Jon Boat Audio

[Twitches]

I need an audio solution for my 14ft jon boat. I typically run half an hour WOT across lakes and my old 15hp evinrude is LOUD! That said I need an audio solution that is LOUD!

None of the portable bluetooth speakers are anywhere near loud enough so I am going to have to put some sort of marine system in it. I've been looking at a couple of systems that have a receiver and two 6.5 inch two way speakers. Anyone have any experience with these and how loud they are?

With that I don't really want to put a $500 system in a $500 boat so ideas are welcome. More concerned with loudness than sound quality.

 

[GA_Boater]

Ear phones or ear buds, bud.

 

[Silvertip]

Let me get this straight.. You have a very loud engine at wot, water noise, open air environment and "sound quality" is of utmost importance. Sort of lends new meaning to sound quality. A music system can deliver concert hall quality but under your operating conditions it will still sound like banging on a trash can. Any system you can actually hear should be good for your situation.

 

[jbcurt00]

Silvertip twitch said loud is important, quality is not.....

I agree w GA, ear buds. Others will appreciate you using them as well.....

unless you're remaking Apocalypse Now, and plan to play just the Ride of the Valkyries, why does everybody want to 'share' their musical tastes w everyone else w in miles of them on the water? Sound carries so far on the water....

dont forget as you go up in volume, cheap systems tend to experience audio clipping (which runs the risk of damagong cheap components) and will devour a battery...

 

[MTboatguy]

I have never put a sound system in any of my boats, I used to carry a walkman tape player with me and now I use my phone or MP3 player if I want to listen to anything, I don't like to bother others and I sure don't want them bothering me. The lakes I fish are normally in a bowl environment so sound really bounces around and believe it or not fish are sensitive to our music due to the different frequency vibrations. And I were blaring music I would miss out on all of the wildlife I see on the banks when I am fishing.

 

[Twitches]

Headphones are not much of an option as I always have my boys age 5 and 6 on board. That means 3 sets of headphones and three devices to run them etc. They can get board on the ride at times and music helps. I am also not concerned about "sharing" my music as the wake boats have already declared that war. I don't have plans on blasting any of my non-profane tunes in calm fishing coves but it would be nice for the ride. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the, what seems to be typical 6.5 inch, two way speakers. If I can't accomplish my goal without an external amplifier and associated components I will not likely bother. Maybe an audiophile forum would be a better environment to pose the question.

 

[garbageguy]

I have a 4 speaker system in my 1998 25 ft small cruiser, 2 in the cabin, 2 in the cockpit area. I recently installed a new head unit and 2 new 6" or so speakers in the cockpit (4" speakers in the cabin to be replaced, someday), no amp. The new speakers and head unit have improved "the system", but I do not use it when underway, except for idle speed cruising. I could turn it up loud enough to compete with engine, water, wind noise - but it's really just an assault on the ears. I have been drummer for quite some time, sometimes playing in a rock band - so I've been exposed to plenty of loud music/noise. Some of it even enjoyable. But I really don't want a "system" that would be louder than boating while cruising at anything above slow.

 

[MTboatguy]

Headphones are not much of an option as I always have my boys age 5 and 6 on board. That means 3 sets of headphones and three devices to run them etc. They can get board on the ride at times and music helps. I am also not concerned about "sharing" my music as the wake boats have already declared that war. I don't have plans on blasting any of my non-profane tunes in calm fishing coves but it would be nice for the ride. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the, what seems to be typical 6.5 inch, two way speakers. If I can't accomplish my goal without an external amplifier and associated components I will not likely bother. Maybe an audiophile forum would be a better environment to pose the question.

I spent a lot of time overseas in my military career and it allowed me to spend money on some of the best sound equipment ever designed and I can tell you one thing, audiophiles don't know crap about boats or the acoustic's of boats. Mentioning loud over quality is really not in line with seeking the advice of an audiophile.

Many of us know boats and I am sure many of us have played with sound as well, but a boat is not conducive to good or loud music. If you get the correct good quality 6.5" speakers and mount them in proper reflex boxes and have enough power to drive them correctly, you can get loud, but a Jon boat is not the environment to attain that goal..

 

[harringtondav]

I'm with all of the ear bud proponents. I managed loud mfg. ops., and hearing protection was gospel, along with other PPE. More noise to combat other noise just kills your hearing sooner. Hearing loss is like going blind with Glaucoma. You don't notice it until it's too late.

