Fusion replacement for Clarion XMD1 on 480DB

Four Suns

Not a pot stirrer
TECHNICAL Contributor
Oct 4, 2006
10,533
Williamsburg, VA
Boat Info
2003 480 DB
Engines
QSM-11 Diesels
One of my projects on this trip was to finally get rid of the crappy Clarion XMD1 head unit and CD changer on the bridge. The head unit's display was no longer working and the remotes in the cockpit and on the helm had about 50% of their LCD pixels burned out. I really didn't want to replace the speakers or amp (the amp is a Clarion APX400.4M). I saw Greg and a few others discussing the same thing.... also saw this thread:

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11482

and liked the iPod functionality....

So I bought the head unit with a CD player in it:

http://www.fusioncaraudio.com/north...io-2/stereo-units-15/mscd600-105-product.aspx

and added the side unit for the iPod dock:

http://www.fusioncaraudio.com/north...-unit-accessories-14/msipdock-62-product.aspx

I also added two remotes to replace the one in the cockpit and on the helm (where the old Clarion remotes were located):

http://www.fusioncaraudio.com/north...o-unit-accessories-14/mswr100-61-product.aspx

Here is the head unit and iPod dock installed on the bridge:

DSC_0978.jpg


The good news is the head unit fit the opening for the Clarion directly. There were two small screw holes at the bottom that needed to be filled, but other than that, it was a direct replacement. The wiring was a direct replacement as well. The Fusion is tied into the Clarion amp and cockpit speakers exactly as the XMD1 was right down to the same color coding on the wires. The benefit is the Fusion provides 3 zones and, even using the previous wiring, the cockpit's two speakers can be controlled separately from the bridge's 4 speakers and sub woofer. Also, the iPod dock does not take up the Aux input on the head unit. I am going to tie the boat's interior AV system into the Aux jack so I can hear/play anything from the boat's primary AV system as well.

The bad news is the helm remote. The Clarion remote is about half the size and I'm going to have to have a glass guy come over and rearrange the engine room halon control and Clarion remote to fit the remote on the helm properly... Nothing is ever easy I guess... The cockpit remote went it just fine....

The setup sounds great... The iPod control on the screens is fantastic... and it's nice being able to control the cockpit separately from the bridge.

My "project box" I brought along on the trip is getting smaller...

I was going to start a thread called "Official Black Electrical Tape B!tch Thread" due to all the electrical tape that Sea Ray used behind the helm that has turned to goo... I've got about half the crap removed and replaced with tie wraps... that stuff should never see a boat. The black goo gets on EVERYTHING when trying to work back there.
 
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What, no sutures, stitches, surgeries, or other fusion-related trauma to go with your sweet looking new sound system?

Did another family member do the install for you?
 
Your helm remote was a different size than the cockpit remote?
 
The benefit is the Fusion provides 3 zones and, even using the previous wiring, the cockpit's two speakers can be controlled separately from the bridge's 4 speakers and sub woofer.

Does that mean that you can listen to the Ipod from the Bridge, the CD player from another zone and the tuner from the 3rd zone? Or does it just mean you can adjust the volume levels for each zone while listening the same source?

I have something similar on a home stereo (Pioneer Elite), but never figured out how to use it. I think I need to purchase additional equipment for each zone and hard wire it back to the reciever. Just curious if the Fusion has that capability right out of the box.
 
very interesting. I like it. glad to hear about the fit & connections. I'm going to give this a good look as I need to do something too with my head unit & changer set-up. I have the same XMD1 and Clarion changer but the head unit doesnt recognize the changer--neither head unit nor the 2 remotes allow a changer selection. I want to verify the DIN connection is ok before i pronounce it DOA as I just found/bought a LCD remote for it (and i knew better). does the APX400 drive your sub too and what Clarions? I had CMCX7.1s in my other boat and it sounded great...clear as could be.

I have 2 BOSE 151's and 2 BOSE 131's in the 480 bridge powered by a Pyle 2000W 6-ch amp. A second amp, Clarion APX480 (bridged I assume), drives a 10" Alpine sub. there are also 2 151's in the cockpit driven by the Pyle. with all that said, you can hear the sound system 3 states away probably but I'm less than impressed with the clarity. I have no expereince w/ Pyle amps (might be 'pyle' of crap for all I know) but it sure is pretty--more flashing blue lights than Saturday Night Fever had going when Tony won the dance contest. I have never been much of a fan of Bose but i just find it hard to beleive that for $250-270 a speaker as i found out these overpriced things cost, the Bose would sound this 'blah'.

Likewise, I'd also like to tie in the salon sound surround (Bose Lifestyle...I know, I know) to the head unit in the bridge. man, I wish NAD made marine audio gear but I'll get my 'read on' wrt the fusion...

repaired the bose lifestyle receiver last week...the tape goo was just a frickin' mess. It all needs to be pulled out and done right. I wasnt sure what the black gunk was on the receiver, thought how in the crap did diesel soot get back there and then turn gooey, then realized the tape had just turned to goo.
 
