In case, you like the breeze of ocean in your face & smell of the salt air. It does not mean that you should not enjoy good music too. You need to make it sure that you can use your mobile or some other audio gadgets. However, high-quality audio speakers are always better, particularly when you’ve got a couple of friends with you on board.
Fortunately, there are a few top quality marine speakers as well as wakeboard tower speakers which are created especially for any type of watery escapades. The marine speakers should be durable to withstand their elements. And, they must be loud enough; hence, they aren’t drowned out via other noises or the boat sound.
With the best marine speakers, larger isn’t always a better option because a few people just want good background music & do not plan on having any type of parties or get-togethers. It does mean that there are a few low cast marine speakers which can give you a lot of value for your money.
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How To choose the Best Marine Speakers in 2021
Marine audio speakers need some kind of protection from every element to be durable. Also, depending on their intended use, these speakers need enough power for carrying the sound over the noise of boat engine, wind, and water.
You would also have to look where on the boat you should mount your marine speakers, number of the marine speakers that you will require, and if they are compatible along with your already existing music hardware.
In case you already know very well what you need and want, then selecting the best marine speakers would be a bit simple for you. For determining which model is good for you, you need to pay close attention to the below features and factors.
Kinds of Marine Speakers
We have described 2 different forms of marine speakers that lend themselves to altogether different installations.
Tower speakers are a bit stronger and are easily attached to a wake tower of the boat. The conical speakers generally face aft; hence, you might blast your favorite music in the direction of somebody who is boarding or skiing behind your boat.
Recessed speakers need to be mounted on the dashboard or in the panel, ceiling, or wall on the boat. These speakers need a cut-out which does fit the size of your speaker.
There’re box-shaped tower audio speakers as well that you could easily install in several directions that depends on where you will listen to your favorite music.
Mounting of the Best Marine Speakers
For the marine recessed speakers, there’s not any specific standard size, but 6.5-inch is a typical diameter.
In case, you are updating your entire audio system or want to make good use of already existing cut-outs, then you have to pay keen attention to different dimensions. Hence, you could use similar mounting locations even without any changes.
When the mounting recess is a bit shallow, then you would require a low height speaker.
Just think about where you would run all wires when your boat does not still have the speaker wiring. Particularly for the tower speakers, it is good to thread those inside & not leave the speakers exposed to different elements.
You need to see where there’re grounding plates on the boat; then you will be able to ground the electrical equipment.
Power of the Best Marine Speakers
The wattage which most manufacturers mention commonly does mean the peak or maximum wattage.
And, the RMS or root mean square value shows you how much non-stop power a speaker could handle, generally per channel.
Should the receiver put out 100 watts RMS each channel, you’d be able to connect your speakers along with the 100W RMS value each.
Things to Consider While Buying the Best Marine Speaker
Installation
First & foremost, you need to calculate that area where you will like to install the marine speakers mounted or placed. You might install the speakers either flushed or boxed. Boxes are very easy to install because they include the personal acoustic enclosure as well.
The flush mount speakers are clean and precise. They also fit into close spaces & could not snag lines or tackle. But, they’ll require cut-outs to be performed to accommodate these into the small spaces.
Number of Drivers
Drivers include coaxial or 2-way, triaxial or 3-way or dual cone.
Coaxial or 2-way speakers consist of an individual tweeter which is there inside a woofer for handling high frequencies & efficiently sound range of audio.
Triaxial or 3-way speakers add the midrange driver for cutting the tweeter and woofer for more crispness and fullness.
And, dual cone marine speakers are less expensive alternative by using some small Whizzer & high-frequency cone that is in the middle of the speaker’s woofer.
Power Handling
The best marine speakers would have a high RMS. You need to make sure that you get one which is rated for as much root mean square watts output just as the receiver.
Weatherproof and Waterproof Capabilities
Since moisture and salt air is the main factor that causes an issue here, marine or waterproof, water-resistant speakers must be used just below the decks and in cockpits.
Magnet Defense and Interference
The magnet compasses might experience some interference from different magnets of motors, wires of the speakers, and shielded cables. The best speakers almost keep it in mind & have a shielding.
Amplifier
Say when you are installing a subwoofer, then you would require an individual power amplifier for driving it. You would have more power, high volume, and top-quality sound, the best speaker with the amplifier attached.
Sub-woofers
Sub-woofers create the dense bass from audio produced. A lot of people do like this, but some do not.
Free-air Rating
An infinite baffle or free-air subwoofer doesn’t require a box; hence, saving enough space on the boat.
Advantages of Marine Speakers
- The top quality marine speakers are usually the most effective and inexpensive way to update the beloved vessel, & thus boost your boat experience.
- The best marine speakers are far more durable and superior as compared to the built-in manufactured marine speakers.
- And, these speakers might also take some punch from their environmental elements such as heat, water, wind, salt water, dust, UV, etc., and give a speaker a run for the money that is in terms of audio output and sound quality.
- The marine speakers do come in a lot of appearances and forms which you will be amazed how much nice change the bold and good looking marine speakers can bring to the boat’s décor and setting.
