When this brand-new Cape Horn 36XS arrived at Soundworks in Millersville, MD, it was a blank slate—no factory-installed audio system, just endless possibilities. Our expert marine audio technicians were thrilled to design and install a fully custom sound system from the ground up, engineered for powerful performance and crystal-clear sound on the water. If you’re looking to upgrade your own boat, we specialize in marine speakers, lighting, and electronics that turn every outing into an unforgettable experience.
Watch the full video walkthrough of this epic marine audio install:
Fully Custom Marine Audio System for a Cape Horn 36XS
We started with a clean canvas and a mission: create a high-performance marine sound system that delivers unmatched clarity, volume, and control. At the heart of the system is the Fusion Apollo RA770 touchscreen head unit, known for its advanced features, intuitive interface, and seamless integration with Simrad chartplotters via the NMEA network. With Bluetooth connectivity and multi-zone control, it offers total command of the boat’s audio experience.
18 Wet Sounds Speakers Strategically Installed
Since this Cape Horn didn’t come with factory speakers, we had full control over the design and placement of all 18 Wet Sounds marine-grade speakers. Highlights include:
- (2) 6.5” Wet Sounds Revo speakers above the helm
- (6) 8” Wet Sounds Revo speakers in the hardtop (3 per side)
- (8) 10” Wet Sounds RevoCX speakers positioned around the boat, with four in the bow and four in the stern
Custom orange trim rings around the 10” speakers match the boat’s color scheme and logo, and all visible speakers feature ambient LED lighting to enhance the atmosphere.
Bass You Can Feel: Dual 12” Subwoofers in a Custom Enclosure
To deliver deep, booming bass, we installed two 12” Wet Sounds XXX subwoofers in a custom-built ported enclosure made from marine-grade Starboard. This enclosure fits seamlessly under the helm seating area and is finished with a vinyl wrap that matches the OEM seating. A custom acrylic grille displays the boat’s name—“Measured Chaos”—etched into the design for a personalized touch.
8000 Watts of Power with Six Amplifiers
The system is powered by six high-performance marine amplifiers: three from Wet Sounds and three from JL Audio.
- Wet Sounds amps drive the eight 10” speakers and the two 12” subwoofers (with a dedicated 2500-watt amp for bass).
- JL Audio amps power the six 8” and two 6.5” speakers and feature built-in DSPs (Digital Signal Processing) for precise system tuning.
All amplifiers are mounted on a custom panel with proper ventilation and protection, with a display above showcasing the system schematics.
Custom DSP Presets and Controls
We added a custom-built controller with three DSP audio presets for different listening modes:
- Preset 1: Trolling Solo – optimized for helm listening while cruising alone
- Preset 2: School of Rock – tuned for full-boat sound, split into bow, helm, and stern zones
- Preset 3: Bass Drop – designed to maximize subwoofer output and bass impact
A subwoofer control knob and blue speaker lighting dimmer are integrated into the custom panel for complete control and customization.
Ready for Your Own Marine Audio Upgrade?
With over 200 hours of craftsmanship, 18 speakers, 6 amplifiers, and more than 8000 watts of power, “Measured Chaos” now delivers a jaw-dropping sound experience you can hear and feel across the bay. Interested in upgrading your boat’s audio system? Serving Annapolis and the greater Chesapeake Bay, Soundworks is your go-to shop for custom marine audio installations. Contact us today!
