WS 420 BT - Anyone Use as a Standalone Instead of a Head Unit?

[BaylorUBearFootin]

I need to tap into the collective wisdom of this group! I'm considering buying the Wet Sounds 420 BT and using it as a standalone unit that uses the BT connection or a Aux input to pipe music directly into my amps.
Anyone do this? Are you happy with it? If all we do is listen to tunes 100% of the time off an iPhone, is there any reason whatsoever to get a head unit? We can stream Pandora or TuneIn Radio if we want radio, and so I can't find much of a reason to even have a head unit.
Would love to hear from anyone who has done this. Thank you in advance!
Ken

[swatguy]

The WS 420BT unit has had some issues, According to what I've been told They are currently revamping the unit at the moment and should have a new unit ready by summer.

[BaylorUBearFootin]

Really??? What kind of issues? Thank you for pointing that out to me! I had no idea!

[swatguy]

The BT portion contained in the unit has had some issues with a clear signal. I believe they're also adding a way to give a gain adjustment to the Bluetooth portion that currently does not have that option like the main and aux inputs. Just what I've been told.

.

The regular 420SQ will also give you the option to go without a head unit of you want to go that route instead of waiting. I just run the regular 420SQ with a JL MBT RX clear as day.

[David Analog]

If you have any reservations about the BT EQ, then get the Wetsounds WS420SQ with the outboard JL Audio BT module, as stated above. It will operate with perfection.

[LakePowellMan]

I have the stock Polk Audio head unit in my 2016 G23 powered by three wet sounds amps but get a ton of feedback at low volumes coming from the head-unit. I have the WS42SQ...and run all music from my iphone exclusively. Would I eliminate this feedback noise coming from the head-unit if I installed the JL Audio MT module?

[David Analog]

That would depend on the actual source of the noise. If the noise is exclusive to the HU BT source selection then I would say 'yes' the JL BT unit would be a solution.
You have the option of trying the JL Audio BT module directly into the EQ aux input. It's only $39 and at the present state of BT technology the JL Audio BT is as close as you can get to a hardwired link.

[swatguy]

You have to try and isolate the noise. Also depends on the noise you are hearing. Constant hiss or more of a wine that varies with the throttlle ? Chasing stereo gremlins is an elimination process. Couple different ways to try and and isolate the issue. Run the rca's to the amps instead of going into the 420, if the noise is gone you know it's after the head unit. If the noise stays you know it's possibly related to the 420. These are generalities, but a cOnstant hiss is usually related to a gain mismatch. The varying "wine" is usually a ground issue.

The other easy way as David mentioned is bypass the head unit. Use the 3.5mm jack or the rca input on the aux of the 420 and see if it's there that way as well.

In most cases on new boats people install their new 420 or amps and wire them correctly to the grounds off the new terminals they install. The factory however usually doesn't wire the head unit ground to that same source. This usually is the number one spot to cause interference when adding extras to factory systems.


The one negative effect of running into the Aux in the 420 is you will loose all control from your factory remotes and you'll have to flip through tracks from your device. You can either use the device or the Wetsounds 420 for volume control, but you lose all your remotes and their functions. Just something to keep in mind.

[MLA]

If you are doing a major overhaul on a boat with a dated head-unit, then yes, dump it for just an EQ like the 420SQ or BT. However, if you have a good, functioning head-unit, I see no reason to totally dump it. Take advantage of the head-units amp turn-on output to trigger the EQ and amp. Then use the EQ as the primary media interface. Retaining the head-unit still allows the wired remotes to function, especially the transom remote when chilling behind the boat. If the head-unit has rear AUX in, then take advantage of a little line level bump and connect an External BT there.

Ive not experience range issues the 420BT compared to other BTs, but thats not to say there is room for improvement since its original release. Just a note though, the 420's internal AUX gain does effect the BT's output, so there is sensitivity adjustment on the current model. However, I do like the SQ/BTVC pairing. The strong fixed level of the BTVC makes tuning much easier.