volume/fader control

[Dave K]

Can anyone give me their thought on this volume control. Are they any good? At less than $20 I'm skeptical

In the past I have used the Kicker

[chpthril]

Dave, thats the RCA line level controller I was speaking of for controller volume of the bow speakers. Its a simple potentiometer and not a line driver dual-zone volume controller that the Kicker ZKM-RLC is. For your tower/in-boat zone control, I would still suggest the Kicker ZXM-RLC as its a 9V per chnl line-driver.

[Dave K]

Mike for what I am looking for as far as 3 different zone controls should I be considering the WS-420 ??

[shawndoggy]

for what they are (a passive inline volume knob), the Pac LC-1s are very very nice. They have a high quality feel and work great.

[sandm]

I've used that pac on a prior boat and it did the job. had the kicker unit been out when I did the install, I would have used it to fade cabins/towers. it really isn't that much more than 2 pac's and as mike stated, it's a true line driver.
if you need 3 zone fading(sub for some reason), consider the exile unit as well. much cheaper than ws unit and doesn't include a mic(still don't see the value in that)..

[Dave K]

I had the Kicker in my last boat but starting over from stratch. I am always concerned you get what you pay for. Here's what I was thinking: 2 6.5"in bow 2-6.5" on dash (wakesetter) and 4 6.5" in the main cabin area. When we are out my wife is always complaining the music is way too loud in the bow for her.

[chpthril]

2 Kicker ZXM-RLC's are:
*less expensive
*require shorter RCA cables
*would offer 4 true zone volume control: Main cabin, bow, sub and tower
*would be a 9V line driver and all chnls, where as the ZLD is 2 and one is split for the tower/in-boat fade (front/rear fade in actuality as its just an automotive EQ)
*ZXM is a marine unit and the ZLD is based of an EQ designed for the interior of a car as it has multiple opening on its top plate for water entry as well as water access around the front controls. *The ZLD, like most of the automotive EQ's, have no strain-relief on the RCA sockets, they are only secured to the PC by their electrical solder points. This is curtain failure in the boating environment.

To compare the ZXM-RLC to the WS-420: Both have a line-driver for each chnl and both offer true in-boat and tower zone volume control.

The WS-420 has many more features, so one would have to weight the cost and features to see if was the right unit for their system.

A single ZXM and an RCA line level would give you in-boat and tower, plus bow control. Most amps that do low-pass for subs also allow for a sub level interface. This would now give you all the zones needed.

[Dave K]

How much for the WS-420......ball park?

[jbort]

we have ws 420 and works real well. The PA feature is really cool so u can talk to surfer w/o yelling via tower spkrs. Kids have lots of fun too. Definitely worth the $$ imho.

[sandm]

* ZLD is based of an EQ designed for the interior of a car as it has multiple opening on its top plate for water entry as well as water access around the front controls. *The ZLD, like most of the automotive EQ's, have no strain-relief on the RCA sockets, they are only secured to the PC by their electrical solder points. This is curtain failure in the boating environment.

not sure I agree with part of this. I get the water intrusion part, but how many of us are using regular automotive amps that are no more water resistant than this unit, and imo, water is much more likely to get into an amp in a locker that people stuff wet towels and lifejackets into than under a dash? as far as the securing of the rca pots, I bet a lot of other vendors in the audio world build them the same way assuming that the installer will take the proper precautions to ensure nothing does happen. I don't understand how a properly installed eq under the dash in a boat is any different than a properly installed eq in a 4x4 that sees off road duty, or a lowered honda that winces at every pothole

not trying to spark a ws/exile/kicker debate and mike knows what's in my boat, but the exile eq is a good solid piece of equipment and a valid competitor with the kicker zonecontrols and the wetsounds eq. all have their merits and each one is better for different end users.

my

[chpthril]

not sure I agree with part of this. I get the water intrusion part, but how many of us are using regular automotive amps that are no more water resistant than this unit, and imo, water is much more likely to get into an amp in a locker that people stuff wet towels and lifejackets into than under a dash? as far as the securing of the rca pots, I bet a lot of other vendors in the audio world build them the same way assuming that the installer will take the proper precautions to ensure nothing does happen. I don't understand how a properly installed eq under the dash in a boat is any different than a properly installed eq in a 4x4 that sees off road duty, or a lowered honda that winces at every pothole

not trying to spark a ws/exile/kicker debate and mike knows what's in my boat, but the exile eq is a good solid piece of equipment and a valid competitor with the kicker zonecontrols and the wetsounds eq. all have their merits and each one is better for different end users.

my

You bring up a very good question, so i will explain further.

We use, and I have no problem recommending, non-marine amps and subs for a fresh water trailer boat. When installed with some thought and precaution, water intrusion from splash/spray/drip is a rarely a problem, but think about the typical marine EQ install. Its bolted to the bottom side of the dash slightly angled up. This puts the face at a perfect angle to catch water. Water can also run down the helm and drip onto the top panel of the unit, which now runs down hill and can find the gain access holes. Over a short period of time, this will damage the unit, if not smoke it immediately.

The WS-420 has sealed front controls and a conformal-coated PCB, the ZLD does not. The Kicker is also built for the marine environment and uses a CC PCB.

