Anybody who enjoys listening to music knows that one of the best ways to experience it is through a set of high quality speakers. But high quality speakers don't always translate to the best marine speaker. Whether you're on a lake, in the ocean, or elsewhere similar, finding a pair of speakers that'll withstand the elements is often a challenge.
While you can use your phone or any gadget or device, a marine speaker is always going to be better. This is especially true when you have guests onboard, and you want them to enjoy high quality music. Sadly, ordinary speakers don't always live up to the same quality in marine settings as they would in other applications. This is why getting a high grade marine rated speaker is so important.
When researching the best boat speakers, it’s important that the set you find is durable enough to withstand the elements. Marine grade speakers aren’t always expensive, although price often plays a role in how great the quality and features are. There are a number of speakers that are pricey with high grade materials and performance. But there are a number of affordable ones that offer great value for your money that will bring you high quality audio.
Here is a list of 2017's top rated and reviewed Marine Speakers to help you choose the best products for your boat's stereo:
Best Marine Speakers | Top 6
Our Rank | Marine Speaker | Speaker Type | Power Handling | Frequency Response | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Wet Sounds SW-650 | 2 Way Coaxial | RMS: 100 Watts Peak: 200 Watts | 40 - 22k Hz | $$$ |
2. | Polk Audio MM651UM | 2 Way Coaxial | RMS: 200 Watts Peak: 400 Watts | 40 - 25k Hz | $$ |
3. | Kicker KM654 | 2 Way Coaxial | RMS: 65 Watts Peak: 195 Watts | 35 - 21k Hz | $$$ |
4. | JL Audio M650-CXX | 2 Way Coaxial | RMS: 70 Watts Peak: 150 Watts | 55 - 25k Hz | $$$$ |
5. | Sony XSMP1621 | 2 Way Coaxial | RMS: 45 Watts Peak: 160 Watts | 25 - 26k Hz | $$ |
6. | Pioneer Nautica TS-MR1640 | 2 Way Coaxial | RMS: 30 Watts Peak: 160 Watts | 30 - 30k Hz | $ |
Best Marine Speakers | Things To Consider:
Choosing marine speakers for your boat can get a little confusing. But generally speaking, there are a few key things to consider:
Installation Size - While there are no standard sizes, marine speakers commonly come with a 6½” diameter. But it's important to note that just because it's a 6 1/2" speaker, it could come with a different sized grille. For example a small 6” speaker could have a 7½” grille and may appear bigger than a 6½” speaker. Consider your size limitation and you should be set.
Power Handling - To avoid blowing your speakers out, you need to know its power handling. Mainly peak wattage vs RMS (continuous wattage). Sometimes, manufacturers will omit the RMS since peak wattage shows higher numbers. However, RMS is more important. Knowing both is critical though, especially if you are using your speakers with an external amplifier. For example, an amplifier may put out 100 Watts RMS per channel. If your speakers can only handle 75 Watts (assuming you hook up one speaker per channel), it may put your speakers at risk.
Speaker Sound Quality - Of course, you have to get a set of speakers that produce high quality sound. This is even more important if you have high standards. Be it dual cone, coaxial, component, or subwoofers, the best boat speakers for you depend on your needs and the genres of music you listen to. One speaker might work for others but not for you and vice versa. For example, subwoofers are great if you can fit larger speakers into your boat. But they aren’t so great if you can’t support the additional power needs. Similarly, if you listen to music with more high end frequencies, you'll want to make sure the speaker performs well at higher ranges. Consider your listening habits and make sure the speaker conforms to your needs.
I have the Wet Sounds SW-650 and they are great. I know these are a bit expensive but if you want quality music you must have these on your boat.