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Stereo system for a 250WK

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BryanR
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/13/2010 : 08:42:02

My wife got me an IPOD for Christmas and much to my amazement, I really enjoy it in the car. So I am now thinking that maybe I need a stereo system on the boat, although what I most enjoy about sailing is the escape from noise and telephones, etc. Any suggestions? I am not an audiophile in any way, so the simpler the better.

Bryan Robinson

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2010 : 09:50:29

I use a portable [url="http://www.ihomeaudio.com/iH13"]iHome protective Speaker Case[/url]. It's protected and sounds pretty good to me. I use rechargeable batteries in it but never had to recharge them last season. I too am not an audiophile and like the escape sailing provides but now I can escape with music that fits my mood.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2010 : 11:56:54

I've been thinking about this as well. Rita & I both got Iphones, and I've been thinking about some Bluetooth enabled marine speakers. I've done only a tiny bit of research on this so far, but the pickings seem to be pretty slim. Has anyone found Bluetooth speakers for their Ipod/phone that they use on their boat? We have a boom box we bought a couple of years ago, but it's very bulky and I'd like to have the room back.

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528
Navigator

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USA
181 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2010 : 13:45:20

This is my install, and already a dinosaur. I'm sure new units have ipod input on face of reciever. Speakers are mounted above floor on each side of cabin table. Sound projects out to cockpit and speakers stay protected, in spite of being marine-grade.

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17955

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2010 : 15:24:18

Bryan, I have an Ipod and have a gadget to hook up to radio thru a cigarette lighter plug but have to turn to a specific radio call number on my stereo.
That being said, its more stuff to do. Mostly I just bring a CD or listen to my type of music on the radio. The new in dash receivers now have a plug for your Ipod/IPhone. Since you do not have one, you may want to invest in one as they are very inexpensive. Check out this one at [url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/362842/377%20710%201824/1822/music%20receivers/Secondary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710%201824&Ne=1822&Ntt=music%20receivers&Ntk=Secondary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=music%20receivers&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=434&subdeptNum=10877&classNum=10877"]West Marine[/url]. Its on sale for under $100, includes speakers and remote and has the Ipod hook-up. it also has a USB charger for your cell phone!
Steve A

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2010 : 21:27:02

Cool, I like the West Marine setup, as for $100 it includes both a radio/CD with aux input and a pair of speakers with 200 Watts of audio power (that's LOUD!)

And from the pictures, it looks pretty nice too.

One question:
Some folks mount speakers in the cabin, others on the bulkheads in the cockpit. And still others mount them in both locations (4 speakers).

What's everyone's preference on this? In, out or both?

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2010 : 22:09:19

We use an iSongbook by Tivoli that is simple, sounds great and is portable.

[url="http://www.tivoliaudio.com/product.php?productid=200"]iSongbook[/url]

At $330 it is spendy but if you Google it you will see that it gets great reviews. I like it because we can take it places and it didn't require any installation.

We also got the carrying case.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 01/13/2010 22:12:06

superbob
Navigator

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USA
200 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2010 : 15:08:34

My configuration: two speakers in the cabin and one mounted under each catbird seat. Ipod use instead of playing a CD saves the battery.

Bob Watson
Sparkle Plenty 250/WK
Whiskeytown Lake CA

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2010 : 19:06:58

My wife just got me an iPod Nano, and I immediately filled it up with 8Gigs of music from my laptop. I guess whatever audio system I get, it better have an "audio input" for my XM and iPod!

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2010 : 07:58:22

Randy I too use the Songbook http://www.radiointel.com/review-tivolisongbook.htm But not the I model . This is a great radio for the boat. It fits in the coming box out of the way yet all of the controls are in easy reach. It has a digital tuner so whatever station is on wont drift, Ipod input for an Ipod or CD player and built in battery charger. I have rechargeable batteries in mine so at the end of the day I plug it in the cigarette outlet and its ready to go next outing. Once again this is a great radio for the boat if you are like me and really don't want to cut holes in the boat.

Edited by - on

BryanR
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2010 : 10:34:28

WOW! Thanks for the great ideas. I'll let you know what I decide. Four months tilsailing season on the Chesapeake for me.
Bryan
1999 250 WK #388
Jadzia

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2010 : 07:37:36

Scott and Randy
Since the iSongbook comes with an FM radio, how would you rate the sensitivity and selectivity of the radio?

I have had spotty experiences with FMs, even on expensive receivers - where if you've got a distant station with a weak signal, you may get lots of static and hash instead of music.

But worse, as I live between two major markets (NYC and Hartford/New Haven), I've got a lot of adjacent-channel stations. So a receiver with good selectivity is able to tune in one station, while completely rejecting the other.

(edit - Scott, then I read the RadioIntel article.....)

My Sony HD radio works very well in this regard, as does a GE radio I have in my kitchen.

On the other hand, a very expensive audio receiver for my home entertainment system came with an FM tuner that gets completely hammered by three powerful local stations. So no matter what channel I tune to, I get one of the three either playing in the foreground, or playing 'behind' the station I'm trying to pick up.

I'd hope a portable radio at $350 would provide a quality FM tuner.

Any anecdotes of exemplary FM performance?

Edited by - Voyager on 01/18/2010 08:09:36

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2010 : 08:10:20

Bob
What do you use to power the four speakers? A standard AM/FM/CD receiver with an aux input (stereo plug)?

What amount of wattage does your system provide? 4 x 25W (100W) or 4 x 50W (200W)?

It must be hard wired in - where did you mount the receiver?

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2010 : 09:40:16

Bruce, the FM reception is excellent. Here is a review from MacWorld:

[url="http://www.macworld.com/article/48115/2005/11/isongbookreviewfinal.html"]iSongbook[/url]

Our experience has been excellent with both radio and iPod use. We do not live in a major metro area so I can't speak to that issue.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2010 : 11:01:02

Bruce, I agree with Randy on the excellent reception. The Songbook has a digital tuner so it locks on to the station. I have never experienced any drift or bleed over from other stations. The sound is excellent for a portable but like I said I keep it in the coaming box that acts like a speaker box making it sound even better.Bring it in the cabin and it fits on the little shelf above the settees. The model I have is the radio alone without the second speaker like Randy's. They list it for $199 but with an Internet search I got it for $149. This was last year.

Edited by - islander on 01/18/2010 11:14:50

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2010 : 12:01:13

Speakers down below: So many folks immediately install speakers one on the left on one on the right, usually bulkhead mounts. Then they sit down and figure out that the speaker placement is rotten, because they're either right next to one or the other speaker. We installed our speakers on the starboard side forward and aft so that regardless of where we're sitting, starboard settee or trad table, the balance is just fine.

Sources: Why spend $$ at West Marine when you can get a much better assortment of equipment at Crutchfield. I'd never heard of them before starting to look for stereo gear. www.crutchfield.com

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2010 : 15:47:27

Stu
Your logic is brilliant. With my Dinette layout I shouldn't have the hotspots typical of a port & starboard bulkhead mount.

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