If you have a boat then you need a good sound system on board. Today I am taking a look at some of the best marine speakers around. You know, I would say that a great set of speakers and a kick-ass sound system is as important as a life jacket… ok so maybe that is going a tad too far. However, if you look at our other waterproof posts you can see that marine audio is something we have been taking a real closer look at lately.
When Is Waterproof Not Waterproof?
I know that this is going to sound kind of weird, but when a set of speakers claim to be waterproof you do have to read the fine print. I would say that in most cases when a speaker says it is waterproof, it can deal with rain, getting water spilled on it, and so on. However, you have to really dig deep and do some major research if you want to be sailing in a hurricane if you know what I am saying.
The 6 Best Marine Speakers Reviews
No matter if you want an amp or can live without one these are some of the best marine speakers around right now. I have tested a few of these out myself, but I have also selected a few that I feel are pretty interesting as well.
1. Sony XSMP1611 6.5-Inch Dual Cone Marine Speakers
2. Polk Audio DB522 DB+ Series 5.25″ Coaxial Speakers with Marine Certification
3. Kicker White OEM Replacement Marine 6.5″ 4Ω Coaxial Speaker Bundle
4. JBL MS6510 6-1/2″ Water-Resistant Marine Car Boat ATV Speakers
5. BOSS Audio Systems MRWT40 Marine Waketower Speaker System
6. Kenwood KFC-1653MRW 6.5″ Inch 2-way Marine Boat Speakers Pair White
1. Sony XSMP1611 6.5-Inch Dual Cone Marine Speakers
If you have read any of our reviews before, you know that Sony audio equipment is something that I personally am very high on. That is why I wanted to start this with the speakers that I have on my modest boat these Sony XSMP1611 6.5-Inch Dual Cone Marine Speakers. The white version of these are right around the 60 bucks mark, but the black ones (which are the ones I have) are about 10 bucks more. I am not sure the black design is worth the extra 10 bucks in all honesty. These are a nice and compact set of speakers so while they look really cool and have a classy look to them. You do not have to worry about these needing a lot of space to be installed.
I can say first hand that the sound quality out of these is great. The bass is nice and deep and the vocals are clear, without any major distortion even at higher volumes which is great. They have some real “Sony” quality to them and I have used these things for well over a year now and I have zero complaints with them. I will say that if you have a big boat or want something extra loud, they might not be for you. However, for most folks who just want to rock out with a little Iron Maiden, I am sure the sound is going to be suitably loud for you.
Pros:
- I love the style of these
- They come in black and white
- They are Sony through and through
- I am very impressed with the build quality considering the price
Cons:
- The black ones do cost a bit more
- Might be lacking the raw power needed for a larger vessel
What Other People Are Saying
I found this neat video overview that showcases these speakers really well. You can see just how cool they look as well as get an idea of what these are all about. Also, over at Amazon, these have a little under 400 reviews as I write this. They have a great reputation on there as there are over 80 percent 4 and 5-star reviews for this which is quite impressive if you ask me.
When it comes to the best marine speakers without amp, these Sony XSMP1611 6.5-Inch Dual Cone Marine Speakers were always going to make my list. As I said, I have been happily using these for a while now and do not have any complaints. If you are a Sony audio enthusiast like I am. Well, you are in for a real treat with these. Plus, the fact they are well under the 100 bucks mark is really cool also.
2. Polk Audio DB522 DB+ Series 5.25″ Coaxial Speakers with Marine Certification
I recently had the pleasure of putting these Polk Audio DB522 DB+ Series 5.25″ Coaxial Speakers through their paces. As far as I am concerned, Polk Audio is one of the best around when it comes to speakers. The first thing that drew me towards these was that very reasonable 80 bucks price tag that they have. This is a great price for a set of speakers from these folks. They are also a tad smaller than I am usually used to and that is great if you need a set of speakers for a more compact space. These look really cool with their black design, if I were actually putting these on my boat, I would use some chrome screws to do so as I feel that would make them really pop.
Build wise, these are very impressive. They have a really nice “kick” to them and even at louder volumes. These are designed with marine audio in mind so you do not have to worry about saltwater or anything getting in the way of these. I am sure after some “breaking” in these will really hit their stride. However, even in the short time, I spent with them I found the sound to be very impressive right out of the box.
