Boat Stereo Installation: Fusion Apollo RA770 and Kicker KM LED Speakers

Summer is on its way, and boat owners are starting to think about the first trips of the season. We've just finished a marine audio install that shows what a modern boat sound system can do. It combines a Fusion MS-RA770 Apollo marine stereo with Kicker KM 6.5" LED coaxial marine speakers. The boat now has a touchscreen system built for sun, salt and spray, with speakers that light up after dark.

Here's what went into this install, why we chose these parts, and what to check on your own boat before summer.

The Install: Fusion Apollo RA770 Marine Stereo

At the centre of the system is the Fusion Apollo RA770, one of the most capable units in our Fusion marine stereo range. Fusion says it was the world's first touchscreen marine stereo with built-in Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay. On the water, that means:

• 4.3" glass touchscreen: tap to pause or swipe through your playlist, with no hunting for small buttons with wet hands
• Wi-Fi streaming and Apple AirPlay: higher-quality streaming than Bluetooth, which is also built in
• Built for the marine environment: the front panel is IPX7 water resistant when installed correctly, and the unit is tested against salt fog, UV, vibration and temperature
• Four audio zones: set separate volume levels for the cockpit, cabin, flybridge or tower, and name each zone
• Fusion DSP: built-in digital signal processing with preset Fusion speaker profiles, so the sound can be tuned to each part of the boat
• Fusion-Link control: control your music from the Fusion-Link app, a compatible chartplotter over NMEA 2000, or a Garmin watch
• DAB+ ready: add the MS-DAB100A module for digital radio
• Over-the-air updates: keep the stereo's software up to date through the app

The RA770 fits a standard DIN cut-out, which helps when you're replacing an older marine head unit in an existing dash. For larger boats, Fusion's PartyBus connects several Apollo stereos, wired or wirelessly. Music can play in sync across the whole boat, or each area can play its own source.

The Speakers: Kicker KM 6.5" LED Coaxials

We paired the Fusion with Kicker's KM 6.5" LED coaxial speakers from our Kicker marine speaker range. They're built for life on the water:

• UV-treated polypropylene cones and Santoprene surrounds: made to resist the sun damage that breaks down standard speakers
• Sealed motors and locking terminal covers: protection against splash and spray
• 316L stainless steel hardware: rustproof fixings that hold up in salt air
• Tested to ASTM standards: 200 hours of salt fog testing (ASTM B117) and 400 hours of accelerated UV testing (ASTM G154)
• 3/4" titanium tweeter: clear highs that carry over wind and engine noise
• Seven-colour LED lighting: with both white and charcoal grilles supplied, so the speakers suit the boat's finish. The lighting upgrades to 20 colours and 19 modes with the Kicker KMLC controller

The speakers handle 65 watts RMS, 195 watts peak, and cover 35Hz to 21kHz. They mount in a 128mm cut-out at under 60mm deep, so they fit most side panels and hull locations. They can also go into Kicker tower enclosures.

Why Professional Boat Stereo Installation Matters

A boat is harder on electronics than a car. Salt air, moisture, UV and constant vibration expose every weak point in an installation, and corrosion in a poorly made connection can stop your system working mid-season. When we install marine audio, we pay attention to:

• Marine-grade wiring: tinned marine-grade cable resists corrosion far better than standard automotive copper
• Sealed connections: keeping moisture out of every joint, terminal and plug
• Careful cable routing: secured runs that won't chafe through vibration or get caught in hatches
• Correct speaker placement: mounting locations that suit the cut-out depth, stay clear of water and project sound where people sit
• Setup and tuning: configuring zones, volume limits and DSP profiles before you take the boat out

The result is a system that sounds right on day one and stays reliable for many seasons.

Get Your Boat Ready for Summer: Audio Checklist

Before the first trip of the season, take ten minutes to check your sound system:

1. Inspect the speakers: look for cracked or perished surrounds, faded and brittle cones, and rust on grilles or screws. UV damage is the most common cause of marine speaker failure.
2. Check connections for corrosion: green or white build-up on terminals and plugs means moisture has got in. It causes crackling, cutting out and dead speakers.
3. Test every source: try Bluetooth, radio and USB, and check that your phone still pairs. Older head units often can't connect reliably to current phones.
4. Check the display and buttons: sun-faded screens and sticky buttons are signs a stereo is at the end of its life.
5. Listen at volume: distortion at moderate volume usually means a speaker is damaged or the system is underpowered.
6. Think about what you want: phone streaming, separate zones, LED lighting or more bass are all easier to add before the season than during it.

If anything on that list shows up, now is the time to sort it out. Bookings fill quickly as the weather warms up, so book early to have your boat ready for the first warm weekend.

Build Your Own Boat Sound System

Every boat is different, so we build systems to suit how you use yours. Start with the core components and add to them:

• Marine stereos, including our Fusion marine stereo range
• Marine speakers from Kicker, Fusion, JL Audio, Alpine and more
• Marine amplifiers for more volume and clarity, and to power extra zones
• Marine subwoofers for bass that holds up in open air
• Marine package deals with matched stereo and speaker combinations
• Marine accessories including remotes, covers and antennas

On the RA770, the subwoofer and full-range line outputs need a separate amplifier. Adding a marine amplifier powers the extra zones and gives the Kicker KM speakers their full 65 watts RMS.

Boat Stereo Installation in Sydney

Strathfield Car Radios installs marine stereos, speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers for boat owners across Sydney. Whether you have a runabout, bowrider, cruiser or wakeboard boat, we can help you choose the right gear and install it properly. Bring your boat to our Strathfield store, or call us to talk through your plans.

If you're searching for boat stereo installation near me or marine audio installation in Sydney, we're easy to reach from Burwood, Homebush, Concord, Five Dock, Drummoyne, Rhodes, Ashfield and across the Inner West.

Shop our full marine audio range or contact Strathfield Car Radios to book your boat stereo installation before summer.