Changing out Speakers

jjm225weekender

New Member
Jul 13, 2017
10
Murfreesbor, Tennessee
Boat Info
2001 225 Weekender
Engines
5.7 mecruiser 260hp
I'm thinking of changing out the speakers on our weekender225. New to the marine speaker game. I always used JL Audio in my cars......What's best for a boat?
 
depends on what price range you can stomach.....you can get descent sounding marine speakers for around $50 per pair or you can spend several hundred $$ for a pair of high end speakers....

wylietunes is a CSR member and will likely respond to your post....he has a marine audio business and is very knowledgeable about the subject.....there are also many other members who know the subject well.....

I personally went with mid level Polk Audio DB651 speakers on my boat.....they sound great IMO and are very reasonably priced....

good luck.....

cliff
 
I'm thinking of changing out the speakers on our weekender225. New to the marine speaker game. I always used JL Audio in my cars......What's best for a boat?
depends on what price range you can stomach.....you can get descent sounding marine speakers for around $50 per pair or you can spend several hundred $$ for a pair of high end speakers....

wylietunes is a CSR member and will likely respond to your post....he has a marine audio business and is very knowledgeable about the subject.....there are also many other members who know the subject well.....

I personally went with mid level Polk Audio DB651 speakers on my boat.....they sound great IMO and are very reasonably priced....

good luck.....

cliff

Thanks! Yeah Im not looking to break the bank just something with some good sound.
 
The cockpit speakers on our boat were shot when we bought it. By shot I mean the cone was all gone, just metal frame. We replaced it with Kickers 8.5s and 10 subwoofer. Sound great. Didn't break the bank. From Amazon. The cabin speakers are intact and sound OK, but on the list to replace.
 
I would definitely suggest a quality true marine speaker. In no particular brand order: Wet Sounds, Kicker, JL, Rockford are my favorites based on build quality, price and performance.

Wet Sounds offer a mid level (the 65ic) and upper level (revo). If price is not a top qualifier, the Revo is hands down the best sounding marine speaker IMO. Top notch build quality with great features. Comes standard with RGB LEDs, 2 color choices and 8 grill options. The 65ic is a solid speaker at a great price and comes in 3 grill/color option.

Out of the JL camp, the MX650 is the way to go. Its less expensive then the M series and actually sounds better

Kicker offers 2 grill colors that come with the speakers, for your choice to use. They offer an RGB LED and non-LED option. IMO, I like the sound of the KM654 a little better then the 65ic. Just personal though.

Rockford, stick with the punch series. Never did like the sound or looks of the entry level prime series.

Not all marine speakers are the same. I would not go with a tweeter smaller then a .75". 2nd, go with a full dome tweeter, steer clear of the "W" or hybrid tweeters. This is where the price starts to widen.

Build quality and materials are next, that set speakers aside. Things like UV inhibitors, stainless hardware, closed in motors, sealed leads, composite cones, rubber surrounds, synthetic or rubber spider, grill mounted tweeter instead of a pole mounted.

If you can get a live demo, it really means a lot to see and hear for yourself.
 
I would definitely suggest a quality true marine speaker. In no particular brand order: Wet Sounds, Kicker, JL, Rockford are my favorites based on build quality, price and performance.

Wet Sounds offer a mid level (the 65ic) and upper level (revo). If price is not a top qualifier, the Revo is hands down the best sounding marine speaker IMO. Top notch build quality with great features. Comes standard with RGB LEDs, 2 color choices and 8 grill options. The 65ic is a solid speaker at a great price and comes in 3 grill/color option.

Out of the JL camp, the MX650 is the way to go. Its less expensive then the M series and actually sounds better

Kicker offers 2 grill colors that come with the speakers, for your choice to use. They offer an RGB LED and non-LED option. IMO, I like the sound of the KM654 a little better then the 65ic. Just personal though.

Rockford, stick with the punch series. Never did like the sound or looks of the entry level prime series.

Not all marine speakers are the same. I would not go with a tweeter smaller then a .75". 2nd, go with a full dome tweeter, steer clear of the "W" or hybrid tweeters. This is where the price starts to widen.

Build quality and materials are next, that set speakers aside. Things like UV inhibitors, stainless hardware, closed in motors, sealed leads, composite cones, rubber surrounds, synthetic or rubber spider, grill mounted tweeter instead of a pole mounted.

If you can get a live demo, it really means a lot to see and hear for yourself.

Thanks! I really appreciate the insight! I've always been JL, but thought Id try something different. I've actually been looking at wetsounds and kicker so this really helps out!
 
I'd go with JL for sure. We have Kickers now throughout and I just replaced our transom speakers with the JL MX650 and they are amazing! will eventually be replacing the kickers with the JL. My installer said the same thing about the M series in that he'll sell it to me if I really wanted them but unnecessary and a lot of people prefer the MX650 sound better.
 

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