Audio System Upgrade 25' 222s

[Johanv09]

Hi everyone,

I will pick up my brand new 25' 222s in few days. As I have found, the stock audio system is not the best. So, I am looking for advice to improve/upgrade it. My plan is to add 2 tower speakers, one 10" free-air subwoofer and 2 extra amps.

Any recommendation on brands that don't break my bank account? Also, any advice on the Wet Sounds stock cabin speakers and amp?

Thank you

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Hi everyone,

I will pick up my brand new 25' 222s in few days. As I have found, the stock audio system is not the best. So, I am looking for advice to improve/upgrade it. My plan is to add 2 tower speakers, one 10" free-air subwoofer and 2 extra amps.

Any recommendation on brands that don't break my bank account? Also, any advice on the Wet Sounds stock cabin speakers and amp?

Thank you

Congrats on the new boat! If you use the search function on this site I’m sure all of your questions will be answered in regards to your sound system.

Also, there’s no need to post the same thing in different forums, everyone will see your post here in the electronics forum. You also risk having responses in two different forums and information can get lost in the process.

Again, use the sites search engine and you will get a plethora of threads on sound system installs. While you’re at it you might as well do research on battery system upgrades too since that sound system may draw a fair amount of Watt Hours, but the first thing you need to install is a Victron Energy smart shunt so you will know how much capacity you will need, anything else will be just a guess and you’ll probably end up installing too much battery capacity and too much weight.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

I personally find the Fusion gear to be a good value. High quality with good power at a medium price point. I would probably slide Kicker right under that. WetSounds and JL are the top dogs.

The OEM speakers are pretty good, there is really no reason to replace them. We have quite a few customers keep their OEM speakers and swap out their amp for just the retail version and they have great results. The reason is the OEM amp has restrictive software on it, which tunes down the speakers (assumingly to prevent warranty claims).

 

[sbeassie]

Hi everyone,

I will pick up my brand new 25' 222s in few days. As I have found, the stock audio system is not the best. So, I am looking for advice to improve/upgrade it. My plan is to add 2 tower speakers, one 10" free-air subwoofer and 2 extra amps.

Any recommendation on brands that don't break my bank account? Also, any advice on the Wet Sounds stock cabin speakers and amp?

Thank you

This is what I did for an upgrade on my 2024 222SD.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/222sd-audio-upgrades.46979/

 

[kgower]

I

Hi everyone,

I will pick up my brand new 25' 222s in few days. As I have found, the stock audio system is not the best. So, I am looking for advice to improve/upgrade it. My plan is to add 2 tower speakers, one 10" free-air subwoofer and 2 extra amps.

Any recommendation on brands that don't break my bank account? Also, any advice on the Wet Sounds stock cabin speakers and amp?

Thank You

Check my signature. I did almost the same thing. If I was to do it again, I would go with 2 WS SYN-DX6's and REV 10"S

 

[sbeassie]

I

Check my signature. I did almost the same thing. If I was to do it again, I would go with 2 WS SYN-DX6's and REV 10"S

I plan to add a second Revo 10 sub before the spring.

 

[kgower]

I plan to add a second Revo 10 sub before the spring.

 

[VictorJRivera]

On my old 195, I went with DS18. They were loud, clear, and definitely did not break the bank compared to other marine brands. On my 252, I went with Audio Dynamics. Amazing sound quality, but they are definitely on the pricey side.

 

[Maloney255XD]

I personally find the Fusion gear to be a good value. High quality with good power at a medium price point. I would probably slide Kicker right under that. WetSounds and JL are the top dogs.

The OEM speakers are pretty good, there is really no reason to replace them. We have quite a few customers keep their OEM speakers and swap out their amp for just the retail version and they have great results. The reason is the OEM amp has restrictive software on it, which tunes down the speakers (assumingly to prevent warranty claims).

@Adrian @ JB Solutions
Hi Adrian,

When customers upgrade or replace amplifiers, do they typically replace the existing speaker wiring as well? I’m currently installing new amplifiers in my 255XD, and ChatGPT has recommended using 12 AWG speaker wire for the stock REVO 6 speakers paired with the Wet Sounds SDX6. I think I’m going to take the time to attempt, but I’d appreciate your feedback based on real-world experience.

