Radio speaker

Just Limin'

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 7, 2011
Messages
154
Fluid Motion Model
C-26
Hull Identification Number
2517
Vessel Name
Just Limin'
We have a Fusion Marine Stereo, which came with our Ranger SC 25. I can't hear anything out of the starboard cockpit speaker. Tried everything I could using the radio controls. Still no luck. Thoughts?
 
I had the very same problem. The wires on the back of the speaker were not connected, or had come disconnected. Pop off the cover and take out the screws to access the wiring. Good luck.
 
Yes, check the connections at the speaker. I found that mine were improperly connected and I had to replace the terminal ends on the wires connected to the speaker. This is also a good place to use some corrosion block.
 
No luck. Tried everything, including checking the fuse. Maybe it's never worked. I guess the next step would be to switch speakers and see if the good one works....
 
Anyway to check connections behind the radio ? I really don't think it would be the speaker. If you can access behind the radio ,and everything is connected there, try change the left and right outputs,if it works then you know it is in the head unit, could be a setting, or failure of something in the head unit. I have seen some really beat up speakers still making noise at least 10 years old or more. Not that it isn't possible, anything can fail.
Good luck
 
Certain speakers of mine did not output audio due to a bad head unit. Problem was induced when I plugged in accessory:Bluetooth module. When I would remove it, it would work.

If your fusion is under warranty they seem to be good at checking/repairing. The uninstall of the head unit wasn't too hard. I suggest contacting fusion and getting an RMA going.

Other thing you could do is take a volt meter and make sure signal is being sent to the speaker not working to isolate if it's a speaker or head unit issue.
 
If you can access the connections behind the head unit and are comfortable doing a little re-wiring you could diagnosing the issue by swapping the connections for the 2 zones. Looking at the wiring diagram there's a single plug that connects all 4 speakers to the head unit. You could cut the wires between the connector & speakers and add 4 new plugs that let you easily move speakers from channel-to-channel. Then try moving all of the salon speakers from zone 1 to zone 2 and the cockpit speakers from zone 2 to zone 1. If the problem moves to the salon its something in your head unit. If it stays in the cockpit it's either a connection problem or bad speaker. Good luck.

Steve
 
I had a cockpit speaker fail on my R27. The connections were good and there was nothing obviously wrong with the visible wires leading to the speaker cone. There was no visible corrosion on the speaker or connections. The speaker was an open circuit when checked with an ohm meter. Since it was over 3 years old it was out of warranty and I had to buy a new speaker. (actually a pair since you can not buy just one)

FYI the new speaker is about 3.5 ohms.

Howard
 
The stock Fusion speakers in the cabin have terrible sound quality. Reminded me of a '60's era transistor radio. I swapped mine out for a pair of Bose 151 SE outdoor speakers. Got 'em from Crutchfield online. They fit perfectly and the sound quality is sooo much better. Just my 2 cents.
 
@boatagain - I ordered the Bose. Excited to hear the difference. @just limin did you find the speaker issue?
 
The difference with the Bose is night and day, but, depending upon how much good sound is important to you, they still lack good bass. I'm considering adding a subwoofer in the cabin, but that's a ways down my wish list. Also, the Fusion head unit requires a separate amp to run a sub and those things are powereaters, just what ya don't want at anchor. In any event, you'll like the improvement from just the speaker swap. Enjoy!
 
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