Top 8 Reviews of Best Marine Speakers 2021
Below is the list of best marine speakers available on the market.
| Product | Best Feature | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Polk Audio DXi651 6.5” | Best Crystal-Clear Audio Marine Speakers | 4.4 |
| 2. Lanzar Marine Speakers | Best Audio Sound System | 4.2 |
| 3. Kicker KM654LCW | Best Waterproof Woofer | 4.1 |
| 4. BOSS Audio MRWT40 | Overall Best | 4.3 |
| 5. Rockville RWB80B | Best Marine Wakeboard Tower Audio Speakers | 3.9 |
| 6. Sony XSMP1611 | Best Dual Cone Speakers | 4.5 |
| 7. Infinity Marine 652M | Best Weather-resistant Marine Speakers | 4.3 |
| 8. Kenwood KFC-1653MRW | Best Sound Speakers | 4.5 |
1. Polk Audio DXi651 6.5” – Best Crystal-Clear Audio Marine Speakers
Polk Audio manufactures and designs a large variety of audio products. These include an affordable variety of the best marine speakers. Also, the DXi Audio range includes a lot of speaker sizes that are from 4-inches to 6-inches & the ever-famous 6” into 9”.
For powering the Polk DXi651, all you need to do is an amplifier along with a min of 60 watts & a maximum of about 100W-125W. We would like to recommend you pairing these speakers along with the Stealth Soundstream Series SM4.1000D 1000W 4 Grade D Class Amplifier. And, at four ohms, you would get about 90W RMS each channel that would be enough for driving the DXi651. When you decide about going higher, you need to be a bit careful about not driving these marine speakers to distortion as you will face the blowing the speakers.
These DXi651 marine speakers are very simple to install. When you will follow its user manual, then you would not face any problems. You should make it sure that you are using a sixteen-gauge grade speakers wire for the installation purpose. All the essential brackets are there with these marine speakers; hence, you’ve got everything ready.
Pros
- Affordable marine speakers
- These speakers produce clear audio
- They’re surprisingly loud
- The DXi651 are easy and quick to install along with everything that you need
Cons
- The DXi651 marine speakers do lack a bit bass
- Do not come with the speaker wire
2. Lanzar Marine Speakers – Best Audio Sound System
In case you’re looking for the best marine speakers which could be easily installed outdoors or indoors settings such as on a dock, boat or pool, consider these speakers from Lanzar. These are water-resistant. They are in the resin treatment coating as well.
Also, you might use them for long-term as they could survive the water splashes & any damages from the external environment.
There’s an implementation of the two-way audio stereo sound system to accomplish the perfect speaker system.
Plus, the frequency response of the speakers is from 65 Hz to 20 kHz. Thus, you might tune any frequency in the given range.
There’s impedance of about 4 ohms. Each speaker is well-equipped with 0.5-inch dome tweeter.
Along with the standard size construction, you can install this pair of speakers effortlessly on the boats, marine watercraft, and other off-road vehicles.
Its output sound is free of distortion. In addition, each speaker is built with top-quality dual polypropylene cone and casted plastic ABS gasket. There’s a two-way attachable grill and fifteen oz. magnet structure.
Pros
- Fair speakers
- Great for the money
- Their audio quality is very good
Cons
- Doesn’t handle the rated Watts
- There are no wires for hooking up these speakers
3. Kicker KM654LCW 6.5 Inch 2-Way Marine Speaker – Best Waterproof Woofer
The most amazing feature in the Kicker KM654 is the customized water-resistant LEDs. The lights are fitted on the other side of its tweeter. This pair of speakers is perfect for matching the setting or internal lighting for particular occasions. Along with nineteen dynamic modes & twenty colors, these speakers might fade & strobe in the unison due to the music you are playing.
When your marine boat gets docked, & its LEDs are switched on, it is wonderful for your family to hop on the board & join the enticing party!
These speakers are very good as far as sound is concerned. The pair is quite durable, along with the waterproof polypropylene woofer, Santoprene rubber grille, and titanium tweeter.
This has passed the salt, fog, and UV resistance test as well. Although it doesn’t have the sealed crossover for its tweeter, it is not a downfall because the watertight sealing secures them.
The installation is not as simple as general speakers. So, first, the LEDs need additional wiring. However, the wiring diagram and installation guide would help you step by step. And second, it does not have the cut-out stencil you’ll need to measure & cut its mounting hole by yourself.
Pros
- The connector/hardware covers are of high quality
- LEDs work perfectly
- Colors are amazing
- Really works well
- The lights are cool
Cons
- The LED feature is a headache while you are running ten speakers
4. BOSS Audio MRWT40 Marine Waketower Speaker System – Overall Best
The Audio MRWT40 marine speakers boast of an elegant, distinctive, and compact design with simple installation on their roll bars of the water vessel. The 4-inch 2-way best marine speakers are uniquely all-terrain sound speakers for the power sports & several marine activities along with extraordinary extra sturdiness and sound qualities.
Polypropylene is flexible, resilient, and also durable material. It’s used across several fields. It does take a lot of different forms from wood, metal to cotton. The cone made of polypropylene in the MRWT40 gives maximum flexibility & enhances the life of these speakers. Butyl rubber surround is for connecting its cone to a plastic basket.