Your helm remote was a different size than the cockpit remote?


Guys, was wondering what made you go with the Fusion over sticking with a Clarion unit? I am thinking about doing the same and found some really good prices on ebay for clarion. Just curious on what made you go with fusion. Im going back and fourth between the two. thanks
 
I have never heard of Fusion equipment. Do you have any prior experience with them? It appears to be a nice unit. Where did you purchase from?

Doug
 
Guys, was wondering what made you go with the Fusion over sticking with a Clarion unit? I am thinking about doing the same and found some really good prices on ebay for clarion. Just curious on what made you go with fusion. Im going back and fourth between the two. thanks

The Clarion XMD1 I had started failing when it was two years old...

"Once shame on you, twice shame on me."

The Fusion stuff seems to be of higher quality.
 
Does that mean that you can listen to the Ipod from the Bridge, the CD player from another zone and the tuner from the 3rd zone? Or does it just mean you can adjust the volume levels for each zone while listening the same source?

I have something similar on a home stereo (Pioneer Elite), but never figured out how to use it. I think I need to purchase additional equipment for each zone and hard wire it back to the reciever. Just curious if the Fusion has that capability right out of the box.

I have no idea... I have not tried that but I will.
 
Your helm remote was a different size than the cockpit remote?

No... I just had more room for the install of the cockpit remote. The old Clarion helm one is crammed in next to the GPS display and halon switch... Not enough room just to drill a bigger hole and install the Fusion remote.
 
Gary,

I think I have the same Clarion unit. Can use the CD changer, Speakers and amp from the clarion system? You mentioned the wire colors all matched? Is it plug and play or requires splicing wires? Or is there a harness adapter available?

Thanks
 
I just finished installing a Fusion iPod head unit and 2 remotes on my 460DA, replacing the XMD1. Unfortunately the hole for the old Clarion was cut larger then needed so it wasn't a direct replacement for me... I have the cockpit running through the existing Clarion amp driving the 4 speakers and sub. I did notice a difference in sound and am pleased with the change. I have the second zone hooked up to the factory speakers in the salon and master stateroom. I removed the factory 12v head unit/changer from the salon and replaced it with home audio equipment. I now have to separate systems, one DC and AC, both able to play sound everywhere on the boat...

I am very happy with the Fusion product and would definitely recommend it.
 
Four Suns and Smith Bucks

Now that you have had the Fusion Audio products for several months, do you still recommend them?

Replacing the XMD1 is one of my impending winter projects.
 
OK Guys,

My Fusion equipment is beginning to come in and I have questions that I hope you may be able to answer. Please understand that I have removed the old XMD1 and brought it home and now have a MS-AV600 here ready to go in its place. I am looking at the wiring diagrams for both and while the colors of the wires are a direct match as Gary stated, there are some grey areas for me (probably just because I am not at the boat looking at the mess of wires there to be able to "connect the dots".

1. The clarion has 4 RCA connectors that go to the amp. How do I connect the Fusion unit to the amp.

2. The Fusion unit has 1 dual RCA connector labeled subwoofer. How do I wire the existing subwoofer into this setup as I didn't see any wire coming from the Clarion unit labeled sub-woofer.

3. How do you make all of the connections? On my last boat I used crimp connectors followed by heat shrink tubing. Is this considered a good method?
 
I am not sure specifically how your boat is wired, but one set of preouts is for the amp/channel that powers the speakers. The other preout labeled 'subwoofer' is for the amp/channel that powers the subwoofer. If your amp has 4 RCA connectors, this should mean it's a 4 channel amp. Does your system have a subwoofer? If so, it should be plug and play.

Doug
 
OK Guys,

My Fusion equipment is beginning to come in and I have questions that I hope you may be able to answer. Please understand that I have removed the old XMD1 and brought it home and now have a MS-AV600 here ready to go in its place. I am looking at the wiring diagrams for both and while the colors of the wires are a direct match as Gary stated, there are some grey areas for me (probably just because I am not at the boat looking at the mess of wires there to be able to "connect the dots".

1. The clarion has 4 RCA connectors that go to the amp. How do I connect the Fusion unit to the amp.

2. The Fusion unit has 1 dual RCA connector labeled subwoofer. How do I wire the existing subwoofer into this setup as I didn't see any wire coming from the Clarion unit labeled sub-woofer.

3. How do you make all of the connections? On my last boat I used crimp connectors followed by heat shrink tubing. Is this considered a good method?

I will try to help . . .

#1 You could simply use the four RCA outputs (Front & Rear) of the new Fusion head unit and ignor the Sub RCA output. Therefore your RCA connections will be the same.

