Exile Upgrade -- Surf Pkg 2, ZLD, & Bluetooth

[168rod]

Well, we finally got tired of listening to the stock tower speakers and decided to upgrade to Exile SXT9qs. First, a big thank you to everyone on the forum for posting their upgrade opinions, ideas, and install discussions; all were very useful in my upgrade decision and very helpful with my install.

Secondly and probably more important, I can't thank Brian and Bill from Exile enough. They definitely know the meaning of customer service! I had calls with Brian on Saturday and Sunday ... He answered my novice questions very professionally and supported me with my install and told me to call him anytime ... Exile rocks both in support and sound!

What I purchased:

- SXT9q Surf Package 2 -- 2 pair SXT9q Tower Speakers (360 degree rotating clamps), 1 XM30.2 Amplifier
- Zone Controller MKII KIT -- ZLD MKII Controller + Crimp Terminal, 4-20ft RCA Cables, 20ft of Power, Ground, and Remote Wire
- Premium Bluetooth LE Music Receiver - EXBT4

Friday FedEx showed up with a bunch of goodies!

Installation:

- Saturday -- Determined speaker location, which led me to spending appx 4-hrs drilling and running speaker wire. I had to run a drill bit in the cross bar speaker wire access hole to drill an access hole into the port outer tube to run my wires. As many pointed out, there's an access hole in the starboard (tower light wire), but not on the port side. Unfortunately, when the dealership installed my tower speakers, they drilled an access hole in port tube and externally ran the wires; however, I did find a black nylon plug at a local hardware store that fit perfectly (shown in pic). Next, I roughed in RCAs and ZLD wires around the bow and swapped out my 380W amp with my new Exile 840W!!!! Total time appx 11-hrs ... All of this left me with a greater appreciation for those folks who install audio systems for a living!

Sunday -- Ran new speakers through stock Sony head unit, ROCKED out and boated all day! Plus had a call with Brian ...

Monday -- Installed ZLD (under steering wheel/under dash), zipped tied all wires and cleaned-up all wire runs. Also, installed Bluetooth, which is a very easy install. BT is located under dash and RCAs plug into ZLD AUX and BT pwr and gnd are piggybacked off of ZLD. Had a slight glitch with the BT as it only output on the LT Channel; Bill from Exile immediately sent a replacement BT. Spent appx 5-hrs.

Total install time appx 16-hrs; again, a greater appreciation for folks who do this for a living ...

Again, Exile is extraordinary! Thank you Brian for all of your support and technical expertise and being patient with me ...

Here are some pics ... Other pics in next post.

Exile5.jpgExile4.jpgExile3.jpgExile2.jpgExile1.jpg

[168rod]

More pics ...Exile6.jpgExile7.jpgExile8.jpgExile9.jpgExile10.jpg

[BamaMojo]

More pics ...Exile6.jpgExile7.jpgExile8.jpgExile9.jpgExile10.jpg

Nice looking setup! Up next sub and in boat upgrades!


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[bergermaister]

That has got to be the cleanest and emptiest garage I have ever seen.

Nice Ex setup too!

[168rod]

That has got to be the cleanest and emptiest garage I have ever seen.

Nice Ex setup too!

Thanks ... But not my garage; just our storage building where we keep the boat down by the lake. My wife would love it of our garage looked so clean and empty.

[168rod]

Nice looking setup! Up next sub and in boat upgrades!


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Thanks ... Looking at installing LEDs next.

[brain_rinse]

Very nice!

[kaneboats]

So sweet! Congrats! Now get on the water!

[Rugburn]

Great looking rack. Just got the same setup this summer and completely love it. Im interested in adding LED's to the tower speakers too. Post photos as you start that project. Id like to see how you do it.

[168rod]

Great looking rack. Just got the same setup this summer and completely love it. Im interested in adding LED's to the tower speakers too. Post photos as you start that project. Id like to see how you do it.

Will do ... I thought yours looked familiar; same speakers and pretty much same location. I did a lot of research and the forum definitely helped with my Exile decision; SXTQ9's are awesome, loud, and clear. Good, even at wakeboard length ...