Stereo Re-Do on 2010 350DA. Advice?

[WDCboater]

I'm researching replacement parts for my stock Sony stereo system on my 350. I've done a lot of research, including searching post on CSR, but I'm trying to get input from people who have done similar transformations on similar boats around the same age.

Since the layout of the systems and technology changes so frequently it has been difficult to get everything I need. I plan on spending some time this weekend on the boat actually tracing all of the wiring so I have a good idea of what I'm dealing with.

Here's what I'd like to know from the group:

1) Are the speakers wired in a line by SeaRay or do they run individual speaker wires from the amps to each speaker?
2) How easy it it to snake new speaker wires? (At this point I'm planning on leaving what's there in place)
3) I've read that SeaRay pre-wires a sub-woofer, even if there isn't one. Does anyone have experience with this on a 330/350/370 from 2005-2012? If yes, where would this drop be located?
4) I have noticed that the speakers in the cockpit have the tweeter mounts for the JL's even if you don't have them. Does anyone know if these exist in the cabin speakers?
5) How do you remove the covers to access the cabin speakers by the v-berth?

Here's what I'm planning on doing:

I have (8) speakers on the boat, (6) in the cockpit/transom an (2) in the cabin. I'm planning on replacing them with JL MX650's.

I'm looking at JL's M series amps. Possibly a (6) and (4) (so I can eventually add a subwoofer).

For the head unit, I may leave the Sony for now, but I'm likely going to replace it with the Fusion 700.
I want to be able to zone the speakers and this head unit does what I want. Plus, I've been playing with their iPad app and it's well done.

If I can, I want to leave all existing speaker wiring in place.

Comments, thoughts suggestions?
By the way, if you are curious why I'm replacing the current system so soon, the speakers are terrible and it looks like the transom speakers aren't coming off the amp so they are virtually useless.

Thanks!

 

[src]

One note about the fusion units - I just installed a 600 series, and am quite disappointed in the zone system. Fusion calls them "Multiple independent audio zones", but in reality they are simply volume control zones. There is no other independence whatsoever about the zones. Having a zoned whole house audio system at my home, I was expecting a very different experience.

For example, when I am at the helm and I turn on the Fusion using the cockpit remote, EVERYTHING turns on. All 3 zones power up and start playing back at their last volume settings. If we were listening to music last night in the cabin, but it's now morning and my wife is still asleep down there, I can't just turn on the tunes in the cockpit, she's going to get it too.

The second issue is that you can't listen to independent sources in different zones. Again, that's not what I expect from "Multiple independent audio zones".

So, buyer beware, all you get is zoned volume control. Otherwise it's the exact same as any other stereo system.

 

[Phlorida]

I have a JL M500 and really like the sound and it stays amazingly cool. I replaced the speakers with the JL 7.7" speakers combined with a JL 10" sub. The sub makes a lot of difference and I highly recommend them. I went with a Sony head and wired remote but if I was doing is again I would go with the Clarion.

 

[WDCboater]

One note about the fusion units - I just installed a 600 series, and am quite disappointed in the zone system. Fusion calls them "Multiple independent audio zones", but in reality they are simply volume control zones. There is no other independence whatsoever about the zones. Having a zoned whole house audio system at my home, I was expecting a very different experience.

For example, when I am at the helm and I turn on the Fusion using the cockpit remote, EVERYTHING turns on. All 3 zones power up and start playing back at their last volume settings. If we were listening to music last night in the cabin, but it's now morning and my wife is still asleep down there, I can't just turn on the tunes in the cockpit, she's going to get it too.

The second issue is that you can't listen to independent sources in different zones. Again, that's not what I expect from "Multiple independent audio zones".

So, buyer beware, all you get is zoned volume control. Otherwise it's the exact same as any other stereo system.

Fusion is very clear in their materials how the zones work on the 700. This is what I'm looking for. For example, if we're watching tv in the cabin I don't want the cockpit speakers to be on.

Dfferent sources in different zones would be nice, but that's now how this product was designed.

The head unit will also probably be an off season upgrade. Need to address the speakers first.