#2 Your Clarion did not have Sub Out. Using the Sub RCA Output on the Fusion is going to provide some new control of Subwoofer. Gain control, cross-over points for the Sub will be controlled from internal adjustments on your new Fusion. This is a good thing. You will first have to discover how the sub is connected to your exsiting amp. There are three ways Sea Ray or installers would have wired a Subwoofer and speakers to your amp. If you can provide a photo of the speaker outputs on your amp with indication of what wires go to Subwoofer I can answer your question perfectly. Again you mentioned one amp. I hope it is a six channel amp or you really have more than one amp. Good case scenario . . . you may have to add an additional amp if you want to use the Fusion's RCA Sub outputs and not give up your Zone/Fader control that you enjoy now.

#3 That is a good connection.
 
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HIFI

I did in fact find a second amp for a total of 2, but I am thinking of removing them (or keeping them for the cabin speakers) and replacing with something a bit more current in technology while I have everything under construction.

#1. The Fusion unit only has 1 pair of RCA pre-outs. I called Fusion and they told me that I should get a splitter cable to split each RCA into the amp. This would convert the 1 pair into 2 pairs. They said I would lose the fader. That isn't a problem for me as the cockpit speakers are only about 4 feet apart. They said I would not lose any signal strength. Does this make sense?

I am thinking of actually adding a 3rd pair of speakers in the cockpit. This would make for 3 pairs and 1 sub. The speakers are Polk DB6501's rated at 100 watts RMS at 4 ohms (although I think my original 2 pairs are working at 2 ohms as they appear to be wired in parallel). Do you have any suggestions on how to add the 3rd pair and set up an amp or amps to make this sound and work right. The impedance and wattage and numbers of amp(s) thing is really my only variable that I am trying to figure out and subsequently buy.

I thought of using the existing amp or amps for the cabin speakers. Should I use an Audio Control Overdrive ahead of all of this as well?

I don't want to shake the whole marina, I just want a decent setup and want to get it right as this is the first time that I have had the ability to start from the ground up.

Thanks for your help.
 
HIFI

I did in fact find a second amp for a total of 2, but I am thinking of removing them (or keeping them for the cabin speakers) and replacing with something a bit more current in technology while I have everything under construction.

#1. The Fusion unit only has 1 pair of RCA pre-outs. I called Fusion and they told me that I should get a splitter cable to split each RCA into the amp. This would convert the 1 pair into 2 pairs. They said I would lose the fader. That isn't a problem for me as the cockpit speakers are only about 4 feet apart. They said I would not lose any signal strength. Does this make sense?

I am thinking of actually adding a 3rd pair of speakers in the cockpit. This would make for 3 pairs and 1 sub. The speakers are Polk DB6501's rated at 100 watts RMS at 4 ohms (although I think my original 2 pairs are working at 2 ohms as they appear to be wired in parallel). Do you have any suggestions on how to add the 3rd pair and set up an amp or amps to make this sound and work right. The impedance and wattage and numbers of amp(s) thing is really my only variable that I am trying to figure out and subsequently buy.

I thought of using the existing amp or amps for the cabin speakers. Should I use an Audio Control Overdrive ahead of all of this as well?

I don't want to shake the whole marina, I just want a decent setup and want to get it right as this is the first time that I have had the ability to start from the ground up.

Thanks for your help.

OK . . . I am surprised the Fusion does not have a power fader control. I am REALLY OK with that if you plan to operate in one zone. I can also provide a solution if you want to build another zone but let's focus on your main listening area.

You stated you would be willing to make an amp(s) change. You also mentioned adding a third set of speakers. You also asked about the Audio Control Overdrive. Let's do all this!

The Fusion has a low 3 volt pre-amp output. These ratings can be misleading from one brand to another but, in print, Fusion was honestly low. Great opportunity for the Overdrive and what an excellent and inexpensive upgrade.

Six speakers and a sub means four channels to seven/eight channels of amplification. A new six channel amp is in order. I would get a six channel amp for your speakers and a two channel amp for sub. We will bridge the sub amp for your single subwoofer. Most of the great multi channel amps have some bridging and cross-over controls. The six channel amp will like your six 4 ohm speakers.

We will not use the Fusion Sub out. This will be a simple two channel system with tons of control for speaker and sub balancing. Fusion audio out to Overdrive. Overdrive audio out to amp(s). Connect speakers correctly, make some critical adjustments for cross-overs and gain controls and enjoy.

There is one area I will struggle with on recommendation . . . how much power will be needed for your listening needs. If you purchase too much power you can turn it down. If you purchase too little power you will have to upgrade. Let me know what you are thinking of for amp(s) purchase and I will opinionate for you.

Random thoughts . . . Are the six speakers you are using the same brand/series? You may not care but I do. Are you designing the system with forward staging in mind? Not for everyone but I like all the attributes.
 
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