Best Marine Speakers for Boating – Top Models Review

Everyone loves music. Whether one hears it at home or a party, we appreciate sounds and melody. But we always want to bring sounds and music with us even outside of our homes, during our outdoor activities. Being one of our favorite outdoor adventures, Boating can also be more remarkable when you have music with you.

Of course, this can only be achieved with a quality speaker. While there are many marine speakers available, you might indeed be asking what good marine speakers are and who makes the best marine speakers. Don’t worry, and this article will explore several things that you need to look for when buying speakers for your boat. You will also read ten of the top-rated speakers you can choose from in the hopes that you’d know what the best marine speakers for you are.

Things to Consider in Buying the Best Marine Speakers

Buying speakers for your boat may be confusing at first. They vary in sizes, installation, and, more importantly, they differ in performance, so you must know the factors to consider in choosing the best marine speakers:

Installation Size

You need to consider the size of your speaker and if it is appropriate for your boat. Is there enough space in which you can place your speaker? Is it large enough to provide the sound you need? Manufacturers often tell the size of the speaker cone, but of course, you need a casing for it, so you must know its size to understand if it will fit the cutout hole of the speaker’s grill.

Also, we need to consider how the speaker would be mounted. Some may be mounted in the open air, and others you can place on a platform. You need to identify if there is any place in your boat you can mount your speakers from and if doing so would keep it away from too much hazard.

Power Handling

You need to know how much power your speaker can handle, if not more than what your stereo or amplifier could provide, the power that your speaker can control must be equal. For instance, if a stereo head is rated at 200 watts for its peak power, your speakers must also handle 200 watts. However, some stereo head units could have four channels, meaning that if you have four speakers, each speaker must handle 50 watts.

Speaker Quality

Now that you know the set-up of your speaker, it would also be vital if you knew how to scrutinize your speakers’ quality. There are a couple of types of speaker you need to consider, with each type having different features:

Dual-Core

While these are the least expensive among all types, these are also regarded to have the lowest quality. Having only one speaker driver, this type of speaker has two cones that produce sound. The smaller one gives out the higher frequencies while the larger one produce bass and midrange.

Coaxial

Sometimes called two-way or three-way speakers, a coaxial speaker, is a single speaker wrapped around another, with the passive crossover that divides the frequencies among the speakers. While these are better than dual-core speakers, they can be too expensive. Sometimes, when vibrations interfere with one another, the speakers create what is called cross-phase distortion.

Component

Although quite similar to coaxial speakers, the tweeter of a component speaker is entirely separated from its woofer cone, eliminating the cross-phase distortion faced when coaxial speakers are used. However, this is a bit more expensive than coaxial speakers.

Subwoofers

An extension of the component speaker adds another speaker that could handle the lowest frequencies. Because this type of speaker is smaller, it won’t occupy too much space when placed in your boat.


Top 10 Best Marine Speakers for Boating

Now, what are the best marine speakers available in the market? We have chosen the top ten of them to expand your choices:

1. Kicker 2-Way Full-Range Indoor Outdoor Marine Speakers

Kicker 2-Way Full-Range Indoor Outdoor Marine Speakers

This pair of speakers is ideal for outdoor and indoor use. What’s great about this product is that it is mounted in an open-air and is very versatile. This can easily be installed on the ceiling or the wall and may be placed vertically or horizontally. It creates a great sound with its high-efficiency speaker system that provides a load of 8-Ohm and is compatible with most stereo receivers at home or in your boat, producing crystal clear music. If you don’t want it mounted, you can also use it as a bookshelf speaker since it comes with rubber feet to keep it secured on any surface.

Specs

  • 75 Watts RMS with 150 Watts peak
  • The 6.5-inch woofer and a compression-loaded horn tweeter that is 2×5 in
  • It uses polypropylene cones, and Santoprene surrounds
  • It comes with a 1-year warranty

Pros

  • Very versatile
  • Easy to install
  • Perfect bass, mids, and treble
  • Clear music output

Cons

  • Limited range

2. Pyle Marine Bluetooth Stereo Radio

Pyle Marine Bluetooth Stereo Radio

What’s nice about this device is, as its name suggests, its wireless connectivity. Its Bluetooth wireless music streaming allows you to stream music directly from your mobile devices like iPhone, Android, and other smartphones. Also, it would let you play any internet radio service.

Not only can this play music, but this speaker would also allow you to receive calls because of its built-in microphone, with the telephone number displayed in the LCD panel display. This package comes with remote control as well.

Specs

  • Contains flash drive and memory card reader
  • It comes with an auxiliary connector jack
  • Maximum power of 300 watts
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • An in-dash stereo receiver system
  • Bluetooth wireless range of 40 ft.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Wireless connectivity

Cons

  • The sound is not of high quality

3. Kenwood Marine Outdoor Bluetooth Stereo

Kenwood Marine Outdoor Bluetooth Stereo

This set of speakers come in two pairs, which you can complement with a stereo and an antenna. Its available ports allow for connection with different devices like the iPhone and other smartphones. This is simple to install as there are instructions to tell you how to assemble the set. More importantly, this is a great speaker system. Considering that it comes in two pairs, it could reverberate sounds in different directions you can also conveniently dictate. The remote and the speakers are also waterproof, so that it would be very appropriate for your boating adventure.

