Looking for stereo input on new order

[natelew]

We are trying to get a 2023 G25 order in ASAP with our dealer. Looking at the stereo options currently available, I am trying to figure out whether to upgrade the stereo.

What I know we are going to get for sure is the tower dual speakers with the prep kit, and the transom remote. The tower dual speaker + prep kit option appears to be roughly $5500 + $2000 MSRP options.

What we are trying to decide is whether to upgrade to the Studio Elite with Wavefront.

Here is what Nautique says about the offerings:
"The Super Air Nautique G25 comes standard with the complete JL Audio M6 Series Elite stereo package with DSP technology. This includes the JL Audio Head Unit, 6 JL Audio M6 speakers throughout the boat, one 10” subwoofer and an 8-channel amplifier.

Opt up to the Studio Elite package that includes two 12” subwoofers, the JL Audio Wavefront™ and a JL Audio Monoblock Amplifier."

The MSRP cost to add the optional wavefront + 12" subs, and the monoblock amplifier upgrade is approximately $6K and according to the design your own is chosen 86% of the time.

Not being an "audiophile" nor expert in this domain I'd like to hear from others here about things to consider when making this decision. Are there limitations to the zone control or any other audio feature between the base and optional configurations?

We have a 2016 G23 with the well known Polk Audio/stereo/head unit quirks that show up from time to time. If you have a fairly recent Nautique, how satisfied are with the more recent stereo system setups?

I know from reading on here in the past that some advise getting the stock configuration and have a marine audio shop upgrade as a more cost effective approach. I don't know if that is still the "conventional wisdom". I think that the wavefront is a Nautique/JL Audio technology so presumably that couldn't be added by pro audio shop after the fact?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[bturner]

You're at what, $200K plus right now for the boat? What's another $6K at that point, 3%? Sort of like not buying the spare and spare tire carrier for the trailer cause they want $400 for it. At this point just add it to the list. If nothing else it'll add to resale. As far as adding the option after purchase goes, that tends to bite you later. Unless you get a shop that really knows what they doing they'll hack up a high-end system like this and most likely won't be implementing the Wavefront feature as that is probably going to require extra ducting from the factory. Then there's the warranty aspect of it. Right now you have stem to stern coverage on the boat. Do some aftermarket magic on the stereo and at a minimum you've void the warranty of the sound system.

Most guys I know buying a boat like this are not into working on things other than cleaning, and that's a maybe. With the complexity of this boat what it is I would personally advise ordering the boat with everything you want or could possibly want and keeping that warranty intact.

[xrichard]

I have a slightly different take: $6,000 is a lot of money whether or not you are in the process of buying a boat. You could just as easily say, "I just spent $250 on a boat, what's another $6 for a home theater set up--it's all recreation." Another way to look at it is you'll then have $13-14k (msrp) in your boat stereo. That's a lot.

For me, it depends on how much value and pleasure I get out of a boat sound system. I've done everything from basic setups to complete, and expensive, Wetsounds installs on my boats. At the end of the day, none of the systems sound that good while you're under way--there's too much noise and the space for the sound is not enclosed. At rest, some systems sound fantastic and the expensive setups have sounded better than basic. Still, I question the expense. And, if I'm honest, the big Wetsounds installs fed other needs besides sound quality (part of which is I've been into home audio in the past so playing with audio gear used to be a bit of a hobby).

On my current 2023, I opted to go with base plus a single pair of tower speakers. I knew the wavefront wouldn't be worth it for me and we don't listen to the tower speakers except when hanging out in a cove or, sometimes, while surfing. For those uses, a single pair is no different than two pairs--though the two speaker enclosure looks awesome and was tempting!

Having said all of that, I have not played with the wave front system and it could be it's incredible. I'm guessing the second sub is the most important part as the single sub in my boat is a bit weak. If you're on the fence, maybe go for it as bturner suggests--you definitely don't want to regret not getting something especially when it's pretty much impossible to add after the fact. (FWIW, I did that with the thruster--I was on the fence but ended up getting it mainly because it would be a difficult/expensive add after the fact. Now that I have the boat, I'm happy I ordered it.)

