Audio Upgrade

One easy improvement that everyone onboard can enjoy is an upgrade to the entertainment system. Whether you have a very basic stereo system or a more advanced integrated system, simple upgrades can make your system the envy of audiophiles.

The more, the better

One of the most obvious and effective upgrades to an audio system is simply adding speakers. Having quality sound emanating from more locations on the boat will make that sound richer and more immersive. The location of these speakers and the direction they face can play a large part in improving audio aboard.

There are several effective ways to add more speakers, but some thought and planning should be used before drilling holes and mounting those new speakers. Consider areas of the boat where the audio isn’t clear or wind noise affects the sound quality. The direction of the speaker is important while listening underway. Also remember that most entertainment or stereo heads usually have four channels (a front left, front right, rear left and rear right). Simply adding speakers to these channels can dilute the sound and power going to each speaker. If this happens while adding speakers, you may also want to add an amplifier to get the volume and sound quality you are looking for. Plan accordingly and make sure the amplifier is within the power range of the new and existing speakers. It’s also a good idea to see if the area where the speaker is mounted is an enclosed chamber or open in the back. These areas resonate sound differently, and some speakers are made to work more efficiently in larger cavities.

Other improvements

If there is no interest in adding an amplifier and you want to keep the system and its equipment as simple as possible, there are a couple of options to increase sound quality. The first is changing the entertainment control head to one with more power per channel. For example, some of the control heads made by Fusion will output 75 watts per channel as opposed to the 25-50 watts of other control heads. If you’re looking for good sound but not necessarily loud, utilizing these higher power control heads may be a good solution for smaller craft.

The other option is just upgrading the speakers you have for better quality speakers. It can be quite surprising to hear the difference between two speakers of the same size but differing quality. The materials and manner in which they are built play a large role in the quality of sound they emanate. Choosing higher-tier speakers can make a drastic difference in sound quality. With marine audio equipment, generally speaking, you get what you pay for.

Of course, swapping your entertainment or stereo head out for a higher-end unit can add features that will improve your audio aboard. Units such as Fusion’s Apollo line allow you to add fully separate zones that can be controlled independently, which is useful in cabins and foredecks. Many higher-end control heads will also allow finer tuning and equalizing of music aboard and will process digital signals with improved acoustics. Control of some of these head units can now be accomplished via beautiful touchscreen displays or even through your existing multifunction displays.

If you find your sound a bit tinny and want more deep bass out of your system, try adding a subwoofer. These larger speakers will add a deep base tone and drastically improve any sound system. Larger systems on larger craft can benefit from multiple subwoofers added in strategic locations aboard. If adding a subwoofer, one should also add an amplifier to boost the power of the new speaker. They require more power to create the deep tones, and even a small, dedicated amplifier will improve the sound.

A wired or wireless remote is another simple addition to upgrading your audio system. It can be a blessing to be able to control the sound system from various places onboard away from the control head. A remote can prove a useful addition, whether in a salon, by the swim platform, or up in the bow. Wireless Bluetooth versions like those from JL Audio can be placed anywhere without worrying about running wires. Depending on your entertainment system, there is even the possibility of using your smartphone as a remote with the addition of an app on the phone. That’s an option worth looking into!

No matter how you plan to improve your audio system, there are many options that will make music and entertainment onboard sound better and make your days on the water much more enjoyable.