Exile Audio Rocks!

Thought I'd share a quick story regarding my experience with the guys at Exile Audio. Recently purchased a new Mojo and have been upgrading the audio system (cabin speakers, sub, amps, tower speakers, ZLD) and ran into an issue where I had a tone-like noise coming through my tower speakers that I just couldn't diagnose. Dropped by Exile's shop in Lake Oswego last Friday afternoon and their installer was more than willing to help me out. Within 30 seconds he had diagnosed the issue and installed a ground-loop isolator between the Fusion HU and ZLD and completely cleaned up all the pesky noises in the tower speakers. Then, he jumped in the space behind the observation seat and proceeded to adjust both amps for me even though one of them was a Wetsounds product. All this on a Friday afternoon when they happened to be leaving for an event at Shasta that weekend. Pretty awesome customer service, thought I’d share it.
Btw, for all of you with Fusion head units I learned that they can often times introduce noise when you run them through a zone controller or equalizer such as the ZLD. Even though the HU, both amps, and ZLD are grounded to the same ground distribution block I was still having problems. Something to keep in mind for all you guys with newer Moombas. Cheers!

Nice! Thanks for sharing. You get what you pay for.

Outstanding service! Great to hear.

Brian and his crew is awesome

Thought the fusion u it's were decent. Was thinking of upgrading from Sony

So what is this ground loop isolator and how is it installed?


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I have had several similar situations with Brian and Donovan and they have come through time and again to help me out as well.....customer service at its best!!

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Originally Posted by rdlangston13

So what is this ground loop isolator and how is it installed?


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A ground loop isolator is an in-line RCA adapter that can be installed between any line-level components such as HU to amp, HU to EQ, etc. It consists of two (stereo) tiny transformers that interrupt the DC link between two audio components. It can be a quick fix for noise, but as a band aid (a cover-up) it leaves the real cause of noise intact. Placing a transformer in-line can alter the signal. So if you have noise you are better off taking the extra time and correcting the real cause of the noise in the installation process.

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Originally Posted by David Analog

A ground loop isolator is an in-line RCA adapter that can be installed between any line-level components such as HU to amp, HU to EQ, etc. It consists of two (stereo) tiny transformers that interrupt the DC link between two audio components. It can be a quick fix for noise, but as a band aid (a cover-up) it leaves the real cause of noise intact. Placing a transformer in-line can alter the signal. So if you have noise you are better off taking the extra time and correcting the real cause of the noise in the installation process.

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Well since I am following your install wiring schematic I shouldnt have any noise then lol.

I wish the couple Wet Sounds guys on here would stay out of the Exile conversations, it is really annoying and the same 2 people do it on every forum of every boat manufacturer out there. Enough! Leave it alone. Sometimes a gli is necessary, its a boat! Boats have a horrible grounding system, there will always be some level of noise in the system and its even worse when you run high wattage stereos with an HLCD setup. But really, Wet Sounds guys, enough is enough...please.

They do provide a great level of knowledge and have been unbiased for a while .

If I can band aid a fix in the boat for noise then why wouldn't I

Also they took time to help out and get a fix for the issue

Who are you referring to as they? Brian from Exile or the Earmark Wet Sounds guys? They both help, but seems the Wet Sounds guts are always pretty slanted it seems

Let's clarify a few things.
I responded to a direct question by David, with a direct answer. I'm not a Wetsounds guy. I respect Wetsounds but I'm probably more of a JL Audio guy as that is what I use personally. I have one Wetsounds T-shirt though. I'm not an Earmark guy. I have been retired from the industry for over four years now. I just enjoy audio, including marine audio, and perhaps vintage home audio the most. This 'Wetsounds Guys' thing is often used when you don't like the narrative, and you want to discredit the information source. Sorry, but accurate information is still going to flow.
This wasn't an Exile versus Wetsounds subject until Knox made it one. I have provided the identical information about ground loop adapters countless times in every context. I'm not really interested in the 'E' subject unless I see false information or false comparisons.
Now, more about GLAs....Ground loop noise isn't limited to towboats. It is a problem based on the relationship between audio gear. Cars with a ton of steel can still have this problem. Home theater has this problem. Large crafts that mix AC and DC components have this problem. The best solution is always to correct the installation whenever possible. GLAs use transformers. Transformers have inductance. Inductance causes a change in sound quality and most often a roll-off in the high frequency response. I've also heard the bass performance suffer from using cheap $15 to $20 GLAs. Now if you personally do not hear a degradation in sound quality when using GLAs, then by all means use them. But don't argue with what an entire industry knows. If a GLA was a suitable solution, why don't the manufacturers of audio equipment, particularly marine audio equipment, include GLAs in their circuitry? Why doesn't JL Audio offer these? Alpine, Kenwood, Clarion, Sony, Kicker....?
So how about just sticking to real facts.

