Wet sounds vs JL audio

I just installed my first set of wet sounds xs-808-s running off a bridged jl m 1000/5 in the cockpit. They are getting 200 watts a channel now. All I can say is WOW!!!!! I am blown away! $299 a set at crutch field. So I bought a second set for the bridge! That's half the price of the jl m8's.

I love jl stuff, however check out "Rockville" amps. I have the six channel ($149) running Polk mm series 6" and now have the 8 channel ($149) to run the wet sounds 808's. My days of running the stereo at 90% power all day are over so for me these amps have held up just fine, especially for the price.

The subs I have now in this boat are basic and will need replacing to keep up with my improvements. I like the jl w6 series in 10" in the jl sealed box. That should give me the deep bass I want.

Fusion all the way. The user interface and learning curve is amazing. Super easy to use and the app gives you plenty of freedom. We use a dedicated iPad/iPod instead of streaming from our phones.

Good luck!
Cale
 
I can't comment on other brands, but one of the biggest reasons I purchased a Fusion head unit was that it offered 4 separate zones. You can't play different media on each, but you can control volume, which was important to me.
 
I can't comment on other brands, but one of the biggest reasons I purchased a Fusion head unit was that it offered 4 separate zones. You can't play different media on each, but you can control volume, which was important to me.
That was the selling point for me also... Additionally it had a HDMI ARC connection which means on ARC compliant televisions, the HDMI will return the audio to the head so you can use the house speakers instead of the tv speakers or added soundbar.
 
Well I had to chime In on this.... on my first boat which was a 290 sundancer it came with 4 Sony 6.5s no amp no sub.... I Immediately got to work I'm not an audiophile by no means but I like a nice sound system... so I did some research and ended up buy a jl audio 6 channel amp 2 pair of wet sounds 6.5s and jl marine 10.... sounded good... 6.5 speakers on there own channel and 2 channels bridged to the sub.... the wet sounds sounded good by far better than the Sony's but to me a little tingy to me... So I bought 2 pair of jl 6.5 mx series and they sounded great to me.... fast forward to now I have a 340 sundancer when I purchased it it already had jl audio speakers but it had the same amp but it has the M series 6.5 with separate tweeters and M series 10 sub... i love the set-up im not gonna change but imho the mx series sounds the best out of all of them.... on a side note everyody listening taste are different and with all the different Genre's of music I would suggest buy the head unit and amp u like... then order speakers from Crutchfield they have great just serve and return policy.... try them all in a real world situation on your boat not on a sound board in a shop... sorry for the long reply
 
Just to update my previous post - went to the boat show and listened to a variety of systems. Thought I'd be going with WetSounds - but after listening to both WS and JL - I ended up going with a JL system. Just sounded cleaner, and with the right set-up, should provide the concert level I want occasionally. Went with the following, and this is all on-deck equipment - nothing below. I'll do below some time down the road as it's far less critical.

Source:
JL Audio 4 zone media master
Additional direct plug-in and USB charging port mounted next to it.

Amps
1 - JL Audio M800/8 for the speakers
1 - JL Audio M1000/1 for the two subwoofers

Cockpit speakers
1 pair - JL Audio MX650's
1 pair - JL Audio MX770's
1 pair - JL Audio M880's

I went with the three different sizes because they each put out fantastic sound, but each sounded slightly different from each other in the low, mid, and high ranges - so the mixture of the three should be phenomenal as all ranges are hit and they'll compliment each other and provide incredible depth and clarity at all sound levels.

Subwoofers
2 - JL Audio M10IBS - 10" subs (one in the helm area, one in the U shaped lounge aft)

Swim Platform
1 pair - JL Audio MX770's
1 JL Audio transom mount remote
1 Dual USB illuminated charging port (wife insisted on this - I think it has phone disaster written all over it)

Going to take 4 days to install. First day they pulled all of the outdated Clarion stuff and all wiring. Ran all new heavy duty wiring - which was quite a job for the two guys. I questioned the labor cost aspect when the job was quoted - after seeing all they take apart to run it all correctly, I no longer question the labor....what a huge job. Unfortunately I'm in a busy stretch flying - so they'll finish the next Sat/Sun/Monday.....I head out Monday am and won't be back until Thursday night - so won't here it until Friday 3-2.....ugghhh.

