New Gear From Wet Sounds

[shawndoggy]

How come they didn't put the tower and cabin volumes on a fader? Are two inny-outy knobs really better than a simple fader?

[chpthril]

First off, fade is not true volume control and the WS-420 is about zone volume control on a boat. "fade" is whats been used for 30 years on automotive based EQ's that can be had for $50. Its been touched on before, but we can go over it again, The WS-420SQ is a dual EQ in a single chassis. You can make interdependent EQ adjustments for your larger tower speakers and smaller in-boat speakers. An automotive based EQ with "Fade" has as single EQ. So what ever adjustments you make for the tower, are also made to the in-boats. This, and a number of design features, such as a conformal coated PCB and chassis-mounted RCA plugs are what sets the Wet Sounds WS-420 EQ apart from an automotive EQ.

[shawndoggy]

how come they got the sub summed then? And a master volume control? I understand that it's a different chassis, and setup, but seems like they "solved" a couple of those issues on this version. I'm not an electronics engineer, but it sure seems like the inny-outy zone controls are an ergonomic choice to me.

[ds@earmark]

Keep this in mind. An EQ with a fader usually has one stereo OP amp that is passively divided between the 'tower' and 'in-boat' zone just like a 'front' and 'rear' fader. That means that the output voltage is also divided. This is common among at number of automotive EQs that share a platform that has been around for decades.
The Wetsounds uses three discrete OP amps for all three zones (in-boat, tower & sub). That may be why the in-boat and tower zones also have discrete controls on concentric controls.

David

[shawndoggy]

Maybe "fader" is the wrong word because it gets you guys hung up on the topology. Ergonomically is there a reason cabin and towers can't be on a single knob?

[chpthril]

Maybe "fader" is the wrong word because it gets you guys hung up on the topology. Ergonomically is there a reason cabin and towers can't be on a single knob?

Do you mean each having its own individual knob, or are you talking about a single knob that controls both, example: counter clockwise = tower volume and clockwise = in-boat volume? If so, thats fading. To give each their own individual knob, side by side either means another feature/function gets bumped or you go to a larger chassis.

[ds@earmark]

To explain it, I have to make a few distinctions.
A 'fader' is a passive variable resistance control that comes after a drive tranisistor and before the output RCA. That is what you see on a typical automotive based EQ.
A volume control or EQ tone control, in today's electronics, can act as a voltage control that biases an operation amp (OP) (also considered a drive transistor). The volume or EQ control may not even be in the signal path. It just controls the IC chip (drive transistor, OP amp, etc.). It's a cleaner way of processing the signal.
In the case of the Wetsounds EQ, it is not using a fader. It has discrete volume controls for the independent zones and discrete drive transistors for each set of zones (all three). As compared to the typical car stereo EQ platfrom, the Wetsounds is more expensive to build and much better in that respect.
As to why the new Wetsounds WS420SQ uses concentric controls on the in-boat and tower zones....my guess is it is most likely that they prioritized the use of the front panel real estate and limiting the face to nine control positions in order to manage knob size and space in between.
This newest Wetsounds EQ is one of many revisions that it has gone through since it's introduction. It addresses the functions that some critics where asking for without sacrificing it's core features like a PA and dual zone EQs. It has a lower noise floor. It is built according to marine and pro standards with sealed pots and chassis-mount rear RCA jacks. You just won't find that build quality in many other units. In fact, I don't know of another EQ that is any more than a standard automotive EQ.
So take the newest Wetsounds EQ on the whole. There's nothing that compares to it right now except for perhaps an Audio Control 3.2 in quality but that has a only one zone EQ and lacks all the cool marine features.

David

[Nobody]

A brand new Wetsounds equalizer just hit and is available now from your local Wetsounds dealers.
Master volume control.
Separate tower and in-boat zone controls.
Independent bass level control that will sum with either the tower or in-boat zones.
Maintains the dual zone 4-band equalizer and PA system.
Discrete six-channel output drivers.
Superior pro level construction

I really like the new features on this WS-420EQ, to such a degree that I might consider upgrading. However, it would have been GREAT to see a remote "main volume" feature. I'm sure this would add considerable cost to the manufacturing end but just saying "I wish" because having the "main volume" knob up high is a big safety feature. This was always a serious problem with the teenage boys when they drove the boat.

[chpthril]

I really like the new features on this WS-420EQ, to such a degree that I might consider upgrading. However, it would have been GREAT to see a remote "main volume" feature. I'm sure this would add considerable cost to the manufacturing end but just saying "I wish" because having the "main volume" knob up high is a big safety feature. This was always a serious problem with the teenage boys when they drove the boat.

remote as in and RF fob or remote as in like your Clarion head-unit and its remote is still the master volume for the system, unless you are AUX'd into the back of the WS-420. If the system is tuned accurately and the head-units peak volume is respected, then there is no reason that the SW-420 volume can not be maxed safely.

[Nobody]

remote as in and RF fob or remote as in like your Clarion head-unit and its remote is still the master volume for the system, unless you are AUX'd into the back of the WS-420. If the system is tuned accurately and the head-units peak volume is respected, then there is no reason that the SW-420 volume can not be maxed safely.

Remote as in RF FOB......I'd LOVE IT!

Yes, the Clarion remote head has a mute and it's respective volume control (up and down).....but for for the life of me, It seems the WS-420 ends up being the main volume control for everyone that drives the boat (4 teenagers and 2 adults).

[Timmy!]

The next feature that I would like to see is a remote box for all of the RCA connections so that you don't have to run all of your RCA's to the mounting location of the EQ controls.

[Davidggriffith]

^ wet sounds released a RCA kit today check this thread out
http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=797473

[Nobody]

A brand new Wetsounds equalizer just hit and is available now from your local Wetsounds dealers.
Master volume control.
Separate tower and in-boat zone controls.
Independent bass level control that will sum with either the tower or in-boat zones.
Maintains the dual zone 4-band equalizer and PA system.
Discrete six-channel output drivers.
Superior pro level construction

30% off list price and I'll take one today.

[chpthril]

Wet Sounds has also released an RGB lite cone on the XS-650/65 series in-boat. They have a "Wet Wire" 6-conductor speaker wire just for this application as well. 4 small wires for the LEDs and 2 larger gauge for the speaker leads.

We put a single RGB chip led inside the tweeter protection cup. I then injected the cup in the translucent material like the led rings. So the led is enclosed and protected from water. And it makes the tweeter cup glow. So provides a spread out pattern and a cool look as you can see it glowing



You just hook up one set for single color or add a controller for multi color

[chpthril]

30% off list price and I'll take one today.

Im sure that your local dealer that helped you with your recent SW-808 and SD-6 purchase would be more then happy to extend that discount to a loyal customer such as your self. I must respectfully decline.