honest question about boat stereo systems.....

[Wylie_Tunes]

Hi guys,

I'm really interested to read this thread since my husband and I are planning to upgrade our electronics this year. I've been squirreling away to upgrade our 2 RayMarine e120s and I'm hoping that we can upgrade the stereo without too much additional cost. Our 450 DA is a 2010 and we're planning to do a survey of what we currently have installed sometime over the weekend. My husband has never been happy with the sound quality of the stereo in our cockpit and it also annoys him that we have two separate systems - one in our salon and the other that powers our cockpit. We have added a Blackberry bluetooth module that gives us bluetooth capability for the cockpit stereo but we're most likely interested in upgrading to a Fusion system to integrate both sets of speakers.

Depending on our survey of the audio system we have that will determine which components we need to upgrade now and which can wait until our Raymarine system is upgraded (I keep stressing the importance of good nav over a good stereo but my husband does not agree - sigh).

For those that have the Fusion system - do you love it or is it overhyped at this point? For a larger yacht with a hardtop how important is it to use marine grade speakers?

Thanks!

Sandy

Based on your location, I would suggest marine grade all the way around. not just for the sun exposure and added UV protection found in the marine grade, but for the saltwater resistance that you wont find in car audio components. Many car audio speakers have rubber surrounds and composite cones, but fall short of being marine built.

Id look close at the Kicker KMC20 marine source unit as well.

 

[sandydlc]

Based on your location, I would suggest marine grade all the way around. not just for the sun exposure and added UV protection found in the marine grade, but for the saltwater resistance that you wont find in car audio components. Many car audio speakers have rubber surrounds and composite cones, but fall short of being marine built.

Id look close at the Kicker KMC20 marine source unit as well.

Thanks for the information! I guess we were thinking that since our 450 has a hard top and we only cruise without the canvas when it's really warm out, we're not sure how much saltwater might affect our speakers. Our previous boat definitely had issues but we had a canvas top and isinglass so tended to cruise without canvas/isinglass much of the summer so had much more spray that affected our speakers which eventually cracked/broke.

 

[RidgeRunner]

I ordered a set of new 'old' Polk MM651UM speakers, with an otherwise stock system. I'm looking for a little more volume without distortion.

 

[Creekwood]

When I upgraded my speakers I went with JL audio but the ones in the cabin ceiling are JL automotive, not marine. I didn't see the need to go marine in a space that gets no sun and no water. Saved a few bucks for other things too.

 

[Still Shear Pleasure]

4 years late on this thread, but, I am having speaker issues and need advice and ideas. I read all the opinions, data, and what others did and what worked for them. I was embarrassed last week when I took some friends out for a ride and drowned out my music at about 5 or 6mph. I never concerned myself with music unless I was docked and then, at max volume, you couldn't talk without yelling. I have a Sony Drive-S, 52x4, removable head unit labeled 100db+. My speakers are 8" Pioneer TS-MR165 coaxial two way. 120W, 35w nominal power ( I have no Idea what that means), Speaker impedance 4 Om. SPL not shown.
I am looking at a set of Boss MR752C's. Specs: 7 1/2 2way, peak 400w. Frequency 40Hz-20KHz, SPL90db(, speaker impedance 4 Om and 1" Mylar dome tweeter. Sold in pairs for slightly under $100. I have reviewed Boss speakers and they have nice ones and a fairly good reputation. Return plan is good from "Defender.Com".
Any thoughts and/or suggestions are welcome. SSP

 

[El Capitan]

I read an earlier post here someone pointing speakers outward at the crowd.

That’s like the guy who cruises by throwing a 3 ft wake we’re everyone is on the hook.

Why do I have to listen to your poor taste in music. People are idiots.

It’s why I don’t carry.