ATV speaker systems are a category of their own. They are waterproof devices with the ability to survive harsh weather conditions for long-term outdoor use. They have conformal coated circuit boards and UV-protected enclosures. They have big sound and even bigger bass for the ultimate off-road audio experience.

In this segment, we are going to talk about the PowerBass XL-1200. It is a special XL Series adventure sports soundbar by PowerBass. It has a stunning array of 12 speakers with onboard amplification. It has a rugged construction and is custom-built for sand buggies, ORVs, jeeps and boats.

Let us go over the technology, design and sound quality of the soundbar.

PowerBass XL-1200 Power Sports Bluetooth UTV Soundbar Review :

Technology And Design :

The PowerBass XL-1200 is a mammoth 12-speaker marine soundbar. It has an IPX6-rated water-tight housing. It can withstand high-pressure water sprays from any direction. It is impervious to rain and thunderstorms. Hot, cold or freezing weather, the XL-1200 works seamlessly through every season. Its sturdy extruded aluminum frame is designed to take knocks and impact. It is resistant to UV rays and corrosion. The circuitry is conformal coated for added safety against moisture, dirt and snow.

The XL-1200 is built for powersports vehicles like ATVs, UTVs, side-by-sides and buggies. It can also be installed on boats, yachts, golf carts, RVs and tractors. It has a universal L-bracket mounting system that allows it to be mounted to all kinds of bars and roll cages. You can also separately purchase top or bottom mount clamp style brackets for further customization.

The speaker bar has Bluetooth v4.0 technology for Wireless Music Streaming. It is compatible with a wide range of iOS and Android gadgets such as smart phones, tablets, iPhones, iPods, laptops, etc. You can enjoy music on streaming apps like Pandora and Spotify without using audio cables. It makes for a neater and less cluttered sound set-up.

For devices that do not have Bluetooth, and also for those that do, there is a 3.5mm AUX-IN jack. You can connect your sound source to the speaker bar with the help of an auxiliary audio cable and play songs on the go. The input port works with the AUX output of all Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth gadgets, including MP3 players and CD players.

The ATV soundbar has a built-in precision-tuned DSP processor with a Distortion Limiter. It reduces distortions and offers extended frequency range. The device also has a 2 volt line output for adding extra speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers as desired. It helps widen the soundstage and increases the overall impact of the tracks.

The PowerBass soundbar has an onboard amplifier with a peak power output of 1000 watts and RMS 500 watts. It is a 2-channel amp that supplies 250 watts RMS power per channel at 2 Ohm. 500 watts RMS is pretty good for a UTV soundbar. The sound is full of power and depth. It is loud, spacious and nuanced. Output power of the device is 250 watts x 2 @ 2 Ohm (14.4 volts).

The XL-1200 is 33.75 inches wide, 4.4 inches deep and 4.7 inches high. It weighs 16.8 lbs. It has a black housing with a protective mesh in front. It has an Auto turn on/off circuit which prevents the battery from draining out when the system is sitting idle. It has audible power on/off notifications and waterproof wire loom connectors.

At the centre of the bar is an LED back-lit control panel. It lets you manage the playlist and volume. A secondary dash-mountable controller pad can be bought separately. You can install it near the handlebar or steering wheel for quick fingertip control of the bar.

Setting up the soundbar is easy. It comes with power and ground wires.

Sound Quality :

The PowerBass XL-1200 has enormous sound. It boasts 12 speakers that really take the sound to another level. It has its own 2-channel amplifier that cranks out 500 watts RMS power. At its peak, it can go up to 1000 watts which is mind-blowing. The amp fires up the initial audio signal and infuses it with enough muscle to drive the 12 loudspeakers. The speaker line-up includes six 3.5-inch square poly cone marine-grade woofers, two 3-inch full-range marine-grade poly cone speakers and four 1-inch SD Mylar tweeters. Together they produce highly-pronounced music with sizzling highs, optimal midrange and deep bass. The soundbar has a frequency response of 50 Hz to 22 kHz, input sensitivity of 0.25 V – 3.0 V and signal-to-noise ratio of >85 dB.

Key Features :

12-speaker ATV soundbar with built-in amplification.
500 watts RMS, 1000 watts peak power, Bluetooth, 3.5mm AUX input, 2 volt line output.
50 Hz to 22 kHz frequency response, IPX6-rated water-tight extruded aluminum housing.
Conformal coated circuit board, universal L-bracket mounting system.
Onboard DSP processor with Distortion Limiter, LED back-lit control panel, Auto-turn on/off.
3 pairs of 3.5-inch square poly cone marine-rated woofers, 1 pair of 3-inch full-range marine-rated poly cone speakers, 2 pairs of 1-inch SD Mylar tweeters.

Installation Guide of Powerbass XL-1200 Power sports Soundbar

The PowerBass XL-1200 soundbar comes with universal L-brackets for easy installation. However, you may also buy their optional clamp system if you wish to mount the unit to square or round rods.

The manufacturer advices against setting up the unit on one’s own and recommends getting it done through an authorized dealer of PowerBass. Here are some general tips for mounting the gadget.

The soundbar is designed for use in vehicles with 12-volt Negative ground electrical systems only.
You might need the following tools for a smooth installation: an electrical drill with bits, hex key, wrench set, Philips head and standard screwdrivers, crimping tool, wire strippers, heat shrink tubing and heat gun, soldering iron, electronic volt ohm meter and an electronic solder.
For safety purposes, turn off the audio system and disconnect the Negative wire from the battery.
Run all wires prior to mounting the unit so that you know if you need additional wires.
If you are using extra connectors, make sure they are waterproof to avoid rust and corrosion.
Study the area well before you drill or cut anything. There might be hidden gas lines, fuel tanks, hydraulic lines or electrical wires which you would certainly want to avoid.
Never run cables underneath the vehicle or leave them exposed on a boat deck. The constant abuse from the sun, wind, water, mud and dust would quickly corrode the wires and you would soon be looking for replacements.
Also avoid placing any wires next to the vehicle’s electrical system to prevent noise from interfering with the audio system sound.
Remember to leave a little slack in the wires so that you don’t have to pull or stretch the wires and inadvertently cause a connection to come loose.
Before drilling or cutting any surface, carefully trim away any fabric from the drill location using a utility knife.
Before laying down ground leads, scrape or sand away all paint to make direct contact with the bare metal.
When laying power cables through sheet metal, use grommets to insulate the metal edge from the wire insulation. If possible, use tubing through grommets.