Marine Speakers for Sale - Marine Audio Speakers Buying Guide

If you are looking to upgrade your experience out on the water, then adding a set of high quality marine speakers to your boat could be the ideal solution. There are many options available for marine speakers today, so use the guide below to help you navigate your buying decision making process, and review some of our top suggestions for marine audio speakers.

What Are Marine Speakers?

Marine speakers are a type of audio speaker that is specifically designed to be used on water vehicles, such as boats. They are generally more durable than speakers that are used in cars or other indoor environments, since they need to be able to withstand water, humidity, and weather elements.

Marine Speakers vs. Car Speakers - What’s the Difference?

The primary difference between marine speakers and car speakers is that marine speakers are created to withstand more of the physical challenges and obstacles that accompany existing in an outdoor environment.

Unlike car speakers, marine speakers are built to withstand abuse from the elements, such as high winds, salty air (and accompanying corrosion), water, and sunlight. This means they are often built with specific materials that increase this durability and prolong the life of the speaker.

As is expected, marine speakers are also almost always waterproof (or at least water-resistant) - something that car speakers don’t have to factor in since car speakers are installed and used inside a vehicle.

In addition, the actual sound projection capability of a car speaker versus a marine speaker are quite different. A car speaker is expected to amplify sound throughout a relatively small space, whereas a marine speaker needs to be able to project sound in an open, outdoor space with much higher background noise to overcome.

For all these reasons and more, if you’re looking to upgrade the sound system on your boat, you’re going to want to opt for marine speakers, since they are specifically designed for the job.

How to Choose the Best Marine Speakers for Your Boat

While most marine speakers will check all of the boxes mentioned above, there are some design and feature differences that you’ll want to keep in mind as you shop around. Here are some of the main factors that should be considered in buying marine speakers for a boat.

Box or flush mounted

When it comes to installing marine speakers, you have two primary options: box or flush mounted. This impacts the visual of the speaker (how visible it is), as well as how the sound is delivered. For example, installed wake tower speakers will hang or protrude from the boat’s structure in a very visible way, but they may also deliver increased volume projection.

Conversely, flush mounted speakers offer a more streamlined and seamless look, but for this reason are often slightly more expensive and more difficult to install than box mount speakers.

Number of drivers

There are a few primary setups for “number of drivers” for marine speakers, specifically:

• Dual cone: usually the more affordable choice
• Two-way (coaxial): a great mid-range choice
• Three-way (triaxial): usually the most high end choice

Be sure to choose the option that is best aligned with your budget and sound quality aspirations.

Power handling capacity

With marine speakers, you’ll find that the power handling capacity varies greatly between available options on the market. And, you’ll need to exercise extra care to ensure that your speakers are able to handle an equal amount or more power than your stereo or amplifier can provide. The best way to make sure your speakers will do this? Speak with an expert.

Waterproof

For marine speakers, being resistant to water is necessary, but being waterproof is ideal. Be sure to read the fine print as you’re shopping to make sure your marine speaker will offer the water protection you need.

Magnetic shielding

Lastly, you’ll want to make sure that your marine radio and speakers offer some degree of magnetic shielding. What is magnetic shielding? Magnetic shielding has to do with protecting your boat’s navigation system (usually a magnetic compass) from any magnets used in cables or marine audio speakers. So, if you’re planning to install your marine speaker close to your compass, you’ll especially need to consider this factor.

Shop Marine Audio Speakers at Seismic Audio Today

Now that you know what marine audio speakers are and the many considerations to keep in mind as you’re finding the perfect fit for you, you’re ready to get shopping. Shop Seismic Audio’s wide selection of marine boat speakers here.