Equalizer options dual zone

[wnytige]

Hello,

I'm looking to see if anyone knows about any good dual zone equalizers that have separate tower and cabin volume and equalizer controls.
I had the chance to see the WetSounds WS-420SQ over the weekend and found it doesn't really meet our needs.
The tower/boat control knob is very small and isn't really designed to be used regularly.
Did I mention how small the knobs are?
I can't imagine that anyone actually did any real world testing, or they never would have chosen such an awkward set up for a vessel that is moving and bouncing all the time.
We are hoping to find one that has independent knobs that are side by side and larger.
The reason it doesn't really fit our needs is because we often run just the tower speakers and leave the boat speakers down or off.
That way the rider can listen to their choice of music even if the passengers don't like it (which happens often with our diverse crew).
Having two zones of EQ is important as the tower speakers have a much different set of settings than the boat.

The Exile Audio Zone Controller - Preamp MKII is a close fit, but is missing the ability to EQ the tower and boat independently.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[chpthril]

Sorry to hear the WS-420 does not fit your needs due to the inner/outer knob design. Ive been using/selling/installing the SW-420 since 2007. It is the only marine dual EQ with zone control on the market. With the new generation SQ, its real easy to set the tower and in-boat ratio, then just use the master knob to turn it up and down as needed.

Based on what im reading, I think you might be looking for something like a set it and forget it EQ and then use a pair of line level controllers for volume.

[Wakeman22]

wnytige.

I have been using a WS 420. I agree with you that the knobs seem small. However I have been using mine for over 600 hours of time. I use the knobs to tune up and down the volume all the time. In fact at every fall and re-start. I change from tower to cabin and a mix both. It all depends on the situation. Similar to yours I am sure. We also take small babies and children along so volume control is critical. I also change the EQ settings a lot. I have never found it to be difficult at all nor for anyone I show how to use it. Yes it does take technique but it is easy to do. Besides the WS 420 made my sound pop and come alive. Well worth what I paid and I will never go without one. It is a wonderful Eq and if you want real Marine quality do more that just try one out at a show or display. Just my 2 cents.

[JB-FOOT]

I could not agree more. I find the WS-420 a breeze to operate. perhaps the OP tried one out where the boat he was on had the EQ mounted in an inconvenient or hard to get to place.
the inner knob is the interior and the outer knob is the tower.
the inner knob is also the easiest to turn, so you can reduce the cabin speakers very easily.
Also, I wonder if the Op was on a boat that had a newer or older version of the WS-420...

[myers]

Sorry to hear the WS-420 does not fit your needs due to the inner/outer knob design. Ive been using/selling/installing the SW-420 since 2007. It is the only marine dual EQ with zone control on the market. With the new generation SQ, its real easy to set the tower and in-boat ratio, then just use the master knob to turn it up and down as needed.

Based on what im reading, I think you might be looking for something like a set it and forget it EQ and then use a pair of line level controllers for volume.

How much does one of the EQ $? I would love to have something to control tower sound and in boat sound differently.

[Captainkurk72]

How much does one of the EQ $? I would love to have something to control tower sound and in boat sound differently.

Crutchfield has them for $400 (Bluetooth version). I have personally used them and they are awesome but in my budget. I have the kicker ZXMRLC Dual-Zone Remotes which I picked up for $80 and work good. I mounted just below the console with a DIY bracket. Its no Wet Sounds EQ but met my needs for the time. I will definitely have a WS-420BT in my next boat which will be newer and deserving of it.

[Dandy]

If you are only looking to adjust the cabin/tower speakers separate from each other and do not need the EQ portion, the dual zone control from Roswell works quite well. The knobs are larger than the WS420 and they have a few "click" locations. We had the WS420 in a boat and liked the functionality of it, but the size of the knobs was odd for others driving my boat. With the Roswell, it was easy to find. I also know that Chpthril offers a Kicker product that I believe is powered so you do not lose as much signal between components. The Kicker product has a separate box for each zone instead of an internal knob and ring.
http://www.roswellwakeair.com/produc...volume-control

[chpthril]

The Kicker unit is strictly a dual zone volume controller, but has the advantage over a simple line level POT like the roswell or a PAC LC. The Kicker uses a data cable between the knob and control module, which keeps the RCA cable short where as a line level POT requires an RCA in from the source and out to the amp. On a boat like a Tige, thats upwards of 30ft per knob of RCA. The Kicker is a line driver (like the WS-420), so a signal boost rather than a loss if signal quality that can be present with long RCA runs.

[wnytige]

Oh... I do like the sounds of both of them.
As we would most likely mount it by the driver, I think the Kicker might be a better fit.
Mike, is that the Kicker ZXMRLC that you were talking about?

The Roswell unit looks good also, but I do like that the Kicker has a built in pre-amp to boost the signal.
Hopefully, that would mean that the gain doesn't need to be set as high running the risk of picking up noise.

The main reason that I was considering the WS420 is because we had a chance to listen to a pair of WetSounds Rev 10's locally that was indoors and being driven by a Clarion head unit through the WS420 to a Syn4 that had the mids and low mids adjusted really high.
No doubt that they sounded pretty punchy that way, but found that they were really boring when the EQ was set flat.
As the Rev 10's were/are at the top of the list to replace an older pair of Kicker KMT60's, I want to understand what it takes to get the most out of a big investment.

Thanks all for your thoughts.

If you have any better insight into the EQ that was needed to drive the Rev 10's that would be appreciated also.

[chpthril]

Yes, the Kicker ZXM-RLC is the marine dual zone controller.

The Arc Audio PS8 or Audiocontrol EQS and 2-3 Wet Sounds LC's would allow you to have the independent tuning and then zone volume.