Lake Erie Boater
Member
- Oct 24, 2007
- 486
- Boat Info
- 2018 Sabre 38 SE
2019 Blackfin 272CC
- Engines
- VP IPS400's
300 Merc Verado's
After using the Clarion XMD1 and a FM transmitter to play the Ipod and enduring less than quality sound, enough was enough. It was time to upgrade the head unit to something more with our times. I quickly came to the Fusion equipment and began to plan (with ALOT of help from fellow CSR member HIFI). What started originally as a desire for a new head unit ended up as a project including added speakers, a second amp, new subwoofer, an Overdrive Preamp and a new wired helm remote. That's why the wife says I am Goin' for Broke!
I worked this project from the cockpit and helm to the cabin. Here goes:
First, the old subwoofer was replaced with a new one from JL. This was fairly straight forward plug and play change. You can also see templates that I received from Tecnografic at the top of the picture...more of that below.
While at it I also wanted to produce more sound to the back of the boat and not just at the helm where the existing speakers were located. This meant the addition of another pair of speakers aimed rearward. Went with POLK db691's as they seemed to "look and fit" better in this location then my other separate component db6501's would have, with quite similar performance specs.
Next came the new Fusion remote. It would not fit where the old Clarion remote was located. As such and early on in this project I new that I was going to need to add some dash panels as part of the grand scheme. I called Tecnografic to see if they could match my existing burlwood look. As it turns out, they said that they were the OEM for my boat's panels. No brainer, I went with them to make me 3 new ones. They really do match my existing panels quite nicely, even after 10 years. From original phone call to received panels was about 4-5 weeks mainly due to the number of times I needed to run to the boat to make templates, check their patterns etc. Once released, I had the panels in 2 weeks. Kudos to Tecnografic as I would recommend them.
Here's the original setup.
Due to the insufficient space at this location for the larger diameter Fusion remote, I had to find some way to cover the hole left behind when the old remote was removed. Enter panel # 1 and what I think is a nice upgraded appearance.
The new remote would be located next to the helm. I also wanted to replace my aging VHF with a new DSC capable unit. The new VHF had a smaller footprint then the old. Enter panel # 2.
You can also see the small knob next to the remote which will be the sub gain control. I also made a 1/2" plywood backing plate to reinforce all of this as well.
I was lucky to find a Fusion DVD playing unit for less than the cost of their Ipod unit. This meant that I had to get a separate Ipod dock and mount it remotely. It worked perfectly as I needed something to go in the place of where my old Sirius Tuner was removed to deal with the holes left behind (the Fusion is Sirius capable and you can hide the sat. receiver). The right side of the photo is the new Ipod dock below my light switches.
I made a new faceplate and shelving similar to the old one, but instead of housing the old CD changer, it will now hide the Overdrive Pre-amp and the Sirius remote receiver.
Lastly is the JL XD700 5 channel amp to compliment the existing Clarion 4 channel that is being saved. The Clarion will now drive the 2 added 6X9's in 2 channel mode and the JL will drive the existing 2 pairs of db6501's and the sub.
More pics to follow as I make progress in the cabin.
A SPECIAL thanks to CSR members HIFI and Hack4alivin for all of your help to date. This forum has been a great asset to a do-it-yourselfer!!!
I worked this project from the cockpit and helm to the cabin. Here goes:
First, the old subwoofer was replaced with a new one from JL. This was fairly straight forward plug and play change. You can also see templates that I received from Tecnografic at the top of the picture...more of that below.
While at it I also wanted to produce more sound to the back of the boat and not just at the helm where the existing speakers were located. This meant the addition of another pair of speakers aimed rearward. Went with POLK db691's as they seemed to "look and fit" better in this location then my other separate component db6501's would have, with quite similar performance specs.
Next came the new Fusion remote. It would not fit where the old Clarion remote was located. As such and early on in this project I new that I was going to need to add some dash panels as part of the grand scheme. I called Tecnografic to see if they could match my existing burlwood look. As it turns out, they said that they were the OEM for my boat's panels. No brainer, I went with them to make me 3 new ones. They really do match my existing panels quite nicely, even after 10 years. From original phone call to received panels was about 4-5 weeks mainly due to the number of times I needed to run to the boat to make templates, check their patterns etc. Once released, I had the panels in 2 weeks. Kudos to Tecnografic as I would recommend them.
Here's the original setup.
Due to the insufficient space at this location for the larger diameter Fusion remote, I had to find some way to cover the hole left behind when the old remote was removed. Enter panel # 1 and what I think is a nice upgraded appearance.
The new remote would be located next to the helm. I also wanted to replace my aging VHF with a new DSC capable unit. The new VHF had a smaller footprint then the old. Enter panel # 2.
You can also see the small knob next to the remote which will be the sub gain control. I also made a 1/2" plywood backing plate to reinforce all of this as well.
I was lucky to find a Fusion DVD playing unit for less than the cost of their Ipod unit. This meant that I had to get a separate Ipod dock and mount it remotely. It worked perfectly as I needed something to go in the place of where my old Sirius Tuner was removed to deal with the holes left behind (the Fusion is Sirius capable and you can hide the sat. receiver). The right side of the photo is the new Ipod dock below my light switches.
I made a new faceplate and shelving similar to the old one, but instead of housing the old CD changer, it will now hide the Overdrive Pre-amp and the Sirius remote receiver.
Lastly is the JL XD700 5 channel amp to compliment the existing Clarion 4 channel that is being saved. The Clarion will now drive the 2 added 6X9's in 2 channel mode and the JL will drive the existing 2 pairs of db6501's and the sub.
More pics to follow as I make progress in the cabin.
A SPECIAL thanks to CSR members HIFI and Hack4alivin for all of your help to date. This forum has been a great asset to a do-it-yourselfer!!!