Cabin speaker shut off

[charlg]

I have the original typical Clarion system with six speakers, sub, and amp. Four of them are in the cockpit, two are in the cabin. I would like to be able to use the stereo while my 3 year old naps, or watches tv in the cabin.

Is there a way to add a switch to be able to turn on/off the cabin speakers? The fade/balance buttons do not cut them out completely.

 

[Tonka Boater]

The fader on the head unit allows you to select the front or rear speakers (cabin or cockpit). If I fade completely to the rear it shuts off the cabin speakers completely.

 

[charlg]

The fader on the head unit allows you to select the front or rear speakers (cabin or cockpit). If I fade completely to the rear it shuts off the cabin speakers completely.

That was the first thing I tried. You would think that is the way it should be, but maybe on the older units it's different.

 

[Tonka Boater]

That was the first thing I tried. You would think that is the way it should be, but maybe on the older units it's different.

Might be easier to upgrade the head unit to a newer Clarion model instead of adding a shut off.

The new CMD6 is only $288 from Amazon and it should be pretty much plug and play.

http://www.amazon.com/Clarion-CMD6-Marine-Receiver-Port/dp/B001OQEC0S/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

 

[charlg]

Might be easier to upgrade the head unit to a newer Clarion model instead of adding a shut off.

The new CMD6 is only $288 from Amazon and it should be pretty much plug and play.

http://www.amazon.com/Clarion-CMD6-Marine-Receiver-Port/dp/B001OQEC0S/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

Thanks. I'll take a look at it. I was trying to avoid getting a new head unit, because of the compatibility with the helm remote.

 

[gerryb]

Thanks. I'll take a look at it. I was trying to avoid getting a new head unit, because of the compatibility with the helm remote.

You'll need new remotes AND NEW WIRING.:smt021

That's why I upgraded to the CMD5(4?) instead of the newer 6. The 6 is not compatible with the old style remote system.

 

[charlg]

You'll need new remotes AND NEW WIRING.:smt021

That's why I upgraded to the CMD5(4?) instead of the newer 6, compatible with the old style remote system.

So the new 6 IS compatible with the older systems?

 

[gerryb]

So the new 6 IS compatible with the older systems?

NO - it is not, at least according to the research I did last year.

 

[Henry Boyd]

I got the same info when I wanted to find out about iPod integration.

Charlie, Did you guys get the smoke down in Boston yesterday? It was so bad it was almost like fog above Cape Ann.

Henry

 

[charlg]

I got the same info when I wanted to find out about iPod integration.

Charlie, Did you guys get the smoke down in Boston yesterday? It was so bad it was almost like fog above Cape Ann.

Henry

I may just cut the cabin speakers for now. I did not to want to start another project this summer.

We were down south this weekend, and when we got home I couldn't believe the amount of smoke and the smell.

 

[dpmulvey]

May not be the optimum solution, but as long as you are cutting wires, why not just put a couple of toggle or rocker switches in the cut. Easily hidden and gives you the best of what you want. It would only add a few minutes to the job.

 

[charlg]

May not be the optimum solution, but as long as you are cutting wires, why not just put a couple of toggle or rocker switches in the cut. Easily hidden and gives you the best of what you want. It would only add a few minutes to the job.

I guess that was my question. You can add toggle switches on the speaker wires? That was what I was hoping to do. Do you have to add power to the switch(es)? Will it affect the sound of the rest of the speakers?

 

[Kreole Kid]

Charlie G, find your amp, wire the cockpit speakers (4) to the "rear" side of the amp, wire cabin speakers (2) to the "front" side of the amp. Then fade the radio to rear, and you should have NO sound to the cabin at all.:thumbsup:

 

[chumbley]

You could put a switch on the speaker wires. Just a DPST switch to kill the (+) wires of the two cabin speakers should do it.

When I redid my audio on the 340, I put rocker switches in for the trigger leads to the amps. It allows me to easily turn on all speakers, just the cabin, or just the cockpit. Getting to the fader function on most modern head units is a pain!

 

[JimT]

I installed a new amp that powers only the 4 rear speakers and a sub. The original amp now powers only the 2 cabin speakers when the stereo amp rocker switch is powered on.

 

[dpmulvey]

I guess that was my question. You can add toggle switches on the speaker wires? That was what I was hoping to do. Do you have to add power to the switch(es)? Will it affect the sound of the rest of the speakers?

Shouldn't harm anything. You are merely cutting the power (volume) to the speaker. It's how my Dad did it 45 years ago in my parents home. Still works to this day. As stated above, it's a lot easier than finding the fader on most of today's units.

HTH