Painful listening to them make a new hole at the helm for the 10" sub going up there.

https://s26.postimg.org/9jqo1bi61/Cut_out_hole.jpg

Was surprised how thick / stout the wall was there

https://s26.postimg.org/7f6b08vyx/Cut_out_materia.jpg

Two 10" subs for the deck area

https://s26.postimg.org/sc2j4xh55/Cut_out_units_to_fill_holes.jpg

MX650's going in the arch, with 770's and 880's going on the sides - and a pair of 770's that will be aft facing the swim platform

https://s26.postimg.org/k6kh6s0m1/Cut_outs_for_speakers.jpg
 
Last edited:
Just did wet sounds 6.5s in factory locations, and 2 subs. Boat is jamming.
 
Here is my list,
JL
Mm100s-be media Block
Mmr20-be wired remote
MCR-10w wireless remote
MHD 900x5, amp for the 5 pair of speakers
MHD 750x1, amp for the 2 subs
3 pair M880
2 M650
1 m12
1 M10
 
MHD 900x5, amp for the 5 pair of speakers
3 pair M880
2 M650

You should run this past a quality, knowledgeable JL dealer/ installer before pulling the trigger. 1) the MHD needs a symmetrical load, so either 4 or 8 pair, not 5, not even 6. 2) if you are running 2 pair on a chnl, they need to be the same size, ideally. Try to avoid pairing an 8" and 6.5". 3) thats a 5 chnl amp with chnl 5 being dedicated for a subwoofer, yet you list both woofers being driven by a MHD 750/1. Chnl 5 cannot drive fill range speakers.

MHD 750x1, amp for the 2 subs
1 m12
1 M10

You wont want to mix a 10 and a 12 on the same chnls. Id dedicate the 750/1 for the 12 and put the 10 on another amp, once you work out the kinks in the MHD900/5 and 5 pair of speakers. The other reason I suggest this is because the 12IB deserves all 750W rms from the 750/1.
 
1) the MHD needs a symmetrical load, so either 4 or 8 pair, not 5, not even 6. 2)
I typed "pair" but meant "speaker". 4 speakers, one on each chnl or 8 speakers, 2 on each chnl. It wont like 6, one pair on 2 chnl and 1 pair on each of the remaining 2 chnls. Its a design characteristic of its strictly regulated power supply.
 
You should run this past a quality, knowledgeable JL dealer/ installer before pulling the trigger. 1) the MHD needs a symmetrical load, so either 4 or 8 pair, not 5, not even 6. 2) if you are running 2 pair on a chnl, they need to be the same size, ideally. Try to avoid pairing an 8" and 6.5". 3) thats a 5 chnl amp with chnl 5 being dedicated for a subwoofer, yet you list both woofers being driven by a MHD 750/1. Chnl 5 cannot drive fill range speakers.

—-Thank you, I am, I was in the business for 15 yrs and owned several 12v stores in a prior life. Speaker size doesn’t matter - I’m running 2 of 880s full range on channels 1 and 2. 2 pairs of 650s on channels 4 and 5 full range and one pair of 880s on channel 5 bypassed - run mid range. I can run 5 or 6 - I am running 5 and have run 6. There is no problem running one channel pair at 1.5 ohm and the other pair at 4 or whatever combo. - the whole idea of RIPS, including low voltage draw and she’s not fussy about the input voltage.

You wont want to mix a 10 and a 12 on the same chnls. Id dedicate the 750/1 for the 12 and put the 10 on another amp, once you work out the kinks in the MHD900/5 and 5 pair of speakers. The other reason I suggest this is because the 12IB deserves all 750W rms from the 750/1.

