Makai Subwoofer

This might sound silly but can someone post up a short video of the factory subwoofer in their Makai? I am going to have my system "tuned" next week and want to make sure I don't sound like an idiot when I tell them that my sub isn't performing like it should. I am not looking to have fitting loosening bass at all, I understand it is a free air sub and it will never be at that level but my sub doesn't "move" at all. Like it mine as well not even be there lol. So if someone could take a short video of their sub in a Makai that would be great. I ask for it to be in a Makai as it will be an apples to apples comparison having the same air space and everything. Thanks in advance!

I know I don't have a Makai nor an OEM sub but if it isn't 'moving' there's a likelihood that the sub is blown or had a failure.

My WS XXX sub had a soldering failure at the voice coil last summer and was replaced under warranty.

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Originally Posted by RC_Hinojosa

I know I don't have a Makai nor an OEM sub but if it isn't 'moving' there's a likelihood that the sub is blown or had a failure.

My WS XXX sub had a soldering failure at the voice coil last summer and was replaced under warranty.

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Ya it has been like that since the day I got the boat. Everyone is always saying well it is a free air sub.... and I am like I get that but it is usless right now. I am going to drop it off at Extreme per your recommendation and let them tune it and see what is going on.

Does anyone know what the warranty on the Wetsounds equipment is on these boats?

Wetsounds has a 2 year warranty on their gear.

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If its factory installed, the warranty would likely be with Skiers Choice. A completely dead woofer seems like something else other then tuning. Even with the gains down low, there should be some detectable movement with the volume up. A quick check with an ohm meter will tell a lot about the woofer circuit.

There was a couple of threads regarding this same poor performing woofer topic, and at least a couple reported back that it was resolved with a complete system tune.

A "free-air" (Infinite-baffle) can move about the same amount of air as a same size woofer with the same amp wattage in a sealed enclosure.

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Originally Posted by RC_Hinojosa

Wetsounds has a 2 year warranty on their gear.

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Good to know!

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Originally Posted by MLA

If its factory installed, the warranty would likely be with Skiers Choice. A completely dead woofer seems like something else other then tuning. Even with the gains down low, there should be some detectable movement with the volume up. A quick check with an ohm meter will tell a lot about the woofer circuit.

There was a couple of threads regarding this same poor performing woofer topic, and at least a couple reported back that it was resolved with a complete system tune.

A "free-air" (Infinite-baffle) can move about the same amount of air as a same size woofer with the same amp wattage in a sealed enclosure.

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Ya I figured that the warranty might be through my dealer and that is fine. So the sub has the slightest vibration that you can only feel when you set your finger on it but it doesn't move at all. I just figured I would get the entire system tuned and that if there is a problem with the sub they will figure it out but at least everything will be tuned and ready. Am I thinking of this correctly that even if there is a problem with the sub they can still tune that channel and then I can take it to my dealer to have the sub swapped out and everything will be good to go? Or would I have to take it back to them once the new sub is installed?

If you can feel a little action out of the woofer, gut says its fine. A good tune is likely all thats needed. Boat builders, and most boat dealers, are not stereo pros.

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Originally Posted by MLA

If you can feel a little action out of the woofer, gut says its fine. A good tune is likely all thats needed. Boat builders, and most boat dealers, are not stereo pros.

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Ya that is why I am not taking it to the dealer for this and going to a professional shop. Thanks for you input!

Also, am I correct in my thinking above or would I have to take the boat back if I had to swap the sub out?


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Though there is equipment to set cross-over points and measure the amps output, my ear always has the final say. So this would be a question best left to the one actually doing the tuning.

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Originally Posted by MLA

Though there is equipment to set cross-over points and measure the amps output, my ear always has the final say. So this would be a question best left to the one actually doing the tuning.

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That works. I appreciate the info! [emoji1360]


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Our 2020 has the factory sub and I think it sounds good, or good enough for me anyways. Have you looked at your amp settings to see what they are yet?

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Originally Posted by RUGER761

Our 2020 has the factory sub and I think it sounds good, or good enough for me anyways. Have you looked at your amp settings to see what they are yet?

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Ya I feel like I will be happy with it once it is working properly but right now it isn't. I have even watched Hak's video of the sound system on a Max and my sub doesn't move like that one at all.

Ya I got in there and took a look and everything seems to be correct. Not sure if I am missing a setting in the head unit or what that is why I figured I will let the professionals get it tuned.

If the amp gain looks good and the sub is OK, a possibility would be that the Sub Max Volume setting in the Fusion HU is set close to zero...