[natelew]

Thank you for the responses, I sort of agree with both hence I am here asking questions. I could pretty much take the bturner approach with most Nautique options and end up with essentially a paragon, so we must manage the options we select. Additionally while we have excellent credit, and we haven't yet determined what we'll put down, in addition to the trade in, interest rates are not 3% anymore, so the borrowed money is no longer cheap the fed appears to want to pop the bubbles.

I have followed and follow multiple boating forums for quite a while and while not perfect consensus there have been a lot that have said that boat manufacturers may put solid stereo components in their boats but they tend not to be the experts in providing an integrated solution, they are not grounded well, or need tuned. The gripe is always if boat buyers sink $$$$$$ into an expensive boat with what looks like a great sound system why can't they do some of the basic things required to have a decent stereo with all of the equipment.

When we purchased our 16 G23, there were a lot of known issues with the stereo system, multiple threads dedicated throughout 16 & 17 and beyond, about poor grounding, poor tuning, engine and other noise "bleeding" into the speakers at low volume, the JL Audio head unit freezing with bluetooth connectivity issues. We have had some of those very issues. Several took the step of taking their boats to a marine audio place to get meaningful and more timely resolution to the problems.

We didn't have a choice in stereo selection on our the 2016 because it was a in stock boat. I don't see near the posts here since then about issues with either the base stereo or the upgraded stereo, and I've pretty much gone back through them all before posting this inquiry. Which is why I'd love to hear about the satisfaction with the stereos from more recent purchases. I don't know if Nautique has upped their game with integrating and tuning the systems, JL Audio provides a better integrated product, or if the PN forums just don't get the traffic that they used to, hence the lack of coverage on the topic. I see that there are a lot of Facebook Nautique groups now that people seem to join.

[xrichard]

So what I didn't mention is that, on my current boat, I did not get the tower prep package nor the tower speakers from the factory because I was planning on going with another Wetsounds setup. After being on a friend's G23 and listening to a boat at the dealer, I decided to go with the JL tower speakers mainly because they're smaller, sound better close-field than Wetsounds (though not as good at Wakeboarding distance), keep the stock look, and provide a cool downlight.

During the install, I found that Nautique has upped its game significantly wrt wiring. On my 1995, wiring was a complete mess. It had improved by 2008, but was clearly a work in progress. 2015 wasn't terrible, but the stereo wiring was mostly worthless. My 2023 is pretty nice--all Deutsch and Amphenol connectors, fused power distribution block at the amplifiers, grounding distribution block, wiring that is actually the correct size for the anticipated max load (e.g. meaning the max that can be optioned at the factory--oversized for my use). I thought I was going to have to rewire the stereo from scratch, which is what I've done in the past and that influenced my thinking about skipping the tower prep package. Instead, the install was easy: mount the amp and connect to the distribution blocks. (Total disclosure: I did get an odd sound from one of the tower speakers at one point. I rebooted the systems and it went away. I have no idea the cause.)

In addition, Nautique is now using the JL MVi 8 channel amp that is tuned using DSP and a software package. If I'd known this, I very likely would have gone with the tower prep package from the factory even if I still went with Wetsounds speakers. It's a good deal for what you get. Either way, all wiring is there and appears properly done.

ETA: also, communication between the JL headunit and LINC is NMEA 2000 vs. some sort of proprietary, and in my experience, unreliable setup used with the Polk headunit. Time will tell as I've only had my boat out once (just took delivery two weeks ago), but NMEA 2000 should take care of some of the complaints about the Polk setup. Also with JL, zone control is handled by the headunit via LINC. It's really quite a nice setup.

