Audio Expectations - 2015 SAN 210 with Stock Polk System

[Flyindutchman]

Just some winter time thoughts on the 'new to me' 2015 SAN 210 stereo while the snow is flying outside...

I barely got a chance to 'test drive' the stereo during our water test and now I sit wondering how it will perform. My boat was optioned with the Level II stereo upgraded that included a dedicated subwoofer amp, subwoofer and 2 additional bow speakers. It came with 2 tower mounted Roswell Focal 6x9's also.

Any suggestions as to the performance that I should be expecting? It has to be an improvement over my past system which was a stock Sony headunit, 1 amp, 4 6.5" Kickers and a couple of wet sounds tower PRO 60's...

Thanks for any feedback.

[MLA]

The 6x9 coaxials will certainly be warmer sounding then the Pro-60, but lack the wake range projection, So if you are looking for wake range, you've taken a step back.

Adding a woofer to any system is a,ways an advantage

Without knowing which model Kickers you had, no way to make a comparison there.

Having a single amp driving in-boats and tower pods could have easily been a handicap to the system potential.

One thing you might find with the new boat, is that the bow speakers are on the head unit while the main cabin are on an amp. I change this on every Nauty i get a hold of.

If the woofer is closed up in the port locker, you really need to install a vent. Also, its likely a polk 10" woofer. If its installed in an infinite-baffle application, its going to perform poorly compare to what it can do. May upgrade to the JL 10IB or the Wet Sounds 10FA. If I was going to spend the money, I would go with the new Wet Sounds 12" IB woofer. Thats an upgrade in a couple ways.

[Flyindutchman]

Thanks MLA,

While we still plan to do a lot of boarding behind this boat, I am sure we will also spend a great deal of time surfing now that we have the ability to do so safely (previous boat was a Four Winns stern drive). Hopefully the Focals perform well for this scenario. I have seen a number of 210's with 4 Roswell tower mounted speakers and was wondering how much that improved the range?

I will certainly check the bow speaker connection and make that change if required. I did remember to try the 'fade' on the LINC system to confirm that they had the tower speakers wired to the 'front' output and the cockpit speakers on the 'rear' output which will allow me to soften the volume in the boat but increase it on the tower. It worked but it also 'froze' the volume input on the LINC so I had to adjust at the head unit...lol. Ugh.

The 2015 SAN 210's have the subwoofer mounted right behind the driver's seat on the starboard side. It's hard to see but it is exposed and I believe you are correct in it being a 10" model. If it seems compromised baffle wise I will definitely check out the Wet Sounds option.

Thanks for your info!

[MLA]

2 pair of tower speakers properly powered will do better at wake range projection than 1 pair for sure, but still not quite up to a pair of HLCDs. Before adding a 2nd pair of factory 6x9, id consider going to a single pair of 10" Wet Sounds Rev-10. Best of both worlds in terms of wake range projection and near field sound quality.

Yeah, having the woofer radiating direct into the cabin is better, however, its still the wrong use of that woofer model as well as that wall is too thin and flexes. You would likely need to stay with a 10", dont think a 12" would work. But an upgrade would be to go with either the JL 10IB or Wet Sounds 10FA. The SW series with the closed white grill would look good on that white deck.

[Guntersville230]

Dont be surprised if you have to take boat/system to a trained professional to get everything tuned and worked out....my 2015 230 with similar set up was AWFUL from factory! After a day at a shop with NO upgrades (only added a Roswell zone control knob) it was 10x better, so dont discount a good amp tune BEFORE replacing or upgrading. Just my experience, others may differ. Nautique is sadly not know for quality systems from the factory.

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[Flyindutchman]

Dont be surprised if you have to take boat/system to a trained professional to get everything tuned and worked out....my 2015 230 with similar set up was AWFUL from factory! After a day at a shop with NO upgrades (only added a Roswell zone control knob) it was 10x better, so dont discount a good amp tune BEFORE replacing or upgrading. Just my experience, others may differ. Nautique is sadly not know for quality systems from the factory.

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I have read that on here from another thread and thank you for reminding me. I have a decent automotive audio shop here that I will get to take a look at it. I remember similar issues with the power amp setup on the last boat and they made a world of difference. Thanks!

[cedarcreek216]

Yes, first stop should be a good tune up shop. Second should be to add a ported sub in the port storage and properly vent it. Depends on how much you want, but we're not willing to give up space so we did a Treo 8" and had them slip it as far forward as possible and could not be happier with both the sound and lack of storage lost.


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[ScooterMcgavin]

That looks great Cedarcreek, looks like a nice fit. Do you still have the sub behind the drivers seat as well?

[cedarcreek216]

I do. Took the Polk out and put the JLIB in its place and tuned it down so it doesn't fight with the Treo. I put 1000 watts on the ported 8" and other than a trained ear you would never know it's just an 8". Ours is a 13 so the 15's may have a bit of a taller lower seat wall, not sure. If so you could put a 10" there and be even better. Right now the trash door is getting slotted as well to allow even more sound out.


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[tomsmith]

your tower speakers have horn tweeters so you will have plenty of sound and in my opinion adding another pair really wont improve that. you need to make sure the amp settings are correct. that will make all the difference you are set with hardware.

[Flyindutchman]

I'll definitely do a forum search but with this boat being so popular, I would guess that there is a fairly standard amp setting guide already in existence? Does anyone know what they have dialled in on their amps already? I assume that Nautique at least wires them the same for each 210 they produce with my 'level II' package...lol?

[TimmyH79]

Similar question on upgrades - I have the standard audio package in my 2016 210 (no sub or bow speakers, 4ch JL amp) and was wondering if anyone had tried something similar to cedarcreek's plan above but with an all in one unit like the wetsounds AS-6 (don't think the AS-10) would fit.

Seems like you would just have to run power from nearby and plug into the pass-through pre-outs of the factory JL amp and would be a pretty quick upgrade (plus vent install I guess)

Any flaws in this plan? I know it's only a 6" sub but imagine the improvement in sound would still be pretty noticeable and really take up very little space under seat

[MLA]

If you are willing to give up the storage space, the self powered AS-10 is the way to go over the AS-6, in a large open setting like a boat. But first, I would look for a mounting spot for a direct radiating woofer. Maybe even if it was an infinite-baffle.

[TimmyH79]

Agreed on as10 being preferable, will measure it up this weekend at the river and see if possible. I like the idea of the single enclosed unit for ease of install and reversibility if required