The RCA sockets on the WS-420 are bolted to the chassis by sandwiching the rear panel, so its not like most typical automotive EQ's.

There may not be a lot of difference between a boat and a 4x4 thats is frequently used off road or a slammed Honda. The constant shock and vibration will take its toll on those PCB solder points. If someone is going to do a comparison of A and B, the points brought forth here are valid points that should not ignored. Since this is a boat, its only right that the distinction be made that two of the products mentioned here are marine-grade and one is not. And I think its only doing the community a service by explaining what exactly those differences are.

Sorry, but here I will have to disagree. IMPO, there is no comparison in terms of features and functions between the WS-420, the ZXM-RLC and the ZLD. None of the 3 really do not do anything the same, except offer a line driver, but even then, the ZLD splits one into front/rear, thus reducing its output to each of those chnls. The WS-420 and ZLD both have AUX input, but pretty much ends there. The Kicker ZXM-RLC and the WS-420 both offer true zone volume control. For many, fade works and theres nothing wrong with it. We frequently set up systems this way by taking advantage of the Head-unit's fade, but it cant be compared apples to apples with true zone control.

The dual EQ in a single chassis design of the SW-420 also makes it impossible to compare it to the ZLD at apples to apples. With the single EG, what ever changes you tune in for the tower, you are effecting your in-boats and vise verse. This migh be OK if ALL your speakers are 6'5" but if you have some large 10" tower speakers, your 6'5 in-boats are not going to like the added mid-bass. This is just another area where the WS-420 and ZLD differ greatly.

There are about 10-12 EQ's on the market that would be a comparison to the ZLD: Planet Audio, Boss, Cadence, Earthquake, Power Acoustik, Soundstream, Soundstorm, NVX, Precision Power, Massive Audio, SPL, Autotek, Pyle, Diesel Audio, Alphasonik, MA Audio, Audiobahn, TKO Audio, Pyramid, Legacy, to name a few. Almost all of these can be found for under $100.00. At $200 MSRP for the Exile ZLD, its over priced by a $100 or more.

For those that are comfortable with installing a traditional automotive EQ in your boat, please do not take my comments as "Dont Do It Its Bad" as thats not what im saying. Im just trying to lay out a comparison to the 3 units mentioned here, and I can not ignore the marine grade build quality of the WS-420 and the Kicker ZXM-RLC.

i hope this has added to the discussion.

[Wakeman22]

My thoughts on the WS420 is it made my Rev10s come to life as well as the Kicker in boats. Get one.

[ds@earmark]

not sure I agree with part of this. I get the water intrusion part, but how many of us are using regular automotive amps that are no more water resistant than this unit, and imo, water is much more likely to get into an amp in a locker that people stuff wet towels and lifejackets into than under a dash? as far as the securing of the rca pots, I bet a lot of other vendors in the audio world build them the same way assuming that the installer will take the proper precautions to ensure nothing does happen. I don't understand how a properly installed eq under the dash in a boat is any different than a properly installed eq in a 4x4 that sees off road duty, or a lowered honda that winces at every pothole

not trying to spark a ws/exile/kicker debate and mike knows what's in my boat, but the exile eq is a good solid piece of equipment and a valid competitor with the kicker zonecontrols and the wetsounds eq. all have their merits and each one is better for different end users.

my

The Exile ZLD uses the identical platform as a $50 retail Absolute
EQ400. The different front panel control locations change the board layout but the circuit topology is identical in every trace and in every component path. I wouldn't use either EQ in a towboat, 4X4 or slammed tuner. Would you have non-strain-relieved RCA cables soldered directly to the circuit board in an EQ or amplifier? NO WAY. Having non-strain-relieved RCA jacks soldered to the circuit board is the same thing. Just give it enough time and you will see. Look inside for yourself. It's flat out cheaper construction.

Another interesting issue with the Exile ZLD is the use of Burr-Brown OP amps as a means of superior sound quality. There are seven IC chips in the signal path of the ZLD. A Burr-Brown IC chip is used only on the two output operational amps. The other five more critical chips (four EQ circuits and one lowpass circuit) are NOT Burr-Brown. Also, instead of having six discrete outputs the fullrange OP amp is split via a passive fader to the tower and in-boat zones.
Burr-Brown (a Texas Instruments product) made their rep in digital to analog processing (DACs) and there is no form of analog to digital or digital to analog processing in an EQ. There is nothing impactful in the way the Burr-Brown chip is used in this particular instance. It's just hype.

David

[bryce2320]

My dealer sold me mine for $200 brand new. Well worth it IMO

[sandm]

seems to be a lot of bashing on the zld(really insert any exile product here) and I do have to agree that their products are not wetsounds, but at exactly 1/2 the cost of a new ws420(i'm talking what I paid and what I was quoted for a 420), I'll take my chances on the zld as it looks to be a good addition to my boat and fits my needs. if it doesn't work as advertised or fails in the next few years, you can bet I'll post up my disappointment and eat some crow, but so far, it's a decent piece. I will say that it is interesting how quick everyone is to jump on them when I know that there are vendors on here that have recommended these products to customers.