Amplifiers

Hurricane Sundeck Boat Gets JL Audio Marine Upgrades

July 13, 2021 By JOey Knapp

This local client was referred to us at Pinnacle Autosound for some marine audio upgrades to his Hurricane Sundeck boat. The boat had some previously installed equipment in it, but it was nowhere near the level of performance the client was looking for. After speaking with the client about his goals, we came up with a solution that would surely fit his needs.

JL Audio Source Unit

The black Starboard panel was crafted to fit the available space on the console.

We mounted the radio within easy reach of the captain.

To give the client the ability to not only use his phone to play music, but also listen to FM radio, we installed a JL Audio MM-50 radio. The JL Audio Media Master radio was to be installed to the right of the steering wheel. Because the previous radio had a different shape than the new JL Audio radio, we needed to make an adapter plate. This is a task we are always up to. We stock sheets of starboard in black and white, as well as acrylic in black, white, and clear and in various thicknesses. These plastics coupled with our large supply of stainless steel hardware give us the materials needed to install marine products properly. For this boat, some black Starboard and a handful of stainless screws gave us a clean way to mount not only the new radio but also the subwoofer control knob.

JL Audio Marine Amplifiers

Once the radio was installed it was time to move on to the amplifier installation. To power all the speakers in the boat we chose the JL Audio M600/6 amplifier. This 6 channel amplifier provides each speaker with 75 watts of clean power. We chose the M series amplifiers for this project to compliment the premium M6 speakers we would be using. To power the subwoofers, we used the MX500/1. The MX series amplifiers pack quite a bit of power into a very small footprint. Their high efficiency make them great for use on boats.

Premium M6 Speakers and Subwoofers

Midway through the boat we used another set of speakers.

Thanks to the 6 pairs of speakers, there wasn’t a bad seat in the boat!

A pair of M6 speakers were used in the bow of the boat.

The two 10″ subwoofers were mounted under the stern seat.

When it came time for speakers, the premium JL Audio M6 speakers were the choice for this Sundeck. The M6 speakers provide plenty of loud and clear sound, without a hint of distortion. To maximize the efficiency of the speaker system we chose the 7.7″ speakers. These speakers provide additional output over the traditional 6.5″ speaker size. The speakers were mounted in the front, sides, and back of the boat, for great audio coverage anywhere someone might choose to sit. To reinforce the low end, we again called on the M6 line from JL Audio. This time it was 2 10″ subwoofers. The subwoofers were mounted facing each other in the rear cubby area. These subwoofers, powered by the MX500/1 amplifier produce some great sounding bass.

Marine Audio Upgrades Are Successful!

With the installation finished it was time to clean up the boat. We always make sure the boats (and cars!) we return back to clients are in cleaner condition than they came to us in. When the client picked up the boat he loved the loud, effortless sound the M6 speakers produced. He had his own personal floating concert venue! We have worked on hundreds of boats and know what it takes to make them sound great. If you are looking for any audio upgrades for your boat, give us a call or contact us through our contact form.

Premium Stereo Upgrade for Lake City Ford F-250 Pickup Truck

June 11, 2021 By JOey Knapp

A previous client from here in Lake City brought his 2015 Ford F-250 pickup truck to Pinnacle Autosound for a stereo system upgrade. We’d worked on the client’s boat in the past, and he was very happy with the enhancements we installed. He wanted the stereo in the Ford to play louder, sound clearer and, of course, deliver much better bass response. After inspecting the vehicle and talking to the client about his listening preferences, our team put together a premium audio upgrade that would deliver on all his expectations.

Ford F-250 Pickup Truck Stereo Upgrade

We used our laser to cut the ABS adapters for the Morel tweeters to mount in the factory location.

The rear doors got upgraded with the Morel coaxials.

The speaker adapter plates were reinforced with sound deadener.

The Morel Virtus speakers were a huge upgrade over the stock speakers.

The front doors were retained their great stock look, but sound much better.

We started the project by removing the stock speakers to make way for new drivers from Morel. Our team used a set of ABS plastic adapters to mount the 6.5-inch woofers from a Virtus 602 component set in the OE speaker location in the front doors. The adapters are lined with sound deadening to make them more rigid. We mounted the tweeters from the Virtus 602 set in the stock locations at the top of the sail panels, and we made ABS brackets to hold the tweeters in place behind the grilles.

For rear speakers, we used a set of Morel Tempo Ultra Integra 602 two-way coaxial speakers in the doors. While the door trim panels were off, we treated the inner and outer door skins with sound deadening to make the interior of the vehicle quieter.