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There are a couple other amp settings that will impact the woofers performance. Same with the source signal. There are setting beyond the woofer volume level.

Ya I feel like I am just missing something, obviously lol. I know the sub volume max is at 80% but other than that I don’t recall all the other settings. Here is what my amp looks like. I even checked which wires were +/- and verified they were hooked correctly at the sub..... https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...aab489df1b.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2c10f8f178.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ab7bdb9683.jpg


I have an apt to have it tuned on the 17th so hopefully it will all be good after that. I will be sure to update once I get it back.


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I know what a free-air sub is and they are terrible. Buy a box or build one and it will blow your hair back! That is, as long as it is working properly.


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Originally Posted by TXSurf4

Ya I feel like I am just missing something, obviously lol. I know the sub volume max is at 80% but other than that I don’t recall all the other settings. Here is what my amp looks like. I even checked which wires were +/- and verified they were hooked correctly at the sub....

I have an apt to have it tuned on the 17th so hopefully it will all be good after that. I will be sure to update once I get it back.


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My gain is slightly higher but those are basically my same amp settings. I cant remember the HU settings. Be interesting to see what they tell you or how it sounds after you take it in.

The issue with enclosing an infinite-baffle woofer in a small enclosure, is they become a 1-note-wonder IMO. The bandwidth is greatly narrowed due to the added dampening. It may sound or feel like its "hitting harder", but its not reaching as low, as effectively now. For best the results, you'd want a quality mono amp to drive the IB woofer, compared to bridging on a two chnls of a full-range amp.

So a little update.... I took the boat to Extreme Off-Road here in Houston to get the stereo tuned yesterday and it is a night and day difference!!
All I can say is WOW!! The sub is definitely working now! It is not fitting loosening bass but I didn't expect that as I know it is a FA 10" sub but it sounds darn good and is all I need for now. It is really incredible the difference in the over all sound quality of the entire system that a professional tune made.

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Originally Posted by RC_Hinojosa

I know I don't have a Makai nor an OEM sub but if it isn't 'moving' there's a likelihood that the sub is blown or had a failure.

My WS XXX sub had a soldering failure at the voice coil last summer and was replaced under warranty.

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Huge shout out and thanks to you RC for suggesting Extreme a while ago. Extreme is a very impressive shop, very professional, and turned the boat around the same day! Couldn't ask for anything more.

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Originally Posted by MLA

If you can feel a little action out of the woofer, gut says its fine. A good tune is likely all thats needed. Boat builders, and most boat dealers, are not stereo pros.

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A huge Thanks to you too MLA for suggesting tuning was the issue. On another thread you actually talked me out of putting an enclosure on the back side of this sub under the helm and I am glad I didn't do that.

I have tried posting a video of the results from my phone but can't seem to figure it out. Does anyone know the best way to post videos on here?

Glad you got it figured out and happy with the results. I know we love the way ours sounds.

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Originally Posted by RUGER761

Glad you got it figured out and happy with the results. I know we love the way ours sounds.

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Ya definitely! As a side note I ordered the additional Gatorstep like you did for the bow of your Makai and it showed up yesterday. I didn't have a chance to get it on the boat but I will post pics once I do.

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Originally Posted by TXSurf4

I have tried posting a video of the results from my phone but can't seem to figure it out. Does anyone know the best way to post videos on here?

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Really glad they were able to help you out and with a quick turnaround no less.

I've tried to embed videos, I think the best methods to share are to host on Instagram or YouTube and then embed the link.

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Originally Posted by TXSurf4

Ya definitely! As a side note I ordered the additional Gatorstep like you did for the bow of your Makai and it showed up yesterday. I didn't have a chance to get it on the boat but I will post pics once I do.

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You'll love the added Gatorstep. I use it every weekend now. My wife noses up to the dock and I jump on. Then use it for our bow ladder as well. I almost forget its not standard when I see other makai pics and its missing.

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Originally Posted by TXSurf4

So a little update.... I took the boat to Extreme Off-Road here in Houston to get the stereo tuned yesterday and it is a night and day difference!!
All I can say is WOW!! The sub is definitely working now! It is not fitting loosening bass but I didn't expect that as I know it is a FA 10" sub but it sounds darn good and is all I need for now. It is really incredible the difference in the over all sound quality of the entire system that a professional tune made.
Huge shout out and thanks to you RC for suggesting Extreme a while ago. Extreme is a very impressive shop, very professional, and turned the boat around the same day! Couldn't ask for anything more.