Pros:
- They look super cool
- They are a nice and compact size
- The asking price is very fair
- They have a very impressive clarity to the sound
Cons:
- The bass is not as “powerful” at louder volumes
- Might be a bit too compact for some people
What Other People Are Saying
You know, I do not think I have ever checked out Polk Audio Equipment and not been impressed. Over at Amazon, there are over 300 customer reviews for these speakers. Currently, as I write this they are sitting at over 85 percent 4 and 5-star reviews. “Sounds gets louder as you turn up the volume (factory speakers seem to stop at a point). You hear all of the cymbals and high hats. Not to mention the words.” Is what one review had to say.
Once again, the good folks at Polk (hey that rhymed!) have managed to do it again with these awesome Polk Audio DB522 DB+ Series 5.25″ Coaxial Speakers. The asking price is more than fair at around 80 bucks, plus these things have a really nice and sleek design to them. I do not think these would look out of place on any boat and that is why (well the great sound quality as well) these are on our best marine speakers list.
3. Kicker White OEM
Next up we have these Kicker White OEM speakers which I think are really cool. What is first noteworthy about these is that this is for a set of four speakers, not two. So while that 145 bucks asking price might seem a tad high. When you half that as if you were getting two, the asking price is actually more than fair. These are 6.5-inch speakers so they do not take up much space at all, plus you can be pretty strategic where you place these on your boat. The set I tested was a nice and clean white. However, for an extra 100 bucks, you can get these in silver or charcoal, but they also have LED lighting. If that is worth the extra 100 bucks is up to you.
The sound quality provided by these is very solid. Woofer and driver, they have used in each speaker is a very decent quality and I was impressed overall with the sound. I am sure the breaking in time here to get them to your standards may vary. However, what I can tell you is that from the short time I spent with these. Out of the box, the sound quality even on some live music was impressive.
Pros:
- You get four speakers
- The asking price is great considering there are four speakers
- The sound quality was pretty awesome
- Overall, I really think these are top quality in every regard
Cons:
- Not sure the LED versions are worth the extra 100 bucks
- Do you need four speakers for your setup?
What Other People Are Saying
I found an awesome video review for these speakers that I feel really is worth checking out. Here you can see the overall size of these and get an idea of if your boat is suitable for these. They also give props to the sound quality as well. With 89 percent positive reviews on Amazon these have a great reputation. One review that I liked was this, “I have these in my wakeboard tower pods and they lasted for 6 years so I bought a set to put in the hull as well.” That right there is great press for these speakers.
I wish that I had more time with these Kicker White OEM speakers as I feel these could be the best marine speakers without amp for my personal set up. The fact you get four speakers here is great and I feel the asking price is more than fair considering the overall build quality not to mention how awesome these things sound when you have them fired up.
4. JBL MS6510 6-1/2″ Water-Resistant Marine Car Boat ATV Speakers
Next up I have these JBL MS6510 6-1/2″ Water-Resistant Marine Car Boat ATV Speakers which like the two that will follow I have not personally tested, but I thought they looked cool. This version comes in white and have a pretty standard, but classy look to them. They cost $99.99 which is not out of line. For an extra 40 bucks, you can get a slightly larger set that has a very interesting, kind of spaceship look about them. JBL always comes to mind when I think of waterproof speakers. They do not have the cool factor that I usually like in a set of speakers, but I am sure their style will suit many of you guys.
Granted I have not used these, but I have used other JBL speakers. These claim to have a peak power of 150 watts. I found it interesting the way the “cone” is more than you usually get in a 6.5-inch speaker so I am sure that is going to make a difference to the sound quality you will get. I have used their other speakers at high volumes and been impressed so I would be very interested to see if that is the same case here.
Pros:
- They cost just under 100 bucks
- There is another “futuristic” looking set as well
- JBL has been making waterproof speakers for a long time
- The internals sound very interesting
Cons:
- They do look a tad basic for my personal taste
- Are the futuristic-looking ones worth that extra money?
What Other People Are Saying
It may be a short video showcase, but this video will give you a very good idea of what these speakers are all about. I had a look on Amazon as well and on there you might only find around 80 reviews, but 80 percent of these are positive. One reviewer had this to say, “Great sound quality on this guy! Have had several comments on how good they sound, so much so I bought a second set to put more speakers in the boat.”
