If you own a Can-Am Maverick, Polaris RZR or any side-by-side in Riverside, you have probably looked at the boxed “stage” audio kits. They look simple. One part number, one price, bolt it in and go. The most popular one at the top of the ladder is the Rockford Fosgate Stage 6 kit for the Can-Am Maverick X3.
Here is the question we ask every customer who walks into Advanced Car Stereo on Magnolia Avenue: why pay for one brand’s package when the same money can build a custom system with double the speakers, double the subwoofers, three amplifiers and a dedicated battery?
We just finished a build that answers that question. In this post we break down a real 2026 Can-Am Maverick DS we built in our Riverside shop, compare it piece by piece with the Rockford Fosgate Stage 6 package, and explain why a custom Can-Am sound system is the smarter buy for most riders in the Inland Empire.
Watch the build first:
What Is a Manufacturer Full Package UTV Audio Kit?
A manufacturer full package is a pre-boxed audio system designed for one specific machine. The manufacturer picks every part, makes the brackets and wiring harnesses, and sells it under one part number. Kits are usually sold in “stages.” Stage 1 might be a head unit and two speakers. The higher the stage, the more speakers, subs and amp power you get.
Packages have real advantages. They fit the machine they were designed for, they use plug-in harnesses, and the parts are matched to each other. If you want something simple and you like the brand, a kit is a fine choice.
The downside is that you pay for the brand name, the packaging, the custom brackets and the convenience. You also get only what the box includes. If you want more towers, more bass or more electrical support, you are buying add-ons on top of the kit price.
What Comes in the Rockford Fosgate Stage 6 Kit?
The Rockford Fosgate X317-STG6 is the Stage 6 Gen-3 kit for 2017 and newer Can-Am Maverick X3 models. Rockford lists it as not compatible with the Maverick R. Based on Rockford’s product page and authorized dealer listings, the kit includes:
- PMX-3 head unit with a 2.7″ color screen, Bluetooth, USB, AM/FM/weather band, backup camera input and SiriusXM-ready tuner support
- X317-DK dash kit to mount the PMX-3 in the X3 dash
- Two front 6.5″ speakers (M2-65B Color Optix marine 2-way) in direct-fit front panels
- One pair of rear 8″ horn tower speakers (M2WL-8HB Color Optix)
- One 10″ subwoofer in an M2 Element Ready loaded enclosure
- One amplifier: the M5-1500X5, a 1,500-watt 5-channel Element Ready amp
- 4 AWG amp wiring kit, rear speaker harness and a Color Optix RGB controller run from Rockford’s RF Connect app
That is a quality, well-engineered package.
Notice what is not in the box: there is no second pair of towers, no second subwoofer, no auxiliary battery and no battery isolator. Everything runs on one amplifier and your machine’s stock electrical system.
Our Custom Build: A 2026 Can-Am Maverick DS in Riverside
For this customer’s 2026 Can-Am Maverick DS, we designed a complete high-performance marine audio system from the ground up. Every part was chosen to handle sun, dust, water and vibration, the same conditions you face riding out of Riverside to the dunes or the desert. Here is what went in:
- Four JC Power 8″ marine tower speakers with RGB lighting (two pairs of JC Power M-RP80TS)
- Two JC Power 6.5″ marine coaxial speakers up front (JC Power M-RP65MD)
- Two Diamond Audio 10″ marine subwoofers rated at 200 watts RMS each
- Three JC Power marine amplifiers: a monoblock for the subs, a 4-channel and a 2-channel for the speakers (JC Power marine amplifier line)
- AGM auxiliary battery plus a Stinger battery isolator
- Capacitor and head unit to complete the system
- RGB lighting throughout
That is four towers instead of two, two subwoofers instead of one, and three amplifiers instead of one. And it comes in at about the same price as the boxed Stage 6 package.
The Technical Breakdown
JC Power M-RP80TS 8″ Marine Tower Speakers (x4)
Tower speakers do the heavy lifting in a side-by-side because the cab is open. Sound escapes in every direction, so you need speakers that project over engine, wind and tire noise. According to JC Power’s spec sheet, each M-RP80TS pair is rated at:
- 550 watts peak / 275 watts RMS per pair, 4 ohms
- 90.4 dB sensitivity and a 55 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response
- 8″ mica-filled polypropylene woofer with a 1″ neodymium tweeter and a 1.5″ Kapton voice coil
- Adjustable aluminum brackets, UV- and corrosion-resistant housings, IP65 waterproof connector
- Built-in RGB LED lighting
With two pairs, this Maverick has 1,100 watts peak / 550 watts RMS of tower speaker capacity. That is what lets the music carry when you are cruising the trail at speed or sitting around camp at Glamis.