JL Audio Subwoofers Add Impact and Warmth

Our Thunder Laser was used to create the acrylic trim plate.

LED lighting and chrome trim was used to accent the bottom of the enclosure.

Different layers of trim were used to accent the front of the enclosure

We were able to squeeze all of the electronics on the back wall.

The next step in upgrading the stereo in this pickup truck was to construct a custom enclosure for a pair of 13.5-inch JL Audio 13TW5 subwoofers. The enclosure fits under the rear seats with the subs pointed down at the floor. We added a custom trim piece to the face of the enclosure with a panel that bears Ford’s Platinum logo. We used our CNC laser to etch the logo into a sheet of cast acrylic. The trim is wrapped in gray vinyl, and the rest of the enclosure is finished in a gray carpet that matches the interior of the vehicle. Blue LED lighting under the enclosure and behind the accent piece gives the whole thing some extra style.

The subwoofers are powered by a JL Audio RD1000/1 monoblock amplifier that’s mounted to the back wall of the truck. A four-channel Morel MPS 4.400 amplifier that’s mounted beside the sub amp provides power for the front and rear speakers. The amplifiers, passive crossovers for the front speakers and the system’s signal processor are affixed to a carpeted panel to keep things tidy.

We used a PAC AmpPRO interface to connect the new audio equipment to the factory radio. This interface extracts the audio signal that’s normally fed to the factory-installed amplifier and provides a full-bandwidth, processing-free signal that we used to upgrade the sound system in this truck. The preamp outputs of the PAC interface are connected to a JL Audio TwK-88 digital signal processor.

Signal Processing Improves Car Audio System Accuracy

The TwK-88 processor handles frequency filtering for the sub and speakers in the truck. We also used it to equalize the output of each speaker to deliver a smooth and natural response that’s free from peaks and valleys. Finally, we set the signal delays and output level adjustments so that the system would create a very realistic soundstage that spans the width of the dash.

We upgraded the TwK-88 with a JL DRC-205 remote level control, which we mounted on the dash to the left of the steering column. We created a trim ring for the remote with our computer-controlled laser to identify the functions of the adjustments.

North Florida’s Best Car Audio Upgrades

With the audio system installation complete and the processor and level controls on the amplifiers dialed-in, it was time for the client to return to pick up his F-250. He was thrilled with the sound of the upgraded stereo in his truck and loved that everything was integrated so nicely.

If you are interested in upgrading the audio system in your vehicle, drop by Pinnacle Autosound in Lake City and speak with one of our Product Specialists. If you can’t come by the store, give us a call or send us an email using our online contact form.

Lake City Pontoon Boat Receives Upgraded Stereo System

March 12, 2021 By JOey Knapp Leave a Comment

The owner of this pontoon boat was referred to Pinnacle Autosound in Lake City by our neighbors at Sound Line Design. The client let us know that the Infinity radio was broken and the speakers didn’t sound very good. He wanted a sound system that would be loud enough to be heard when out on the water or partying with friends. After inspecting the boat to determine the available space for upgrades, we put together an audio system design that would meet his expectations.

Pontoon Boat Stereo Upgrade

JL Audio’s M600/6 amplifier is one of our favorite marine amplifiers.

Our laser cut adapter plate was used to retro fit the JL radio in the old radio location.

We started the project by removing the Infinity radio. Our fabrication team created a mounting trim piece for a JL Audio MediaMaster MM100s-BE that would cover the large opening left by the previous radio. We mounted the controller for the Power Pole anchoring system on the left side of this acrylic panel.

The output of the JL MediaMaster feeds a six-channel JL Audio M600/6 amplifier. This amp can produce up to 75 watts per channel for the new speakers and 200 watts for the subwoofer. We mounted the amp on a sheet of white HDPE (starboard) using stainless-steel fasteners. We always use corrosion-resistant hardware when upgrading boats.

Marine Speakers Bring the Party To Life

The six pairs of speakers ensured great sound throughout the boat.

The two bow speakers were replaced with new JL Audio speakers.

The titanium silver JL speakers were chosen to blend in with the boat upholstery.

A JL Audio 10″ subwoofer was added to enhance the low end sound reproduction.

This pontoon’s upgrade includes three pair of JL Audio M3-650X-S-Gm 6.5-inch coaxial speakers mounted around the boat. We also added a single JL M3-10IB-S-Gm-4 10-inch infinite-baffle subwoofer just beside the helm to ensure that the system would reproduce the lowest notes of the client’s music.

The client was thrilled with the way the stereo system upgrade on his pontoon boat turned out. It sounds clean and clear at high volume levels, and the sub gives it a nice warm sound.

