8 Best Marine Speakers in 2024

A high-quality acoustic system is a great way to improve your boat trip, making it more exciting. To make sure that the speakers won’t suffer from rough conditions, most boats go equipped with the marine speakers: a specialized type of audio equipment primarily designed to play music in wet conditions. The best marine speakers meet all the technical requirements to withstand different types of weather because of a high level of reliability and durability while providing superior sound quality.

The boat speakers can be installed in different kinds of vehicles as they are protected from the salty air, dust, moisture, water splashes, ultraviolet light, extreme temperatures, and wind. They are pretty similar to car speakers but feature an increased endurance to the marine environment impact. They go supplied with a subwoofer to provide a more volumetric sound. Such kind of speakers also has a specific, pronounced design.

Most boats come with quite good built-in marine audio systems, but if you want to hear music over the sound of motor, wind, and waves, you will need some upgrade. Plus, you probably don’t want to use some old speakers on your boat or another vehicle. This way, buying the top-quality boat speakers made specifically for usage in the rough weather conditions, you will be able to enjoy high-quality music at any time on your vessel. The present article offers you a wide range of various models that feature different diameter, design, etc. Each marine speakers’ review contains useful information about the product’s features, specs, pros and cons aiming to help you pick the most suitable marine speakers in accordance with your needs.

Marine Speakers Reviews

Polk Audio DB651

These Polk marine speakers are suitable for both car (VWs, Audis, BMWs, etc.) and boat installations. They provide 360W of power (120W RMS) and feature light dynamic polymer mica composite mineral-filled cone woofers. The 3/4-inch dome tweeters are made of liquid-cooled silk/polymer. They also can be flushed or swivel-mounted. These speakers are equipped with high pass and low pass crossover filters and low-mass 2-layer Kapton voice coil former which has a high melting temperature, providing reliability and high power handling (one of the highest in their class and category).

These 6.5-inch marine speakers are 8 x 14.5 x 4.8 inches in dimensions. Thanks to the provided adapter rings, they will fit most 6×9-inch and 5×7-inch/6×8-inch locations. They are made of high-quality materials that decrease the overall weight of the speakers (they weigh only 5 pounds) while still offering great reliability.

The speakers feature a wheel-inspired design and have solid rubber surrounds. To make sure that the speakers look as clean as possible, the manufacturer managed to hide the wires away from the sight. The speakers also have stainless steel mounting hardware and durable ABS grilles that provide reliable protection of the speaker’s inner components.

Since the DB651 are 2-way speakers, you are getting two different frequency levels from woofer and tweeter. These 4-Ohm speakers provide 92 dB of sensitivity and 35Hz – 22,000Hz frequency response. Thanks to the Dynamic Balance Driver, they are capable of providing crisp sound being also free from distortion. In general, the speakers have great performance and can cut through different external noises (like the sound of a motor, for example). The DB651 speakers are made with the help of laser imaging with an aim to get smoother frequency response and higher volume capacity.

The speakers go with eight 1-inch self-tapping screws, eight speed clips, two spacers, and two foam rubber gaskets.

Pros

The DB651 are supplied with flat spiders which contribute to more accurate sound reproduction.
The speakers provide decent sound even when not amped.
They do sound good with all kinds of music.

Cons

The speakers have relatively low bass efficiency in comparison with other similar models.
The audio performance is poorly balanced.
The sound of these speakers may be too bright for people with sensitive ears.

Kenwood KFC-1653MRW

The KFC-1653MRW speakers are a pair of 2-way 6-1/2-inch boat speakers of coaxial type. They go in a pleasantly looking snow-white enclosure and have neat minimalistic style, being made of durable plastic material. These speakers are designed specifically for installation in water transport as they are well-protected from salty water splashes. They are also capable of overcoming many types of noise like wind, wave, etc. Thanks to the UV-resistant grilles, the speakers are also able to shrug off the harmful effect of the sun so they can be the best marine speakers to install under direct sun rays.

The speakers provide 150W of peak power (50W RMS), having 6.5-inch polypropylene composite cone woofer with rubber surround and 1-inch balanced dome tweeter. They are also supplied with composite speaker baskets and stainless steel hardware.

These boat speakers have a fairly wide frequency response of 60Hz – 20,000Hz and 4-Ohm impedance. Having 86 dB of sensitivity, the speakers give out clear sound. Thanks to the advanced crossover circuitry enhancement, they are also able to provide harmonious sound and offer a naturally sounding audio representation. The speakers also use ferrite magnets that make the sound more subtle.

The KFC-1653MRW are 13.4 x 2.8 x 5.5 inches in size and weigh 4.2 pounds featuring 2-7/16-inch mounting depth. This way, the mounting space should be quite wide and deep.

