Bluetooth Connection on Jensen MSR2107

[AZBoulder]

Hi new to the forum and first post.
I recently purchased a challenger 210 that has the stock jensen MSR2107 sound system installed. it is pretty limited in what you can hook up to it as far as Ipods etc. I want to hookup a Bluetooth receiver to it and like the JL Audio MBT-CRX receiver. The question I have now is how to hook this up to the Jensen unit. The power and ground wires are easy but the other connections of the JL Audio unit I have no idea what to tap into on the Jensen side to get it to work. Links to the manuals of each are below that have the schematics included. Any help would be appreciated.

https://www.asaelectronics.com/downloads/dl/file/id/126/msr2107_owners_manual.pdf

https://content.abt.com/documents/67692/MBT_CRX_Manual.pdf

 

[kernal]

There should be a 3.5mm plug in the glove box that is connected via rca plugs to the aux input. You can add the JL audio Bluetooth and use those inputs, disconnecting the plug in the glove box. Many add a small Bluetooth receiver that plugs into the jack.

 

[AZBoulder]

Thanks for the response kernel. I am most curious about what to do with the blue and blue/white wires in the MBT-CRX when it come to hooking it into the Jensen setup. the Blue/white wire is optional so it might just be that the blue wire is connected to the powered antenna wire as an input to the amp.

 

[kernal]

I was looking at the JL Audio MBT‑RX, for the MBT-CRX the blue wire won't be used, the Blue/White would be connected to the remote turn on from the Jensen. I forget which wire it is, but the Jensen does have one. I can check next time I'm wiring. I posted a thread about my audio updates, the Jensen speakers are not that great. Just changing the speakers made a big difference.

The MBT-CRX looks interesting, able to control the phone so it could stay in a dry spot.

 

[AZBoulder]

Would appreciate you checking kernal, i have contacted both companies and they are not really interested in answering the questions (not surprising they are competing after all). I liked the MBT-CRX as it has a really clean look and will mount nicely next to the 12V outlet below the steering wheel on my challenger 210. Thanks for the suggestion on the speakers. Any suggestions or recommendations on replacements for the Jensen speakers?

 

[kernal]

I went with JL MX770's, there are alot of options.. I'll be wiring up some LED cupholders in the next couple days I'll take some pictures of the connections you'll need to use. If you never use the existing AUX connection, I'd go with the MBT-CRX and wire it right into the AUX, and remove the 3.5mm connector in the glove box.

Here's my audio update thread.
https://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?88968-Audio-Updates

 

[AZBoulder]

After a little searching I am looking at the Rockford Fosgate RM1652. I have used Rockford's in the past and always liked them. Would imagine this will be a step up regardless from the stock setup.

 

[go_panthers]

I was looking at the JL Audio MBT‑RX, for the MBT-CRX the blue wire won't be used, the Blue/White would be connected to the remote turn on from the Jensen. I forget which wire it is, but the Jensen does have one. I can check next time I'm wiring. I posted a thread about my audio updates, the Jensen speakers are not that great. Just changing the speakers made a big difference.

The MBT-CRX looks interesting, able to control the phone so it could stay in a dry spot.

I received the MBT-CRX two days ago. Haven't installed it, yet, but thinking I will put it here:


Need to get a marine RCA Cable and fish it over there.

 

[kernal]

The remote power turn on wire is orange with a rubber end on it. It is from the radio power harness. I have A picture I'll post in the later, but it should be easy for you to find.

 

[kernal]

Go_panther, that location is going to be a fun one to get wires to. The only hole there is is small. Be ready to cut another access hole. i just fished a wire for LEDs there.

 

[AZBoulder]

Go_Panther why that side and not on the other side where all the other gauges and Jensen head unit are? Just curious why as I have the MBT-CRX in hand now and I intend to put it on the same panel the 12V power outlet is in just below the wheel. There is good access from behind and wiring is all there.

 

[go_panthers]

Couple of reasons:

1) My wife is the DJ - she picks the music and usually sits in the port captains chair.
2) I have already ran another cable over there before, so I have a path. Power is already there for the 12V power outlet in the compartment. Just a matter of running the RCA cables.
3) There are few places to put the CRX on the starboard console. My 12V power outlet is above the wheel, just below the info center (I replaced it w/ a dual USB this spring). The back side of the dash is a lot of fiberglass to go through in addition to the plastic dash itself. Very few places to add something that doesn't have fiberglass behind it, and that fiberglass holds the dash/gauges in place. I don't want to compromise any of the fiberglass because it is quite narrow in some places where the gauges are bolted.

 

[AZBoulder]

great thanks for the explain makes sense. Can you tell me where how you ran the wires to the port side? I did not see any obvious path without making some holes in the floor center storage compartment but there may be a better way?

 

[go_panthers]

I will try to document my install. I had to delay it a few days due to brake issues on my trailer that I discovered. Replacing the entire brake system today, that may bleed over into tomorrow... (no pun intended). Then, I will get on the Bluetooth install.

 

[go_panthers]

Ended up putting it here. Still on the starboard side, but close enough that I can reach it from the helm. The route does go through the ski locker, but unobtrusively. Still a little wiring cleanup to do. Can post more pics of the routing if you are interested.

 

[kernal]

Looks good, how's it work? I've been using the aux jack while working on the boat in the garage. I added the xm radio which is what we normally use while on the water.

 

[go_panthers]

Seems to work fine. I wired it to the antenna out, so it powers on with the stereo. The JL Logo flashes, indicating it's in pairing mode. I paired it with my iPhone and it started playing. The volume adjustment buttons adjust the volume on the phone. When I was working on the boat earlier cleaning up the wires, it paired to my phone within a second or two. It took over the Bluetooth connection from my AirPods.

Worth the money to me.