Marine Audio

When it comes to marine and powersports source units, Rockford Fosgate has a solution! We previously looked at the affordable PMX-1. In this spotlight, we will check out the Rockford Fosgate PMX-3 to see why it’s an excellent choice for your boat, side-by-side, UTV or even a custom car or hot rod. Let’s check it out!

PMX-3 Design and Construction

The PMX-3 media receiver fits into a three-inch round opening. Its square face measures 4.5 inches wide and 4.2 inches tall. The face extends 1.5 inches forward, while the chassis reaches 2.9 inches behind the mounting surface.

The PMX-3’s face includes a full-color 2.7-inch TFT display, designed for clear visibility in bright sunlight. Rockford Fosgate enhances sunlight readability by using an optical wet bonding process. A large rotary encoder with an integrated button sits at the center of the lower section, allowing adjustments for volume, zone volumes, and menu settings. Surrounding the knob are buttons for menu, source, track selection, tracking, play/pause, and subwoofer-level access.

Importantly, the radio holds an IPX6 water intrusion rating, meaning it can endure splashes or hose washes without damage. Rockford Fosgate’s Element Ready™ design also tests for salt fog exposure (ASTM B117) and accelerated UV exposure (ASTM D4329). Along with impact and vibration testing, this unit withstands the harshest abuse from both trails and Mother Nature.

Features of the Rockford Fosgate PMX-3

The Rockford Fosgate PMX-3 is packed with of source options. First, there’s a digital AM/FM receiver with Weather band channels. The tuner includes RDS information display. A USB connection is provided on a pigtail to let you connect a memory stick up to 32GB in capacity to play MP3, WMA and FLAC files. You can also connect a smartphone to charge it at up to one amp of current. The PMX-3 includes wired USB support for Pandora on Apple devices, but Android users can use the integrated app over Bluetooth.

Wireless audio streaming over Bluetooth 3.0+EDR is built into it, so almost any mobile device can serve as the DJ. You can play music from that device, stream your favorite podcast or listen to music from Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music or YouTube Music.

Support for SiriusXM Satellite radio is included. Your installer can add an SXV300 receiver and antenna to provide uninterrupted entertainment almost anywhere in North America. The input for the SiriusXM receiver can be repurposed as an auxiliary input if you haven’t purchased a tuner module.

Audio and Connectivity Features

The amplifier built into the PMX-3 is rated to produce 25 watts of power into 4-ohm speakers and 50 watts of power into 2-ohm speakers. If you want more from your audio system, there are two sets of four-volt preamp RCA output jacks. These outputs can be configured as front and rear or front and subwoofer with subwoofer level control. High- and low-pass crossovers are built-in to optimize the internal amplifier or filter the preamp signals. The unit has source-specific level controls, so you can fine-tune everything to be the same volume – sweet!

A seven-band equalizer with several presets is included to let you fine-tune your audio system to your mood or listening environment. Being a Rockford Fosgate product, they’ve included a Punch EQ circuit. To give the system some extra sizzle, dial in up to 18 dB of boost at 45 Hz and 12 dB at 12.5 kHz..

Your installer can add up to two wired remote controls to the PMX-3. You could have a PMX-3 at the helm of your boat, then add a PMX-1R in the cuddy or galley. A PMX-0 on the swim platform is great when the family is playing in the water of the stern. The PMX-3 and its remotes also make a great audio solution for campers and motorhomes.

Camera Input and Power Connections

One feature you won’t find in many units in this class is camera input. If you have an ATV, a rear camera is perfect for maneuvering. The same applies to backing into your camping spot if you have a motorhome. You could even add a camera on the bow of a boat to help make docking easier. The camera input includes a reverse trigger that your installer can connect to a switch for manual activation.

The PMX-3 is commonly known as a two-wire unit. Typically, most radios have ground, power, and accessory connections, with the power connection constantly tied to the battery. The issue with this design is that even when the radio is off, it creates a small but continuous drain on the battery. If your boat or side-by-side sits unused for a week or more, this drain can deplete the battery. The PMX-3 addresses this by eliminating the need for a constant power connection, requiring only an accessory and ground connection. Additionally, the unit’s integrated flash memory stores all your audio and tuner settings, ensuring you don’t lose them when the power is off.

Speaking of batteries, the PMX-3 includes a digital voltage gauge. This allows you to monitor the electrical system voltage so you’ll always be able to start the vehicle and get home.