See other response above^
—-Why not? - these MHDs are stable down to almost an ohm. It’s the impedance that matters not the size. Do you know what happens when I drop the 750 down to 2 ohm?! - double. I’m running the 900 down below 2 - a big reason for using a class D. The effective power from this amp by putting two 4 ohm speakers in parallel is 750 x2 - it is designed to output 750 from 1.4 to 4 ohms, by using two speakers to get to 2 ohms. The 12 I cross over lower, the 10 a bit higher and the single 8s running mid fill in between the full range.
I Ran this configuration in my last 3 boats and this is the 4th - similar in many others. It’s a winning combo. The last one I ran a fusion 750 and ran video through outdoor big screens - a hit during football season.
 
Russ,

Not looking to get into a resume measuring contest with you, not my intention. I apologies if my comments offended you. I guess our experience with the jl MHD amps and other marine audio differs.

I can say ive never run a mono band-pass setup on chnl 5 of the 900/5

Speaker size matters if one was running a smaller and larger speaker wired together on a single chnl. They dont sum equally this not diving/using the available wattage evenly. You end up tuning to the smaller speaker, leaving the full potential of the larger speaker, potentially untapped. Not applicable to your setup I see now, but relevant in other setups.

It’s the impedance that matters not the size.

Same applies for woofers as it does different size full range. I just dont like to wire different size drivers to the same amp chnl.

Do you know what happens when I drop the 750 down to 2 ohm?! - double.

Yes, I know what happens when you drop the MHD down to 2 ohm, its output is still 750W rms. Its 750W rms from 1.5 to 4 ohm. The MHD 750/1 does not double its output when going down from 4 ohm to 2 ohm. The down side is, when you put two drivers on a regulated amp like the 750/1, you now divide that available wattage to both drivers. Each nets 375W rms. Here again, you end up tuning to the smaller woofer. 375 is solid for a JL 10, but leaving a ton of potential on the table for the 12IB.

Again, sorry for pissing in your cornflakes, was not my intention.
 
Russ,

Not looking to get into a resume measuring contest with you, not my intention. I apologies if my comments offended you. I guess our experience with the jl MHD amps and other marine audio differs.

I can say ive never run a mono band-pass setup on chnl 5 of the 900/5

Speaker size matters if one was running a smaller and larger speaker wired together on a single chnl. They dont sum equally this not diving/using the available wattage evenly. You end up tuning to the smaller speaker, leaving the full potential of the larger speaker, potentially untapped. Not applicable to your setup I see now, but relevant in other setups.



Same applies for woofers as it does different size full range. I just dont like to wire different size drivers to the same amp chnl.



Yes, I know what happens when you drop the MHD down to 2 ohm, its output is still 750W rms. Its 750W rms from 1.5 to 4 ohm. The MHD 750/1 does not double its output when going down from 4 ohm to 2 ohm. The down side is, when you put two drivers on a regulated amp like the 750/1, you now divide that available wattage to both drivers. Each nets 375W rms. Here again, you end up tuning to the smaller woofer. 375 is solid for a JL 10, but leaving a ton of potential on the table for the 12IB.

Again, sorry for pissing in your cornflakes, was not my intention.

I’m sure you don’t. You didn’t offend me, I dont know you - but that is a point isn’t it? You don’t know me. That being said, It is awfully presumtious to proceed to give someone advice after telling them to seek professional advice not knowing what I’m doing or how I’m doing it or if I have done it. Yet you apologize and continue to give me “advice” -your wrong, thanks but I’m not interested in wasting anymore time. My original post was in response to the poster of this thread - sorry but “this song isn’t bout you”
 
I installed a Fusion 650 head unit in the salon, and a pair of Wet Sounds REVO speakers in the cockpit.



 
Looks nice!

What does it sound like now compared to whatever you had in there before?

I am leaning towards replacing the OEM Clarion head unit with a Fusion MS-RA70N and changing out my 6 speakers with the Wet Sounds Revo's too.
 
Looks nice!

What does it sound like now compared to whatever you had in there before?

I am leaning towards replacing the OEM Clarion head unit with a Fusion MS-RA70N and changing out my 6 speakers with the Wet Sounds Revo's too.
Thanks!

I replaced to OEM Clarion speakers, and the new sound is awesome, plus we now have more LED lights.

