Stereo overhaul 2004 Air Nautique Team edition 226

[damufuer]

Hi-

I just bought a 2004 226 and I'm looking to do an overhaul to the stereo to accomplish a few different things, so I have a few slightly separate questions all surrounding the stereo. I'll list in what I think is the order of complexity of the answers. Thanks in advance for any insight or opinions.

Rundown of the setup - (6) in-boat stock 6.5in speakers covered with nylon. (1) Kicker KX300.4 amp. (1) 8 or 10in Kicker sub in a white plastic enclosure. Clarion XMD3 head unit with remote next to steering wheel. **No tower speakers.

1) I'd like to add tower speakers but it doesn't appear to me that my bimini will allow it under the tower. Is anyone familiar with that bimini and know if its possible to add speakers under the tower or is over the tower my only option? If it is possible, what models work well? If its not, what over-the-tower enclosures look/sound the best?

2) I'd like to add bluetooth. Open to replacing the head unit, but also open to just getting a bluetooth adapter. Does anyone have thoughts or pros/cons between the two? then secondarily recommendations of equipment. I don't mind spending the money where it needs to be spent but also dont need to do everything the most expensive way if only gaining minimal returns. I'm big on "bang for your buck" approach.

3) Equipment/Speaker recommendation. I know this is likely to be a very subjective topic, so Im not really looking to debate what speakers sound the absolute best or anything like that. More so seeing if there is a general consensus on a bang for your buck setup. Or if wet sounds (what i believe to be top of the line) do truly sound blow-you-away better I'd like to know that. Then maybe any other equipment I'm missing, or if I should absolutely replace the amp, etc

Or maybe someone has already done a similar setup to me and can list out wht they bought and how they like it. Thanks again!

[Rob04]

Hi Damufuer,

Being you are down in CA, the Bimini looks similar to Mine, I have an 04 Sante. Mine was made by Tower Bimini out of Morgan Hill Ca. http://www.towerbiminis.com/ i neede a part for mine and they made it on the spot. If you know the dealer where it was originally purchased, you can call and ask who they used in 03 for bimini's.

As for speakers My boat has 4 Lightning tower cans it fits fine. they are not much bigger in diameter than the 6.5" speakers, add an inch or 2 for the clamp.

I am upgrading my stereo (see other post on 04 Nautique). (it has a list of what i am putting in)
I am switching my EQ to the WS 220 which has built in Bluetooth. but prior to that I got a Bluetooth adapter from Amazon for about 25$ which has RCA outs that plug into the Aux inputs on the clarion HU. the one i got worked great, the only issue was if you wanted to switch the paired phone to another you have to tell the current phone to forget the device. (only pairs one at a time). If you forget to bring that phone with you and want to pair a new one, you had to kill the power to the BT dongle. (I just put in a little switch on the power line i ran to the dongle. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...UTF8&psc=1 it looks like there are some better ones for $40. but it worked great, (good bang for the buck). Changing the head unit on mine didn't make sense since it is in the glove box and the dash remote would not work anymore and would leave a hole.

I did choose to go with the WS 650s (salt water 6.5") since the grille is more covered. I have kids and hate to think about little fingers touching the speakers.
I will post pics as it moves along, hopefully i will find some time on sunday.

Rob

[damufuer]

This is great info, thanks!

I actually drove to Las Vegas to pick up the boat and I think its originally out of Socttsdale AZ.

Where I think the issue would be is in collapsing the bimini. When the forward most pole swings back it pivots very close to the tower and I think wouldn't be able to close if there were speakers there. Does yours collapse that same way? I assume the cans are mounted off the very front pole of the tower?

I did see that post and looking forward to seeing the pictures and hearing how it sounds. If you're able to get a couple pictures of the tower speakers I'd really appreciate it.