Premium Marine and Powersport Source Unit

There are many gauge-style radios on the market these days. Picking the right one isn’t easy. If you want a unit with all the premium source options, flexibility for expansion with external amplifiers and remotes, and durability that’s hard to beat, drop into your local Rockford Fosgate retailer and ask about the PMX-3. You can find a retailer near you using the locator tool on their website. Be sure to check out their Facebook, Instagram and YouTube feeds and channel to stay up to date with their latest product releases.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

As much fun as it is to check out top-of-the-line products, sometimes the right solution is surprisingly affordable. The marine and powersport audio experts at Rockford Fosgate offer a full line of digital media receivers. In fact, there are five stand-alone units, plus an add-on multi-zone unit with several controller options. There is, indeed, a solution for every application. We will highlight the affordable but full-featured PMX-1 Punch-Series marine-grade receiver in this spotlight.

PMX-1 Physical Design

When we talk about source units, we usually discuss single or double DIN units designed for cars and trucks. The PMX-1 chassis, designed for marine and powersports applications, is intended to be flush-mounted on a flat panel. Rockford Fosgate has several vehicle-specific audio upgrade kits for side-by-sides that include mounting provisions for this unit.

The face of the PMX-1 is 4.5 inches wide and 4.2 inches tall. It protrudes 1.5 inches forward of the mounting surface, and the chassis and heatsink extend 2.9 inches rearward. The kit includes a rubber mounting gasket to ensure the face seals perfectly against the mounting surface.

The radio can be installed in one of two ways. If you have a dash with a round three-inch mounting hole, your installer can mount the radio using the supplied aluminum U-bracket, just like a speedometer or tachometer in a boat. Alternatively, the kit includes a metal mounting bracket that can be positioned behind the mounting surface, and four screws secure the display to the plate and sandwich on either side of the mounting surface. An included trim ring conceals the mounting hardware once in place.

The radio is rated to have an IPX6 water intrusion rating, so you can blast it all day long with a hose or let it get hit by waves. This is crucial in Rockford Fosgate’s Element Ready™ marine, motorcycle, and powersport products. Further, the radio has been tested to exceed prolonged UV and salt fog exposure requirements. Few, if any, other brands talk about the durability of the overall design. Rockford Fosgate punishes their Element Ready™ products with impact and vibration testing to ensure you’ll always have tunes when on the trails or ripping the waves.

User Interface Design

The first feature you will see when you look at the PMX-1 is its 2.3-inch dot-matrix monochrome display. While this looks simple, the display is constructed with a wet-bonded process that makes it easy to read in bright sunlight. The glass screen over the display has a 9H hardness rating, so it’s scratch-resistant. Many competing products use plastic over the display.

A sizable rotary encoder in the center of the front panel allows for volume adjustments or navigating through different menu settings. Four buttons on either side of the encoder provide direct access to source selection, track adjustment, play/pause, menu access, and a dimmer control. Bass heads will love that there are subwoofer + and – buttons on the front panel.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-1 Source Options

You have four options for playing music from the PMX-1. The built-in terrestrial radio tuner includes AM and FM reception capabilities. It also has a weather band tuner for those near larger lakes or the ocean.

You can connect a 32GB or smaller USB memory stick to the USB port to play MP3 or WMA files. The system supports up to 255 folders with a maximum of 1,000 songs.

The radio has stereo RCA input jacks on the back as a third option. So, if you want your installer to connect it to a laptop, DVD player, or similar device, it’s ready to go.

Finally, the PMX-1 includes a Bluetooth receiver. The system uses Bluetooth 3.0+EDR and supports the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) version 1.3. You can connect almost any smartphone and play music stored on it or stream audio from Pandora, iHeartRadio, or Spotify. Album and artist information will scroll across the screen if your device supports sending this information over Bluetooth.

Power, Preamp, and Installation Considerations

The radio includes a four-channel amplifier rated to produce 25 watts of continuous power into four four-ohm speakers with less than 1% THD+N. It also has two sets of RCA jacks on pigtails, rated to produce up to 2 volts of output.

The radio includes a three-zone crossover set to high or low-pass modes with 60, 80, or 120 hertz filter frequencies. The crossovers work on the built-in amplifier and the preamp signals. For the second set of RCA outputs, your installer can select between the rear and subwoofer output functions in a nearby menu.

The radio has a seven-band graphic equalizer with Flat, Rock, Classic, Acoustic, Dance, Electronic, and Hip-Hop presets. A custom EQ mode allows you to fine-tune the system to suit your audio system design or listening preferences. Of course, Rockford Fosgate includes their famous Punch EQ in the PMX-1. You can dial up to 18 dB of boost at 45 Hz and 12 dB at 12.5 kHz.

