2017 LSV 23 - Wetsounds Stereo

[hethj7]

17 minutes ago, teamerickson said:

Malibu, I know you're listening! Please ad a separate sub volume function to the screens. Just like tower, interiors and main. PLEASE! And make this available with a software update!

If they are listening, please give me a proper sub enclosure under warranty on my 2016    Oh, and zone control, properly tuned amps, multiple bluetooth profiles, bluetooth control to change tracks from the transom remote, etc.     

No offense to Wetsounds or Malibu, but I'd still go aftermarket with no hesitation if I was buying new right now.  The stereo on my 2016 is probably my single biggest point of disappointment on it.   The integration with the 7" screen isn't worth all the other potential issues.  One year of vast improvement still wouldn't be enough for me with the sticker prices these boats have.  Let's face it -these are luxury toys with 6 figure prices.  Compromising on something "simple" like a stereo really shouldn't even be a discussion.   

[DarkSide]

1 hour ago, hethj7 said:

If they are listening, please give me a proper sub enclosure under warranty on my 2016    Oh, and zone control, properly tuned amps, multiple bluetooth profiles, bluetooth control to change tracks from the transom remote, etc.     

No offense to Wetsounds or Malibu, but I'd still go aftermarket with no hesitation if I was buying new right now.  The stereo on my 2016 is probably my single biggest point of disappointment on it.   The integration with the 7" screen isn't worth all the other potential issues.  One year of vast improvement still wouldn't be enough for me with the sticker prices these boats have.  Let's face it -these are luxury toys with 6 figure prices.  Compromising on something "simple" like a stereo really shouldn't even be a discussion.   

It is a fairly simple fix.  To get RF sounding DECENT, not awesome! 

Step 1. Buy and install qbomb box referenced in this thread

Step 2.  Buy EQ/Zone Control WS420/exile ZLD/audio control EQS 

Step 3. Buy RF  RFX3 BT module or equivalent.  This allows fade function  from screen, without changing source

Step 4. TUNE SYSTEM.  voids warranty on amps, but way worth it.  Plus RF amps are cheap if one blows!

<$500 in parts and system will sound night and day different.  Your not going to be rivaling full custom,  but will definitely be a huge improvement.   

ZLD and 420 will have superior BT, but device will be mounted under helm, that will become new stereo controls.  EQS mounts by the amps and uses all factory controls.

 

Edited September 7, 2016 by DarkSide

[hethj7]

1 hour ago, DarkSide said:

It is a fairly simple fix.  To get RF sounding DECENT, not awesome! 

Step 1. Buy and install qbomb box referenced in this thread

Step 2.  Buy EQ/Zone Control WS420/exile ZLD/audio control EQS 

Step 3. Buy RF  RFX3 BT module or equivalent.  This allows fade function  from screen, without changing source

Step 4. TUNE SYSTEM.  voids warranty on amps, but way worth it.  Plus RF amps are cheap if one blows!

<$500 in parts and system will sound night and day different.  Your not going to be rivaling full custom,  but will definitely be a huge improvement.   

ZLD and 420 will have superior BT, but device will be mounted under helm, that will become new stereo controls.  EQS mounts by the amps and uses all factory controls.

 

Yea, most of that is on my winter project list (I need to research #3 more).  I'm just a little bitter that you have to do much of anything given the price - plus, in your scenarios above, you lose more function of the transom remote I think.   

[DarkSide]

No, not if you use EQS.  That is why I prefer that solution.  ALL factory controls work, system just sounds better!  It is also easiest to install, and has best EQ of all 3 listed options.

Yes I feel your pain 100k and stereo SUCKS! 

[hethj7]

Sorry, if we're derailing this thread a bit, but how is zone control accomplished with the EQS?

[ctvandy23]

I went with a sub delete and added EQS as well and system sounds great.  @DarkSide does that RF X3 work with the 7" display?

[DarkSide]

Plumb front channel to in boat, rear channel to tower or vice versa then use fader to blend tower and in boats,  fairly simple, and works great.

@ctvandy23 yes, it is a 2 minute install.   The black box next to the amps has a BT input connector.  Simply plug it in.

Edited September 7, 2016 by DarkSide

[ctvandy23]

Thanks.  That's how I have it set up now with the Viper BT.  Is there an advantage with the RF BT over then Viper?  

