Stereo Upgrade Help 2009 - 230

[srock]

I just started to go through my barn find 09 - 230. Barn find because its in perfect condition with 50 hours. I've been reading posts and there is a wide variety of options on my issue but it seems like those stereo aficionados attack the whole system and that may no be right for me. I would like clean sound but I do not need it "loud" and I do not plan on running the tower speakers at extreme or annoy the neighbor levels.

The boat has the stock:
Clarion CMD5 head unit
Polk speakers
2 Polk amps.
One amp powers the sub, front speaker and tower speakers which I thought was odd. The other amp powers the balance of the boat. I look at all the speakers and equipment and wonder why it sounds like a 1980's boom box.

Planned changes:
I have an WS420 equalizer I will install.
Move the sub off one of the existing amps to a new amp that will power only the sub.
Move the tower speakers to one amp and the in boat speakers to the other amp.

I am hoping/thinking that the equalizer with the ability to separately control sound and volume would be adequate at my moderate volume levels. Should I be swapping the head unit, speakers or any of the amps to clean up the sound?

I like the sub location but it rattles the panel at the throttle and it seems dead at lower volumes and overly punchy at higher levels. I was thinking of adding some sound deadening to the panel to eliminate the rattles. I don't want to build a different sub box so is there anything else I should do?

Any help would be appreciated.

[markj]

If it were me, I’d start with new amps all around and fix the bass problem with a box under the observer’s seat. The 420 will be nice as well. Reassess after all that. There’s really no good way to get good bass without a separate box. Especially in that awful stock location.

[srock]

If it were me, I’d start with new amps all around and fix the bass problem with a box under the observer’s seat. The 420 will be nice as well. Reassess after all that. There’s really no good way to get good bass without a separate box. Especially in that awful stock location.

In other words the amps are junk...If I do it should I discard the head unit?

[MLA]

I dont recall Polk being the OEM amp choice for 09, so without knowing what model polk amps they are, its impossible to make any specific recommendations related to them or the woofer.

With that said, I do recommend having the tower speakers on their own amp, and have no issue with woofer and in-boats on the same amp, if its adequate for the job.

No new head unit is needed, unless its non-functioning or lacks a function/feature that cannot be added to it.

The biggest issue with the woofer is that its likely the wrong woofer for the install type. You need to consider a new one that better suited for an IB setup lke the JL 10IB, Wet Sounds Revo-10FA and new Kicker KMF10. There are other things to help improve the woofer that your equipment retailer can help with tips on that.

Have you confirmed that all the in-boats are working? Mid-bass and tweeters?

Are the tower speakers the stock Titan 6x9 pods with MB Quart drivers? i thinks thats what an 09 had, maybe focal by then?

[Blamey]

Polk amps were OEM for the 09. I have the same setup in mine though the previous owner replaced one of the Amps.

My boat is new to me and I've never used the stereo, so I don't know what needs to be done but from what I've read the sub is the weak link in the system.

I am going to replace the Polks with some Wet Sound XS-650s I got on close out and didn't get around installing in my previous boat.


I mean the same Polks off a similar Polk amp in my Super Sport and thought they were great. Interesting you think it sounds bad.

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[srock]

First thanks everyone for the help.

I have 2 stock subs that are Polk PA5004. I think the sound issues relate to the sub woofer and inability to fine tune the sound. To have the fronts, tower and sub on the same amp with really no sound or independent volume adjust-ability seems counter intuitive. Perhaps I will find my fix with the equalizer, correct subwoofer and sub amp.

[Keith84navy]

Any updates to this upgrade, I'm following closely as I have 2010 226 with sub that sounds funky and rattles everything. PS anyone know where my amps are located? I fill like I've looked every where and cannot locate.

[Blamey]

Do all the in boat speaks have their own speaker wire?

My bow speakers are not working and I want to figure out why.

I have a 2009 230 and I only count 3 pairs of speakers and the sub connected to the two amps. Trying to figure out if the bow speakers are powered off the head unit or if the in boat speakers are combined and powered off one pair of speaker wire.

So either have speaker wired as

1 pair on amp - towers
1 pair on amp - front in boats
1 pair on amp - rear in boats
1 pair on head unit - bow speakers.

Or

1 pair on amp - towers
1 pair on amp - front and rear in boats
1 pair on amp - bow speakers


I'm going to test this weekend to figure it out but any info would be helpful.