DavidAnalog and MLA provide HUGE value, but, much like in politics, are pretty slanted in their views - chances are if you take the brand out of an Exile related post, you'll get the same answer, without a dig at the underlying product.

It seems that as dealers they feel slighted by Exile - ok, we all understand, you don't like their direct to consumer model - in my opinion, ultimately Exile being dramatically smaller than WetSounds necessitates that model to grow the brands exposure.

I'm on a lake where at any given time there are 300+ boats on our sandbar - most with JL, Alpine, or WetSounds systems. There are 2 audio dealers within 100 miles that have never heard of Exile, and probably don't care to, because they have their 3 brands and make their margins. Fair enough.

So, direct to consumer works, and Exile provides the backend support to make it work.

Just about every other industry in the universe operates like this, why a local audio retailer should feel any ownership of internet market share is beyond me.

Hell, I work in finance and my company wholesales to brokers in my market - we outsell them on service every time, we don't bitch about the competition.

The real slant in this statement is, "It seems that as dealers they feel slighted by Exile - ok, we all understand, you don't like their direct to consumer model - in my opinion, ultimately Exile being dramatically smaller than WetSounds necessitates that model to grow the brands exposure."
OMG, that is just more justification to explain why some others might have an alternate opinion. Ian, with all respect, you haven't a clue about brand to dealer relationships in this case. Almost every major manufacturer sells to the consumer direct or has a distribution alternative beyond brick and mortar. That list would include Wetsounds and JL Audio that do sell direct to consumers. This would go much better without this type of speculation.
This thread went for days inactive and with no hint of contention.

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Originally Posted by KnoxMojo

Who are you referring to as they? Brian from Exile or the Earmark Wet Sounds guys? They both help, but seems the Wet Sounds guts are always pretty slanted it seems

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They I was referring to was David and Mla.

Sheesh, as thin skinned as Donald Trump. Nice rant .... I'm pretty sure he gave the same advice to David's full wetsounds system (likely from earmark)

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I appreciate the advice that is given by all the guys with audio knowledge.


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I want to first thank Ian for the personal invitation to a thread I was not yet a part of.

Now that im here..............

I am no more a wet sounds guy, then a BOSS Audio or Pyle guy. As a non-captive, non-binding independent contractor, I choose to rep, or not rep, the brands of my choice.

Again, you guys know far more than me, and add huge value, whether you realize it or not, you both seem to hate on Exile with regularity - I disappeared for like 8 months, came back, and its more of the same.

I have Exile components, Kicker components, have had WetSounds, and a bunch of other - I think if anyone thinks one brand is the end all/be all, they are foolish.

I like Exile because it's different, they have great support, sound phenomenal, and fit the budget.

I would LOVE to see this forum go back to the impartial, loving, helpful network it once was.

David, everyone knows you don't like Exile, or the people running it, all I'm asking is for you to stop posting negative on Exile threads. The OP was clearly excited about his experience with them and wanted to share, then here you come along and try to pee in his Cheerios. I would say the same thing to someone if they were constantly trying to knock down another brand or group of people. There was 0 need for you to reply to the OP, who by the way, didn't ask for any help. Yes, someone else asked a question and that opened the door for you to comment. It's just that your comment went beyond what was needed. I didn't start an Exile vs brand X thing, I called you out. Let's get that clear.

You know it takes two to spar. It takes sensitive fanboys, both for and against. The topic was ground loop isolators....which is about as brand-neutral as it gets. A very neutral member asked for an informed opinion on GLAs. And he got exactly what he ask for with no extra bias. History has no role in this thread. Take your own advice.

Dude wtf are you talking about? He replied directly to David, not the op, and said nothing about any brand. That was you.

Maybe follow your own advice on bashing people?

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Originally Posted by KnoxMojo

David, everyone knows you don't like Exile, or the people running it, all I'm asking is for you to stop posting negative on Exile threads. The OP was clearly excited about his experience with them and wanted to share, then here you come along and try to pee in his Cheerios. I would say the same thing to someone if they were constantly trying to knock down another brand or group of people. There was 0 need for you to reply to the OP, who by the way, didn't ask for any help. Yes, someone else asked a question and that opened the door for you to comment. It's just that your comment went beyond what was needed. I didn't start an Exile vs brand X thing, I called you out. Let's get that clear.

