Are boat builders tone deaf?

[Elessar]

The speaker of choice for many pub jukebox companies, definitely on price.
I’ve happily thrown many a set into the skip over the last 30odd years. Unless the v9.0 is made differently, the cheap chipboard or mdf they are usually made with doesn’t last well outdoor or in a vaguely damp atmosphere. At least the bass diver isn’t an exposed metal chassis with a paper cone anymore.
Moulded plastic boxes with fully synthetic speaker cones last better and don’t sound any worse.

Sorry I should have been clear I wasn’t suggesting fitting them outside. Mine are in the saloon and therefore don’t need to be plastic. My boat is not “vaguely damp”. Decent stereo image and fabulous for the money and size to my ears.

 

[Elessar]

I would prefer the 25i compact from PMC, I use PMC in my home theatre and I am exceedingly happy with them.
The point is moot though I am just thinking of blanking off the hole in the under seat as we don't really do music or other entertainment on the boat

I bet you’d prefer it. I did say “for the price”. These are 75 quid.

 

[Alicatt]

I bet you’d prefer it. I did say “for the price”. These are 75 quid.

Well the PMC speakers for the cinema were less than half the price than my original choice, and I picked the PMC in a blind test out of several sets of high end speakers



Those speakers are about chest high, PMC OB1i in my bat cave

 

[DangerousPirate]

Well the PMC speakers for the cinema were less than half the price than my original choice, and I picked the PMC in a blind test out of several sets of high end speakers

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Those speakers are about chest high, PMC OB1i in my bat cave

That's one big aft cabin

 

[Dellquay13]

Sorry I should have been clear I wasn’t suggesting fitting them outside. Mine are in the saloon and therefore don’t need to be plastic. My boat is not “vaguely damp”. Decent stereo image and fabulous for the money and size to my ears.

I’ve seen the Wharfedale D30 range (diamonds) rust and fall apart from damp when outside but under full cover. The humidity inside a good well ventilated boat is going to be similar to the outside air?
A better speaker at a similar retail price point and slightly more compact (albeit still a processed wood cab) are the Tannoy M1 Cherry or the Tannoy mercury MR
It’s argued the stereo image is more down to placement and the design of the amp than the speakers. Amps like the old Mission cirrus one had two independent mono amps instead of shared monoblock stereo output devices like some Cambridge audio amps.
High end hifi isn’t my thing though, but the Wharfedale Ds are definitely down at the end where price sells more than quality, hence juke box companies throw them in and hope they last 3 years. The trade price is around £18-£20 each plus vat.

But having said all that, you have bought the speakers, you are pleased with them and are keeping them dry so they are meeting your needs enough that you can recommend them to others. I apologise for being disparaging about them, and regret the hole my glib remarks have dug me into.

 

[Elessar]

I’ve seen the Wharfedale D30 range (diamonds) rust and fall apart from damp when outside but under full cover. The humidity inside a good well ventilated boat is going to be similar to the open air?
A better speaker at a similar price point and slightly more compact (albeit still a processed wood cab) is the Tannoy MR1.
It’s argued the stereo image is more down to placement and the design of the amp than the speakers. Amps like the old Mission cirrus one had two independent mono amps instead of monoblock stereo output devices like some Cambridge audio amps.

I’m 6 or 7 years into the diamonds and they are perfect. I don’t ventilate my boat. Too cold. I like to keep the beds made so I can use the boat whenever I fancy 12 months a year. I use a dehumidifier from equinox to equinox.
Argue all you like about amplifiers I still recommend these speakers for 75 quid. That’s all.