Pros
- It isn’t bulky & the compact size is also an excellent match for the most boats
- The MRWT40 contains the wake tower mounting that makes the installation process easy
- Offers a waterproof capability that’s a must for the marine speakers
- UV coating gives security from the direct sunlight
- Made from resilient and durable material for the longer lifespan
Cons
- It strains at the high frequencies & might experience some distortion if the volume is maximum
- Might not produce ample volume in order to counter the engine noise while in the open waters
5. Rockville RWB80B – Best Marine Wakeboard Tower Audio Speakers
These are completely protected against freshwater and salt conditions. Every terminal is in the sealing of rubber gaskets. These speakers are also water-resistant to a higher degree & fully rust resistant.
These woofers also measure 8” & feature the top-quality polypropylene cone that is mica-injected. This controls unbelievably well. It is also there in the Santoprene surround for helping in dampening the unwanted resonance that might cause some bass distortion.
It’s coupled with the hard-working, 1” mid-range tweeter which consists of hard polymide composite dome. This harbors the neodymium, and high-density magnet effortlessly does cope with the upper frequencies.
These marine speakers also have the high peak power controlling of about 300W (200 RMS), low impedance sound pressure level of 98 decibels, and excellent frequency response.
Pros
- Water-resistant to handle the outdoor marine conditions
- High output
- Simple to install
Cons
- Speakers are of cheap plastic
6. Sony XSMP1611 6.5-Inch Dual Cone Marine Speakers – Best Dual Cone Speakers
These are waterproof with the IPx5 certified design, salt-water resistant, and UV resistant. Hence, you must not worry about installing of these marine speakers in an ocean boat. They would withstand the conditions and on the freshwater lake. These best marine speakers are manufactured to sound and look as perfect after many years of the service as these do while you first buy them.
Their subwoofer cone is quite rigid that helps in ensuring that each bass sound does reflect around the boat. Also, you may find this amazing for the speaker that weighs 1360 grams.
Their woofer magnet consists of Ferrite, and the diaphragm is created from Polypropylene, which ensures that it has got the resilience to deal with every sound frequency.
These marine speakers are 2.2-inch deep and must slot directly into the most factory gaps even without the requirement for any modifications.
Pros
- These sound great for their size
- Great sounding
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Would not last long
- The cone material is of cheap quality
7. Infinity Marine 652M – Best Weather-resistant Marine Speakers
This Infinity Marine speaker is the weatherproof 2-way. These speakers give enough power. Hence, you could blast your music over the engine noise, cutting winds, and loud swells with clarity.
Plus, the Infinity speakers are the best ones because they deliver best-sounding audio at affordable price. The recessed speakers are for the cockpit or dash installation.
Along with the peak rating of about 225 watts & up to 75 watts RMS, their power handling is just amazing. The frequency response of these marine speakers feature a large spectrum, and you would literally hear this.
These marine speakers do amazing in the high, medium, and low range. Treble and mids are nicely balanced, which are accompanied by the powerful bass.
Plus, the Infinity 652M marine speakers also have a higher sensitivity rating of about 92 dB that does make this the most efficient pair of speakers in this price range. This does convert power to volume perfectly.
Their power handling is also above average that when paired along with high sensitivity, lets you make much noise while on the water.
And, for ample durability, the speakers have a woofer cone which is made from the polypropylene, mounting stainless steel hardware, UV-resistant rubber surrounding, a sealed magnet, and the cast polymer basket.
They would hold up against the sea spray, sun, and scrubbing down the speaker’s deck. These speakers come with the mounting hardware. The marine speakers give you good value and top sound at an affordable price.
Pros
- Well-built speaker
- Simple replacement installation
- Sound is great
Cons
- The lows are not there at all
8. Kenwood KFC-1653MRW 6.5″ 2-Way Marine Speakers – Best Sound Speakers
Over to one more of the best companies in the production of marine speakers, Kenwood is a company along with huge experience to look at what seaworthy pairs they typically serve up. Also, Bass on the Kenwood speakers tends to produce well-balanced and very rich audio.
The marine speakers are quite compact along with less powerful set; however, ring-up at about half the cost, offering its customers a good value for money. These speakers are also available in pairs & their two-way array contains a tweeter and woofer combination for efficiently sorting the huge workload of the lows and highs to the suitable driver for maximum performance.
Plus, the woofer is about 6.5-inches and made from the waterproof polypropylene composite. A well-balanced dome tweeter is under an inch & again created from very good materials. These materials could also withstand weathering which marine life might subject to a bad quality speaker.
Also, drivers can enable a huge frequency response. It can share different duties harmoniously.
Pros
- Dedicated tweeter and woofer
- Waterproof components
- Affordably priced
Cons
- No wire
Conclusion
It does not matter what type of the watercraft you’re having. The top quality boat acoustics along with perfect marine speakers let you enjoy your favorite music & audio entertainment while you are on the water.
We expect that you would find this guide quite helpful and informative. Hence, you might choose the best marine speakers for the watercraft or boat. So, enjoy your trips, rides, and cruises with favorite entertainment and music!
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