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Knox, I noticed that you started a thread earlier in June that centered on Exile. No one made a derogatory comment. It was completely free of contention. There are many such threads where people take pride in their build and people with different favorites give them respect. To say that someone doesn't "...like...the people running it..." is hilarious. Knox, you started this. I will not tip-toe around what I know to be fact. And I'll express my opinions freely as I choose. Read it, criticize it, ignore it. I don't care. I have nothing to gain or lose since I don't own or sell any of the brands that are at the center of the hot debate.

What does the thread title say..... Exile audio rocks! Pretty sure it doesn't say what is a ground loop isolator. So there was no need for you to even open the thread. I'm not bashing on anyone, if you or he feels that way, reach down, pick up your big boy pants and pull them up....talk about some thin skin.

Lol, are you telling him what threads he can and can't read? What is happening right now? I'm lost

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David, thanks for taking the time to look at my posts. I feel honored. But I guess my brothers (literally and figuratively) served in the Marines so you can have whatever opinion you want on whatever forum you want. Have a wonderful and happy 4th, it's time to go play on the lake.

KG, I'm not telling anyone to do anything, I was asking he stop being negative. It's wake boats! They are supposed to be happy and fun!

Have you guys heard kicker? Night and day better than everything else!!!










Stirring the pot... [emoji6]


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I think that kicker system could use more cowbell...hahaha..I bet that boat is super loud and awesome!

Imagine when more than just half the kickers are working [emoji6]

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Originally Posted by KnoxMojo

What does the thread title say..... Exile audio rocks! Pretty sure it doesn't say what is a ground loop isolator. .

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Sure as heck doesnt say "Help, theres a wet sounds guy in my thread". But look at the bright side, you are up to 28 posts now. Gonna be a forum old timer in now time flat at this rate. :cool:

Hahaha, is that how this thing works? I guess after reading forum after forum of the same 2 people telling everyone how wrong the Exile guys are on every topic, it just got old to me. I have a wet sounds 420, see, I'm not biased...lol

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telling everyone how wrong the Exile guys are on every topic

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By this you mean challenging false or misleading info or incorrect comparisons? Then yes, guilty as charged. Seems that its not unbiased info that some seek, but rather that unchallenged avenue where there is no difference of opinion.

My butt hurts.

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Originally Posted by David Analog

Let's clarify a few things.
I responded to a direct question by David, with a direct answer. I'm not a Wetsounds guy. I respect Wetsounds but I'm probably more of a JL Audio guy as that is what I use personally. I have one Wetsounds T-shirt though. I'm not an Earmark guy. I have been retired from the industry for over four years now. I just enjoy audio, including marine audio, and perhaps vintage home audio the most. This 'Wetsounds Guys' thing is often used when you don't like the narrative, and you want to discredit the information source. Sorry, but accurate information is still going to flow.
This wasn't an Exile versus Wetsounds subject until Knox made it one. I have provided the identical information about ground loop adapters countless times in every context. I'm not really interested in the 'E' subject unless I see false information or false comparisons.
Now, more about GLAs....Ground loop noise isn't limited to towboats. It is a problem based on the relationship between audio gear. Cars with a ton of steel can still have this problem. Home theater has this problem. Large crafts that mix AC and DC components have this problem. The best solution is always to correct the installation whenever possible. GLAs use transformers. Transformers have inductance. Inductance causes a change in sound quality and most often a roll-off in the high frequency response. I've also heard the bass performance suffer from using cheap $15 to $20 GLAs. Now if you personally do not hear a degradation in sound quality when using GLAs, then by all means use them. But don't argue with what an entire industry knows. If a GLA was a suitable solution, why don't the manufacturers of audio equipment, particularly marine audio equipment, include GLAs in their circuitry? Why doesn't JL Audio offer these? Alpine, Kenwood, Clarion, Sony, Kicker....?
So how about just sticking to real facts.

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As an EE, I sit back and read these articles and they are usually spot on with some added preferences based on their experience. Experts all do that and use systems and components that are known to work for them or may cases who they work for. As far as GLAs are concerned, they are simply a band pass filter for the noise you are encountering but it also filters out the audible sounds in that frequency range so it is like having an equalizer with a couple of frequency bands shut down. You filter power sources not the sound.