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Re: 4 channel headunit powering 6 speakers
Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 8:54 am
by thunder550
I just put in the Sony MEXM100BT as well. It sounds really good, even without a subwoofer (sounds even better with one

). Any of you wanting to utilize all of it's power may want to run a dedicated larger gauge power and ground wire to the HU, it pulls enough juice at higher volume that the voltage through the factory wiring drops enough to cause the head unit to shut off, at least when the engine is off. Haven't cranked it up yet with the engine running.
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Re: 4 channel headunit powering 6 speakers
Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 10:10 am
by Big Block Power
That's good to know. I bet it has enough power than to run 2 bow speakers and the sub? While the 4 cockpit speakers get ran off a amp?
Re: 4 channel headunit powering 6 speakers
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 12:02 pm
by TommyTahoe
Ytmsn wrote: Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:56 am
I just swapped my head unit out for one that has BT and works with my remotes. I already have separate amps for the sub. Works good!
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YT, I just purchased the same head unit as yourself. How did the wiring work out? Did the old wiring harness connect up or did you have to cut and splice wires together? Thanks!
Re: 4 channel headunit powering 6 speakers
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 6:19 pm
by Big Block Power
TommyTahoe wrote: Thu Apr 26, 2018 12:02 pm
Ytmsn wrote: Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:56 am
I just swapped my head unit out for one that has BT and works with my remotes. I already have separate amps for the sub. Works good!
20180405_201630.jpg
YT, I just purchased the same head unit as yourself. How did the wiring work out? Did the old wiring harness connect up or did you have to cut and splice wires together? Thanks!
Tommy you prob have the big connector like I had. I had to switch it to the small connector.
Re: 4 channel headunit powering 6 speakers
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 8:38 pm
by Ytmsn
Tommy I don't have any idea. I don't know a thing about wiring. I had the stereo shop do it. Wish I could help!
Re: 4 channel headunit powering 6 speakers
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2018 6:58 am
by thunder550
Big Block Power wrote: Sat Apr 21, 2018 10:10 am
That's good to know. I bet it has enough power than to run 2 bow speakers and the sub? While the 4 cockpit speakers get ran off a amp?
I don't think I'd run a sub off of the head unit, although it is programmed for it. Depending on the power rating of your amp and how many channels it has, I'd probably look at the opposite, running the 4 cockpit speakers off the deck and the sub and front speakers off the amp. Really depends on the details of your amp, sub, and speakers though. Or just amp them all

Re: 4 channel headunit powering 6 speakers
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2018 8:07 am
by Big Block Power
thunder550 wrote: Sat Apr 28, 2018 6:58 am
Big Block Power wrote: Sat Apr 21, 2018 10:10 am
That's good to know. I bet it has enough power than to run 2 bow speakers and the sub? While the 4 cockpit speakers get ran off a amp?
I don't think I'd run a sub off of the head unit, although it is programmed for it. Depending on the power rating of your amp and how many channels it has, I'd probably look at the opposite, running the 4 cockpit speakers off the deck and the sub and front speakers off the amp. Really depends on the details of your amp, sub, and speakers though. Or just amp them all
Just amp it all up

Re: 4 channel headunit powering 6 speakers
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2018 8:11 am
by thunder550
Bonus points if you have more amps than speakers

Re: 4 channel headunit powering 6 speakers
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2018 8:25 am
by Driller
I went with and 8 channel. One for each speaker and bridged the last 2 to the sub. I think that’s what the installer said.
Re: 4 channel headunit powering 6 speakers
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 1:33 am
by Maximumjeep
Thanks for this thread. I have a 2010 242 and am looking at swapping the head unit. Def looking at the MEXM100BT
I don’t really know a lot about this stuff. I currently have 6 kicker speakers and a sub along with a massive Kicker AMP.
I would like to add a couple tower speakers as well. So this brings me to the question.
I need an 8ch amp or 2 4ch amps? To properly power 8 speakers and a Sub?
Thanks.
Re: 4 channel headunit powering 6 speakers
Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2020 11:15 am
by Mike in SC
I appreciate this thread also. It's a bit old but timely for me. My old Sony head unit doesn't hold radio presets when I turn off battery, and the speakers are old and weathered. My plan is to replace the existing speakers with JL 6.5" in the front and cockpit forwards, and put a pair of 8.8" speakers in the rear cockpit position. Run an 8 channel amp with power to the front four speakers and bridge two channels to feed the larger rear speakers, treating them like subs.I know I'll need a hot lead to the head unit for radio and time presets...
Does all this sound like I'm headed in the right direction?
And another question. Has anyone installed a Fusion head unit in an older 10 series boat?
I called Creative Audio and the guy seemed to think there wouldn't be clearance to mount it in the glove box area.
Thanks!
Re: 4 channel headunit powering 6 speakers
Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2020 11:49 am
by Big Block Power
Mike do you have your boat by you? What is the Measurements of the fusion. They make a few diff styles. I think I know what your going after though. I am not sure it will fit either.
I think the set up should work. Next head unit I'm have will be a wetsounds and it will be like how Cobalt does it now and mount it in the helm by me.
Re: 4 channel headunit powering 6 speakers
Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2020 4:45 pm
by Mike in SC
The RAS70NSX looked like the smallest profile head unit. Dimensions are 7.4375" (w) x 2.375" (h) x 1.0" (d) from the Crutchfield website. i already know that I'll need a different mounting chassis to slide it into, so to me it looks tight but doable.
The Creative Audio guy was understandably reluctant to sell it to me.
Re: 4 channel headunit powering 6 speakers
Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2020 4:49 pm
by Mike in SC
Big Block Power wrote: Sat Jan 11, 2020 11:49 am
Mike do you have your boat by you? What is the Measurements of the fusion. They make a few diff styles. I think I know what your going after though. I am not sure it will fit either.
I think the set up should work. Next head unit I'm have will be a wetsounds and it will be like how Cobalt does it now and mount it in the helm by me.
My boat isn't far away, I can go back and take some good measurements once the rain quits.
So far as your future mods, are you planning on a new dash panel, or just modifying the current one?
Re: 4 channel headunit powering 6 speakers
Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2020 5:46 pm
by Big Block Power
Mike in SC wrote: Sat Jan 11, 2020 4:49 pm
Big Block Power wrote: Sat Jan 11, 2020 11:49 am
Mike do you have your boat by you? What is the Measurements of the fusion. They make a few diff styles. I think I know what your going after though. I am not sure it will fit either.
I think the set up should work. Next head unit I'm have will be a wetsounds and it will be like how Cobalt does it now and mount it in the helm by me.
My boat isn't far away, I can go back and take some good measurements once the rain quits.
So far as your future mods, are you planning on a new dash panel, or just modifying the current one?
No I'll modify mine. I want to stuff a 7 inch chart plotter where my depth and water temp guages are now. Its time for a update. Who knows I'm always thinking. I'm happy with my head unit but never satisfied. I was just going to say if you couldn't get to your boat I would measure mine for you.