Replacement speakers for 185 Sport

[SeaReagan]

Hey All,
I don't know too much about marine sound systems so I would really appreciate some advice. For years I thought that the sound quality of the stereo in my '09 185 Sport was a bit lackluster especially from the bow speakers. I thought I would look into upgrading them this year. Today, I removed the speaker grills to find that there was almost no cone left on any of them! They had disintegrated. I'm absolutely amazed they were still able to produce sound at all let alone music. I really hate drilling holes in my boat though I will if I have to. Does anyone know of a decent 6.5" speaker with the same hole pattern as the OEM Panasonics? I don't want to spend much (<$300) since even a dirt cheap speakers will be a huge upgrade. Anyone tried Kicker speakers? Thanks!

 

[techmitch]

Hey All,
I don't know too much about marine sound systems so I would really appreciate some advice. For years I thought that the sound quality of the stereo in my '09 185 Sport was a bit lackluster especially from the bow speakers. I thought I would look into upgrading them this year. Today, I removed the speaker grills to find that there was almost no cone left on any of them! They had disintegrated. I'm absolutely amazed they were still able to produce sound at all let alone music. I really hate drilling holes in my boat though I will if I have to. Does anyone know of a decent 6.5" speaker with the same hole pattern as the OEM Panasonics? I don't want to spend much (<$300) since even a dirt cheap speakers will be a huge upgrade. Anyone tried Kicker speakers? Thanks!

Here's a pair of JL's under $300.00

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/jl-a...pjEGprwZrCOcGWzGHwdeKv5MOAyag-MxoCZVkQAvD_BwE

 

[Little Ducky]

https://www.greatlakesskipper.com/p...mUiTHdVeXi3XGggRCff2JKnE48sPCgExoCUMYQAvD_BwE

I love my Polk 6.5's. You can't beat the price because this model has been discontinued.

You might have to post up a picture of how your old ones are mounted so folks can recommend accordingly.

 

[BillK2632]

I put 4 of the Polk Marine speakers in a few years ago. I’m not an audio finatic, but wanted something better than the original Clarion that was pretty old. I spent around $500 for the 4 Polks (@ $100/pair) along with a Pioneer head unit and amp. It’s not a blow you out system, but sounds good to me.

 

[SeaReagan]

Thanks for the advice. I'd love to have JLs but they are about twice the cost of what I want to spend. I don't have an amp so I doubt they would be anywhere close to their potential. I like the Polk stuff I have in my home theater so I may give them a look. I found some downloadable templates for a few different speakers so I'll know what will fit best before I buy. Thanks again!

 

[BillK2632]

If you are upgrading the speakers, I would also think about adding an amp. When I was installing my system I hooked up just the head unit and 4 speakers - it just was not getting it - the amp made a world of difference. I never added a sub woofer, could not figure a good place to put it.

Oh, and just so you all know, I trimmed the SeaDeck (knockoff) in that picture so it doesn't look like what you think it looks like!

 

[WV 320 Dancer]

Go to Crutchfield and chat with one of the marine audio guys, they will work within your budget.

 

[Christo]

I upgraded mine to Wet Sounds, $199/pr and they sound really good, very fast switch out

 

[Havana Shamrock]

For the money these are really good I used them in the dinghy without an amp.
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-dXris...MI9YztxMSB8gIVIwaICR2u7wCFEAQYASABEgIL0fD_BwE

fusion

 

[TidePride]

I used 4 wet sounds speakers for the interior. Also put a 10" Rockford fosgate sub in the walk-through area between cockpit and bow. Audio place cut a hole in the fiberglass sidewall to mount it. I must say, it sounds amazing.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Op hasn’t been back since the post it must not be that important.