New Wet Sounds head unit WS-MC-20

[gallobg]

I've been looking to replace my head unit with a Wet Sounds unit, but they've been out of stock. Just saw on their website that there's a new model for this year: WS-MC-20.

WS-MC-20 | Wet Sounds Compact 2-Zone Media Receiver Source Unit with SiriusXM-Ready® and NMEA 2000 Connectivity - Wet Sounds

Buy WS-MC-20 | Wet Sounds Compact 2-Zone Media Receiver Source Unit with SiriusXM-Ready® and NMEA 2000 Connectivity at wetsounds.com. Enjoy unparalleled protection from water damage with Wet Sounds’ state-of-the-art equipment.

www.wetsounds.com

Comparing the specs to the current MC-2, it's very similar with a slightly larger screen (3" vs 2.7") and now includes a Reverse Camera Video Input. It's also $50 more expensive.

 

[Sotally Tober]

I have the MC-1 and love it. Currently running four zone audio control and four zone LED control through the digital display. Cant speak on the on the MC-2 or MC-20 though.

WS-MC-1 | Wet Sounds 4 Zone Marine Media Center - Wet Sounds

Wet Sounds marine stereo systems and equipment provide crisp, high-quality audio that`s loud enough to be heard whether you`re fishing a local pond, water skiing on a lake, or tubing on the ocean. Enjoy unparalleled protection from water damage with Wet Sounds state-of-the-art equipment.

www.wetsounds.com

 

[white2kstang]

I've been waiting for this to drop for a while. It was supposed to bring a few good updates. I found a deal on the Kicker KMC5 at the same price as the mc2 so jumped on it. I'm happy with the KMC5 so far, but the new Wetsounds was on my list.

 

[vesder21]

@white2kstang I was thinking about picking up the Kicker KMC5 for the built in 6 channels. are you running the kicker head unit with stock speaker or did you upgrade?

I'm wondering if the 25w per channel (4 ohms) will be louder than the head unit that came with my boat and then was thinking about adding 2 more speaker (6 total via the KMC5) which gets me out of purchasing and installing a separate amp. seems like a middle ground way to power 4-6 speakers.

thoughts?

 

[gallobg]

You could try, but the answer is almost guaranteed no. To get the full 25w you’d need the volume turned to the max, where it’ll clip and distort heavily (it’ll sound terrible). The engines in these boats are too loud at speed for a head unit amp to make much of a difference.

I’m getting the new head unit specifically to pair with an amp and tower speakers.

 

[vesder21]

That’s what I figured but wanted another opinion. Thanks!!!

 

[white2kstang]

@white2kstang I was thinking about picking up the Kicker KMC5 for the built in 6 channels. are you running the kicker head unit with stock speaker or did you upgrade?

I'm wondering if the 25w per channel (4 ohms) will be louder than the head unit that came with my boat and then was thinking about adding 2 more speaker (6 total via the KMC5) which gets me out of purchasing and installing a separate amp. seems like a middle ground way to power 4-6 speakers.

thoughts?

I'm only using the preouts. I've upgraded the four factory Polks to JL M6 and added a new pair near the helm for a total of 6. These are powered by a JL m800/8.

I'd doubt that it's much louder with just the upgraded head unit. Might be easier on the speakers. The extra set of mid boat speakers made the biggest difference for me along with the amp. This HU and a 3rd pair of 6.5 mid boat would be a good start if you don't want to drop money on an amp yet. With the option to easily upgrade in the future.

Only you will be able to tell if it's enough. I ended up adding a 10in sub as well on top of the 2 tower units.

 

[vesder21]

another scenario that I would like to get your options on... I don't really want to go the amp route so let me know if you guys think this will be worth it. I have a 21' FSH so it only comes with 4 speakers. two on the sides of the center console and 2 up front. you cannot hear the speakers while underway so what I want to do is:

- add 2 kicker tower speakers pointing down at the center console
- upgrade the factory Jenson 40w x 4 with the Kicker KMC5 that's 25w x 6 at 4 ohms (which my speakers are) vs the 40w x 6 capability if you have 2 ohms speakers

do you guys think the upgraded kicker head unit with 2 more speakers, which will be less powerful than the factory unit (25w vs 40w) will be louder/heard better because of the 2 additional tower cans?

there is a company on eBay that sells the KMC5 + 2 Rockville cans for the price of the head unit alone.

• (1) Kicker KMC5 Marine 3" Receiver w/Bluetooth/AM/FM/Sirius Ready/Weather-Band Tuner
• (1) Pair Rockville RWB70W White 6.5" 250w Marine Wakeboard 360° Swivel Tower Speakers

Thoughts on if I should try this upgrade which is the least amount of effort for me to try and get some sound at the helm.

 

[VitaminSea]

The extra set of tower speakers should help with filling in the void and helping get some sound out of the boat when anchored/lounging on the swim deck.

One you have this set up, only you will be able to determine if this is adequate or if you need an amp. The rated output of 25w is at 14.4v, I am not finding anything in the literature about output at 12.5v. In other words, you will probably be pushing more like 15-18w, which in my opinion would not be suffice to power a speaker and overcome wind and engine noise. Might sound ok at idle. Just my 2cents.

An Amp should not be that much effort to install, the hardest part would probably be running power/ground from the battery to the center console. You could probably get away with a small amp like the JL MX280, specs below. Obviously you can always go larger, but this has a really small footprint, and being class D shouldn’t be too much of a draw on the battery.

 

[vesder21]

@VitaminSea I appreciate your feedback and help!!!

 

[white2kstang]

I agree with what was said above. Like I mentioned previously, you can try it with that equipment and if it's not enough you can add an amp after the fact. Just be careful cranking it way up as to not damage anything. Im pretty sure the towers will be very under powered with just the HU powering them as RMS is 150w each.

With the equipment you listed you can add a 6 channel amp and cover all of them with 75w each. Should be plenty for those or if you think may want a sub do an 8 channel. Sometimes you can find an 8ch on sale for less than the 6. The trick is to plan ahead so you only spend once if you can.

 

[Maccam26]

I just ordered one of these MC-20 units, will post my thoughts when installed

 

[cyclops]

Anyone figured out if these are a good replacement to our PA4A head units? I just installed a SYN-DX6 connected to the RCA outs of the PA4A. What I like and don’t want to lose about the PA4A is the volume and media source selections in the connext screen. I assume I would lose that if I went to the WS-MC-20?

 

[Edge540je]

Can this radio send Bluetooth to wireless speaker also?