The owner of this gorgeous 2015 Sea Hunt 234 Ultra fishing boat contacted Extreme Audio in Midlothian to inquire about installing a premium sound system. This boat came with an Infinity radio and two sets of speakers. The older radio was having trouble pairing to the client’s Bluetooth phone, and the speakers were wearing out. Clearly, it was time for something better.
Marine Amplifier and Equalizer Upgrade
After talking to the owner about how he used the boat, we designed an upgrade that includes three pairs of speakers, a high-power amplifier and electrical system upgrades to ensure that the boat can get home safely after a day on the water. At the heart of the new sound system is an ARC Audio X2-1200.6 six-channel amplifier. This amp can produce an effortless 150 watts from each channel while minimizing the boat’s electrical system load. Our technicians added a Starboard plastic mounting panel inside the helm and secured the amp and the panel in place with stainless steel fasteners.
Audio signals for the amp come from a Wet Sounds WS-420BT multi-zone equalizer. This EQ includes a modern Bluetooth receiver that allows the client to play music or stream internet radio from his smartphone. The EQ includes a master volume control and separate level control for the speakers in the storage compartment. If the client wants to keep the music playing but carry on a conversation, he can turn the top speakers down without affecting the other two sets.
JL Audio Marine Speaker Upgrade
Our technicians removed the two sets of 6.5-inch speakers from the bow and stern benches then enlarged the mounting holes to install new 7.7-inch JL Audio M6-770X-C-GWGW speakers. The larger speakers not only increase efficiency but also offer extended low-frequency performance. The client chose the classic white grille to blend with the interior and offer as much protection as possible.
As mentioned, we added a third set of speakers to the overhead storage compartment. Our technicians cut mounting holes for a set of JL Audio 6.5-inch M6-650X-C-GWGW speakers that would face out to either side of the boat. There was already a two-way marine radio in this storage area, so we had a wire routing path that kept everything concealed and tidy.
We always use stainless steel fasteners on our marine upgrades. The amp mounting panel, the EQ in the dash and the speakers are all secured with hardware that won’t rust or corrode, even if exposed to salt water.
Marine Electrical Upgrades Ensure Safety

The last step in this audio system upgrade was to address the electrical system. The original battery that came with the boat was in rough shape, so we replaced it with an Interstate marine-grade Deep Cycle battery. The client supplied us with an automatic dual-battery switcher so that we could add a second battery to the boat. The switcher is crucial to playing music all day while on the water and still being able to start the boat using the second battery to get home safely. We used Stinger marine-grade power wiring and one of their high-current marine-grade circuit breakers to protect the installation.
Richmond’s Best Marine Stereo Upgrades
After two long days of work, our team had the stereo in this Sea Hunt 234 Ultra center console fishing boat installed. We ensured that all the settings on the amp were configured to maximize the performance of the new speakers without adding hiss or noise to the system. Upon returning to our store, the client climbed aboard the boat to audition the system. He absolutely loved the upgrade. It was much clearer and played a lot louder without any hint of distortion. He told us he was very excited to get it out on the water and crank it up for his friends.
If the sound system in your boat doesn’t put a smile on your face, drop by Extreme Audio in Midlothian or Mechanicsville and talk to one of our Product Specialists. We’d be happy to design an upgrade that sounds amazing and will function reliably for years and years. If you can’t get to one of our stores during regular business hours, give us a call or use our online contact form to send our team an e-mail.
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