New stereo head unit recommendations

[jlcj7]

Well after 9 years I think my head unit is on its way out. The volume fades in and out. I still have the stock JBL MR-18.3. I am not looking for anything crazy as I am only running (4) Polk dB 651s with small amp.

What is a reasonable (ideally less than $300-400) head unit to replace the stock stereo (preferably one that slides in same space or has a face plate to cover existing hole)?

 

[B Frank]

My stereo store Kenwood KMR 325BT which is only $120 and I added a new kenwood remote for the swim platform for $75. Bluetooth works awesome and it sounds great...no regrets.

 

[H20 skier]

I replaced mine with the Fusion MS-RA70 they sound great and have a bunch of options

 

[bronze_10]

Fusion!!

 

[jlcj7]

Ok thanks. I’ll look into that.

 

[JBehrens]

Kenwood KMR-M325BT hands down the best bang for the buck. Fully digital with zero distortion at full volume.

 

[TimW451]

i acquired my boat last year with the 2011 vintage factory JBL head unit and speakers. It crackles a lot on the radio and only marginally better with a CD, so I’m looking to replace it also. I’ve had my eye on the Kenwood M325BT others are recommending. I want a usable remote on the swim platform which has made this the leading candidate.

Possible stepping up to JL Audio speakers has me seeing what I could do better without an external amp. There are a couple of good hi power Sonys (MEX-M100BT & DSX-M80), but Sony has discontinued the wired remotes, I can’t even find them on eBay.

I am contemplating a contemporary setup of a Fusion head unit placed on the swim platform (anyone know if there is enough backspace for that?) and a NMEA2000 chart plotter at the helm to act as a remote. I’m too frugal to pay the $3k I’m getting myself into with this dream.

Tim

 

[JBehrens]

Another thing to consider before adding a swim platform remote is getting a waterproof BT remote. Chubby Buttons makes one for ~$50, bought it thinking it would be a temporary remote until I could get around to adding a hardline remote but now I don't think I ever will. Also helps for controlling music while in the water or on the beach.

Amazon.com: Chubby Buttons Bluetooth Music Remote (Wearable & Stickable) | Big, Easy-Press Buttons for Gloves: Home Audio & Theater

Buy Chubby Buttons Bluetooth Music Remote (Wearable & Stickable) | Big, Easy-Press Buttons for Gloves: Remote Controls - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[bronze_10]

I have a fusion head unit and a fusion swim.platform remote on a nearby 2000 backbone with my chartplotter and mounted vhf radio connected to it as well. I live that everything works together.

 

[TimW451]

I have a fusion head unit and a fusion swim.platform remote on a nearby 2000 backbone with my chartplotter and mounted vhf radio connected to it as well. I live that everything works together.

What model fusion, fusion remote, and chart plotter do you have?

 

[TimW451]

Another thing to consider before adding a swim platform remote is getting a waterproof BT remote. Chubby Buttons makes one for ~$50, bought it thinking it would be a temporary remote until I could get around to adding a hardline remote but now I don't think I ever will. Also helps for controlling music while in the water or on the beach.

Amazon.com: Chubby Buttons Bluetooth Music Remote (Wearable & Stickable) | Big, Easy-Press Buttons for Gloves: Home Audio & Theater

Buy Chubby Buttons Bluetooth Music Remote (Wearable & Stickable) | Big, Easy-Press Buttons for Gloves: Remote Controls - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

That is a very cool remote. I like the micro suction cup back.

 

[bronze_10]

Fusion Ms-ud750. And the matching swim platform remote. It was a box set.. the chartplottwr is a Garmin's 74 sv/DVD. And the vhf radio is a garmin 200 something or another. My boat is in storage so this is just from memory.. the measure 2000 back bone cable came with the swim remote.

 

[Tjw961]

Fusion RA-70NSX with NMEA2000 network and remote on back tied into Garmin gps and 2way radio. Love It!! Found faceplate on ebay to finish out the stereo install and cover the larger whole right.

 

[Sfriesen]

Another thing to consider before adding a swim platform remote is getting a waterproof BT remote. Chubby Buttons makes one for ~$50, bought it thinking it would be a temporary remote until I could get around to adding a hardline remote but now I don't think I ever will. Also helps for controlling music while in the water or on the beach.

Amazon.com: Chubby Buttons Bluetooth Music Remote (Wearable & Stickable) | Big, Easy-Press Buttons for Gloves: Home Audio & Theater

Buy Chubby Buttons Bluetooth Music Remote (Wearable & Stickable) | Big, Easy-Press Buttons for Gloves: Remote Controls - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Sorry if this is a silly question... but does the bluetooth remote affect the ability to link via bluetooth to a phone for music?

 

[Tjw961]

Not sure about the phone being an issue using bluetooth and another bluetooth device at the same time, but Fusion does have some wireless remotes to some of their stereos and can have more than one wireless remote on the RA70NSX one that I have. I would research the specific stereo in question since that is what you would be trying to connect both to at the same time.

 

[JBehrens]

Sorry if this is a silly question... but does the bluetooth remote affect the ability to link via bluetooth to a phone for music?

Nope not at all, the remote connects to your phone or iPod and is shown as a media controller not a music device.

 

[Sfriesen]

Nope not at all, the remote connects to your phone or iPod and is shown as a media controller not a music device.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[YamaNoob]

My stereo store Kenwood KMR 325BT which is only $120 and I added a new kenwood remote for the swim platform for $75. Bluetooth works awesome and it sounds great...no regrets.

Hi I just got a KMR M328BT and the non-digital remote for swim platform. Did you run a wire directly to you battery for the power and ground it near the battery? Or did you just run all 4 wires to the radio and connect power, ground, remote, and other?

 

[YamaNoob]

Hi I just got a KMR M328BT and the non-digital remote for swim platform. Did you run a wire directly to you battery for the power and ground it near the battery? Or did you just run all 4 wires to the radio and connect power, ground, remote, and other?

Any pics of how you wired would be great. Thx

 

[B Frank]

Mine is wired directly to the stereo. Not sure if I can get any pics but I can sure try!