Getting Wet & Makin' Waves: Marine Audio Season Is Here

During the sunny season, I can't think of a better way to spend the days than on the open water, cruising around, kicking back some cold ones, listening to a awesome sound system. Marine installs were always one of my favorite jobs back in my retail days. If done correctly, it doesn't take much to make a good sounding system on a boat, but it's also a lot of fun to over the top! SoundDomain member laxplayer92 started a thread in the Marine Audio forum requesting people show off any cool boat install pics, so if you have any, or know of any, post 'em up! I added a few pics from my boys JML Audio of the 26' Stingray they did a while back with a totally insane multizone multimedia system that will blow you away. It's loaded with Zapco amps, Dynaudio speakers, an xBox, two of Clarion's audiophile DRz-9255s, and more.

Got anything to share or just want to check out some wet audio?

in the forums!

I Want That: Aquatic AV AQDVD3

This weeks installment of "I Want That" features the Aquatic AV AQDVD3, a marine audio source unit capable of CD, MP3, and DVD playback, and features compatibility for iPod, satellite radio, and an SD card slot for further expansion. The AQDVD3 also has multiple zone capability, which is pretty handy for  boats, and means you can play different sources to different areas of your boat (cabin, swim ladder, drivers seat). The AQDVD3 can also support up to three accessory wireless controllers, transmitting radio data out to three separate flush-mount controllers. The radio is also water-tight and Mr. Mobile proves it! Check out the video for a demo and an explanation of the radio's features in a pretty trick system in a custom 24' ski boat built by the guys at Al & Ed's (I'm a fan of the watertight 17" LCD!).

Oh yeah, and you can sign up to win one of these little guys too! Details in the video.

Orca Designs Gets Wet

I guess today is "Speaker Day" at SoundDomain since that's what all my news has surrounded so far. Orca Designs, importers and distributors for Focal and Raven speakers, had these marine speaker grilles on display at MERA Knowledgefest a few weeks back, and are designed for use with Focal component systems. A special water resistant polyester material known as "hydro-phobic polyester" is bonded to the backside of the grille and keeps water from passing through to the speaker. This is a very similar material to air intake manufacturer Injen's air filter HydroShield pre-filter that keeps water and debris from penetrating the air filter and entering the engine.

New Products From Scosche

Scosche, your friendly neighborhood installation solutions and audio accessory company, has a few more products to add to it's ever-expanding mix:

• The ACM3W, a new water-tight marine radio cover available in both black and white
• The LS2075B installation kit for 2001-up Lexus IS300s
• The HY1614B installation kit for the 2007 Hyundai Elantra.

We've got details and pics after the jump.

in the forums!

MB Quart's Unique Marine AV Switcher

We showed you Quart's new marine radio line a few weeks ago, and now they've released info on a new and really cool audio/video processing center (APC) for marine applications. Essentially, Quart is ahead of the game with this one, offering a single hideaway box that acts as a processing/switching center for a boat-load (pun intended, sorry) of different multimedia devices. The APC "Black Box" offers the ability to control MB Quart's marine component DVD player, marine component CD player, has an auxiliary input, USB input, is iPod ready, satellite radio ready, has a 50x4 built-in amplifier, and a front and sub RCA pre-out. It reminds me of Kenwood's ingenious KOS-V1000.

This system just makes sense for marine applications. You don't really need a CD player mounted up front if you have satellite radio and/or an iPod. The APC lets you or an installer choose the best location for the separate components, while still offering plenty of convenient control options. The simple round marine remote can be mounted at the swim ladder, the drivers seat, on a sun deck, or wherever works best. It offers an LCD display for track and program information, and can mount in some gauge openings, almost like it belonged there.
The larger Primary controller fits into a standard DIN radio opening found in most boats (and cars), but since it is a CD-transportless unit, you don't need to worry too much about moisture, heat, or vibrations.
My hat's off to MB Quart for delivering new innovative technology to the marine audio industry. Check out a bunch of pics, a pretty cool system diagram, and the press release after the jump.

in the forums!