[Alan12]

Another perspective…

I have a 2022 G23 Paragon with the WakeSub and thus have 4 12” subs in the boat. The stereo is the best sounding that I have heard in a boat…whether sitting and relaxing, surfing, or going for a cruise. My vote is that you go with the biggest stereo you can get for all the reasons listed above in the responses. The integration is outstanding and the ability to tune the stereo is fantastic. You can adjust everything. For example, while surfing you can turn the volume of the inside of the boat down (various zones) so people can talk but turn the tower up so the surfer can enjoy the music. You can adjust the bow, the speakers in the dash, in the cockpit, etc. I don’t think the WakeSub is offered on the G23/25 which is a bummer…but I also get it as the Paragon needs to have a few upgrades to make it worth it. Yes, its expensive, but I think in the long run you will be bummed that you didn’t go with the biggest stereo possible from the factory. This all assumes that you like good clean tunes while boating.

[xrichard]

Thought I'd revisit this after spending some time in a Paragon the other day w/wavefront and WakeSub. TLDR: It's a significant upgrade over the base stereo package in the G23.

Pros: 1. subwoofer setup gives way more bass that is clean and solid; 2. Front speakers of Wavefront elevate the soundstage and generally makes things sound more open and detailed than the standard speakers--at least when there is not a high level of ambient noise. I agree with Alan12: best sounding OEM stereo I've heard in a wakeboat.

Cons: At speed, mid-range is washed out by wind and boat noise as on every wakeboard boat I've been on--so you get a nice thump from the sub and then harsh sounding highs with little mid-range. You can overcome this somewhat by turning up the volume, but it just gets too loud for me and conversation is near impossible.

Bottom line: the additional subwoofers of Wavefront and/or WakeSub are a big improvement and, by themselves, might be worth it. The front speakers on Wavefront are great if you spend a lot of time hanging out in the boat, but probably not worth it if you're looking for a big improvement in sound while running.

[distinguishedmotorsports]

pull the trigger on the stereo elite. you can't add wake subs after the fact. wave front is also helpful for bringing the sound stage forward for the driver

[natelew]

I appreciate you all for taking the time to respond, am considering all of your inputs. I've been swamped with work, but it's been good to get back and read these again. I was sure that many of you have better informed opinions on this subject than I do. We still have time to make adjustments.

[Alan12]

I don’t think they offer the Wakesub on a G23 unless its a Paragon. At least that is what I was told?

[distinguishedmotorsports]

I don’t think they offer the Wakesub on a G23 unless its a Paragon. At least that is what I was told?

Sounds about right. I was really speaking to any one with the options of wave front or wake subs, they are not easily added after.

[bird_dog0347]

Another perspective…

I have a 2022 G23 Paragon with the WakeSub and thus have 4 12” subs in the boat. The stereo is the best sounding that I have heard in a boat…whether sitting and relaxing, surfing, or going for a cruise. My vote is that you go with the biggest stereo you can get for all the reasons listed above in the responses. The integration is outstanding and the ability to tune the stereo is fantastic. You can adjust everything. For example, while surfing you can turn the volume of the inside of the boat down (various zones) so people can talk but turn the tower up so the surfer can enjoy the music. You can adjust the bow, the speakers in the dash, in the cockpit, etc. I don’t think the WakeSub is offered on the G23/25 which is a bummer…but I also get it as the Paragon needs to have a few upgrades to make it worth it. Yes, its expensive, but I think in the long run you will be bummed that you didn’t go with the biggest stereo possible from the factory. This all assumes that you like good clean tunes while boating.

I was going to say basically all of this, We also got the Wake sub and it's great but I don't think it's an option on a regular G but the overall sound system is incredible. I would suggest getting the wavefront for sure as it's been mentioned already but getting a clean factory install on something later if you're not happy with it will be difficult and expensive.

The only gripe I have is the transom remote doesn't have a cover and the surf rope can and will hit buttons on it that can change the input or volume or whatever.