Exile ZLD or Wetsounds WS-420???

[prostar205]

Anyone have any thoughts on either of these 2 EQ/Line Drivers?

I've had the Wetsounds WS-420 for that past 4 years but it finally got too must corrosion in the circuit board, it wouldn't work correctly. It's now time to replace it. Here are my thoughts:

1) My system is already wired and setup for the WS-420
2) My kids love the microphone option of the WS-420 and the Exile unit doesn't have one
3) The Exile unit does have 3 seperate channels so when you turn down the interior speaker you don't lose the sub. The WS-420 only has 2 channels so when you turn down or off the interior speakers, the sub goes down or off also
4) The WS-420 has a nice large faceplate which is how I mounted it. The Exile version doesn't have this type of lip so I'm going to have to figure out a different mounting method

Thoughts??

[vision]

The ZLD looks to have an aux input and you should be able to incorporate a mic. Did you get much noise in your system from the mic on the wet sounds?

I like the larger ZLD knobs as well. But a true faceplate would have been nice.

The bluetooth puck is also a great option, although I think this is not dependent on having the ZLD.

[prostar205]

I think the AUX input is for an iPod device. The WS-420 has the same thing. I don't think the AUX on the Exile unit would work for an external mic.

I got ZERO noise from the WS-420 or the mic on my system. It sounds really good.

[JRW160]

The zld looks nice, but the lack of a 2 zone equalizer is a deal breaker for me. I like being able to adjust the levels on the in boats and tower speakers separately. The independent sub control would be nice though.

[prostar205]

The zld looks nice, but the lack of a 2 zone equalizer is a deal breaker for me. I like being able to adjust the levels on the in boats and tower speakers separately. The independent sub control would be nice though.

The Exile ZLD has 3 independent zones (interior, tower, sub) where the WS-420 only has 2 zones (interior/sub and tower). Currently, I've solved this problem by using the sub controller that came with my Kicker 600.1 sub amp and not wiring my sub thru the WS-420. The only issue is when I have the HSI Revolution volume controller on, the lowers the sound level on both the tower and interior speakers but the sub is still loud becuase it not wired thru the WS-420.

[JRW160]

Do you use your head unit as the source? I use the aux input on the ws420 almost all of the time, so I don't think I have a choice but to wire the sub through the ws420.

Have you talked to wetsounds? A friend of mine had an out of warranty ws420 that went bad. He sent it back to them and while it couldn't be repaired, they gave him a discount on a new one.

[EarmarkMarine]

Because the Wetsounds WS420 has dual independent equalizers (tower and in-boat zones) it does not sum the outputs of the two zones like the single zone EQs do even though it has six discrete RCA outputs. The Wetsounds allows you to equalize the tower speakers without influencing the in-boat speakers including the inverse. You can't have it both ways. For most who consider the subwoofer to be an extension of the in-boat zone this is not an issue. For most they just boost the bass tone control a little if they want more bass for any reason including a moderate attenuation of the in-boat zone. And the subtle octave to octave change of a bass tone control may be preferred to the more abrupt change of a bass level control given the second order or greater crossover slope. For someone who wants more of an extreme control they can add a PAC LC-1 to the output of the in-boat zone so they can fully attenuate the in-boat coaxials without impacting the sub output at all.
The Bluetooth puc can be added to any EQ with an Aux input like the Wetsounds WS420 or you can use it on the 3.5mm boat link input/output of the WS420.
To add a mic you also need to have the PA system. A mic usually has a 48 volt phantom power supply. The power for the mic is built into the WS420 board. Even if you have some form of battery powered mic to produce enough gain you may have a conflict between balanced and unbalanced connecting cable schemes. Also, the WS420 automatically switches over when you key the mic.
So you will find that the WS420 is very unique in a number of aspects making comparison difficult with the common platform used by most other EQs.
Now the other EQs are of great benefit also if you are more focused on just a zone controller without all the other features.

David
Earmark Marine

[prostar205]

Do you use your head unit as the source? I use the aux input on the ws420 almost all of the time, so I don't think I have a choice but to wire the sub through the ws420.

Have you talked to wetsounds? A friend of mine had an out of warranty ws420 that went bad. He sent it back to them and while it couldn't be repaired, they gave him a discount on a new one.

I use a Pioneer HU as my main source but 99% of time I'm listening to my iPod which is wired thru the HU and not the WS-420 or HSE Revolution Volumn Control.

I have talked to Wetsounds. I sent them my WS-420 back in Nov. '11 after the season so they could tell me what was wrong with it. That when they said there was internal corrosion. They too offered me a refurbished unit at a discounted price. I talked to my stereo installer and he said to wait until spring when the Exile unit comes out and decide then.

I'm now trying to decide.

I'm leaning towards the WS-420 because my system is set up for it and the kids love the MIC feature. However, I really like the 3 independent zones on the Exile unit.

[zamboniman]

Wet sounds no brainer .. dual zone EQ is huge plus. Toss the mic and plug and go situation you're in and can't see any reason to go the other way.. im actually shocked they released an EQ that wasn't dual zone considering the tower setups that are popular.

[swatguy]

In layman's terms think of it like this, it was the way it was explained to me from the guys at exile when I asked for a direct comparison.

The WS420 has the adjustments as mentioned for the equalizers. You really get to fine tune each to a perfect level. So if sound quality is you number one choice the Ws 420 is the way to go.

The Exile is geared more toward a simplified zoned control. You dong really get the sq adjustments the WS 420 can give you but you get a much simpler fade and zone volume level control.