Clarion M508 install question

L

Lhs3422

Member
Jan 28, 2017
36
Chesterfield, MI
Boat Info
1999 370 EC
Engines
454 Mercruiser Mag
Good Afternoon: I have my new to me 1999 370EC. It has the original Clarion with 6CD changer. Did some research here and the M508 was suggested as a good "plug and play" upgrade. I have a number of projects and upgrades planned for this boat and wanted a simple solution to get Bluetooth, etc. until the big stereo project. I am a lightweight when it comes to the electronics side, but the hardware part seemed fairly easy. All connections were made (every wire from the existing bundle was crimped into the new per the M508 diagram). Got the 6-8 pin adapter for the helm remote which works. Separate plugs for the sub-woofer plugged right in. FM antenna plugged right in. Unit powered right up. Here is my question. I assumed that the front to rear balance would be between the cockpit speakers and the cabin. Instead, when I fired it up, the front to rear was between the V-berth and salon speakers. Nothing out on deck. Sub-woofer on deck works as expected. Did I miss something obvious? Thanks, Leigh
 
I should mention. The existing system is exactly as it came from the factory. This boat was owned for the last 17 years by the second owner. Still has the original TV/VCR's!
 
My guess is you have an amplifier for the cockpit speakers. Were there any RCA cables coming from the old stereo. If so did you hook them back up.
 
bahamabreisus said:
My guess is you have an amplifier for the cockpit speakers. Were there any RCA cables coming from the old stereo. If so did you hook them back up.
Click to expand...
There were two, going to the sub-woofer. All other connections accounted for. There was a multi-pin plug and cable which looked to be going to the CD changer. This did not have a corresponding plug on the M508. The "main" amp has two sets of RCA inputs going in.
 
If any of the hi-level speakers leads where used, then wht, gray, grn and prpl would be the same, if swapped color for color.

My guess is that there is a low-level RCA to an external amp, that did not get connected to the new M508.
 
Wylie_Tunes said:
If any of the hi-level speakers leads where used, then wht, gray, grn and prpl would be the same, if swapped color for color.

My guess is that there is a low-level RCA to an external amp, that did not get connected to the new M508.
Click to expand...
I'll look for the possible second amp. The grey, white and green and purple were crimped to the new 16 pin connector. There are RCA plugs that connected to the "high level" for the sub. I hope I'm being precise enough. This isn't my language! Thanks!
 
Off topic let me know if you're looking to get rid of that CD changer, I love the sound quality of CDs over Bluetooth.
 
The M508 has 3 sets of output RCA cables. 1 set front speakers, 1 set rear speakers and 1 set for sub.
 
mrsrobinson said:
Off topic let me know if you're looking to get rid of that CD changer, I love the sound quality of CDs over Bluetooth.
Click to expand...
mrsrobinson said:
Off topic let me know if you're looking to get rid of that CD changer, I love the sound quality of CDs over Bluetooth.
Click to expand...
Will do. I'll be making a replacement panel at some point, will remove the changer and reach out.
 
I bet the speakers not playing and the woofer are on the same amp. By using designate subwoofer RCA, you are sending a filtered signal that lacks the range for those speakers. Switch the RCAs to the black or gray leads.
 
Wylie_Tunes said:
I bet the speakers not playing and the woofer are on the same amp. By using designate subwoofer RCA, you are sending a filtered signal that lacks the range for those speakers. Switch the RCAs to the black or gray leads.
Click to expand...
Got it figured out and you were correct . After a couple combinations didn't work, switched to the gray leads and the cockpit and sub fired up and I could control the volume, balance and fade. Thank you for the insights.
 
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