 

[sam am I]

Why is 3 people (even 5/6 year olds) each having his/her own decent MP3 player (that includes ear buds) not an option when you'll spend far more on this mega loud stereo system? This makes no sense to me.......Geeesh, you'll never beat the joys of total ear drum shattering deafening audio "LOUDNESS" of decent pair of head phones or ear buds plugged directly into your ear canal, esp in a boat!!

AND you can listen to what each of you all want individually, at individual levels you all like and are each comfortable with, seems reasonable? Perhaps your boys would like to listen to something besides what you like? Maybe one or both will like to listen to stories and not music? My daughters, when they were younger all loved listening to their own age appropriate stories and such much more then my old fart music........

Just a thought, you can help set them up with some cool stuff, even learning stories, then YOU can tune in, turn up and shatter YOUR ear drums.

https://www.amazon.com/Sony-NWE394-W...T9B7H24020Q8MM

 

[Twitches]

Marine stereo and speakers

Does anyone have 6.5 inch, two way speakers in their boat running off a marine stereo? If so can they be heard while under way?

https://www.amazon.com/MX650-CCX-SG...0430&sr=8-3&keywords=jl+audio+marine+speakers

 

[GA_Boater]

Folded the new thread back into this one because you left out some important information - Like your boat is an open jon boat. You will be asked and the answers are already here.

 

[Twitches]

Lets change the boat in hopes of getting some useful responses. 17ft open bow runabout with 50hp merc outboard. Basically the same amount of engine noise but maybe the boat type is more socially acceptable for music? Still really just looking for someone with experience in using the 6.5 inch two way marine speakers.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Does anyone have 6.5 inch, two way speakers in their boat running off a marine stereo? If so can they be heard while under way?

https://www.amazon.com/MX650-CCX-SG...0430&sr=8-3&keywords=jl+audio+marine+speakers

Yes I do.... and no you cant

you can hear the motor and wind rustling past your ears.

 

[Twitches]

Thanks this is helpful.

 

[GA_Boater]

Yes I do.... and no you cant

you can hear the motor and wind rustling past your ears.

Same here. I can't hear anything except the wind, water splashing and motor while underway.

BTW - Changing the boat doesn't help with your jon boat, does it?

 

[oldrem]

Hearing is a blessing you have until you destroy it. Why anyone would want to beat their own ear drums to death not to mention your childrens is beyond me.

 

[dingbat]

Does anyone have 6.5 inch, two way speakers in their boat running off a marine stereo? If so can they be heard while under way?

I'm regularly on two boats that you can actually have a conversation while running 4K rpm. One is a F150 Yamaha the other a 275 HP Verado.

 

[briangcc]

Lets change the boat in hopes of getting some useful responses. 17ft open bow runabout with 50hp merc outboard. Basically the same amount of engine noise but maybe the boat type is more socially acceptable for music? Still really just looking for someone with experience in using the 6.5 inch two way marine speakers.

It's not a matter of being socially acceptable or not. Doesn't even fit into the discussion. And as mentioned otherwise, this isn't your boat so it really doesn't add to the discussion either.

But since the subject was raised, look at my signature. Each of the modern boats had a head unit and 2 speaker setup. I forget what the Bayliner had, the Four Winns was Clarion, and the Chap is Jensen. Great for when anchored or drifting. Will not hear it at all under speed. All you hear is wind, motor, and water hitting the hull.

As mentioned by another person, you have to get really loud to get over the noises I just mentioned and without an amp you will be clipping the speakers. Clipping is damaging your speakers and will shorten the lifespan considerably so plan on replacing them constantly if this is your ultimate setup. **If you're not sure what clipping is, google it.


So in your specific case, dropping money into the proposed system won't accomplish your goals. Headphones/earbuds I wouldn't recommend either as you need to be able to hear what is going on around you while you are underway. Besides, good time to unplug from the world.

 

[garbageguy]

Lets change the boat in hopes of getting some useful responses. 17ft open bow runabout with 50hp merc outboard. Basically the same amount of engine noise but maybe the boat type is more socially acceptable for music? Still really just looking for someone with experience in using the 6.5 inch two way marine speakers.

I have experience using 6.5 inch 2 way marine speakers (without an aux amp) - we do not try to listen to them while underway (on plane, at "cruising speed").