Power conservation can be a concern for marine and powersports vehicles, so the PMX-1 includes a battery voltage display, so you can keep track of things. The radio uses non-volatile memory to store all setting information. As such, it only requires an accessory and ground power connection. There is no clock, so your installer doesn’t have to hook up a wire likely to drain the vehicle battery. If you turn the radio off but leave it powered, it draws under two amps of current. At the other end of the spectrum, the radio has a 20-amp fuse, so ensure your installer uses large enough wiring to power it.

Compact and Durable Audio Solution

If you are looking for a reliable, easy-to-use radio for a boat, side-by-side, ATV, or jet ski, the Rockford Fosgate PMX-1 is an excellent solution. If you’ve had a craving to build a portable boombox from an old ammo can, the PMX-1 is perfect for that as well. You can pick up a PMX-1 at any authorized Rockford Fosgate dealer. You can find a dealer near you using the locator tool on their website. Be sure to follow our friends from Tempe on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to keep up with new product releases and the events they attend.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

When choosing subwoofers for a boat audio system, having the correct drivers for the application is crucial to designing a system that sounds good and will last for years. The marine audio fanatics at Rockford Fosgate have a subwoofer solution for every application. We will examine the 10-inch M2-Series M2D2-10I and M2D4-10I subwoofers in this spotlight.

Subwoofer Solutions for Every Application

Before we discuss the M2D2-10I and M2D4-10I subwoofers, we should discuss all available options. The M2-Series includes subwoofers for relatively small sealed or ported enclosures and the I-series for infinite baffle applications. You can choose from 10- or 12-inch woofers with dual 2- or dual 4-ohm voice coils. You can also choose from black or white “sport” grilles. All 16 different M2-Series subwoofers also include a stainless-steel grille insert so you can pick your style before installation.

The M2D2-10I is a 10-inch subwoofer with a white grille and dual 2-ohm voice coils. Its brother is the M2D4-10I, which has dual 4-ohm coils. The same drivers are available with black grilles in the M2D2-10IB and M2D4-10IB.

10-inch Infinite Baffle Subwoofer Specifications

The Rockford Fosgate M2D2-10I and M2D4-10I are rated to handle 400 watts of continuous power with peak power rated at 1,600 watts. The drivers have an efficiency of 90.3 dB and an Xmax specification of 11 millimeters of excursion in each direction. These subwoofers have a stiff aramid-polyester spider with a linear rate to control cone motion without an enclosure. The result is a driver that plays loudly without concerns about the woofer cone bottoming out.

Marine Subwoofer Features

These subwoofers are based around a 30% fiberglass-reinforced PA66 nylon basket. The mixture includes UV inhibitors, so the plastics won’t chalk, fade, crack or discolor when exposed to the sun. The electrical connections are made via Deutsch/Amphenol connectors with gold-plated brass terminals molded into the basket. The basket also has integrated cooling vents protected with nano-coated mesh to keep water out.

The woofer cone is made from mineral-filled polypropylene. The mineral powder adds thermal stability and improves the damping characteristics. A large 2-inch Kapton voice coil serves as the heart of the subwoofer. The tinsel leads from the voice coil to the terminals are encased in silicone to protect them from damage. Rockford Fosgate includes a VERSA switch that lets your installer quickly select between series and parallel wiring to simplify the installation. For dual 2-ohm models, the VERSA switch allows you to select between 1-ohm (parallel) or 4-ohm (series). On dual 4-ohm models, you can select 2-ohm or 8-ohm.

The top of the cone is bonded to a UV-stable, injection-molded foam surround. The surround mounts vertically to the edge of the basket. Rockford Fosgate calls this their Vertical Attach Surround Technique, a design that increases the effective cone area while maintaining standard mounting dimensions. The effective surface area of the M2D2-10I subwoofer is 363 square centimeters or 56.72 square inches. Popular competing products have 320 to 340 square centimeters. When it comes to optimizing efficiency, cone area matters.

Designed for Durability

The Rockford Fosgate engineering team takes reliability seriously. Their marine speakers and subwoofers pass torture tests to earn their Element Ready label. These include 500 hours of accelerated UV and salt fog testing, an IPX6 water intrusion rating and durability testing that meets the ISO60068-2-64 standard. A two-year warranty backs the M2-Series marine subwoofers against manufacturing defects.

