Custom Audio System and Lighting for Midlothian Can-Am Maverick

The team at Extreme Audio in Midlothian wanted to create something special in terms of an audio system and lighting package for our 2016 Can-Am Maverick X ds 1000R Turbo side-by-side demo vehicle. We’ve seen a steady increase in the popularity of powersports audio systems, and given our experience with motorcycle stereo upgrades, we wanted a vehicle in the Midlothian store to showcase our abilities.

Custom Powersports Audio System

The VeX mounting brackets all the the pods to mount securely to the bars.

Typically a single pair of VeX pods would be used in a SxS, we had to go over the top with ours!

Front audio was augmented with the Wet Sounds sound bar.

The first order of business in creating this amazing demo vehicle was to design an audio system that would sound great and play loudly. We started with two pair of JL Audio VeX-Series PS650-VeX-SG-TMB-LDB speaker enclosures. These compact pods are designed specifically for powersports applications and feature a weather-resistant 6.5-inch coaxial speaker that is optimized for the small air volume in the injection-molded plastic enclosures. The pods are mounted behind the driver and passenger using PS-SWMCP-B-2.000 mounting brackets that are designed specifically for VeX enclosures and the 2-inch diameter tubing used to build the cage.

To keep up with the speaker cans out back, we added a Wet Sounds Stealth-10 Surge-B speaker bar to the roof hoop of the cage. This Stealth-10 has a built-in 300-watt amplifier and an array of eight 3-inch midrange speakers and a pair of tweeters to deliver amazing output from its compact size. We used the Wet Sounds ST-ADP-SLIDER and ST-ADP-RND 2.0 brackets and adapters to secure the bar in place.

Can-Am Maverick Audio System Amplifiers and Subwoofer

JL Audio builds this Stealthbox to perfectly fit the dash of the Maverick.

The down-firing 10″ subwoofer provides loads of bass.

The source controller for the audio system is this JL Audio Bluetooth piece.

The two amplifiers were mounted on top of the battery.

Next on the agenda was to install a JL Audio SB-CAN-MVCM1/10TW3 Stealthbox. This compact enclosure is designed specifically for the Can-Am Maverick and Commander side-by-side vehicles and features a single 10-inch 10TW3-4 subwoofer. Heavy-duty metal brackets secure the enclosure to the chassis of the vehicle and hold the enclosure above the passenger footwell.

The rear speakers and subwoofer are powered by a pair of JL Audio MX-Series amplifiers that we mounted to a bracket above the Stinger battery we added under the hood. A four-channel MX500/4 delivers 70 watts to each of the VeX enclosures, and a matching MX500/1 can crank out as much as 500 watts to the system subwoofer. We added an M-RBC-1 remote level control to the subwoofer amp so that whoever is acting as the DJ can fine-tune the subwoofer level to suit whatever music is playing.

The system is fed by a JL Audio MBT-CRXv2 Bluetooth controller/receiver that we mounted on a custom panel in the center console. Dedicated rocker switches that control the lighting upgrades are mounted on either side of the controller.

Custom Side-by-Side Lighting

The VeX pod cap upgrade features aluminum end caps.

The VeX cap lights illuminate the back of our Maverick.

Normally used on larger tower speakers, our team easily adapted the end caps to the VeX pods.

The VeX pods feature blue LED lighting.

The Add-on mirrors add an incredible amount of light.

Our clients love the no-nonsense warranty of the lighted side mirrors.

Up next was the installation of a custom RGB LED lighting system on the Maverick. We started with an Infinite Off-Road RGB+W color-changing rock light kit. Our team mounted the incredibly durable light pods in each of the wheel wells, with a pair under the middle of the vehicle and another pair in the footwells. We added a ninth light pod to the roof for a little extra mood lighting. The lighting kit includes an RF remote, or we can select the light color or flashing pattern we want using a smartphone app.

We added a set of Infinite Offroad Side Shooter LED mirrors to the front uprights of the roll cage. Each of these adjustable mirrors includes a total of 45 watts of high-output CREE LEDs to light the sides of the trail and the road. The mirrors feature an aluminum frame, stainless steel mounting hardware and a polycarbonate lens over the lights. Infinite backs its lights and mirrors with a 25-year “You break it, we replace it” warranty, making them a great investment for people who are hard on their vehicles.

The last step in the lighting project was to replace the rear caps on the JL Audio VeX pods with the optional M-LCA-C-W illuminated covers. While these were originally designed as overhead lighting in wakeboard tower installations, they look awesome lighting up the back of our Maverick.

Richmond’s Powersports Audio Experts

If you’re in the Richmond area, drop into the Extreme Audio location in Midlothian and check it out! We’ll often be at Busco Beach or the Hatfield-McCoy Trails getting dusty and dirty. If you see us, ask for a demo. You can reach either of our stores for information about similar upgrades to your Can-Am, Polaris RZR, Yamaha, Honda or Kawasaki side-by-side by sending us an e-mail using our contact page.