 
Just to update my previous post - went to the boat show and listened to a variety of systems. Thought I'd be going with WetSounds - but after listening to both WS and JL - I ended up going with a JL system. Just sounded cleaner, and with the right set-up, should provide the concert level I want occasionally. Went with the following, and this is all on-deck equipment - nothing below. I'll do below some time down the road as it's far less critical.

Source:
JL Audio 4 zone media master
Additional direct plug-in and USB charging port mounted next to it.

Amps
1 - JL Audio M800/8 for the speakers
1 - JL Audio M1000/1 for the two subwoofers

Cockpit speakers
1 pair - JL Audio MX650's
1 pair - JL Audio MX770's
1 pair - JL Audio M880's

I went with the three different sizes because they each put out fantastic sound, but each sounded slightly different from each other in the low, mid, and high ranges - so the mixture of the three should be phenomenal as all ranges are hit and they'll compliment each other and provide incredible depth and clarity at all sound levels.

Subwoofers
2 - JL Audio M10IBS - 10" subs (one in the helm area, one in the U shaped lounge aft)

Swim Platform
1 pair - JL Audio MX770's
1 JL Audio transom mount remote
1 Dual USB illuminated charging port (wife insisted on this - I think it has phone disaster written all over it)

Going to take 4 days to install. First day they pulled all of the outdated Clarion stuff and all wiring. Ran all new heavy duty wiring - which was quite a job for the two guys. I questioned the labor cost aspect when the job was quoted - after seeing all they take apart to run it all correctly, I no longer question the labor....what a huge job. Unfortunately I'm in a busy stretch flying - so they'll finish the next Sat/Sun/Monday.....I head out Monday am and won't be back until Thursday night - so won't here it until Friday 3-2.....ugghhh.

Painful listening to them make a new hole at the helm for the 10" sub going up there.

https://s26.postimg.org/9jqo1bi61/Cut_out_hole.jpg

Was surprised how thick / stout the wall was there

https://s26.postimg.org/7f6b08vyx/Cut_out_materia.jpg

Two 10" subs for the deck area

https://s26.postimg.org/sc2j4xh55/Cut_out_units_to_fill_holes.jpg

MX650's going in the arch, with 770's and 880's going on the sides - and a pair of 770's that will be aft facing the swim platform

https://s26.postimg.org/k6kh6s0m1/Cut_outs_for_speakers.jpg

Update:

Returned home today, and the new sound system was completely finished.

All I can say is holy *#^$(@&!)*#. It sounds absolutely amazing. Clean, crisp and clear at all sound levels - to include dock vibrating concert levels. Fantastic system.

Two takeaways as I see it:

1. Having two subs with a dedicated amp for them is the bomb. One at the helm, one in the U-shaped lounge. Stunning base through a wide range that vibrates your spine......in a good way.

2. The 8.8 speakers are monsters...both size and sound wise. In fact, they're so powerful they're actually kind of negating the 6.5's I have on the arch, and the quad 7.7's to some extent. The shop that did the install is coming out tomorrow to review everything with me - and I'm going to ask about maybe changing the speaker set-up a bit. Maybe move the 7.7's up into the arch to replace the 6.5's, and replacing the 7.7's on the arch sides and swim platform with 8.8's. I'd use the soon to be extra 6.5's and 7.7's down in the cabin.

Yes - the 8.8's are that powerful - amazing speakers.
 
Last edited:
I installed a Fusion 650 head unit in the salon, and a pair of Wet Sounds REVO speakers in the cockpit.



I have the fusion MA-RS70N on a nmea 2000 network to my lowranse HDS9 for hell control, and a 600 watt amp pushing my 4 wet sounds and 2 subs...

Loving it so far.
 
I have the fusion MA-RS70N on a nmea 2000 network to my lowranse HDS9 for hell control, and a 600 watt amp pushing my 4 wet sounds and 2 subs...

Loving it so far.

I also connected my Fusion 650 to my NMEA 2000 backbone. Being able to control the audio through my Simrad GO9 XSE 9" is a joy. Next in my audio upgrade will include two more REVO speakers, one 8" sub, and an additional amp.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,945
Messages
1,422,748
Members
60,928
Latest member
rkaleda
Back
Top