If the stereo on your boat doesn’t sound amazing, drop by Pinnacle Autosound in Lake City and speak with a member of our team. We’d be happy to design and install a custom audio system that will make your time on the water even more enjoyable. For more information or to schedule a personal consultation, give us a call or send us an email using our online contact form.

Stereo and Lighting Upgrade for Lake City Alumacraft Boat

March 10, 2021 By JOey Knapp Leave a Comment

The owner of Sound Line Design, the home theatre company that we share our building with, recently asked the Pinnacle Autosound team to upgrade the stereo and lighting on his 2019 Alumacraft boat. He wanted to listen to music and needed a nice, bright light for docking and navigating once it was dark. We inspected the vessel and came up with a plan that would deliver the features he wanted.

Alumacraft Marine Stereo Upgrade

The client was blown away by the output of the JL Audio M6-880 speakers.

Once the plate was cut out on our laser, we used it as a template for cutting out the switch holes.

The new acrylic trim plate helps integrate all the new pieces into the dash.

The audio system we designed for the boat is simple but uses high-quality components to ensure that it will sound great. We started with a JL Audio MediaMaster MM100s-BE digital media receiver as the source. Our team cut a custom trim panel for the radio out of HDPE plastic using our CNC laser. We added openings for a few switches and the remote control for the Power Pole shallow water anchoring system. We included the Alumacraft logo in the panel for a little extra flair.

The output of the MediaMaster feeds for a four-channel JL Audio MX280/4 amplifier. This amplifier is rated to produce 50 watts of power per channel. We wired the amp in what’s known as a bridged configuration to power a single pair of speakers. Wired this way, the amp will provide as much as 140 watts to each driver.

We mounted a set of JL Audio M6-880X-S-GmTi 8.8-inch coaxial speakers on either side of the center console helm. These speakers are a two-way design with a large 1.25-inch tweeter. They not only sound great, but their large size allows them to produce impressive amounts of bass.

Marine Lighting Solution

With the stereo system buttoned-up, we turned our focus to adding the lighting our neighbor wanted. We suggested one of the Radiance-Series LED light bars from Rigid Industries. This 20-inch bar produces more than 7,100 lumens of output to ensure safe navigation as the sun sets. We mounted the light on top of the tubular aluminum frame around the windshield. To keep things neat and tidy, all the wiring is run through the frame. The left-most switch beside the radio controls the light bar.

We also added a pair of drink holder pockets to the top of the console so he could keep beverages safe and secure while on the water.

Lake City’s Best Marine Stereo Systems

With the stereo system dialed-in and the light bar aimed properly, we let our neighbor know his Alumacraft was ready to go! He loved the way the stereo sounded and was amazed by the cool trim around the radio. The light bar was exactly what he wanted. If you are interested in upgrading the stereo or lighting on your boat, drop by Pinnacle Autosound in Lake City or send our team an email using our online contact form.

Premium Stereo Upgrade for Steinhatchee Invincible Fishing Boat

March 5, 2021 By JOey Knapp Leave a Comment

A client from down in Steinhatchee recently brought his Invincible Fishing Boat to Pinnacle Autosound for a sound system upgrade. The client had done business with Sound Line Design – the home theatre company in the same building as us. When he mentioned that he wanted to upgrade the stereo on his bout, they sent him our way. The boat came with a pair of JL Audio amplifiers, two subwoofers, and six matching speakers. While this might be enough for most people, this client wanted much more. After reviewing how the system was configured, we put together a package that would play louder and sound even better.

JL Audio Marine Speaker Upgrade

Midway through the boat another pair of speakers were added for uniform sound.

The very front of the bow was upgraded with a pair of JL Audio coaxial speakers.

The sides of the console were home to the pair of JL Audio subwoofers.

A pair of M6-880’s were added to the stern of the boat.

The speaker lighting provides ambient light throughout the boat when the sun goes down.

Thankfully, our install bay is 50 feet long. Once we had this Invincible and its trailer inside, there were only a few feet left to walk around it!

In terms of the audio system upgrade, the first order of business was to install three sets of JL Audio M6-880X-C-GwGw-I 8.8-inch coaxial speakers. Aside from being part of the top-of-the-line M6 Series, these speakers also include JL’s Transflective LED lighting system. The lights are mounted below the translucent woofer cone to keep them away from water but illuminate the speaker beautifully.

Our team ran new wiring to each speaker location in the bow and stern of the boat, along with the pair mounted on either side of the center console to power the RGB lighting.

