Speakers / most powerful
 

I am thinking of adding two more speakers to my boat. They would most likely have their own amplifier and would need to be standard size. 6 inch I think??

Any recommendations for the most powerful "marine" speakers? They will be to the right of my throttle and to the left of the passenger up high. Being in these positions the most likely will get wet in a storm or big waves.

Thanks for the advice.

Is there a reason why you have to put "marine" speakers? I've never run any marine stereo applications on any of my boats (all have had large stereo systems). If you want super clear, loud sound, check out Focal's.

I put marine because they most likely will get wet and I didn't know if that made a difference.

Focal's are the way to go for sure. I've been rained on a couple of times and they still sound great.

Focal K2 165KRX3 (3 WAY) will be the best for your aplication. They rock and are very sturdy. They are a bit pricey and do require their own amplifier, but you will not find a cleaner crisper sound. We run them in the dash faces of our 44 SL and can hear the music at 130 like your riding in a lexus. Note the tweeter and mid in the dash face, and the 6" componant under the throttle

http://www.woofersetc.com/p7915/165K...ponent-Kit.htm


Screw that price!

From personal experience, marine grade stereo equipment just isn't at the same quality level as non-marine application. I always mount speaker components at the gunwalls in the cockpit, exposed to the eliments and have never had a failure or issue with moisture (and this includes washing the boat and getting water directly on the speakers).

With that said, if you're looking for high end sound and you're picky about it, don't go with marine grade. If you're looking for loud "decent" sound, marine grade will be fine if you run it correct. Most of the major brands are producing marne grade stereo components including speakers...Alpine, Sony, JBL, Bose, JL Audio (JL being my personal pick and they make amps and speakers in marine grade) are some that will suit your needs for basic "loud party boat" sound.

I'd recommend PMing AudioFN...He's been in the business for a long time and can put you in the right direction.

The reason for using marine speakers is because of the support material for the speakers. If you buy the Focals, other than their cheapest model, you're getting the same material as marine speakers. Same with the Polk Audio speakers. I'm running the 7.7" JL components and get a lot of compliments on how clear they are at high volume levels. I haven't heard their 6" speakers so I don't know how they compare. Which ever brand you pick, get enough amplifier. A lot of speakers are destroyed by distortion casused by inferior amplifiers. Of course that opens up the other can of worms......AMPS!!!!!

DC Gold speakers. They have 5.25's or 7's. They sound great and are 100% waterproof. I run 8 of them in my boat.

Seriously don't forget about a sub-woofer. There are a lot of free air sub woofers that are easy to mount and do a pretty good job(not great). They seem to really make a big difference in the marine stereo installs.
Although, I just did a side by side comparison with a Clarion 10" FA sub and a 10" enclosed JL Audio sub. No comparison but they aren't close to being in the same price class. I just had to prove to myself that you get what you pay for with this stereo stuff. From what I've personally listened to; Focal, JL Audio, DC Gold, Polk Audio or any of the other high end gear will do you a very nice job. Cookie cutter stereo brand speakers will probably let you down if a really nice stereo rafts up next to you.

I've sold a ton of the Wet Sounds XS-650's. I've got a picture of one installed next to the throttle levers in this same boat but can't get to it at work.

http://jonyb.webs.com/photos/Random-Boats/DSC_7329.JPG

http://www.wetsounds.com/pages/produ...50-B_spec.html

100W RMS, 200W peak. These are a very close comparison to the JL Audio M770's. The woofer cone is solid, so it's essentially a component set, but all mounted in the grill.

+1 on this set up. They sound amazing!!

I just had all MTX speakers and amps installed in my boat. 15 speakers all together. The sound is unbelievable.

I dropped MTX in my new to me boat last spring. So far, I like the sound, and quite a few folks think I spent much more on them.

Jeeez, I haven't heard "MTX" in YEARS!!! They've been around a long time. Glad to hear they're still making quality stuff.

