Stereo Questions

DuckDogTitus · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 6:27 pm Post subject: Stereo Questions

I feel like maybe i'm beating a dead horse on this but I have some questions.

Are there any electrical concerns with a cd/mp3 player drawing too much juice?

What things should I consider in regards to speaker placement?

I'm not an audiophile, so I don't need the best sound, but I'd like something that I can enjoy over the drone of the motor. I'm thinking about just spending the money to have a good bluetooth enabled stereo headset installed. I am trying to eliminate CD's from my house since everthing is going digital.

last question... how bad is the electrical draw on a basic headset? Will I kill my batteries listening to music for a while at anchorage or while drifting/trolling on the kicker?

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 6:42 pm Post subject:

Dustin, why not a good Bluetooth speaker/docking station. I don't think I'd feel safe with a headset. We have an old wired Bose that we use with the iPad and iPod, works fine.

ssobol · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:02 pm Post subject:

I would like to find an mobile audio receiver/player that broadcasts the audio on bluetooth. All the ones I have found only receive audio from some modile device (iPod, MP3 player, etc.).

With one the broadcasts I could get a bluetooth speaker (e.g. JamBox) and move it around the boat depending on where I want to listen (berth, cockpit, cabin, etc.).

rogerbum · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:19 pm Post subject:

rogerbum · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:27 pm Post subject: Re: Stereo Questions

B~C · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:31 pm Post subject:

AM, FM, Bluetooth, MP3, CD...all of this stereotyping is just wrong. Smile

chucko · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:01 pm Post subject:

I use A Bose Bluetooth speaker, it has a 6 hr batt life and will be moved around the boat where I need it. The iPhone can store a huge music collection,and there are apps for radio stations anywhere you can imagine
Sound quality will rock a small boat,and the best part is no holes.

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:18 pm Post subject:

Dreamer · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:54 pm Post subject:

Well, all the audiophiles have checked in and that's way over my head. However, rule #1 when installing a stereo in a boat, Keep the speakers away from the compass ! Like 3 feet if you can. BTDT.

localboy · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:02 pm Post subject:

Compass and GPS. Our Garmin unit specifically stated so in the install instructions.

I used a simple CD unit that is compatible w/ an I-Pod. Two round speakers from West Marine. Done. We hardly even use it.

Moxieabs · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:19 pm Post subject:

Remember, the memory/clock function of the stereo draws current even with the unit turned"off". So, be sure it is not hot wired to the battery, but rather through the battery switch so when the battery(ies) are switched off there is no ghost current drain depleting the battery.

redbaronace · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:44 pm Post subject:

We used 2 small softball sized speakers by a company called Orb Audio. The amp is a separate unit the size of a small external harddrive. It is plugged into a phone using an aux out cable. Total system cost around $300.

The sound is better than most simply because the signal is not bluetooth and there is a dedicated class b amp. Up till now, we have primarily listened to music when connected to shore power. This is mainly due the to the fact that I do not know how much power the system draws.

This to me was a better solution than a crappy sounding system. Guess I got spoiled at home and in the car to the point where I wanted nice music on the boat as well.

ssobol · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 11:23 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 11:52 pm Post subject:

We have a Dual stereo, AM/FM/CD, with an aux plug. We have a Sirius receiver on a bracket under the "electronics shelf, next to where the Dual stereo is located. The stereo uses 3 to 4 amps max. It is switched from the main console bus bar--thru a 5 amp fuse.

We have two about ~ 9" x 5" speakers mounted on the "A" pillar of each side of the front of the cabin of the C Dory. The stereo has output for "rear speakers, but we have never seen the need. We usually use the Sirius (which also goes home, and fits into its amplifier in the bedroom.)

We also have an i pod with several hundred hours of music on board, or use the Sirius plugged into a small Jawbone "Jambox", which is charged thru a USB port. (lots of sound from a small box). This can be taken up to the forward cabin for night music, or to the cockpit of sound there if we wish--or even ashore with the i pod.

None of this really gives audiophile sound--but the old ears don't hear as well as they once did, and any more expense would be a waste at this age...

Pat Anderson · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 12:38 am Post subject:

I just removed our wired speakers. I still need to remove the CD player/radio, but that is inevitable. We have a bluetooth Bose Soundlink Mini that blows the wired speakers away for sound quality. The bass is amazing. The tunes are all on my iPhone. The CD player plus speakers on the boat are just obsolete! The Bose can also be connected through a wired auxiliary connection, which I usually use with the computer. I always connect via bluetooth with the iPhone though, works great and sounds great!