A Beginner’s Crash Course in Boat Speaker Components

If you love boating, then you’re not alone! About 142 million Americans went boating in 2016, that’s about 36% of U.S. households.

While you may enjoy boating, do you have the best speaker upgrades for a great ride? When you’re ready to take your boating experience to the next level, upgrading your speakers is a vital part of enjoying the ride.

But what are the different boat speaker components that you should be looking for? While all of the different components seem confusing, we’re here to help! Read this beginner’s crash course on boat speaker components today.

Receivers

Along with your boat speaker components, you’ll want to have a marine receiver. It allows you to send signals to an external amplifier and satellite radio controls.

Speakers

When it comes to speakers & components, you’ll want to look for plastic cones. Look for rubber surrounds for maximum weather protection. This will give you enough power to enjoy tunes over the water, wind, and noise of the engine.

Power Handling

Your speakers need to handle a good amount of power when you’re cruising. This will make sure that you avoid blowing them out.

Keep in mind that manufacturers can measure them differently. A common stereo head unit will have 200 watts of peak power, but it doesn’t mean that it can handle 200 watts.

This is because power is measured in peak wattage. It can also be measured in continuous wattage or RMS.

Search for higher-end speakers since they’ll have both types of wattage numbers. The higher the power can go, the more vital it is that your speakers can handle it.

The Number of Drivers

When it comes to the best boat speakers, you’ll be taking a look at dual cones, 3-way, or 2-way; these are the number of drivers. For a driver on a budget, go with a dual cone.

Dual cone models only have 1 voice coil. This is what converts the electrical signal from the receiver into a mechanical vibration.

2-way speakers have a separate tweeter within the woofer. It can handle higher frequencies.

3-way speakers will give you a midrange driver to your tweeter and woofer. This will allow you to have more fullness to your music.

Waterproof

While your automobile speaker might play good music, it might not be waterproof, so it isn’t a good idea to take it onto your boat. Copper, steel, and paper aren’t waterproof on a boat.

For water-resistant speakers, keep them below deck to protect them from damage. These speakers tend to be made with neoprene, polypropylene, etc.

Exploring This Crash Course in Boat Speaker Components

After exploring this guide, you should have a better idea of what to look for in your next boat speaker. Take your time doing a comparison of them to figure out what’s best for you.

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