The next step was to upgrade the subwoofers with a pair of M6-10IB-C-GwGw-i-4 10-inch drivers. Also part of the M6 family, these subs have the same gloss white classic grille and Transflective illumination as the speakers. The subs are mounted in recessed baffles on either side of the helm.

We always use stainless steel fasteners when upgrading the accessories on boats, ATVs and side-by-sides to ensure there is no chance of anything corroding when exposed to water.

Invincible Boat Marine Amplifiers

The boat came with a JL Audio M600/1 subwoofer amp and an M600/6 to power the original speakers. We added a second M600/6 amplifier and rewired all six speakers in what’s called a bridged configuration. This ups their power delivery from 75 watts to an impressive 200 watts. Given the upgrade to M6 drivers, the system can play a LOT louder without distorting.

Marine Radio and Lighting Integration

Our modifications on the dash look like a factory upgrade.

Our laser cut plate expertly integrated the radio and lighting controller into the boat.

The boat came with a SiriusXM receiver integrated into the Garmin multifunction display in the helm. We added a JL Audio MediaMaster MM100s-BE digital media receiver to the boat to provide Bluetooth audio streaming capabilities. We connected the JL radio to the Garmin screen using the NMEA-2000 built-in interface.

The radio is mounted in the helm on a laser-cut and engraved panel that we fabricated with our Thunder Laser Nova 63. We mounted the knob for the JL Audio MLC-RW LED controller to the left of the radio and added the Invincible Boat logo just above it. The controller will let the client change the color of the LED lights in the speakers and subwoofers, adjust their intensity or configure them to cycle through a rainbow of colors. He can also connect to the lighting control module using an app on his smartphone and the built-in Wi-Fi receiver.

Columbia County’s Best Marine Audio Upgrades

After about two days of work, we had the upgraded audio system in this Invincible boat installed. The amplifiers’ settings were configured so the system would sound crystal clear, even with the volume cranked. The client was thrilled with the upgrade and loves how loudly the system plays. If you are shopping for an audio system upgrade for your boat, drop by Pinnacle Autosound in Lake City and speak with one of our Product Specialists. You can also reach us by phone or e-mail using our online contact form.

2019 Camaro Bass Package for Lake Butler Client

January 10, 2020 By JOey Knapp Leave a Comment

A client from Lake Butler stopped by Pinnacle Autosound to inquire about adding some bass to his granddaughter’s new Camaro. The grandfather said his granddaughter was happy enough with her Bose system, but the system was lacking in bass output. We had an appointment cancel just before he stopped by, so we were able to work him in that afternoon.

Interfacing the Factory Radio

The factory radio was retained in this Camaro.

The JL Audio interface was designed to for high power factory systems.

This Camaro came with a wimpy factory subwoofer. To interface with the new JBL bass package, we enlisted the help of a JL Audio LOC 22. The LOC 22 is designed to take the high power output of a factory amplifier and created a signal that the JBL system can use. It is important to have a good understanding of the systems being interfaced with, using a wrong adapter could result in premature failure.

All-in-one JBL Bass Package

The JBL package features a heavy grille to protect the subwoofer.

The client still had plenty of trunk space left.

The remote level control provides easy access to control the bass output.

To provide the client’s granddaughter with more bass output we chose the JBL BassPro system. This system features a sturdily built enclosure that houses a ported 12″ subwoofer and a optimally matched onboard amplifier. The subwoofer is protected by two heavy steel bars. The compact package yields quite a bit of space with a small footprint. To provide the driver with the ability to blend in just the right amount of bass, we added a remote subwoofer level control knob just belofw the dashboard.

Camaro Bass Upgrade Success

After just under two hours of work we had the Camaro bass system installed and tuned. The JBL bass package provided more than enough bass to add some much needed excitement to the factory Bose system. The grandfather was happy with the work we did and knew his granddaughter would enjoy driving her car even more now! Give us a call or contact us today if you are interested in learning more about bass upgrades for your vehicle.

Polaris General 1000 Gets Full JL Audio Sound System

August 17, 2019 By JOey Knapp Leave a Comment

A long-time friend of the Pinnacle Autosound owner recently came by to see about upgrading the audio system in his Polaris General 1000. After talking a bit with the staff at Pinnacle Autosound they determined what he needed were some serious upgrades. Not only did the General need to have plenty of volume, it also needed to be able to stand up to extreme abuse. The Pinnacle Autosound team was up to the task and the client scheduled a time to drop off the General.

JL Audio Media Master

Polaris Audio — The custom radio mounting plate lets everyone know where this awesome audio system was built.