JC Power M-RP65MD 6.5″ Marine Coaxial Speakers (Front)
The front pair puts vocals and detail right at the driver and passenger. JC Power rates the M-RP65MD at 450 watts peak / 225 watts RMS per pair, 4 ohms, 89 dB sensitivity and 60 Hz to 20 kHz. They use a polypropylene cone, an aluminum-cone tweeter with a neodymium magnet and a weather-resistant build. The result is clear vocals, crisp highs and a balanced midrange.
Diamond Audio 10″ Marine Subwoofers (x2)
Bass is where most UTV kits come up short, because an open cab gives bass waves nowhere to build. Doubling the subwoofers is the most noticeable upgrade you can make. We used two Diamond Audio MS104SL 10″ marine subwoofers, rated at 200 watts RMS / 400 watts max each. That gives 400 watts RMS of bass, twice the subwoofer count of the Stage 6 kit. Diamond lists the MS104SL as IP65 marine-grade with 12.3 mm of excursion and a neodymium motor.
Three JC Power Marine Amplifiers
This is the biggest difference between our build and a one-amp kit. Instead of asking one amplifier to drive everything, we split the load three ways:
- Monoblock amplifier dedicated to the two 10″ subwoofers
- 4-channel amplifier for the four tower speakers
- 2-channel amplifier for the front 6.5″ speakers
Each amp only has one job, so each one runs cooler and has more headroom. Headroom means the system plays loud without clipping and distorting. JC Power’s compact marine amps are built for boats and powersports, so they stand up to the same moisture and dust you see on Inland Empire trails.
AGM Auxiliary Battery + Stinger Battery Isolator
This is the part most riders skip and later regret. A big audio system can drain your starting battery fast, especially when you are parked at camp with the engine off. In our build, the AGM auxiliary battery gives the system its own power reserve. The Stinger battery isolator separates the two batteries, so the stereo can drain the aux battery while your starting battery stays protected. When the engine runs, both batteries charge.
The Stage 6 kit does not include an aux battery or isolator. If you want that protection with a boxed kit, it is an extra purchase.
Capacitor and Head Unit
The capacitor helps smooth out quick power demands from the amplifiers during hard bass hits. That keeps voltage steadier and helps protect your lights and electronics from dimming. The head unit ties it all together with your music source and controls.
Custom System VS Manufacturer Full Package: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Component | Rockford Fosgate Stage 6 Kit | Advanced Car Stereo Custom Build |
|---|---|---|
| Tower speakers | 1 pair (2 speakers), 8″ | 2 pairs (4 speakers), 8″ JC Power M-RP80TS |
| Front speakers | 2 x 6.5″ | 2 x 6.5″ JC Power M-RP65MD |
| Subwoofers | 1 x 10″ | 2 x 10″ Diamond Audio (400 W RMS total) |
| Amplifiers | 1 (5-channel) | 3 (monoblock, 4-channel, 2-channel) |
| Auxiliary battery | Not included | AGM auxiliary battery |
| Battery isolator | Not included | Stinger battery isolator |
| Capacitor | Not included | Included |
| RGB lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Fits | 2017+ Maverick X3 only (not Maverick R) | Any Can-Am, Polaris RZR or side-by-side |
Same budget. Twice the towers. Twice the subwoofers. Three times the amplifiers. Plus a protected electrical system.
Why a Custom UTV Sound System Makes More Sense
1. You pay for equipment, not packaging
With a manufacturer full package, part of your money goes to the brand name, custom brackets and boxed convenience. With a custom build, the money goes into speakers, subs, amps and power. That is how we fit double the gear into the same budget.
2. It fits your machine, not just one model
Package kits are built for specific models and years. If you own a Maverick R, a Commander, a Defender, a Polaris RZR, a Kawasaki KRX or a Honda Talon, the kit you want may not exist. A custom system is designed for your exact machine and how you ride it.
3. More amplifiers means cleaner sound at high volume
Splitting the system across three amps gives each speaker group dedicated power. Subs get a monoblock tuned for bass. Towers get their own amp. Fronts get their own amp. That separation is how you get loud and clear at the same time.
4. Your battery is protected
A dead battery 40 miles out in the desert is not a minor problem. Our AGM aux battery and Stinger isolator setup protects your starting battery so you can play music at camp all night and still start your machine in the morning.
5. You can grow it later
A custom system is planned with expansion in mind. Want to add a light bar sync, a second sub, or a marine media center later? We wire it so the upgrade is easy instead of starting over.
6. Local install, local support
When you buy a boxed kit online, you are on your own if something goes wrong. When we build your system in Riverside, you can drive back to our shop for tuning, adjustments or warranty help.
