Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

[dkorzun21]

Hey fellow boater. Just got my first boat and the tape player and speakers dont work. When I turn them on I hear a little static and farting noises like the speaker are blown. Any way Im looking to up grade to from a tape player and 2 3inch speaker to a cd player and 4 6.5 . My buddy is going to put it in for me, my questions is.
What watt cd player and speakers should I get and rms? I want it to be loud and clear but dont want to add a amp.
Also Im looking to spend about 200 bucks for everything any ideas out there on good quilty speaker that are loud and sound good?
Also How hard of a process is this going to be changing everthing out and adding additional 2 speaker. going to have to drill out 2 new holes unless I get ones already in a box. And just screw to floor or side wall. Before I screw anything down Im going to add another post with pictures to make sure the spot ok and wont damage anything.
Also im getting marine speaker that why i dont ever have to worry about water getting them wet.
thanks dave

 

[Phoenixfirewalker]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

you can get a good secondary brand radio/cd/mp3/wma/ ipod comp& 40w+40w+40w+40w
for about 100 and 2 pairs of kenwood or similar good brand 4 inch 2-3 way speakers
all this for automotive use but you can place them where you know they wont get wet or use removeable speaker boxes.

use a splash guard on the radio and if it did get wet disconect and wait 1 week to reconect.

if this boat is NOT for fresh water and you will go on salt water for a mere $30 you can get a marine sealed box and all will be fine

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

You will spend the 200 or close to it just on the 4 6 1/2" speakers if you go with a marine speaker Look around for a package deal it might save you some $ in the long run. Or a head unit and a pair of good 6X9 to start, with the intention of adding a pair of 6" down the road. If you boat in fresh water I would just go with an auto head unit as they are cheaper and will last as long as a "marine" unit, plus you can get a way better unit for less $. I have used many auto units over the years and never had any issues at all, speakers too as long as you put them in the right place. No speaker is totally waterproof, I wouldn't be splashing waterproof ones thinking they are marine they can handle it. Think about where you will be mounting things and make good connections on all wires and terminations and you will be fine.

 

[timdan94]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

I just bought a jensen marine am/fm/cd/satellite ready stereo that is remote and cd changer capable with two 6.5" speakers for $149.99 you can get 2 more marine speakers for about $40 and I added a gimble mount for $40 I'm just using the two included speakers for this year then I"m gonna add 2 more over the winter.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

Also Im looking to spend about 200 bucks for everything any ideas out there
thanks dave

IMO , it can't be done for that price.
head unit sure, amp - maybe, speakers wiring enclosures - no way

 

[dkorzun21]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

Ok think might have asked the wrong question what watts should I get for 6.5 and rms and what watts cd player, I can def get some nice stuff for 200 just need to know what I need to go with for the loudest clearest sound. I will post what products im looking at thanks.

 

[Splat]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

Why are you so worried about loud? What makes you think I want to hear your music as you cruise by, or as we both sit anchored on the lake. All I'm saying is be considerate, sounds travels easier over water, and its very easy to be obnoxious around other boaters.

Bill

 

[salty87]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

you won't hear it over the engine without an amp, fyi. you'll fry your speakers quicker too. an amp delivers cleaner a signal.

 

[ringmaster72]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

Def get an amp. I have through hull exhaust and can still hear my stereo over the exhaust at full throttle. Not good for eveyone else around me, but good for those on my boat, LOL.

 

[dkorzun21]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...&storeNum=434&subdeptNum=10877&classNum=10877

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...true&storeNum=434&subdeptNum=435&classNum=435 or theses on for the back havent made up my mind yet.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...true&storeNum=434&subdeptNum=435&classNum=435
Check it out this is what im looking to get. Do you think it will be loud?

 

[ringmaster72]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

I really do not think you are going to get any stereo to be "loud" enough powered by a head unit alone. I have a auto head unit, auto speakers and auto amp. Unless you are going to get everything wet I do not think you need "marine" equipment. I spent $70 on a closeout special JVC CD player, $45 on Pioneer 6.5 inch speakers from Walmart and $60 New 6 x 9 Pioneer Speakers from ebay.