Our go-to powersports audio source for side-by-sides and golf carts is the JL Audio MBT-CRXv2. The unit is a small, round controller that features Bluetooth connectivity and front mounted buttons for source control. The client wanted something with a few more bells and whistles for his General, though. The radio for him was the JL Audio MediaMaster MM100s-BE. This radio features multiple zone control, a color screen and numerous tone adjustments for each zone. All of the gear we would be installing could be controlled easily from the driver’s seat thanks to the new radio.
To integrate the radio in the dash of the General, we had to fabricate a mounting plate. We chose to make the plate out of black HDPE plastic, because of its good looks and durable construction. The plate was machined on our Shapeoko CNC machine. In the blank space below the radio we used the CNC to pocket a space for a badge insert. We again called on our CNC to machine a red and white insert for the dash insert piece. This helps give the build a truly custom look.

Powersports Amplifers

The amplifier mounting plate was precisely machined and all the edges were chamfered for a finished look.

HDPE was also used to fabricate the mounting plate for the two fuse holders.

It was a tight fit, but we were able to neatly fit all the gear under the hood.

To make sure this General sounded loud and clear at any speed, or any level above or below water, we needed lots of power. Our most rugged amplifiers are the JL Audio MX series powersports amplifiers. For this build we used a 4 channel 500/4 MX amplifier to power the speakers and two 500/1 MX amplifiers to power the two subwoofers. The mounting location we discussed with the client was under the front hood, where they would at least get a little bit of protection.
To mount the amplifiers we once again called on the use of HDPE plastic. We hand machined a piece of HDPE that would fit under the hood and give the proper clearances for factory items also located there. The plate would hold the three amplifiers as well as the power distribution block. As you can see from the photos, it was a tight fit to get all three amplifiers under there. We secured the mounting plate and amplifiers with stainless steel hardware for long service life. All of the wiring was neatly routed and secured in a way that would allow for easy servicing, if needed, later in time.

Speaker System for Polaris Audio

Reinforcement rings were added behind the rear speakers.

Quick connect fasteners were used for all the speaker and subwoofer wiring, for easy servicing.

Our speaker upgrade fit perfectly in the unused space under the console.

Two speakers were mounted on each side of the center console.

One of the things that we were excited about in this project was getting to use the brand new JL Audio M6 series marine speakers. This was our first vehicle to feature them, and they did not disappoint! To maximize the audio output in the front of the Polaris General we installed two pair of the M6 6.5″ coaxials in the front console area. The space we chose was normally just an open cavity. To mount the speakers we machined two 1/2″ HDPE plates, one for each side. The plates were able to be bolted to the factory trim pieces using stainless steel hardware. We wired up the speakers using special all-weather, high-current connectors. The connectors would make it easy for the client to disassemble the system if he ever needed to go back and service any of the General.
An additional pair of M6 speakers were added to the rear of the General to help round out the sound for the rear passengers. These speakers were surface mounted to an existing flat part of the factory console panels. To help reinforce the mounting we cut out two 1/2″ HDPE reinforcement rings that mounted behind the speakers. This allowed the speakers to securely mount, and helped reduced unwanted flexing of the panel.

Subwoofers Bring Some Serious Bass

Rivet nuts were installed to the General frame for mounting the subwoofer mounting frames.

Two metal racks were fabricated for mounting the pair of subwoofer enclosures.

Additional tabs were welded onto the mounts to secure the subwoofer enclosures.

The urethane spray looks great and will protect the enclosures from damage.

The subwoofer enclosures were positioned to fire directly into the openings under each front seat.

The final component of the Polaris audio upgrade was the subwoofer system. The client has the JL Audio Polaris Stealthbox in another one of his side-by-sides. For the General he wanted more output. After looking at the available spaces on the General, we determined that directly under the passenger and driver’s seats would be the idea spots for a pair of JL Audio Tw3 10″ subwoofers. Knowing the abuse and water that this Polaris would see, we knew the enclosures and mounting had to be very robust.
The enclosures were cut out of 3/4″ marine grade plywood, and then assembled using waterproof glue. We then rounded the edges of the enclosures and coated each enclosure with a saturated layer of 1.5oz fiberglass mat. When the fiberglass had cured, our next step was to spray each enclosure with a thick layer of SEM Rock-It Bedliner. The Rock-It spray is a two-part urethane textured coating that dries to form a very durable and great-looking surface.
Securing the enclosures to the underside of the General took quite a bit of time. Our fabricators had to switch hats once again, this time to metal working. One inch square tubing and One inch angle iron were used to fabricate the mounts for the subwoofer enclosures. The mounts were bolted to the frame work of the General with stainless hardware that threads into rivet nuts that we installed. The result were enclosures that were incredibly sturdy and we are sure the General is now even stronger thanks to the added support.