Thank you,
Mike

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

@Adrian @ JB Solutions
Hi Adrian,

When customers upgrade or replace amplifiers, do they typically replace the existing speaker wiring as well? I’m currently installing new amplifiers in my 255XD, and ChatGPT has recommended using 12 AWG speaker wire for the stock REVO 6 speakers paired with the Wet Sounds SDX6. I think I’m going to take the time to attempt, but I’d appreciate your feedback based on real-world experience.

Thank you,
Mike

You will get varying opinions on this, but personally I would not run new wiring unless running wiring already for LED speakers. Even then 12 gauge is significant overkill. If you go this route I’d use something like this.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_007MRGBS50/Crutchfield-CMRGBS50.html

Two things to keep in mind - Wetsounds rates their amps at 14.4v so realistically you will be running them most of the time with engine off and at 12.4ish volts, which is a significant decrease in the rated power. The second is music being dynamic, and unless being on max volume on a sine wave, you rarely ever running the full wattage thru the wire.

We have a few customers running the SDX with our full amp kit and speaker harnesses, utilizing all factory wiring and plugs and we have not heard of any issues.

Yamaha Wetsounds Amplifier Replacement Kit (Wake Boats)

Our amplifier replacement kit for the wake boats includes (2) amplifier replacement harness (providing RCA outputs and remote signal turn-on), and (3) speaker harnesses. This kit allows for installation of a new amplifiers in under an hour and keeps your boat's wiring completely factory, while...

jbsolutions.store

Yamaha 2018-2025 222/242/252/255 Speaker Harness

Replace your speakers easily and without modifying the factory wiring using our OEM WetSounds speaker harness. This harness allows for easy installation of new speakers without the need for cutting or splicing the OEM wires. This item is sold in pairs.

jbsolutions.store

 

[Maloney255XD]

You will get varying opinions on this, but personally I would not run new wiring unless running wiring already for LED speakers. Even then 12 gauge is significant overkill. If you go this route I’d use something like this.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_007MRGBS50/Crutchfield-CMRGBS50.html

Two things to keep in mind - Wetsounds rates their amps at 14.4v so realistically you will be running them most of the time with engine off and at 12.4ish volts, which is a significant decrease in the rated power. The second is music being dynamic, and unless being on max volume on a sine wave, you rarely ever running the full wattage thru the wire.

We have a few customers running the SDX with our full amp kit and speaker harnesses, utilizing all factory wiring and plugs and we have not heard of any issues.

Yamaha Wetsounds Amplifier Replacement Kit (Wake Boats)

Our amplifier replacement kit for the wake boats includes (2) amplifier replacement harness (providing RCA outputs and remote signal turn-on), and (3) speaker harnesses. This kit allows for installation of a new amplifiers in under an hour and keeps your boat's wiring completely factory, while...

jbsolutions.store

Yamaha 2018-2025 222/242/252/255 Speaker Harness

Replace your speakers easily and without modifying the factory wiring using our OEM WetSounds speaker harness. This harness allows for easy installation of new speakers without the need for cutting or splicing the OEM wires. This item is sold in pairs.

jbsolutions.store

@Adrian @ JB Solutions Thank you very much for the help, I really appreciate it. I purchased the harnesses from your site a few months back but am just now getting around to the install.

Originally, I was planning to run RGB to all of the speakers since I was already considering replacing the speaker wire, but with your advice I'm not sure I'll bother.

Apologies for another question, I’ve seen AI recommendations stating that ½-inch Starboard should be used to mount the amps rather than mounting them directly to the helm. I started buying the supplies......However, I noticed in your photos that the amps appear to be mounted directly.

Am I correct in assuming that mounting Starboard/Amp Rack first is overkill in this application?

Thanks again for all the guidance, this is my first boat install.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

Thank you for the purchase!

That OEM area can go with out the starboard if using the OEM mounting points or if using spacers to account for the unlevelness of the area.

If you have it already, I personally would use it and run the wires behind the starboard for a nice clean looking install, of course this will add a bit of time to your install.

 

[Maloney255XD]

Thank you for the purchase!

That OEM area can go with out the starboard if using the OEM mounting points or if using spacers to account for the unlevelness of the area.

If you have it already, I personally would use it and run the wires behind the starboard for a nice clean looking install, of course this will add a bit of time to your install.

Thank you, I really appreciate the insight.

I’ve been reading and debating this topic for far too long, and your input helped me lock in the plan and move forward.