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Marine Audio

Posted on 7/5/26 at 10:43 am
Posted by Beauw
Blanchard
Member since Sep 2007
4293 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 10:43 am
Hello TD Friends, hoping this is the correct board.

Looking for brand recommendations for marine audio. The stereo in my boat is almost 10 years old and it seems the sub has a short so I’m thinking of just replacing everything. I assume Rockford Fosgate is still good, I have heard Nemisis is good?

Anyhow, any recommendations would be most appreciated.
Posted by DTP
New Orleans
Member since Sep 2015
207 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 11:24 am to
Just recently bought a Turtlebox when my marine stereo went down. Luv it.
Posted by speckledawg
Somewhere Salty
Member since Nov 2016
4284 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 11:28 am to
quote:

Just recently bought a Turtlebox when my marine stereo went down. Luv it.


No audio installed when I bought my boat and went with two turtleboxes instead. Have one that I connect to a Ram mount at the bow (facing back) and one under the back platform (facing forward). Quickly pair them up and they sound great. Also nice to be able to carry one up to the beach on the island.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
72482 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 11:37 am to
quote:

Turtlebox


Lacks the pimp factor of a good installed sound system, but this is the better way in 2026
Posted by biglego
San Francisco
Member since Nov 2007
85168 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 11:45 am to
I agree with the others. Just get a turtlebox.
Posted by Stat M Repairman
Member since Jun 2023
3016 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 12:09 pm to
For pontoon boats, turtle box is a no brainer.

Seems to always be the amp that goes out though. Most marine stereos factory installed will last for a couple years until heat, humidity, vibration causes a fault that drains the battery.
Posted by KemoSabe65
70605
Member since Mar 2018
7349 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 12:10 pm to
No matter what brand (JL-FG) you’re getting 5 yrs out of the speakers max.
Being 60% deaf I can hear will moving and only 1/4 speaker works now.
Easier to throw my ranger on the dash and roll out. Probably not buying new speakers going forward.
Posted by CP3
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2009
7583 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 12:15 pm to
It really just depends on how much you want to spend and/or how good you want it to sound.

Top tier (IMO):
- Rockford Fosgate M2 series speakers
- JL M6 series speakers

Mid tier:
- Rockford Fosgate M0 series speakers
- JL M3 series speakers
- Kicker speakers

Budget:
- Skar speakers are actually pretty good for the price. I would almost put them in mid tier. Ran a pair of 8” in a system with some JL M6 speakers and they were comparable in loudness, not quite as clear but still sounded good enough and are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper. They need a good bit of power though.

If you want to actually hear any of these while running you’re gonna want to power them with an amp though. I like fusion amps the most. JL and Rockford are good too. If you don’t care that much about sound quality you can probably go with cheaper options as long as you match it to power needed by speakers.

Posted by onelochevy
Slidell, LA
Member since Jan 2011
18353 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 12:22 pm to
JL or Fusion.
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
24289 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 12:37 pm to
Your current set up and budget will be extremely important OP. Personally unless you want absolutely high end sound I don't think you need to stress about it brand and quality. Most people aren't pushing the limits of their system and need top tier sound.

I have some cheap Pyle Marine speakers that came with my boat and I think they are just fine
Posted by CP3
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2009
7583 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 12:49 pm to
quote:

Your current set up and budget will be extremely important OP.


Agreed. Existing amp? Reusing amp, or replace that too? How many speakers you replacing? Keeping headunit?

quote:

Personally unless you want absolutely high end sound I don't think you need to stress about it brand and quality


Also agree. If you just want something decent and cheap, just get Skar speakers. They are like $150 a pair for 8”, and are loud and sound good enough. The 8’s actually have pretty decent lows as well. If one goes out, they’re cheap enough to just replace every few years lol.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
50039 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 12:52 pm to
I find it extremely difficult to justify a built in system when Bluetooth speakers are so good and so cheap
Posted by Redlos
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2005
1193 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 12:57 pm to
Need more info on boat type, speaker layout and budget to make an informed decision.
Posted by DR93Berlin
Member since Jul 2020
1703 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 1:06 pm to
Had Wetsounds. Rev10s on the tower and also had cabin speakers and sub. Alpine amp. Depends on your budget and what type of boat.
This post was edited on 7/5/26 at 1:19 pm
Posted by CP3
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2009
7583 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 1:38 pm to
quote:

I find it extremely difficult to justify a built in system when Bluetooth speakers are so good and so cheap


This really just depends on size/type of boat.

Small boat, sure.

Larger center console or something like a wakeboard/lake boat, not so much.
This post was edited on 7/5/26 at 1:39 pm
Posted by Beauw
Blanchard
Member since Sep 2007
4293 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 2:00 pm to
Bryant 210 walkabout, Clarion 6 speaker system that came with the boat. I added a powered MTX sub but it got wet and I think it shorted out. Two speakers in bow area, four in the main area and I put the sub under the back seat
Posted by Beauw
Blanchard
Member since Sep 2007
4293 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 2:01 pm to
Thanks to everyone for the help!
Posted by Bayou_Tiger_225
Third Earth
Member since Mar 2016
13012 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 4:11 pm to
quote:

Just recently bought a Turtlebox when my marine stereo went down. Luv it.
I did a DIY turtle box and it came out pretty sweet.
Posted by Kvothe
Member since Sep 2016
2098 posts
Posted on 7/5/26 at 4:42 pm to
I too went the turtle box route a couple of years ago.Damn near indestructible, great sound, and when I’m not in the boat it’s in my truck ready to go for any occasion. Don’t regret my decision at all. I have the original and now want the cute little cub they just released. I think the cubs are actually perfect all around size now
Posted by Redlos
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2005
1193 posts
Posted on 7/6/26 at 8:27 am to
I know alot are saying turtle box, but given the boat type and layout I would suggest going back with 6 marine grade coaxial speakers. Suggest going with the highest efficient ones you can afford. Wetsounds and JL are the gold standard but think Rockford Fosgate, Klipsch, Polk are good as well. I don’t know Skar but it all depends on your budget.

I think you have to have a subwoofer for any system to really sound good. You will also need a good marine rated amp (or 2) for the speakers, suggest 100w/channel for main speakers and 300-500 for sub (or whatever the sub can handle). Either get a marine rated enclosure or build your own and get it Rhino lined. There is a marine grade MDF wood called EXtira that I highly suggest. Good luck.
This post was edited on 7/6/26 at 8:30 am
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