Im running 4 MTX 7.7 coax's and 2 mtx 10" sub's, all marine speakers in my little resin bucket pushed by a genuine old school hifonics zues 5 channel. The gains are not cranked. Im half deaf and have hearing aids. WITHOUT my hearing aids I have yet to really turn it past half volume out of fear my head will explode and it will shake the gelcoat off the glass.

Then I added some M650's for the front and M770's for under the rear bench, because the 8.8's wouldn't quite fit.

I giggle when i see guys spending big bucks on their topshelf speakers, top shelf amps, because they want "sound quality". Then proceed to use a half azz headphone cable from their iphone to the head unit, playing compressed mp3 files , or satellite radio, etc

Theres nothing acoustical about the cockpit of a boat. Id be dammed if i am gonna spend 300 bucks for a pair of 6.5 coaxials, and install them in the gunwale with infinite enclosure volume.

When you look at some of the best sounding, expensive home audio speakers, emphasis is based on the enclosure design, internal crossovers, cabinet construction, and of course driver material.

Best advice i have, get decent quality speakers, coupled to a good amp with plenty of power. Do not underpower the speakers. Thats worse than overpowering them. In a boat all you can ask for is LOUD without distorting. That itself though, doesnt define sound "quality".

shhh don't tell them that.

I only have about $1000 in my whole system.

Three amps, crossover, head unit, 3 sets of 6.5", three 12" subs, plus wire and materials.

Oh....and don't get me started on wire!!!!!!

What a big batch of snake oil there.......

Tell us about wire!

You mean you dont need 6 gauge speaker wire when the driver is 4ft from the amp?

The best is oxygen free, zero-g, virgin vagina lining for wire jacket and ONLY dead sperm whale blow hole for the shielding.

Crimps, splices and connections need be kept to a minimum to prevent parasitic loss and increase resistance, but when necessary, the toenail clippings of a genuine leprechaun can be used for direct and in-line splice, but the use of a unicorn horn is absolutely mandatory when crimping.....otherwise negative ions can enter the virgin vagina lining and make a mess of all your hard work!!!!!!