I've also got issues with the tower speakaers sounding terrible off the Polk amp. They are bridged and the Polk amp is supposed to be 4 ohms when bridged. Those speakers are rated at 2.7 ohms. Not sure if that would cause such poop quality.speakers are almost 10 years old, so may just be fried



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[srock]

I ended up with a wetsounds 6 channel amp and moved all the in-boat speakers to that amp (in factory form, the head unit fronts not the amp) so now I have full control of all the in boats. I used one of the stock Polk amps to power the tower speakers and the was removed. I also added a separate sub amp but will probably relocate the speaker to the passenger storage area.

I removed the Clarion head unit and installed a Fusion with a wired remote on the dash. I did have to make a new dash panel from starboard because the Fusion remote is square and replaces the round Clarion remote. I will have to post up a picture but it came out nice and clean.

The sound is much improved and I am very happy with the Fusion head unit. Adjust-ability is great and has a 3 band EQ but the biggest plus is the easy, quick access to separate zone volume controls and the master volume knob. I use the bluetooth function to play music and the Fusion app is just another great way to control sound. I use the app to run music on an old iPhone in a lifeproof case.

Of note, I took the advice of many posters and ditched the stereo speaker wiring harness/plugs at the amps and that was a blessing. The speakers wires are all labeled so landing them in the right place was easy.

I still have the stock speakers and I only listen at moderate volumes and it sound really good to me and once I add the new sub I will be very satisfied.

What started as a simple let me fix a couple things grew into a bigger project but I think what you will find if you try to fix 1 thing it will still not be right and the "fix" will grow. When my stick speakers begin to fall apart or fail I will make that change but so far I am happy with the sound.

[nautiques4life]

Do all the in boat speaks have their own speaker wire?

My bow speakers are not working and I want to figure out why.

I have a 2009 230 and I only count 3 pairs of speakers and the sub connected to the two amps. Trying to figure out if the bow speakers are powered off the head unit or if the in boat speakers are combined and powered off one pair of speaker wire.

So either have speaker wired as

1 pair on amp - towers
1 pair on amp - front in boats
1 pair on amp - rear in boats
1 pair on head unit - bow speakers.

Or

1 pair on amp - towers
1 pair on amp - front and rear in boats
1 pair on amp - bow speakers


I'm going to test this weekend to figure it out but any info would be helpful.


I've also got issues with the tower speakaers sounding terrible off the Polk amp. They are bridged and the Polk amp is supposed to be 4 ohms when bridged. Those speakers are rated at 2.7 ohms. Not sure if that would cause such poop quality.speakers are almost 10 years old, so may just be fried



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Generally the cabin speakers and sub are on one amp, tower speakers on the other, and the bow speakers are wired direct to the head unit in that era boat

[nautiques4life]

I ended up with a wetsounds 6 channel amp and moved all the in-boat speakers to that amp (the fronts are on the head unit not the amp) so now I have full control of all the in boats. I used one of the stock Polk amps to power the tower speakers and the was removed. I also added a separate sub amp but will probably relocate the speaker to the passenger storage area.

I removed the Clarion head unit and installed a Fusion with a wired remote on the dash. I did have to make a new dash panel from starboard because the Fusion remote is square and replaces the round Clarion remote. I will have to post up a picture but it came out nice and clean.

The sound is much improved and I am very happy with the Fusion head unit. Adjust-ability is great and has a 3 band EQ but the biggest plus is the easy, quick access to separate zone volume controls and the master volume knob. I use the bluetooth function to play music and the Fusion app is just another great way to control sound. I use the app to run music on an old iPhone in a lifeproof case.

Not sure im understanding correctly, curious if your zone control is coming from the headunit/master knob, remote or 420?

[Blamey]

When bridging an amp,how should the rcas be connected. For the Polk amp the front left and right channels will be bridged.


If I bridge the front channels to power my left tower speaker, Do I just connect one rca to either front right or front left or do I split the signal?

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[srock]

Not sure im understanding correctly, curious if your zone control is coming from the headunit/master knob, remote or 420?

[/QUOTE]

Since the head unit is located in the glove box I use the remote but they have the exact same screens and function.

I originally was going to install an equalizer for the sound control but the Fusion is brilliant at zone control and I am happy with the overall sound as well. The head unit in the glove box and the remote on the dash have the exact same functionality. Turn the knob to increase or decrease all zones relative to their individual setting...push the knob to adjust any individual zone or sub.


https://www.fusionentertainment.com/...one-technology

[srock]

https://www.fusionentertainment.com/...ms-fusion-link

Also check out the app. Instead of adding remotes if I am on the back of the boat I just control from my blue tooth device.

[Samuel]

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