Specs

  • 200 Watts peak power
  • Features injection-molded polypropylene cone woofer
  • Features AM/FM radio, CD player, and removable faceplates.

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Long-lasting
  • Waterproof

Cons

  • A bit expensive

4. BOSS Audio Marine Bluetooth Speaker

BOSS Audio Marine Bluetooth Speaker

Like the Kenwood speaker, this set comes in two pairs. With its weatherproof and waterproof amplifier, you can trust the durability of this product and the quality of its sound output. This is flexible as it is compatible with most devices like the iPhone and other smartphones. Aside from being water-resistant, it is also dustproof. It comes with a 10-foot extension cable. Most of its parts are carefully coated, so you don’t need to worry about using this when your outdoor adventure.

Specs

  • 4-Ohm Stable
  • Could do wireless streaming through Bluetooth
  • Features a short protection system, shutting off the amplifier when the speaker gets too hot
  • Features a USB charging
  • 360 Watts peak

Pros

  • Great sound quality
  • Easy to install
  • Coated materials

Cons

  • Some costumes have issues with their durability

5. Infinity Reference High-Performance 2-Way Marine Loudspeaker

Infinity Reference High-Performance 2-Way Marine Loudspeaker

This pair of speakers uses polypropylene cones that are lightweight and stiff, so it is easier to carry and easier to install compared to other speakers. What makes this remarkable is its protection against UV lights which may harm the speakers. It is also free from any moisture contamination to ensure the product’s durability. With mounting made out of stainless steel and with corrosion-proof cast polymer, you can ensure that the product is protected from any water and salt damage.

Specs

  • With a frequency response of 50Hz – 20kHz
  • Watts peak at 225 watts
  • With a mounting depth of 2-5/8 inches

Pros

  • Easy to mount
  • Easy to mount
  • Very appropriate for outdoor adventure because of its water resistance

Cons

  • Grills are challenging to remove in case the speaker needs cleaning

6. Sony 2-way Marine Speaker

Sony 2-way Marine Speaker

Compared to the speakers mentioned above, this one is less expensive but works well. You can use it in your boating adventure since this uses water-resistant materials and is IPx5 certified. Aside from this, this is also UV-resistant, so you are ensured of its durability. Producing quality sound, this product has a front or rear mounting with a removable grill in case you want to clean the speaker and enhance its audio output.

Specs

  • 160 watts peak
  • Two-way speakers
  • Grills may be repainted for matching

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Good quality sound
  • Small size, so easy to carry

Cons

  • Might not last very long

7. Pioneer 2-Way Marine Speakers

Pioneer 2-Way Marine Speakers

With the same level of affordability as the Sony speakers, these lightweight and easy-to-install speakers are resistant to water moisture, heat, and corrosion. It features a magnetic fluid and equalizer with grills that are elegant and removable.

Specs

  • It has a protected and sealed magnet circuit
  • With a 30Hz – 30kHz frequency response
  • The sensitivity of 91dB and Ohm Rating of 4
  • Gold-plated lead wire and connection terminals
  • 160 Watts peak

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Easy to carry
  • Water and heat resistant

Cons

  • Speaker connectors are not of the same size so that it might be not very clear during installation

8. Wet Sounds Marine Coaxial Speakers

Wet Sounds Marine Coaxial Speakers

Although quite more expensive than the previous speakers, this pair of speakers is of the same structure as the Sony and Pioneer speakers with some additional features. By simply screwing it on the surface, this speaker is relatively easy to mount. It maintains a great quality of sound output and is resistant to heat and water.

Specs

  • 100 Watts peak
  • With a diameter of 6.8 inches
  • It has a mounting depth of 3.1 inches

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Small and does not occupy too much space

Cons

  • Quite expensive

9. Fusion Electronics Marine 2-Way Full Range Speakers

Fusion Electronics Marine 2-Way Full Range Speakers

This high-performance speaker is suitable for your marine adventure, with its ability to withstand even the harshest marine environment, complying with International ASTM standards when it comes to UV Stability and Fog and Salt resistance. Waterproof and dustproof, you can be assured that this pair of speakers could last long.

Specs

  • 200 watts peak
  • Mounting depth of 3”
  • Uses CURV Cone technology
  • Tweeter made of titanium

Pros

  • It does not occupy too much space
  • Easy to install
  • Quality music
  • Waterproof, heat resistant, and dustproof

Cons

  • There is not much Bass

10. Fusion Marine 2 Way Loudspeaker

Fusion Marine 2 Way Loudspeaker

Not only is this pair of speakers affordable, but it is also resistant to water and dust. This is fully sealed so it can be protected from any foreign molecules that would disrupt its function. White in color, it has an elegant design and effect grill designs. You can also choose from three grill designs.

Specs

  • 200 Watts peak
  • 6” in diameter

Pros

  • Great sound definition
  • Great grill designs
  • Small and does not occupy much space

Cons

  • It does not come with any other additional features

Conclusion

Choosing the best speaker is crucial as it affects your overall boating experience. Hopefully, this article has helped you identify the ways through which you can select a great speaker. It needs a balance between quality and affordability. With the top 10 marine speakers you have read, you can hopefully identify which would work best for your situation and pick which fits your desire.

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