I had an Audiobahn amp laying around so I did not spend any money on it. I power the 6 x 9s with an amp and run the 6.5 inchers off the head unit and it is louder than you can listen to and clear as a bell. So, I have $175 plus an amp, which is close to your goal of $200.

 

[salty87]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

it might sound ok at anchor. throw in the engine, wind, and spray....nah.

i agree with the car audio comments. and west marine is over-priced.

head unit and speakers- $140... http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=19745

amp- $50... http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=21023

almost twice the amp for $10 more.. http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17600

i've never heard one of those amps, buyer beware. but almost any amp will be better than no amp.

 

[itsonlymoney]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

You will spend the 200 or close to it just on the 4 6 1/2" speakers if you go with a marine speaker

Yep, in the $200 range what ever you buy better come with a set of ear phones if you want it to sound good and last more than a season.

If you have an MP3 player, bang for buck I'd suggest a middle of the road 4 channel amp, say poly planar or comparable and a decent set of speakers. Later you could add that second set of speakers and a decent marine head unit.

 

[skargo]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

Why are you so worried about loud? What makes you think I want to hear your music as you cruise by, or as we both sit anchored on the lake. All I'm saying is be considerate, sounds travels easier over water, and its very easy to be obnoxious around other boaters.

Bill

x2, just like the flatbillers who pull up next to me at a stop light with their screamo bullcrap pounding so everyone around can "enjoy" it. I thought only teenagers did that crap.

Besides, I like to listen to the sweet music my V8 makes while underway, the tunes are for when we're anchored.

 

[A.R.K.]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...&storeNum=434&subdeptNum=10877&classNum=10877

Watch out, I think this Dual receiver is getting crappy reviews, at least in car form:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_070XDM6350/Dual-XDM6350.html?tp=5684&avf=N&tab=review

Maybe check Crutchfields marine section while you are there, they usually have some good stuff.

 

[dkorzun21]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

x2, just like the flatbillers who pull up next to me at a stop light with their screamo bullcrap pounding so everyone around can "enjoy" it. I thought only teenagers did that crap.

Besides, I like to listen to the sweet music my V8 makes while underway, the tunes are for when we're anchored.

old timers. lol thanks bud

 

[skargo]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

old timers. lol thanks bud

You know what's funny, one of my other hobbies is rock crawling, and my current rig I've owned since '01 and STILL haven't gotten around to putting a stereo in IT. I like to listen to my vehicle, whether on land or sea. You hear something that's just not right, you can investigate, might miss it with the tunes jamming.

That being said, I love music of all types, always have. I was BIG into hair bands in the 80's

 

[roscoe]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

Ok think might have asked the wrong question what watts should I get for 6.5 and rms and what watts cd player, I can def get some nice stuff for 200 just need to know what I need to go with for the loudest clearest sound. I will post what products im looking at thanks.

A decent mp3 player and a couple sets of wireless headphones.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

Do a little homework on acoustics before you worry about super audio systems and lots of watts. Underway, there will be so much ambient noise that you will never hear the fidelity that high end sound systems produce. Trying to compete with a ridiculously loud engine is a waste of time too.

Buy a basic marine sound system that can produce enough volume to enjoy on your boat at anchor. If you are trying to get enough volume for everyone within miles to hear it too, you have made your first mistake in boating ediquette.

To each his own, but if I am enjoying a nice bit of peace and quiet on the bayou, and someone anchors next to me with some silly sound system that is annoying the heck out of me, I promise that I will have to test my boat in a tight turn around them, at maximum wake speed, over and over and over and over ......

Having been in the music business for quite awhile, I might also have to find out where they live, show up with a 30 KW genny and enough sound gear to melt their damn boat in the driveway!

 

[marine4003]

Re: Marine audio, what watts and rms for good loud system, Looking to spend $200.00

Why are you so worried about loud? What makes you think I want to hear your music as you cruise by, or as we both sit anchored on the lake. All I'm saying is be considerate, sounds travels easier over water, and its very easy to be obnoxious around other boaters.

Bill

Dont sweat it Bill...He's from Albany..from you that's..what..900 mile's? I dont think you'll hear it..