[DarkSide]

3 minutes ago, ctvandy23 said:

Thanks.  That's how I have it set up now with the Viper BT.  Is there an advantage with the RF BT over then Viper?  

Yes, you have fade function within that mode.  With Viper you have to go to a different source to fade.  Not a big deal, but makes it simpler.

[hethj7]

7 minutes ago, DarkSide said:

Yes, you have fade function within that mode.  With Viper you have to go to a different source to fade.  Not a big deal, but makes it simpler.

Got a photo perhaps?  I can't picture this.  

[ctvandy23]

I ran a hard wired connection from black box to helm and have used that most of the time.  Admittedly the cable has gotten flakey a few times so I switched over to BT.  Sound seems a touch better and a bit louder with cable but display is better with BT.  I will have to give the RF a try next season.  

[DarkSide]

Press "select" 3x it opens the fader function.  Then use +/- to fade.  The "select" option is missing in viper mode.  It's there in every mode but Viper?????

Edited September 7, 2016 by DarkSide

[hethj7]

Well I'll be - I thought I even read the manual, but can say I don't think I've played around within those menus yet.   

[Stevo]

I see what Malibu is trying to do but they are forgetting the cardinal rule keep it simple stupid

[DarkSide]

^^^^YES

 

[Ronnie]

A few pics in a 22MXZ at Surf Expo. 7" screen shows Source options  Lower left button changes zone volume between sub, tower or cabins. Also a Sync all 

 

Tower/Gate lights

Sub Grille

Malibu branded Wetsound amps

[NAW]

I've owned about a dozen new boats since 2003, and have driven and ridden and listened to hundreds (maybe thousands?) in the last 15 years.....and after 6 hours on the water, I think this 2017 stereo is the best sounding factory stereo brought to market in the wakeboat industry.  The medallion integration is really good, but I think will be improved upon in the future.  

What I liked about the new Wetsounds stereo is the clarity of it.  There might be louder systems out there, but I don't know of any that sound as clean...even at max volume.  Kudos to Wetsounds and Malibu on this one.

 

[teamerickson]

I'll give a full review in 2 months.

[Josh4mc]

32 minutes ago, teamerickson said:

I'll give a full review in 2 months.

Let me know if you need an A-driver! 

[Ronnie]

One more from Surf Expo showing another volume screen. 

[ConnollyCrew]

On September 8, 2016 at 2:25 PM, Josh4mc said:

Let me know if you need an A-driver! 

I will take one for the team and volunteer for this gut wrenching task as well

On September 8, 2016 at 2:25 PM, Josh4mc said:

 

Edited September 10, 2016 by ConnollyCrew

[Cory]

I got a couple of thoughts.  

1) the integrated zone control is nice, but I would prefer three independent small volume knobs--one for each zone (tower, sub, interior).  I don't like the look of a large ZLD or ws420 hanging below the dash either.  Honestly, I haven't seen a three zone volume setup that I like better than what I did, which is easy with JL Audio amps.

 

Left knob is interior, middle is sub, and silver is tower.  The sport knob is master volume.

 

2) the shelves on the G3.5 also support forward and back facing tower lights.  Malibu would have to make new mount locations for those lights if they dropped the shelf brackets

 

Given the improvements of the new stereo and the increased complexity to mod the new stereo, if I were to purchase a new BU, I'd probably just purchase the full OEM system and call it good enough.  I'm certain I would miss my quick tower volume knob.  I'm constantly messing with master volume and tower volume on the water, particularly when a rider falls.

Edited September 10, 2016 by Cory

[ibelonginprison]

If any if you are at Surf Expo - go find the MasterPro Audio booth and give them a listen.

 

Worth the effort.

[ConnollyCrew]

On September 8, 2016 at 1:49 PM, teamerickson said:

I'll give a full review in 2 months.

 

8 hours ago, ibelonginprison said:

If any if you are at Surf Expo - go find the MasterPro Audio booth and give them a listen.

 

Worth the effort.

Yup Yup

its insane ......

Edited September 11, 2016 by ConnollyCrew

[tn_rider]

18 hours ago, ConnollyCrew said:

 

Yup Yup

its insane ......

What are they?