Speakers under gunwell - 6 total for Fusion stereo

[grady33]

Just installed a Fusion RA-650 stereo on my Grady 330 Express. Replaced 2 cabin and 2 helm speakers with Fusion 200 watt speakers.

I plan to install speakers under gunwell so 3 zones and 6 speakers.

Question1 - What speakers work best - assume box ones.

Question 2 - Do I need amplifier and if so how many channels? We mostly offshore fish but I wanted Bluetooth and the 2006 Kenwood didn’t add up. I also wanted better sound.

Suggestions/comments?

 

[SCW]

I had a RA-670 installed on my Freedom 275 6 total speakers. I believe the head unit powered 1 or 2 channels and they added a Fusion MS-AM702 2 channel amp for the other 1 or 2 channels. I used fusion 6" round marine speakers (not box type). It sounds good, love the blue tooth, it also hooks via comm wire to my Garmin so I can control stereo from the helm with out adding a remote.

 

[Flot]

Are you sure you want to do under gunnel, as opposed to in the face of port/starboard side steps? I haven't gotten to this stage yet with my refit, but there appears to be plenty of room either where the courtesy lights are or on the first step below. I've definitely seen newer 330s set up this way.

 

[brdawg2001]

I want to do under gunnel as well...seems like the box choices are limited these days...

 

[grady33]

Are you sure you want to do under gunnel, as opposed to in the face of port/starboard side steps? I haven't gotten to this stage yet with my refit, but there appears to be plenty of room either where the courtesy lights are or on the first step below. I've definitely seen newer 330s set up this way.

I thought about that but I have wash down under the port steps and I really don’t want to cut into anything. Under gunnel seems best route.

 

[Family Tradition Fishing]

I installed JL 6.5" where the courtesy lights were and under the gunnel. Under the gunnel I used a piece of starboard cut to size a little larger than the speakers and attached blocks to keep them in place. 3rd season with no problems and they sound great.

 

[Summertop511]

I put poly planars under my 05 seafarer gunwales.

 

[grady33]

Those look great. Thought about creating my own boxes for 6 inch but this looks way better and easier! Thanks for sharing.

 

[fsc60]

I have a 01 330, I just installed a Fusion MSRA770 head unit, replaced the 4 speakers with Fusion 6.5 200 watt speakers. I added 2 in the cockpit, right above the steps on each side. My combing pad covered an access hole that I enlarged to accept the speakers, I had the cushions shortened. All 6 speakers have covers on the back side of them to push the sound forward. This is exactly where Grady put them on the new boats. I also installed a 10" sub starboard side just behind the helm seat. The rear 4 speakers and sub are powered by a Diamond Audio Micro 5 channel amp (1100 watts) and the 2 in the V birth are powered by the head unit. I have to say it sounds awesome.

 

[grady33]

I have a 01 330, I just installed a Fusion MSRA770 head unit, replaced the 4 speakers with Fusion 6.5 200 watt speakers. I added 2 in the cockpit, right above the steps on each side. My combing pad covered an access hole that I enlarged to accept the speakers, I had the cushions shortened. All 6 speakers have covers on the back side of them to push the sound forward. This is exactly where Grady put them on the new boats. I also installed a 10" sub starboard side just behind the helm seat. The rear 4 speakers and sub are powered by a Diamond Audio Micro 5 channel amp (1100 watts) and the 2 in the V birth are powered by the head unit. I have to say it sounds awesome.

Any chance you could share a photo of how you installed those rear speakers. Thanks!

 

[fsc60]

I will take some this weekend.

 

[fsc60]

Here’s a couple of pics of the cockpit speaker and the sub woofer, the cushion use to make the turn and cover an access hole where the speaker is. Had my upholstery guy cut them short.

 

[grady33]

Here’s a couple of pics of the cockpit speaker and the sub woofer, the cushion use to make the turn and cover an access hole where the speaker is. Had my upholstery guy cut them short.

Thanks. How did you handle the pad that was there? Looks like you modified it somehow. Nice look! Thanks!

 

[fsc60]

I had the pad cut right where it made the angled turn. It was done by an upholstery shop

 

[PNW_Drifter]

If you want good sound you need an amp. Even if you don't turn up loud. 4 channel amp will give you lots of options. Run 4 speakers off amp then 2 off your deck etc. Or if you want a sub you could get more channels. Also I notice speakers really don't sound good until they get to 6.5". I went from 5.25" west marine box speakers to Skar audio 6.5" box speakers, same amp. MUCHO difference. I don't see them on Amazon anymore.

Very cool idea above to mount under gunnels. I wonder how they sound.