Best marine stereo?

kybishop

kybishop

Member
Jul 14, 2005
282
central Kentucky
Boat Info
1976 SRV195
1982 SRV210 CC
1978 SRV240 Weekender
1982 SRV260 DA
Engines
195-MCM233 Merc I
210-MCM228 Merc I
260-MCM260 Merc I
240-MCM260 Alpha One Gen I
Well, my classic Sea Ray also has a classic radio. An old push button Panasonic cassette player. Sounds great with the old Panasonic speakers, no joke...when it works. It cuts in and out, loud and quiet etc. Need a new one.

So, what does everyone like? I see Dual a lot and Clarion seems to be popular with a lot of folks. I see some Sony marine units that look pretty good.

What do you guys prefer as far as brand with marine stereos and speakers?

Thanks.

Kevin
 
Kevin.....Brand isn't important anymore....as long as it's Marine rated.....get one that has the features that you need / want.....internally....they are all pretty much the same thing.....they reproduce music.....personally...I have a Jensen....AM/FM/CD/CD changer and weather....works well for my needs
 
Look for the features (aux input, changer support, USB flash support, bluetooth, satellite radio, etc.) that you want in the price range that you want to pay. Consider marine rated (unless you put it safely away from any possibility of moisture). Consider support for wired remote, if that is important in your setup. Think about whether you want a high power head unit, or want to get a separate amp. You can really run the range here - simple no frills or all-out.

Clarion is popular (here) because that is what has been standard on Sea Ray's for years. Dual is popular (everywhere) because it's sort of a budget brand. Jensen has long had a line of marine products as well. Sony has a nice one, and there are others as well.

Unless you are going for ultimate sound quality and volume, just get what fits your features and budget.
 
On fresh water. My criteria is pretty basic. I need one that plays music and, no, that's it, just plays music on the FM. I ended up finding a good deal on a marine Rockford Fosgate.

Thanks all for the advice.
 
Actually, I guess I did look for other criteria. I really like dials, prefer them much more than the up/down and left/right push button setup. Especially for volume, anyway...

Now, lets see what the 20+ year old panasonic speakers think about this Rockford Fosgate... Will look to upgrade those too. I just read some really good reviews about the Rockford Fosgate. Hope they weren't company men.
 
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I got Polk DB651 speakers on an Amazon deal of the day for $30 shipped and they sound really nice with the original Clarion head unit. My plan is to eventually upgrade the Clarion to an M309 head unit (~$180) which has IPOD input and controls. Hopefully the new head unit will be compatible with my old Clarion remote control so I won't have to upgrade that too.
 
I installed a 200W Dual with 4 Boss speakers and it rocks. Unit from West Marine clearance and speakers from Amazon $200 total. It is the best set I have heard without an amp.

MM
 
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I've dealt with quite a few stereo systems. Polk speakers really impressed me. Priced reasonably, and marine rated. And yes, marine rated does matter on fresh water. I had a rather expensive stereo crap out on me in two years on my boat. One look inside the chassis, rusted. In the trash it went.
 
And yes, marine rated does matter on fresh water. I had a rather expensive stereo crap out on me in two years on my boat. One look inside the chassis, rusted. In the trash it went.
Click to expand...
Well isn't that weird !! :huh:. My radio is 23yrs old and its still going on a FRESH water boat. :smt001

Maybe you were drunk and pi$$ed on it ??. :smt043 . :smt043
 
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Sony has a pretty good lineup of Marine stereos. I have the M50ip model with direct Ipod connection and remote control. Prices are pretty good on Amazon.com.

I have the Bose 131 speakers, and they're OK. I have heard Infiniti and Polk marine speakers on other boats, and was very impressed.
 
Most of the major players have wired remotes - some even work with regular (non-marine) head units. Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony, Clarion, etc. all have wired remotes of one sort or another ranging in functionality from just simple controls and some with displays.
 
I don't mean to hijack this thread, but has anyone here actually done the replacement on the original Clarion AM/FM/Cassette player?
I've lost the little wire clip thing you7 use to release the radio from its frame, and was wondering if there's an easy way to get into the back of the cabinet-

On the 250DA the radio is right underneath the AC fusebox. I sure hate the idea of taking the whole side apart to replace the radio!
 
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