Great Audio Inside AND Outside this Polaris General

One of the things we were concerned with in this project was how low the speakers had to be mounted. Typically in a side-by-side we are mounting the speaker up higher, and many times to the roll cage. We knew the audio on the inside of the Polaris would sound great, but we weren’t sure how it would sound outside. When we finally tuned the system and cranked it up for the first time all our concerns were gone. The music was able to be heard loud and clear not only inside but also far away from the Polaris General. We were excited and knew the client would love his Polaris General audio upgrades!
Here at Pinnacle Autosound in Lake City, Florida, we love working on powersports vehicles. We stock plenty of stainless steel fasteners and plastics, that will hold up in any environment to ensure our installs last the life of our client’s vehicles. If you would like to find out about upgrading your side-by-side, golf cart or motorcycle audio, lighting or accessories give us a call or contact us here.

NauticStar 244XTS Center Console Marine Audio System

March 9, 2019 By JOey Knapp Leave a Comment

The staff at Pinnacle Autosound was recently contacted about upgrading the audio system in a NauticStar center console boat. With the help of a friend, the new boat owner’s wife was planning the surprise upgrade. After reviewing the options for the system the client booked a time for us to work on the boat.

Speaker Upgrades

The factory-installed Infinity radio was retained as the source unit.

JL Audio coaxial speakers were a great upgrade for this boat.

Sport grille speakers were used throughout the boat.

The JL Audio speakers also featured blue LED lighting.

A pair of JL Audio speakers were added to the console roof.

The boat came equipped with a pair of speakers and an Infinity marine radio. We determined the radio would be fine for the source unit but knew the speakers would need an upgrade. As with most of our marine installations, we turned to JL Audio for the speakers. The existing speakers were upgraded with MX series coaxial speakers.
The over head console roof had two molded spots for speakers, but none were installed by the factory. We added an additional set of speakers to this location. The wiring was routed with the help of the factory installed chase cords. We made sure to return the cords to their proper locations in case any future wires need to be ran.

Subwoofer Addition

We are often asked about why subwoofers are important on boats. Subwoofers not only help to add excitement to the music, they also help reduce the strain on the speakers to reproduce the lower octaves. This results in a system that will play louder and cleaner. Both great things! For this system we added 2 JL Audio M series 8″ subwoofers. The subwoofers were installed just forward of the console on each side of the hull.

Center Console Audio Amplification

The amplifiers were mounted inside the electronics area of the console.

The factory cover was still able to snap in place.

The factory Infinity radio originally powered the boat speakers. This would not be enough power for our new upgrades, though. To bump up the power for the new speakers and subwoofers we added 2 JL Audio MX series amplifiers. These amplifiers are made to survive the abuse of a marine environment. A four channel model powers the speakers, while a mono model powers the subwoofers. The amplifiers were mounted on a panel that our technicians fabricated from HDPE plastic. HDPE is the plastic used by boat manufacturers for many of the covers and doors.

Great-sounding Marine Audio

Once the system was installed our technicians took their time to properly setup the amplifiers. The sensitivity controls were set to match the output of the radio and the crossover settings were adjusted for maximum performance. The result was an incredible sounding audio system that will please even the most discerning boater. If you are interested in learning more about the audio upgrades available for your boat, give us here at Pinnacle Autosound a call or contact us online.

Flats Boat Audio System for Local Marine Repair Business Owner

February 15, 2019 By JOey Knapp Leave a Comment

The owner of a Lake City marine repair business recently stopped by to talk about upgrading the audio system in his flats boat. He currently had a radio and speakers in the boat, but their performance was anemic. We talked about possible speaker upgrades, a new radio and adding and amplifier. We always like to mention the benefits of adding a subwoofer too, which the client seemed open to. Happy with the discussion, the client setup a time to drop his boat off.

Radio Replacement

The Kenwood radio provides the clients with numerous audio sources.

The addition of the waterproof cover will ensure the radio lasts for years.

The first step to building a great audio system in this boat was to upgrade the radio. For this project we used a Kenwood marine radio. The radio will give the client the ability to not only play CD’s, listen to the radio, play audio from a USB drive but also to stream audio from his phone via Bluetooth. While the radio is a marine radio and designed to survive life on a boat, we added an additional bit of protection with installation of a waterproof radio cover.

Speaker Upgrades

The rings were machined in our fabrication room.