Color Optix Integrated Lighting

Nobody can think of a wakeboard boat without thinking about style. As mentioned, you can choose from white or black sport grilles and decide whether you want the stainless inserts installed. Rockford Fosgate has integrated RGB LED lighting under the grille in a design they call Color Optix to take things a step further. You can choose from thousands of illumination colors using the RF Connect smartphone app with the optional PMX-RGB lighting controller. You can also configure color-shifting patterns if you want. Of course, the wiring for the lighting, along with the circuit boards, also meets the Element Ready requirements.

Infinite Baffle Installation Simplicity

We should clarify the definition of an “infinite baffle” subwoofer installation. This refers to mounting the subwoofer in a location where the sound coming from the back of the driver can’t mix with the sound from the front. In short, it’s like mounting the subwoofer in a wall that extends forever. In a boat, a storage locker under a seat is one of the most common installation locations. Many infinite baffle subwoofers are mounted in the podium in a center-console boat.

Upgrade Your Marine Audio System with Rockford Fosgate M2 Subwoofers Today!

Whether you want your marine audio system to play louder or deliver a solid kick, the Rockford Fosgate M2D2-10I and M2D4-10I infinite baffle marine subwoofers are perfect. Drop by a local authorized retailer today to discover how these subwoofers can transform your time on the water. For more information about Rockford Fosgate products, visit their website, Facebook page, Instagram feed or YouTube channel.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

When it comes to marine entertainment systems, Rockford Fosgate speakers, subwoofers and amplifiers are among the best in the industry. If you’re searching for an amplifier to power the subwoofer system on your boat, the new M2-500X1 is a great choice. This 500-watt is efficient, includes all the features you could want and sounds great! Let’s check it out.

Features of the Rockford Fosgate M2-500X1

The M2 Series of amplifiers is based on the Prime Series of car audio amplifiers. The amplifiers have been upgraded with Element Ready features that improve their longevity in high-humidity applications. All the terminals are zinc nickel-plated brass so they won’t corrode. The heatsink, which measures 6.5 by 8.5 by 1.9 inches, has been powder-coated with a UV-resistant gray finish that will look great for years. The circuit board has a special conformal coating that prevents the tiny traces and components from oxidization that can affect performance. This amplifier and its two-, four- and five-channel brethren are serious about reliability and performance in marine applications.

The M2-500X1 is a mono Class D amplifier designed to power subwoofers. The amp can produce a continuous 300 watts of power when driving a 4-ohm load. Power output jumps up to 500 watts when driving a 2-ohm load. Frequency response is specified as being 20 Hz to 250 Hz. The amp includes an adjustable high-pass infrasonic filter that can be set between 15 and 40 Hz, along with a low-pass filter that’s adjustable between 50 and 250 Hz. Both filters use -12 dB/octave Butterworth alignments. The amp also includes Rockford Fosgate’s Punch EQ circuit that allows for up to 18 dB of boost to be added at 45 Hz. If your subs didn’t hit hard before adding this amp, they will after! Finally, the amplifier includes an RLC remote level control to fine-tune the bass level quickly and easily right from the helm.

Your installer will appreciate that Rockford Fosgate has included their C.L.E.A.N. input and output clip LEDs to make it easy and fast to set the amp up. The amp has a set of RCA input jacks for low-level signals up to 4 volts. If your application requires it, speaker-level inputs on a pigtail will accept up to 12 Vrms of signal. The amp also has an auto-sensing turn-on feature that will activate it when it detects that a factory-style radio connected to the speaker-level inputs is turned on. Both inputs use a balanced differential design to optimize noise rejection for clean, clear sound.

A Pedigree of Car Audio Performance

With more than 50 years of car audio experience under their belts, the Rockford Fosgate team created the M2-500X1 with many of the technologies found in the Punch and Power Series models. In addition to the C.L.E.A.N. feature, the amp includes a high-efficiency MEHSA 4 high-mass heatsink to keep all the components running cool so they remain reliable. The NOMAD protection circuit monitors the amp for shorts or low-impedance loads to keep things safe. The M2-500X1 uses a loosely regulated power supply design called P.O.W.E.R. to maximize power production when the supply voltage increases. Finally, the amplifier and all the associated specifications comply with the ANSI/CTA-2006 standards for power rating. There are no “If Lightning Strikes” (ILS) numbers on Rockford Fosgate gear.

Upgrade Your Marine Audio System with Rockford Fosgate

If your boat needs great bass, drop by a local Rockford Fosgate retailer and check out the fantastic M2-500X1 500-watt mono Element Ready amplifier and the impressive M2 Series of 10- and 12-inch subwoofers. You can find a retailer near you using their dealer locator on their website. To learn more about the M2 Series of marine audio products, check out their Facebook page, Instagram feed and their amazing YouTube channel.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.