I like the looks of these, anyone else use them? I just pick up alpine pdx 4.100 & I'm looking for 4 6.5 speakers for my cockpit, I was going to use JL but these maybe an option

I had good luck with the audiovox 6x9s polys lol they lasted 6 years in this enviorment ,.....ha ha

I run Polk momo, they sound awesome and have held up great for the last 4 years (in saltwater)... I really like the new Polk MMC stuff. A lot of the wakeboard guys swear by the wetsounds but they are too pricey for me...

I'm running Polk Audio too and they sound great, they aren't too expensive either. I know alot of people swear by JL, but a little to much money for me when you times that by 5 sets. Good luck!!:)

Still around, and making good stuff at great prices IMO. Quality of construction is as good as the Polk & JL stuff I've used. I have the 6.5 & 7.7 speakers on the boat, and was planning on adding a sub. But, with the 7.7, it has enough bass for me. However, I don't have a stripper pole or run a disco on my boat. :drink:

I used the MTX home audio stuff for some speakers in our church and it also turned out great.

Marine amps and stereos are mainly different because the internal boards are coated with a sealant and the faceplate has a better seal. The composite outputs (RCA's) are made of non corrosive metal as well. Amps are basically same principal. Speakers are usually made with polypropelene cones and rubber surrounds. Again, non corrosive metal around the magnet/coil. Most speakers, even non marine are made of polypropelene and rubber now. Back in the day it was more paper cones, which were bad with moisture.

As far as good, I'm a fan of Polk MoMo and JL as my top picks.

I put Polks in the Chris-Craft last year and they sound real good for the money.

Add the sub. Well worth the money. You don't really have to go huge amp and multiple subs. 200 watts to any of the 10" free air subs or EVEN one of those self powered bazooka subs will just give a few more lows to the system and make it sound fuller. Any of the subs can be well hidden also because of the wave length.
The idea behind the sub isn't to have a stripper pole. It's to make the girls want to look for one!

JL Audio make some REALLY nice stuff, but, you PAY for it, I guess its no big deal if you have 200 or 300K tied up in your boat, but, sadly, thats not me! LOL

I have been leaning towards the Polk Audio Marine subs and there 6501 component speakers, I also have heard a lot of good things about the Alpine PDX amps, any thoughts?

Michael

PDX amps are fantastic. I have 2 in my boat. I run the automotive version amps.

JL HD series amps - VERY efficient (no dead battery) regulated power supplies, small foot print, lots of power.
Get the marine versions

Also JL speakers - you want powerful - look no further.

Focal polyglass

x4

We have been pulling out Polk Momo's and putting in Focal CVX 165's awesome speakers.

Most of the speakers out there today have poly cones and you don't have to worry about getting them "wet" like you did in the old days and use marine speakers.

Ditto They rock and the sound is beautiful

NK

I also have Polk momo's in the cockpit with 2, JL13W6's. Cuddy has Eclipse.All on Alpine amps and capaciters. 3 years and it'll still vibrate your eyeball's!

A buddy had a 442 Baja a few yrs ago that only had 4 Polk Momo 5 1/4 or 6" components in the cockpit mounted up high, and a 12" Polk sub, and 2 Kenwood amps and crossovers. Not sure on the amp sizes. But that system was DAILED IN! Best sounding system I've ever heard. We had it at LC poker run and had it tied up at the gas docks at night, as he had it for sale and was advertising it. He had the stereo on and cranked with Justin Timberlakes Sexy Back song playing, all the while the live band was playing on the backside of the marina store. Would not believe how many girls walking by started dancing when they got by his boat. Drawing a bigger crowd than the live band a couple times. It was awesome.
Most expensive system means nothing if it isn't dailed in.

any other opinions on the wet sounds 6.5 speakers? anyone here a dealer ?

The guy that owns wet sounds posts on www.wakeworld.com all the time, his name is Tim White I think.