A long-term client from here in Gainesville contacted Sound Depot and Performance for a 2014 Super Air Nautique audio system upgrade. We have designed and installed many sound systems for this client over the years, so we know right away what his expectations were. He gave us carte blanche to make his wake boat rock!
High-Power Subwoofer Solution
For most of our clients, balancing the amount of bass in the system to the midrange and high frequencies can be accomplished with several marine grade subwoofers. We know this customer, and we know how he likes his bass. We detoured from our standard subwoofer solution and chose a JL Audio 13W7AE-D1.5 13.5 inch car audio subwoofer. Our plan was to create a vented enclosure in the storage area on the port side of the boat to produce car-like bass.
Our team created a two-piece enclosure for the massive 13.5-inch JL subwoofer. The first half of the enclosure slides into the storage area and allows us to mount the woofer. The second half of the cabinet bolts to the back of the front half to provide the right amount of airspace. This ensures excellent low-frequency output from the system. Our team installed thick foam gaskets between the two halves and used heavy-duty stainless-steel bolts to secure the pieces.
We wanted to make sure the enclosure would withstand the humid conditions common to marine applications. We used marine-grade plywood and coated the interior with fiberglass resin. We finished and protected the exterior of the enclosure with a thorough coating of spray-on truck bedliner.
An access panel on the rear of the enclosure is required to bolt the two halves together. We sealed up this opening with a piece of Starboard, stainless hardware and another thick foam gasket.
Super Air Nautique Audio System Amplification
The amplifiers were mounted on an HDPE board.
A pair of JL Audio marine amplifiers powers the system. We used an MHD750/1 to drive the subwoofer and an M400/4 for the interior speakers. The amps are mounted on a water resistant Starboard panel and are located to the left of the subwoofer enclosure. From an original install, there were two Polk Audio amplifiers on the boat that power the bow speakers and Focal wakeboard tower speakers. The client plans to return another time for us to upgrade those.
JL Audio Marine Speaker Upgrades
The original purpose of bringing the boat to us was to replace the blown Polk Audio speakers in the bow. We installed a set of JL Audio M650-CCX-SG-TB 6.5-inch coaxial speakers in their location. To add some extra sound for the skier, we installed a set of 7.7-inch JL Audio M770-CCS-SG-TB coaxials speakers on the stern of the boat, just above the swim platform. Whoever is at the back of the boat can control the sound system from the Polk remote control for the source unit.
The Titanium Sport Grilles on the JL Audio speakers match the gray and black cosmetics of the boat perfectly. Once installed, they really look like they belong there.
We suggested upgrading the tower speakers with a set of JL Audio enclosures, but the client liked the way they looked on the wakeboard tower. Interestingly, if you look at the Nautique website, the Super Air Nautique audio system now uses JL Audio speakers. Imagine that…
System Tuning and Delivery
Our team went through the system and set the crossovers and sensitivity controls on each amplifier to provide maximum performance from each speaker in the system. This provides an overall balance that we know the client would enjoy. Proper system configuration is an essential aspect of the reliability and performance of the system.
After four days of hard work, our team wrapped up the project and turned the boat back over to the client. He loved the way it sounded, and the bass was not only loud, but dug nice and deep– just the way he likes it. After hearing the 7.7-inch JL speakers on the transom, he is second guessing his decision not to upgrade the tower speakers. No worries, we are always here to help! If your boat needs an audio system upgrade, contact Sound Depot and Performance. You are welcome to drop by the store at 1931 N Main Street, call us a 352-374-7700 or use our online contact form to send an e-mail.
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