The stepped adapter rings look great and help fit the speakers into the larger holes.

A pair of JL speaker was installed in the rear of the boat.

The front of the boat receive a pair of speakers and a single subwoofer.

This boat is going to look and sound great day and night.

The most important part of this job was providing the client with crystal clear music and high volume levels. Our go-to speaker for this sort of project is the JL Audio MX marine coaxial speaker. Fulfilling a request for some lighting from the client’s wife was easy with the addition of the LED illuminated series of JL Audio MX speakers. These speakers have the great JL Audio sound and also feature blue LED lighting. Adding the lighting required a bit more work because we also have to run not only speaker wires, but also lighting wires, to each speaker. The lighting for the speakers was powered by an unused rocker switch that we repurposed for the lighting.

After the speaker and lighting wiring was done it was time to install the speakers. Unfortunately we found that the off-brand speakers the client previously had in the boat were a bit larger than the new JL Audio speakers. To fit the new speakers in the old holes we made custom adapters out of marine-grade HDPE plastic. The rings were machined to give the JL Audio speakers a larger lip. The center of the ring was recessed to allow for the speaker to fit down in it, for a cleaner look. Finally the outer edge of the ring was chamfered for a more finished shape. We mounted the speakers into the adapter rings using stainless steel hardware.

Subwoofer Addition

When the client dropped off the boat with us it was with the understanding that we would research options for a subwoofer. After looking around the boat while we were working on it, we found that a single 10″ JL Audio marine subwoofer would fit in the very center of the front storage area. The client agreed to this spot, so we began the work to mount it. Normally if the fiberglass is thin in the areas we plan on mounting subwoofers, we will make an additional support baffle. The fiberglass in this area of the boat, though, was plenty thick for mounting the subwoofer.

JL Audio Amplifier

Powering the whole system is a JL Audio MX series 4 channel amplifier. This little amp offers an impressive amount of power in a small package. We fabricated a mounting plate for the amplifier using the HDPE. This plate was attached to the side of the console using existing mounting holes for another piece.

Great-Sounding Boat Audio

Once the equipment was mounted and all the wiring was tidied up, it was time to set the level adjustments and crossovers on the amplifier. When we first powered on the system we were blown away. For the modest amount of equipment this boat had, it sounded incredible! When the client’s wife picked it up, she too thought it sounded great. If it is time to get that boat of yours ready for the water, give us here at Pinnacle Autosound a call or contact us here.

Macclenny Client Comes to Pinnacle for Ford F-150 Audio Upgrade

October 25, 2018 By JOey Knapp Leave a Comment

A long-time client of ours recently referred one of his co-workers to us. When the client stopped by, we talked with him about his Ford F-150 audio system and the changes he wanted to make. He previously had an audio system installed by another shop and wasn’t happy with the performance of the system. We gave the client a few different options and price points, highlighting the improvements for each step. We were thrilled when the client decided to go with the best of our proposals.

F-150 Audio Integration

The client had the factory radio in his truck and was happy with how it worked and the aesthetics of the unit. We advised him that with the help of a JL Audio FiX 86 processor he could utilize the factory radio as his source unit. The JL Audio processor removes and time delay and flattens out the response of the factory radio. This gives us a perfectly clean signal to start with, much like if he used an aftermarket radio. We were able to easily find the factory wire colors using our Mitchell1 software subscription.

A Second JL Audio Processor

In-between the time we had the client scheduled to drop his F-150 off and his initial deposit he asked about any additional audio upgrades that were possible for his system. We felt comfortable that we had maximized his budget for the speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers. The one thing we didn’t originally quote him for, however, was a DSP (digital signal processor). We feel that any amplified system can benefit from a DSP. In a system like the one we were building for the client the DSP would allow us to run the front speakers fully active, meaning each speaker would have its own amplifier channel. This gives us much more flexibility in adjusting the sound and let’s us digitally compensate for the different locations of the speakers in the truck.

Since we were already using a JL Audio integration processor, it made perfect sense to go to JL Audio for the DSP as well. We used the JL AudioTwK 88. A benefit of the TwK processor is that it allows the use of the JL Audio DRC-200. The DRC-200 is dual knob control that allows the client to adjust the subwoofer level and system volume from one convenient spot.

