polk HU. Not in my friend's G23, not in my '14 G21, and DEFINITELY NOT in my 2016 G23. Bluetooth has been buggy on all 3, touchscreen control is lethargic and sometimes unresponsive, sound quality is sub par, and have always had issues with background noise..... especially in my 2016. Not only does it hum, but the zone controller also emits strange buzzing and chirping sounds through the speakers (I isolated the zone controller to verify it was the source). Nautique is aware of the issue and said that all of the 16's with the upgraded stereo (studio elite) have the issue. They are not sure what they will do about it yet.

Also, I can't stand that I have to navigate touchscreen menus just to simply change a song, or adjust volume. It is just one more step that I don't need. Not to mention, EVERY other function for the boat has to be done through the TS. No simple redundancy at all...... That said, separated audio controls would be about the only thing that is super important (to me) to have separated.

Anywho, I am fed up. Maybe I am spoiled by the stereos that I had in my MCs (Fusion AV700 with integrated zone control, and a full function helm remote with rotary adjustment). They are super easy to use, they sound fantastic through Bluetooth, they don't whine or make clickity clack noises through the speakers, remote and touchscreen commands are fast and accurate..... they are a top of the line head unit. I do not understand why Nautique fills this 2016 G23 with high end JL components, and amps, and then throws in a POS Jensen head unit. It was bad enough that the whole stereo was substandard in my G21, but at least I didn't pay $5k extra for that....

But maybe I am not at a crossroads, as I bit the bullet and bought the new fusion AV750 and two wired remotes for my G. I have removed the old stuff, and am excited to get this installed.

Here comes the part that makes me sad- The Jensen unit communicates with the touchscreen via a Jensen specific network communication protocol. The fusion unit uses the NMEA2000 protocol, which is a widely used standard among the latest and greatest touchscreens, chartplotters, engine management systems, etc. Even though I wont really use the TS for audio control, I would hate to lose the function, and not have the boat operate like a complete factory setup. I would also lose my speed volume control, which I really like the new setup in the 2016s. It is a much more intuitive and adjustable setup than the previous setup. It is the only speed volume setup that actually serves its purpose correctly, IMO.

Thing is, the 2016 G23 uses a Murphy HV700 touchscreen, which is exactly the same unit that MasterCraft uses in their boats (Also the same screen as previous Gs, except they cover the buttons on the 2016). So........ Because of this, I know that this touch screen unit can control a fusion stereo. Question is, how. Will I need modified software (probably can't get), or is it as simple as wiring up to the nmea 2000 data connections (like in an MC)? I am fairly certain that nobody here will know, but thought I would take a shot.... Another option would be a network communication converter, however, I can't find any of those that convert Jensen Bus.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I do have an email in to Nautique, to see if they can help out.

Also, now that I have trashed talked the heck out of the Jensen/polk unit, does anyone want to buy it?!?! It is the Polk UM1, the Polk zone controller, and a transom remote. It will be dirt cheap, but don't expect it to any better than anything else made by Jensen/Polk..... especially the zone controller. In fact, if you skip the zone control, it isn't a terrible unit. Its just not up to par with what I expect from the stereo in a G23.

[Tallredrider]

If I were as fed up as you, I would abandon the thought of controlling the stereo through the touchscreen altogether. And I suppose that I have half abandoned it myself. I usually use bluetooth to connect it and then most of the adjustments are done via the phone itself, and a separate audio control knob I installed. So the screen for me is always left most of the way turned up, and I adjust the volume in a fraction of a second with the knob. It also has separate zone control for towers vs inboats.

I doubt you will get anyone willing to write the software to integrate the new HU.

I appreciate the idea of making it all seem stock, but a non-stock system would not break the resale if the function is superior.

The 2016 I listened to in the dealer parking lot did not have any of those issues, but the engine was not running at the time. Sounds like I should be happy I did not choose the studio elite. I just figured that for 4K, I could put a real subwoofer in there that would sound quite a bit better as well as some superior amps. I could also be sure as heck that I wired it to eliminate any ground noise interference.

[MLA]

So far, ive had good luck with the 2-3 Polk units ive worked with. I thought the integrated BT was one of the best out there. Better than Clarion, Sony and Rockford.

Anyway, even though both are Murphy helm systems, i bet each has a unique firmware that different for the Fusion on the Polk. If the Fusion integration wont work for you, consider taking a look at the new Kicker KMC20 source unit.

[Wayward]

If I were as fed up as you, I would abandon the thought of controlling the stereo through the touchscreen altogether. And I suppose that I have half abandoned it myself. I usually use bluetooth to connect it and then most of the adjustments are done via the phone itself, and a separate audio control knob I installed. So the screen for me is always left most of the way turned up, and I adjust the volume in a fraction of a second with the knob. It also has separate zone control for towers vs inboats.

I doubt you will get anyone willing to write the software to integrate the new HU.

I appreciate the idea of making it all seem stock, but a non-stock system would not break the resale if the function is superior.

The 2016 I listened to in the dealer parking lot did not have any of those issues, but the engine was not running at the time. Sounds like I should be happy I did not choose the studio elite. I just figured that for 4K, I could put a real subwoofer in there that would sound quite a bit better as well as some superior amps. I could also be sure as heck that I wired it to eliminate any ground noise interference.

