Marine Spaeakers

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DickB

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I am just considering putting in some marine speakers, and I wondered if anyone had experience of the speakers tha advertise Low Magnetic field so that they may be placed close(r) to the compass. I sort of have visions of always travelling North no matter what direction I travel /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I have looked at JBL, PolyPlanar, Infinity but the info on all of these is pretty poor.

I have visions of charging down the solent with 300watts of sub-woofer blaring out... Yeah let's ROCK... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

(No, I don't think so actually... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif) possibly some gentle Mozart just audible above the waves might be nice...

Next challenge is where the '_ell' to place them... IN a centre cockpit there is not much room. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Thanks
 
[ QUOTE ]
Next challenge is where the '_ell' to place them... IN a centre cockpit there is not much room. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Away from your compass(es) AND the autopilot control unit.

Another idea is cheap portable ones, like the ones used on PCs
 
I had this problem initially on my boat, even using high quality (and expensive!) Pioneer speakers. However, all modern fluxgate compasses and autopilots can be electronically 'swung', to eliminate any affect on them from the speaker(s).

Ok, it's more of a problem with non-fluxgate compasses, but in a centre cockpit boat with, I assume, the (magnetic) steering compass on the binnacle, the speakers would be too far away to affect it.
 
What distance is 'too far away'? You are right, the compass is on the binnacle, but on my yacht there are no obvious places for these speakers. All the verticle services are curved or they do not have any depth because any penetration would go into the cabin. A speaker would just add something to clock your head on... I had thought about mounting them at the base of the binnacle hence the question about how effective are the 'low magnetic field' speakers.

Hey ho I guess I will have to take the plunge and buy something and test it out!

thanks
 
Havbe a look at the range of speakers (also know as drivers) in an electronics supplier catalog. You will see magnetic shielkding is common for use next to computer screens (CRT type) You will also see types with mylar cones which should be water proof. The best and easiest way to mmounnt is through the skin. ie into the cabin. This gives superb sound and sound to the cabin as well.
My own bee is that stereo is only effective if you sit in the correct location re the speakers so consider just one speaker mono is just as good if you ar emoving your seating position etc. regards olewill
 
Dick,

Whatever you do, don't buy the cheap £20-£30 sort of 'waterproof' speakers. Over the last ten years, mostly full time cruising, we've gone through 3 pairs of this type.

It's not that they're not waterproof (Mylar cones etc) it's that the plastic that the units are made from, deteriorates incredibly fast, especially if, like us, you sail mainly in the warmer zones. All of our 'cheapies' literally crumpled even though the cones were ok.

Our current pair are made by Pioneer, cost around £90.00, and have been totally unaffected by water or sun. Ok, they're only three years old, but we bought them after seeing similar units on a couple of friend's boats in the Med.

They had been fitted for many years and were still perfect. Good enough recommendation for us!!
 
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