JL Audio Amplifiers

One of the goals of this F-150 audio upgrade was increased clarity and volume. That means power, and lots of it. Because we would be mounting the amplifiers behind the rear seat, we needed amps with a small footprint. Consequently, the JL Audio xD amplifiers were the perfect choice. The speakers in the truck would be powered by a XD600/6v2. We configured the amplifier to provide the tweeters and woofers in the front of the truck with 75 watts to each driver. The rear doors were powered by the remaining two channels of 75 watts per side. The subwoofer system was to be comprised of 4 10″ subwoofers. To make sure they had the recommended power we chose a XD1000/1v2. This amp would give each subwoofer the rated 250 watts.

Front Speaker Upgrade

The Focal tweeters were mounted in the factory spot and black soundproofing was used to seal them to the opening.

The installed tweeters retained a factory look.

The factory pillars already had trick-looking grilles that were perfect for our tweeter upgrade.

The front doors were treated with sound deadening material to reduce resonances.

The Focal speakers in the front were installed with custom-fabricated adapter plates.

The Focal speakers were a huge upgrade.

In keeping with the client’s wishes, the doors remained stock-looking.

The front speaker upgrade consisted of the Focal PS165v1 component speakers. These speakers were chosen for their realistic audio reproduction and fit in the F-150 doors. The small size of the tweeter allowed our technicians to install them in the factory location in the pillar. The 6.5″ woofer was installed in the door location. A custom composite adapter plate was fabricated to adapt the round speaker to the factory 6×9″ speaker hole. To reduce any resonances in the doors plenty of sound deadener was used. The final step before installing the door cards back on the truck was to add a set of foam rings around the woofers. These rings help the output of the woofer couple to the cabin of the truck and prevent any sound from being trapped between the door card and the door.

Rear Speaker Upgrade

The wiring for the rear speakers was soldered and neatly secured.

The rear speakers were installed with foam rings to maximize their output.

The upgrades to the rear doors left them looking stock but sounding much better.

The rear doors received a bit more simple upgrade from the front. In the rear we installed a set of Focal Performance 6.5″ coaxial speakers. These speakers are the same series as the front speakers, so we knew they would tonally blend. Similarly, we used the same methods to install the rear speakers as we did the front. Again, the final step was the addition of the foam rings to help seal the speakers.

Subwoofer Upgrade

Braces were added to the enclosure to enhance its rigidity.

A thin layer of body filler was used to smooth the transitions on the enclosure.

1/4′ dowels were used to center and secure the vinyl insert.

The openings on the top plate were cut so the JL Audio woofers would sit flush.

The enclosure gave the client the most possible bass under his rear seat.

Careful measurements were taken to ensure the enclosure fit the underseat area properly.

The previous F-150 subwoofer system the client had installed was lacking in musicality and didn’t quite have as much audio output as he wanted. One of the key parts of this F-150 audio system was the bass upgrade. After taking some careful measurements under the rear seat we came up with a plan for maximizing the bass output within his budget. Our plan was to use 4 JL Audio 10TW1 subwoofers in a custom-fabricated sealed enclosure. The enclosure was built with three braces, equally spaced, to help reduce any bass loss due to panel flexing.

To help make this system look as good as we knew it would sound we added a bit of extra detail to the cosmetics of the enclosure. The corners of the enclosure were formed to precisely follow the contours of the edge of the seat. To keep the enclosure looking good for years to come, the outer edge was covered in black carpet. For a custom look we fabricated a vinyl covered insert for the top of the enclosure. This insert helps to flush in the woofers as well as giving the overall enclosure a cleaner look.

Final Tuning and Delivery

We used a digital laser measuring device to determine the distance to each speaker.

The final overall response curve of the system met our target goals.

With all the gear installed it was time to setup the integration processor and tune the DSP. We started the process by calibrating the JL Audio FiX 88. Once the signal was clean it was time to adjust the sensitivity controls on the amplifiers.

With the sensitivity controls properly adjusted we moved on to the DSP settings. We provided the client with 2 different tunes for the system. The two tunes can be selected by pressing the center knob on the DRC-200. The first tune was a sound quality tune optimized for the driver’s seat. For this tune we set the crossover points, signal delay and individual equalizers for each speaker. The result was an audio experience that placed all the soundstage up on the dash and presented the listener with accurately placed instruments and artists across the dashboard. The second tune was for when the client would be driving with other passengers in the truck. For this tune the crossovers were set and global equalizer adjustments were made. This tune ensured each seat in the truck shared a similar listening experience.

After all the work was done we finally got to listen to the F-150 audio upgrades. They sounded fantastic! We were overjoyed when delivering the truck to the client because we knew how pleased he would be with his new audio system. Thanks to our improvements, the client’s drive to work every day will be much more enjoyable.
If you are interested in an audio upgrade for your vehicle, stop by Pinnacle Autosound, contact us online or call us today!