R25 sound system question

mattach

Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2021
Messages
6
Fluid Motion Model
C-248 C
Hi all, we just purchased a new Ranger 25 and take ownership in August. Am very excited to take it out next year.

Question for anyone who owns a 25 - is there a sound system in the galley?

Thanks.
 
and how do you play music? USB? Streaming? thanks in advance.
 
The specs show Fusion stereo with multiple speakers. Typically on RTs that could mean speakers in the stateroom, galley, cockpit, and bow.

Input sources could be Bluetooth, AM/FM radio, Aux plug (maybe), or Sirius XM (optional antenna and subscription needed). I wish it were connected as a TV speaker -- it's not on our boat at least (and no obvious easy way to do so although TBH I haven't tried very hard).
 
SJI Sailor":a2lbkn9h said:
The specs show Fusion stereo with multiple speakers. Typically on RTs that could mean speakers in the stateroom, galley, cockpit, and bow.

Input sources could be Bluetooth, AM/FM radio, Aux plug (maybe), or Sirius XM (optional antenna and subscription needed). I wish it were connected as a TV speaker -- it's not on our boat at least (and no obvious easy way to do so although TBH I haven't tried very hard).

Awesome - thanks for the data. I had hoped it was nice sounding and glad I can just bluetooth it (or USB) so this is perfect.
 
mattach":2mzv3ccx said:
glad I can just bluetooth it (or USB) so this is perfect.

It may depend on your year. My 2008 R25 has a Clarion radio - no Bluetooth. I connect a Sirius XM radio to it by using the FM transmitter on the Sirius. It does have a CD player but no USB port. I don't believe it has an AUX plug (although I may be wrong about that). It has two speakers in the V-Birth and two on either side of the cabin ceiling near the sink.
 
Minor update from the boat. The 755 unit also has a direct USB (A) plug for a flash key (I assume) or phone connection. I forgot about that.

I also solved the TV speaker issue: there was a buried cable marked AUX 2 with RCA connectors. Connected an RCA cable to the red/white audio out on the back of the TV in the stateroom, and now we have sound from any speakers that are turned on. So much better than the TV speakers!
 
well our Ranger 25 was delivered today! and I LOVE the sound system. Easy bluetooth setup. Cranked AC/DC.
 
Our R25 came with a Dual round head unit, which is a downgrade from the Fusion units https://www.dualav.com/product/marine/h ... e/mgh17bt/.
It has bluetooth, USB & AUX inputs as well as radio. The USB & AUX are below the throttle. The head unit drives the Dual speakers mounted on the back wall & a pair in the cockpit. To adjust the relative volume, you use the fader.

I've been thinking of upgrading to a Fusion unit, but haven't had time. The Fusions have an app, support many different bluetooth connections (not at the same time, just easy to switch from one to another), independent volume (more convenient than fader) & have less background noise- but that doesn't so much matter at 30mph, only around the dock. Fusion also integrates with the Garmin chart plotter, if you want to control it that way.

Enjoy your R25- great boat.
 
OP or anyone else with a R-25 Classic or early R-25 SC, your Tug did not come with a Fusion stereo system as standard equipment. The factory switched from Clarion used in the Classics and early R-25 SC to the Fusion systems sometime during the later production years of the R-25 SC but I don’t know the exact year of the change. I assume R-25 OBs use an updated Fusion system but am not positive about that.
For the Clarion head unit, the CMD5 was standard in 2009. In 2010 they put the newer CMD6 model in. The CMD6 is a much better unit than the CMD5. The CMD6 allows for, using the exact same wiring harness used by the CMD5, a wired Aux USB port that allows you to connect to any device that has a connector to USB - from USB thumb drive to IPhone and iPad. The CMD6 also has Bluetooth module capability. I used a JL Audio MBT-RX Bluetooth unit on my CMD6.
Here’s the specs on the Clarion CMD6. A number of good used CMD6 units can be found on eBay. Ours has been great the past 7 years of use.
https://www.clarion.com/xe/en/products/ ... 94021.html
For speakers, I replaced all four of mine (2 in v-berth and 2 in cabin) with JL Audio M3-650X-C-GW 6.5” marine speakers. They sound great! I considered adding an amp and subwoofer but decided against that. Even the Class D amps use way too much power when you’re not on shore power - which is rare for us to be connected to while cruising.
I do not believe if you upgraded to a Fusion system it will integrate with our older Garmin 5212 or the 7212 Chartplotter. That Chartplotter functionality was introduced in more recent models.
Hope that helps.

EDITED for adding model numbers and unit specs.
 
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