$9-10k for a stereo system??? Woa, wasn't prepared for that quote

[SeaNile]

Ok, maybe I did ask for the top of the line stuff, 2 pair 7.7 JL M6, 2 pair 6.5 JL M6, 3 subs and 2 amps but that came to about $7400 + the $1500-2000 for the install. Man, talk about sticker shock. I need a reality check since my current stereo is non existent. Essentially anything would be better than nothing but there has to be a happy medium with this stuff. Now looking at a $10,000 stereo system. Can't justify it.

Going to the JL M3 cuts about $1600 off the quote. Do I look at other "lesser" brands or is this really what a decent system goes for? Mind you we are in the NE and not using the boat 12 months out of the year. I just can't imagine every boat out there is rocking a $10k stereo system. Or, am I just out of touch and being cheap??

 

[bobeast]

The first question I would ask myself is "Who am I trying to impress?" followed quickly by how match is their adulation really worth to me? The rest should be easy.

 

[The Bill Collector]

...
Step away from the kool aid.... I've got less than a thousand and it blows my doors off.

 

[Fill Ess]

It's way more than I'd ever spend, but to each his own. I've done a bunch of stereo installs but I usually go with mid-range stuff that sounds good enough to me.

Then again, compared to a lot of other things with boating, at least a nice audio system it's a tangible asset that you can use and enjoy. You could easily drop the same 10 grand on two winters worth of shrinkwrap/storage/winterizing etc and you aren't rocking any tunes on that

 

[ErikE]

I have 6 speakers and a Bluetooth stereo. $500 and happy as can be. I'm sure Kid Rock wouldn't be impressed, but it plays clear music as loud as I can stand.

$10k - I can buy a lot of gas with that.

 

[play dough]

I'm both amused and annoyed by boaters that pull into a marina and crank up the sound system then stand around and shout at each other for their conversation to be heard.

 

[Strecker25]

I have a new fusion Apollo, 4 x 6.5 skar audio marine speakers, a 10” skar sub, and the 5ch 700w skar amp. Took me about 6 hours total to install and total was around $1k. It sounds awesome and will go louder than most people need it to.

I’d say shop around or do a few components at a time.

 

[Jeff Delbuono]

Jesus, i bought my boat for $10,000. I had just updated my entire system for under $600. That included the radio with bluetooth and ipod adaptors and thumb drive insert, 4 bluetooth remotes and 4 speakers. Shop around.

 

[Stee6043]

Wow. That seems really high, or maybe just 2021 no-supply pricing? My Fusion deck, 4 JL 6.5's, JL sub and 2 amps was below $3k for the parts including all the bits and pieces to connect. I did use existing speaker wire.

Stereo install is about the easiest DIY job on a boat...other than maybe a new flag pole on the transom Have you considered hopping on Amazon and seeing what it would cost to make your own setup happen? Maybe go with the lower grade JL?

 

[b_arrington]

Seems nuts to me. But I barely use my stereo. When I do it’s to listen to either a baseball game (AM radio) or the Yacht Rock station on XM via Bluetooth at low volume. Not exactly demanding media.

 

[OllieC]

+1 Strecker25

If you like the JL’s and Fusion setup, do it one area at a time. You’ll eventually have what ‘you’ want.

 

[b_arrington]

I'm both amused and annoyed by boaters that pull into a marina and crank up the sound system then stand around and shout at each other for their conversation to be heard.

This cracked me up because I think the same thing. Also, damn they’re going regret that when they need hearing aids later.

 

[Little Ducky]

Do it toooo it. I'd love to see the install once it's finished.

But please be kind and watch the volume when around others.

I'm still surprised how sound carries across a body of water.

 

[OllieC]

So you’re saying you're not into this?

 

[Haden]

Best advise I can give you. Question, are you handy? If you are, you can knock this out yourself!! Question, does your current amplifiers work? I would replace with these components, and spend the other money on fuel, fun, food, and good drinks!!
1 x Fusion MS-RA210.
4 x Clarion CMSP-651-SWG Premium.
1 x
Clarion CMSP-101RGB-4.
If you need a new amp, go with 1 x Rockford Fosgate PM1000X5.

 

[lawndoctor]

I have a high end sound system at home, but the stereo is the one thing we have not upgraded on our boat. We maintain it in working condition, but we don’t use it. We play tunes from our iPhone on a Bluetooth speaker. We can take it wherever we want on the boat, and it provides plenty of volume and clarity for our needs on the water. To each his own, but one of our favorite things about boating is the peace and quiet. We actually came close to naming our new boat “Enjoy the Silence.” Few things are better than being anchored in a nice quiet cove and getting away from it all.

 

[Craig]

I have experience wit MTX marine and Skar.
Both very good sound and affordable. Do the install yourself if you can. Don't think you really need 3 subs. 1 is more than sufficient and 2 would be spectacular. If you must have JL the m3 stuff sounds great. Not a fan of Fusion but if you must the more basic models are adequate.

 

[mrsrobinson]

I'm both amused and annoyed by boaters that pull into a marina and crank up the sound system then stand around and shout at each other for their conversation to be heard.

And do this while you are trying to sleep after 11AM. It never fails, I get stuck next to these boats almost every time I am a transient for a night or two. I've considered making as much noise as I can at 8AM when THEY are trying to sleep.

OP, please don't play it loud while anchored, remember, sounds travels better over water.

And yes, been here before myself, always went with the "good enough" amps/subs/speakers/head unit and did the install myself.

 

[mrsrobinson]

Stereo install is about the easiest DIY job on a boat...other than maybe a new flag pole on the transom Have you considered hopping on Amazon and seeing what it would cost to make your own setup happen? Maybe go with the lower grade JL?

Depends on the size of the pole...

Crutchfield is great as well. I had a grounding issue once and got on the phone with them while at the boat, they helped me resolve it.

 

[hughespat57]

So you’re saying your not into this?

View attachment 104521

And those are the folks that will need the hearing aids.
There is quality audio and there is rock concert loud audio...

At home I enjoy and old school set of tower EPI Magnus speakers with a Pioneer amp.
High Fidelity does not have to be ear shattering.

I upgraded the OEM Clarion to a Fusion RA205 I picked up used for $100 and an NRX200 remote for the helm which gives me NMEA 2000 integration.
Just 50 watts of built in power and the five OEM speakers and it can be to loud to carry on a conversation.
I will likely add a sub and upgrade the cockpit speakers eventually to improve the quality a bit.
But just cant see the need for 200 watts of power.