R5 Roswell Platinum Stereo on 2018

[Tuscany]

One thing I personally invest in, is sound equipment. My GMC went in the day after I bought it for a complete aftermarket system. I was a bit upset when I saw the 18' MY introduce a better upgrade.

I'm no expert, but I was wondering how Roswell would improve on the Premium Rockford-Fosgate /JL Audio system that our boat came with. It's pretty solid across the board for a factory upgrade, and I would think a tough one to improve on.

[tbully]

I think the weak link is the Rockford. I wish Cobalt would use something that would more readily tie in to the Garmins (Fusion, etc).

Rockford did release a CAN/NMEA interface. I talked to Rockford yesterday while chasing this issue down. He mentioned that their new interface for these radios ($199) would only add limited integration to Garmin. (volume/track/seek/power/etc)

A bit off-topic, sorry. I'll circle-back if I get a chance to turn knobs today.

[tbully]

Update and disclaimer: I void warranties for fun.

So I took Roswell's advice today. I cracked open the lid to the amps (3mm hex wrench)

I did the following:

• Turned the "boost" setting most of the way up
• Slighted opened up the crossover - these are 10" subs and can handle a shade of mids

When I was younger and didn't care about my hearing, I used to build systems that would blow out back windows so I've done my share of damage to speakers and amplifiers (and alternators and wiring and *sigh*). These subs can handle WAY more than they are dumping to them from the factory. With the gain up this high, I can now back off on the Cockpit "Sub" zone and things sound much much better.

You have to make the adjustment on both amps at the 5/6 channel. They use each amp with 5/6 bridged to drive each of the subs. To do this, you'll have to pry off the black round clips at each corner which will expose four phillips screws. Carefully peel back the top amp. Support with a bungie, etc if you are concerned about hanging it by the wiring.

It would have been nice to get Cobalt's blessing to do this. But, frankly, the worst that will happen is I cook a sub or an amp.

YMMV! Proceed at your own risk....blah blah blah

[charron]

Update and disclaimer: I void warranties for fun.

So I took Roswell's advice today. I cracked open the lid to the amps (3mm hex wrench)

I did the following:

• Turned the "boost" setting most of the way up
• Slighted opened up the crossover - these are 10" subs and can handle a shade of mids

When I was younger and didn't care about my hearing, I used to build systems that would blow out back windows so I've done my share of damage to speakers and amplifiers (and alternators and wiring and *sigh*). These subs can handle WAY more than they are dumping to them from the factory. With the gain up this high, I can now back off on the Cockpit "Sub" zone and things sound much much better.

You have to make the adjustment on both amps at the 5/6 channel. They use each amp with 5/6 bridged to drive each of the subs. To do this, you'll have to pry off the black round clips at each corner which will expose four phillips screws. Carefully peel back the top amp. Support with a bungie, etc if you are concerned about hanging it by the wiring.

It would have been nice to get Cobalt's blessing to do this. But, frankly, the worst that will happen is I cook a sub or an amp.

YMMV! Proceed at your own risk....blah blah blah

Thanks for sharing tbully. I think I’ll try the same. Is it just the gain on a the amps that I have to adjust according to your instructions above or is there something different I have to do to the crossover too?

Have you tried adjusting the boost and or equalizer at the head end unit? I’m curious to know if you notice any changes to the sound when you change the settings. I notice nothing at all.

[tbully]

I played with the Rockford controls and really didn't see much improvement.

There's a slight trick to the sub adjustment at the helm. You have to push your zone button, select cockpit, select a source, and THEN it'll control the sub output for the cockpit (which is where the sub amps are connected).

Increasing the "Punch" setting as well as going to the Rock (or similar EQ) helped a little but not really.

From what I can tell, "Boost" is the gain control. I only tore back the warranty sticker for the 5/6 channel.

[charron]

Tbully, once I open the amp, how do I adjust it? Tia.

[AsLan7]

We just added the Rockford PMX5 head unit with CAN interface to replace our Sony. New sub went in today as well. Thx for the sub control info.

CPS remote control units get replaced next. Should be done by next week for our Labor Day boating blow out party.

.

[tbully]

Tbully, once I open the amp, how do I adjust it? Tia.

You're not really "opening the amp". You're lifting a cover that keeps moisture out by exposing the controls for each channel. Once you open the cover as explained above, you'll see a number of "warranty void if removed stickers". The controls for each channel are under those stickers. For the sub, you just want to concentrate on the 5/6 channel. I did not touch the other stickers.

[charron]

Tbully, sent you a PM

[Joe]

Any pictures under the amplifier cover?