Marine Speakers for the Cockpit

[Steve Clayton]

My current pair of cockpit speakers are no more - one is dead and the other is muffled and raspy.

So manufacturer recommendations (and non-recommendations) please

 

[mikefleetwood]

Check RS (or Farnell, or Rapid) for speakers - they've got a huge range, including marine and other waterproof types.

Are you looking for complete boxes or just driver units for mounting into existing panels?

 

[Steve Clayton]

Thanks for quick response. Driver units to fit in the pre-formed holes in lazarettes

 

[mikefleetwood]

In that case, check out products from Visaton from the above suppliers. They make a range of waterproof driver units for marine applications. I think you could probably buy direct from the manufacturer, if you can't find someone who stocks the unit you need.

 

[davidwf]

Try these guys they have a large range http://www.marine-audio.com/Products/Speakers.htm even if you don't buy from them you can work out which speaker is the correct size.

Wide range of prices as well

 

[tinkicker0]

Got some Kenwood marine speakers for me boat and had them delivered to work.

Apprentice chav takes a look a t me new aquisitions and says "coo how much are they, they look just like my Kenwood duomags".

I thought nah.

At dinnertime he appeared with a 2 way duomag speaker, same plastic cones, same plastic frame, same plastic encased magnets.

Less than half the price, only apparent difference was the grill on the front.

Bugger.

Sod the "marine" speakers next time, you can afford to replace em twice for the money.

 

[lenseman]

Use car speakers of the correct size and power handling capability but seal them with cling-film and a decent poly bag but include a large sachet of silica gel. A hell of a lot cheaper!

Sorted.

 

[mikefleetwood]

Car radio speakers generally have a pressed steel frame and a cardboard diaphram, so won't last 5 minutes in a salty, damp atmosphere. If your speakers are in a sheltered, dry, location you will probably get away with it, for cockpit or deck mounting forget it!

The Visaton loudspeakers I mentioned are designed to be waterproof without further protection. They are only something like £15-30 (depending on size and power rating) each, so it's up to you.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Try these guys they have a large range http://www.marine-audio.com/Products/Speakers.htm even if you don't buy from them you can work out which speaker is the correct size.

Wide range of prices as well

Golly, some of those are very reasonably priced:

http://www.marine-audio.com/Products/Speakers/M770-CCX-SG-TB.htm £359 - I suppose they are very good speakers then...?

Good site for seeing all the different ones available though.

 

[EuanMcKenzie]

Threadcreep - re stereo

Interesting thread

been thinking of fitting a proper system for a while and take the point re proper speakers for long life.

What is the thought re using a car stereo rather than a badge marine stereo

want an ipod interface and digital radio if i can get them and its probably easier (and cheaper) buying a simple car stereo

Has any tested the gizmo that links the VHF into the same speakers. Definitely want that if it works well.

sorry about the sideways creep - sort of relevant to the discussion

 

[tinkicker0]

Interesting thread

been thinking of fitting a proper system for a while and take the point re proper speakers for long life.

What is the thought re using a car stereo rather than a badge marine stereo

want an ipod interface and digital radio if i can get them and its probably easier (and cheaper) buying a simple car stereo

Has any tested the gizmo that links the VHF into the same speakers. Definitely want that if it works well.

sorry about the sideways creep - sort of relevant to the discussion

Quite often (so I have been led to believe) the only difference twixt marine and a car stereo is a different front and a coat of lacquer on the PCB.

I have an inexpensive car stereo fitted in my boat with a waterproof cover complete with gasketed hinged lid. Not a problem as it has a remote control.
Plays CDs CDRs, WAV, MP3, WMA, USB Memory Sticks, SD cards, has a 3.5mm Aux Socket for Ipod, 4 channel, 45W per channel.

FM radio though.

All for the princely sum of £70. Replace it three times for the cost of a marine radio.

Had mine for two years in the cockpit and its never been a problem except once when in the middle of winter last year, doing some work on the boat and it was something like minus 5, the CD refused to pop out.

Went back the next week when it was warmer and it worked fine and still is.

Go figure.

http://roadmasterusa.com/product.php?p=VRCD400SDU

 

[greenalien]

Having got through several pairs of relatively cheap, so-called waterproof speakers over the years, I finally bit the proverbial bullet and bought a pair of JBL 9200 marine speakers. Not only do they sound better than the cheaper ones, they actually look like they may last a few years too!
(BTW - they're expensive in the UK, but you can get them from the USA, via Ebay, for a lot less, even with import / VAT added on ).

 

[CPD]

Note that depending upon xact location, you may need magnetic shielding too. I speak from experience. A tiller pilot mistook our firm commands to take us to Ostende, to actually mean Aberdeen.