When Does a Manufacturer Full Package Still Make Sense?
To be fair, a Rockford Fosgate package is a great product. If you are loyal to the brand, want the factory-look integration of the PMX head unit, or prefer a one-part-number solution with matched Color Optix lighting, a kit can be the right call. We install Rockford Fosgate kits too. Our goal is simple: show you both options side by side so you can see exactly what your money buys before you decide.
Built for Inland Empire Riding
Riders around Riverside put their machines through some of the harshest conditions in Southern California. Summer heat over 100 degrees, fine desert dust and sudden water crossings are all normal. That is why every part in this build is marine-rated and weather-resistant.
Whether you are heading out to the Imperial Sand Dunes at Glamis, Ocotillo Wells, Johnson Valley, Dumont Dunes or the mountain trails around Big Bear, your sound system needs to survive the ride and still sound great at camp.
Serving Riverside and the Entire Inland Empire
Advanced Car Stereo is located at 10555 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92505. We build custom UTV, side-by-side, marine and car audio systems for riders from all over the Inland Empire, including:
- Riverside, La Sierra and Arlington
- Corona, Norco and Eastvale
- Jurupa Valley and Moreno Valley
- Perris, Menifee and Lake Elsinore
- Temecula and Murrieta
- Fontana, Rialto and San Bernardino
- Ontario and Chino
If you are searching for a Can-Am sound system in Riverside, UTV audio near me or a custom side-by-side stereo in the Inland Empire, bring your machine in for a free consultation. We will walk you through a custom build and a package kit side by side.
How We Design a Custom Can-Am Sound System in Riverside
Every custom build at our Riverside shop follows the same simple process, so you know exactly what you are getting before we touch your machine.
Step 1: Free consultation
You bring your Can-Am, RZR or other side-by-side to our shop on Magnolia Avenue. We look at your roll cage, dash, seat area and electrical system. We also ask how you ride. A dune rider who camps at Glamis all weekend needs a different setup than someone who rides short trail loops near Corona or Jurupa Valley.
Step 2: Side-by-side quote
We put a package kit and a custom system next to each other on paper. You see the speaker count, subwoofer count, amplifier power, electrical upgrades and total installed price for both. No guessing and no pressure.
Step 3: Electrical planning first
Before we pick speakers, we plan the power. That means wire gauge, fusing, ground points, battery placement and isolator wiring. A great-sounding system that kills your battery is not a great system. Getting the electrical side right is what keeps your build reliable for years.
Step 4: Clean, weather-ready installation
We use marine-rated components, sealed connections and secure mounting so your system survives heat, dust, vibration and water crossings. Wiring is routed away from moving parts and hot exhaust areas, and every connection is protected.
Step 5: Tuning and RGB setup
Once everything is installed, we set amplifier gains and crossovers so each speaker group plays its range cleanly. Then we set up your RGB lighting so your towers and subs light up the way you want. Before you leave, we walk you through the controls and make sure you are happy with the sound.
This process is why riders from Moreno Valley, Perris, Menifee, Temecula and all over the Inland Empire trust Advanced Car Stereo with their UTV audio builds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a custom Can-Am sound system really the same price as the Rockford Fosgate Stage 6?
For builds like the one in this post, yes. We can build a custom system with four towers, two subs, three amps and an aux battery for about the same installed investment. Exact pricing depends on your machine and choices, so ask for a quote.
Will a big stereo drain my UTV battery?
It can without the right electrical setup. That is why we add an AGM auxiliary battery and a battery isolator. The audio system draws from the aux battery, and your starting battery stays protected.
Are marine speakers good for a side-by-side?
Yes. Marine-rated speakers are built to resist water, UV and corrosion. That makes them a great fit for dust, heat and water crossings on Southern California trails.
Do you install on Polaris RZR, Honda Talon and other UTVs?
Yes. We build custom systems for Can-Am, Polaris, Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha and most other side-by-sides.
Do you offer financing?
Yes, financing is available on qualifying UTV audio packages. Ask us in store for details.
Do you offer free RGB lighting?
Right now, qualifying full audio system purchases include free RGB lighting. Ask us for current offer details.
Ready to Upgrade Your Can-Am Sound System?
Don’t just pay for the brand name. Come compare the sound, power, features and value for yourself.
- Visit us: 10555 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92505
- Watch the build: 2026 Can-Am Maverick DS custom audio on YouTube
- Message us for a custom UTV audio quote today
Bring your Can-Am, Polaris RZR or any side-by-side to Advanced Car Stereo in Riverside. More sound, more bass, more fun, for the same price.