I totally agree with you, and it wont hurt my feelings that bad to ditch TS control. Just hoping for the best, or that someone has a light bulb go off

Ironically, Nautique did a superb job on wiring the 16 for power/ground isolation on all of the stereo components. The whole system has dedicated wiring all the way back to the battery. I have never seen a boat builder go that far on the stereo wiring. My problems lie in the components. I don't know if the boat you looked at had studio elite? If it did, it should have the noise without the engine running. Supposedly, they all do. I actually have a pretty good recording of it. might post it later..... It isn't a ground related noise. It sounds like module communication interference between the HU and the ZC. Hard to explain.

[Wayward]

So far, ive had good luck with the 2-3 Polk units ive worked with. I thought the integrated BT was one of the best out there. Better than Clarion, Sony and Rockford.

Anyway, even though both are Murphy helm systems, i bet each has a unique firmware that different for the Fusion on the Polk. If the Fusion integration wont work for you, consider taking a look at the new Kicker KMC20 source unit.

How would the kicker unit help? Does it use JensenBus communication (JDAB)? Does the kicker unit have integrated zone control and integrated sub level and frequency control?

[Tallredrider]

I totally agree with you, and it wont hurt my feelings that bad to ditch TS control. Just hoping for the best, or that someone has a light bulb go off

Ironically, Nautique did a superb job on wiring the 16 for power/ground isolation on all of the stereo components. The whole system has dedicated wiring all the way back to the battery. I have never seen a boat builder go that far on the stereo wiring. My problems lie in the components. I don't know if the boat you looked at had studio elite? If it did, it should have the noise without the engine running. Supposedly, they all do. I actually have a pretty good recording of it. might post it later..... It isn't a ground related noise. It sounds like module communication interference between the HU and the ZC. Hard to explain.

It had studio elite. I listened for about a good 10 minutes while I poked my head in and around everything. It was a G25, although I don't know how that would matter. I might just have to go listen again

On a side note, the zone control was nice, but so cumbersome if you wanted to turn up just the bass, or just the towers for just one song or one part of a song. Especially if I were toggling between screens.

I did like how the auto volume was set up, I am so terribly disappointed in the auto volume on the 15. On the 15, if I go 22.5 on my cruise control, then go to idle, the volume would vary each time the rider fell. For example, I go back to 22.5 and it goes too loud, or not loud enough, and the same when I slow down, it would never go back to what it was the first time. It appears there are adjustments on the 2016 that would allow this to work better.

[Wayward]

It had studio elite. I listened for about a good 10 minutes while I poked my head in and around everything. It was a G25, although I don't know how that would matter. I might just have to go listen again

On a side note, the zone control was nice, but so cumbersome if you wanted to turn up just the bass, or just the towers for just one song or one part of a song. Especially if I were toggling between screens.

I did like how the auto volume was set up, I am so terribly disappointed in the auto volume on the 15. On the 15, if I go 22.5 on my cruise control, then go to idle, the volume would vary each time the rider fell. For example, I go back to 22.5 and it goes too loud, or not loud enough, and the same when I slow down, it would never go back to what it was the first time. It appears there are adjustments on the 2016 that would allow this to work better.

If you are in that boat again, turn the volume way down low and listen closely to the speakers. It will pop out at you instantly...... I didn't notice for the first couple hours of use, and then, poof. And once you hear it, you can never unhear it.

And yes, the '16 speed volume is awesome. Instead of it using its own randomly determined levels, it works like- Turn speed volume on. While at idle, set your desired level. pull your rider up and Accelerate to the cruise lock in point and set your own desired high level........ rider falls and the system will go back down to your set low level. pull them back up and it will go back to your set high level.....every time. Wanna tweak it? simple- just set your new high or low level while the boat is at the desired set point. It is fantastic, and now you know the one and only reason I would have liked to keep TS control.

[MLA]

How would the kicker unit help? Does it use JensenBus communication (JDAB)? Does the kicker unit have integrated zone control and integrated sub level and frequency control?

If you are moving away from the OEM unit due to inherent noise issues, and you find that no other brand/model is going to interface but the polk, then check out the Kicker. Thats how it may help. It seem that you may be willing to abandon the interface.

I do not know if it uses the JBAD but it does have CAN BUS. It does have dual zone volume with dual source input and front, rear and sub outputs. Just the tip of what the KMC20 will do

[Wayward]

^ Ah, I got ya. I wonder if that is the unit my buddy put in his 15 LSV. I will check it out. I was just always very impressed with the Fusion stuff in my MC's, and I missed it. I would just need some time with the unit before committing to it. If it is what he used, I will check it out.

[toomuchuv]

Thing I miss the most about my old Clarion HU was the wireless remote it had! I wish the Polks had them!!!!

[Beg4wake]

You know now that you mention it, when I went and sat in a new '16 G25, just so that I could hear the studio elite system (as the G23 the dealer had did not have the studio elite), I DID hear some interference noise! We were trying to get the blue tooth turned on and while we were doing so, when there was no music, there was a bad hum/crackle noise coming through the speakers. I really didn't think anything of it, just thought it was where bluetooth was on but nothing was paired. Seems it went away once the music actually started coming through (as far as I can remember). I really hope that this all gets sorted out soon as my boat is slated to be delivered end of March. Or I at least hope that Nautique would offer some sort of recall on it to fix it if they are actually going to try to fix it (and not just correct it on future models...which will probably be the case as it most often is).