A huge Thanks to you too MLA for suggesting tuning was the issue. On another thread you actually talked me out of putting an enclosure on the back side of this sub under the helm and I am glad I didn't do that.

I have tried posting a video of the results from my phone but can't seem to figure it out. Does anyone know the best way to post videos on here?

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Would you mind posting a pic of your amp settings when you have a minute? I feel like my Makai is the same way...sub barely moves. Going to play around tomorrow and see if I can make any progress. Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Boostin

Would you mind posting a pic of your amp settings when you have a minute? I feel like my Makai is the same way...sub barely moves. Going to play around tomorrow and see if I can make any progress. Thanks!

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Unfortunately my problem was a combination of amp settings along with settings in the head unit. So if yours is like mine (which it sounds like it is) then it would be best to take it to a professional shop to have it tuned. You won’t regret it. These guys tune the amps with an oscilloscope and then as MLA said the final test is with their ears and they did a heck of a job. TBH it is the best money I have spent in the boat since we bought it. Not terribly expensive either just a labor hour or two [emoji1360]


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Originally Posted by TXSurf4

Unfortunately my problem was a combination of amp settings along with settings in the head unit. So if yours is like mine (which it sounds like it is) then it would be best to take it to a professional shop to have it tuned. You won’t regret it. These guys tune the amps with an oscilloscope and then as MLA said the final test is with their ears and they did a heck of a job. TBH it is the best money I have spent in the boat since we bought it. Not terribly expensive either just a labor hour or two [emoji1360]


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Appreciate the response. Mine is just like yours - same boat, same headunit, same issue. Will see if I can find a good shop around me to tune it.

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Originally Posted by Boostin

Appreciate the response. Mine is just like yours - same boat, same headunit, same issue. Will see if I can find a good shop around me to tune it.

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No problem. It really is a shame that they don’t come tuned a little better from the factory and not sure why that is.....


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Originally Posted by TXSurf4

It really is a shame that they don’t come tuned a little better from the factory and not sure why that is.....


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Its not unique to Skiers Choice nor any audio equipment supplier. In most cases, the audio suppliers provide detailed setting guides. However, its up to the boat builder to follow those, and make sure their people follow those guidelines. These should result in predictable results and consistency, but it does not. Just the downside of hand built boats. This is why we've seen some migrate to computer tuned DSP amps. Do not have to rely on crew installing the amps or the final QC person to tune or check the tune.

Now, 2 variables that can effect end user results. Head unit settings that can easily be adjusted by anyone from a sales person to someone at a boat show pawing around the boats, and the new owner's choice of music source.

In a perfect world, we want to tune using the weakest source, which is typically BT or old school AUX headphone jack. The downside is, now stronger modes like USB and Tuner can now over drive the system if the user is not careful. If we tune so max volume is, say, at 95% of head unit volume when using BT, then if switched over to USB, now max volume before distortion, may be like 65% of head unit volume.

Now lets toss in the thinking of keeping down warranty claims for damaged equipment. Not uncommon for a boat builder to want a more conservative tune. This can leave a little performance on the table, that a consumer or independent shop might find.

The 2020+ Supras have DSP amps that are fully tuneable which is really cool.
From the factory the bass was OK, but with two JL m7-12's it should be much better.

Opened up the JL software hooked up a USB and was able to get it where it should have been all along with just a few clicks.

The factory tune is super conservative on the subs and the tower speakers.
So it's not just the Makai. My SA had minimal excursion on the subs as well.

I got around to playing with mine a bit more. The issue ended up being the gain differential between the interior speakers and sub which are driven off the same amp in the factory system. I wanted to get the “upgraded” setup from the factory with the Syn series amp but it was too late to get in time for the build spot. The problem was that the gain was set about equal across the interior speakers and the sub. So the interior speakers were far too loud by the time the sub ended up getting the power it needed. Not ideal but I have sub gain a touch below max with interiors at probably 40-50%. I can always turn the sub down through the head unit so it works for now. But I will say it is MUCH better than it was and the sub actually moves now. For anyone looking at this in the future, give that a try.

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Originally Posted by MLA

In a perfect world, we want to tune using the weakest source, which is typically BT or old school AUX headphone jack. The downside is, now stronger modes like USB and Tuner can now over drive the system if the user is not careful. If we tune so max volume is, say, at 95% of head unit volume when using BT, then if switched over to USB, now max volume before distortion, may be like 65% of head unit volume.

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It's funny, my Supra is the opposite. Bluetooth from my Android is a far louder signal than USB from my wife's iPhone.