I would be very interested in getting my hands on these JBL MS6510 6-1/2″ Water-Resistant Marine Car Boat ATV Speakers. I have been impressed with their waterproof speakers before so I am sure these dedicated marine speakers would be great. While the style might not be to my personal taste. I can see why for others these would fit in perfectly.
5. BOSS Audio Systems MRWT40 Marine Waketower Speaker System
I am sure most of you have heard of Boss Audio that is why I selected this BOSS Audio Systems MRWT40 Marine Waketower Speaker System to be on our marine speaker’s list today. The asking price for these is just a tad under the 100 bucks mark. They do offer a set with RGB lighting, but you are looking at $129.99 for those. What I liked about these was their style, when I think of speakers for a boat, this is the kind of design that pops into my head first of all. You have these hanging up on your boat and they will look cool. I like the shiny black look they have and at just 4-inches they are not going to take up much space at all.
Inside of these is a poly injection cone. Boss Audio is very proud of this and it is what is going to give these a solid sound even with the modest size. From what I have read about these they are designed to take a lot of punishment so I feel they are great for those who want to get a bit wild as the party goes on into the wee hours of the morning if you know what I am saying.
Pros:
- They look really cool
- I like how shiny the black paint on these is
- They are very small in stature
- I read many positive reviews about the
Cons:
- I do feel the light upgrade is a tad overpriced
- They might be a bit small for some folks
What Other People Are Saying
I was very happy to see how many positive customer reviews there were for these speakers. As we are looking at the best marine speakers without amp, I thought this review says it best. “Sound quality is outstanding. I have no amplifier, and these really sound nice even at wide-open throttle off shore. You really can’t go wrong with these.” In total there are close to 600 reviews for these speakers on Amazon right now and over 85 percent of these reviews are for 5 and 4 stars!
I would love to check these bad boys out for myself. From the research I have done, these speakers have some serious kick to them even though they are on the very small side. I like the small stature actually and think that shiny black design will really help them blend in and look cool on any boat. I am not sure I would pay the extra close to 40 bucks for the RGB lighting upgrade, but that is up to you.
6. Kenwood KFC-1653MRW 6.5″ Inch 2-way Marine Boat Speakers
I remember back in the 90s my old man went from being a Sony guy to a Kenwood guy. Not sure what that has to do with these Kenwood KFC-1653MRW 6.5″ Inch 2-way Marine Boat Speakers, but anyway let’s take a closer look at these. You can get these for around the 100 bucks mark which I do not think is a bad price at all. They have a really cool look to them and they would fit in on any boat if you ask me. At 6.5-inches they are a perfect size as they will look cool, but they are not so large they will stick out like a sore thumb. I have never been disappointed with any Kenwood speakers I have used over the years.
While I have not used these, I did have a look at what Kenwood has stuffed these with. The tweeter and woofer are what I would expect so I feel that even at louder volumes you are going to have some very impressive sound quality through these. Kenwood has made these for marine use so you should have no worries at all about these being able to handle the wear and tear of the ocean or lake!
Pros:
- The style of them is very cool
- The 100 bucks asking price is fair
- They appear to have Kenwood quality all through them
- The sound is said to be great
Cons:
- Will the white get a bit “dirty” over time?
- I would like to test these for myself to check them out at louder volume
What Other People Are Saying
I found this demo video that shows these off a bit which I feel is worth checking out if these speakers are of an interest to you. Also, on Amazon, these are very popular. With the better part of 500 reviews over at Amazon. These have a 90 percent 4- and 5-star rating so they clearly have a lot of positive vibes out there.
I cannot think of a time when I was let down by the folks at Kenwood and these speakers look like they would be a great fit for any boat. I am going to try and get my hands on these to see how good the sound is. However, after reading the specs and all of the reviews these seem like they are going to really bring it when it comes to the sound as well as the looks!
What Speakers Are The Best?
I have had a lot of fun looking for the best marine speakers without amp today. For me, there is a clear winner here and that is the Sony XSMP1611 6.5-Inch Dual Cone Marine Speakers. I have used these myself for a while now and love them. To be fair, the other two I tested out were great as well. If you need a set of speakers for your boat then I do not think that any of the six we have looked at today will let you down.
This is a great example of showing that you can get great sound without spending hundreds of bucks! None of these speakers are going to break the bank, but they will all let your rock out in some serious style!