Along with the speakers, you will also get twelve 1-1/8-inch stainless steel mounting screws and twelve stainless steel speed-clips.

Pros

The speakers provide a tight and clean bass response without interfering with the midrange frequencies.
There is no distortion at the highest volume level.
The installation takes only about 10 minutes as the speakers don’t require any additional settings.

Cons

The speakers are not very loud (especially if installed in a large boat).
The wires aren’t included in the kit.

Kicker OEM

These Kicker marine speakers have 4 units in one set. They are designed specifically for the marine environment, being able to endure almost any weather conditions. Thanks to 316L stainless steel, the speaker’s hardware is truly rustproof. They have classic white grilles to seamlessly fit into the interior of a white boat or yacht.

Each marine speaker features a durable polypropylene 6.5-inch woofer and balanced dome tweeter with a neodymium magnet, providing crisp and crystal highs. The speakers have UV-resistant injection-molded cones and Santoprene rubber surrounds.

The present speakers from Kicker are also able to cut through a fair amount of wind, waves noise, and engine roar, delivering great sound without excessive harshness. These 4-Ohm boat speakers also feature locking terminal covers so they work perfectly, keeping water away from the internal components.

The Kicker OEM are coaxial speakers that provide directional sound (so it’s better to install them higher) and have 150W of peak power (50W RMS). They are not able to give an impressive frequency response (35Hz – 21,000 Hz), but they are sensitive enough (90 dB) to give you clear and natural sound. It’s also worth mentioning that these speakers give good highs and mids, but you shouldn’t expect too many lows. However, you can get more bass if you pair them with a powerful amp.

These boat speakers have 2-1/2-inch mounting depth. They are 14.8 x 10.7 x 8.4 inches in total and weigh 10.5 pounds.

The speakers go with 16 1-inch stainless steel screws and 16 stainless steel speed clips.

Pros

The grilles are solid and won’t fall off even during extreme weather conditions.
Kicker provides the possibility to buy these speakers with LED backlight if you wish.
These speakers have better sound quality that is normally expected from the speakers of their price range.

Cons

The speakers don’t come with female slip connectors.
It’s not possible to pivot the tweeters.
The terminals are not labeled so you have to take some time to figure out which one of them is positive and which one is negative.

BOSS MRWT40

These BOSS marine speakers are designed for both marine and off-road use (suitable for small boats, ATV, golf carts, motorcycles, etc.) as they are tough enough to resist hard outdoor conditions, corrosion, and salty environments. It’s a truly powerful 2-way waketower speaker system that has 400W (200W each; 100W RMS) of total power which is definitely enough for booming audio on the deck of a large boat.

The speakers have a black glossy enclosure. However, don’t think that it will quickly lose its shiny appearance: this enclosure is durable enough to resist different weather conditions without even getting scratches. As well as the speaker’s rubber surround that is also able to withstand a lot of rough conditions without showing signs of damage or wear. The speakers also come with UV-resistant baskets and outdoor-ready grills. The internal parts are reliably sealed for solid protection against water. The mounting clamps are also built to last. They will fit 1-1/2-inch to 1-inch roll bars.

These 4-inch marine speakers from BOSS feature flexible and durable polyurethane cone that, except for longevity, also offers a great sound quality. The speaker’s aluminum voice coils are able to resist high temperatures while maintaining its strength properties. The 1-inch mylar tweeter is dome-shaped, providing a wide dispersion pattern so the sound waves give you a larger sweet spot. These 4-Ohm speakers have 130Hz — 20kHz frequency response and 94 dB of sensitivity.

Each marine grade speaker from BOSS is 7.1 x 5.4 x 7.1 inches and weighs 5.9 pounds. You will also get six 4.5-inch adhesive rubber strips in the package.

Pros

The wake tower mounting makes the installation process easy.
The manufacturer provides a 3-year warranty.
The speakers are easily portable as they are equipped with handles.

Cons

The mounting hardware is not universal for all ATV models.
The speakers strain at high frequencies.

Kenwood Powersports KFC-2053MRW

These 2-way 8-inch marine speakers from Kenwood have a sturdy plastic enclosure which protects the basket and the magnet from corrosion. They also feature white stainless steel grilles and frame, both being UV and humidity resistant.

The KFC-2053MRW are perfectly marinized which means that they are able to work in any conditions. This means that they are completely weather resistant.

The speakers go equipped with durable rubber surround, an injection-molded, water-resistant polypropylene woofer, 8-ounce magnet, and 1-inch balanced dome tweeter.

These full-range speakers, with 300W of power (100 RMS), are definitely able to provide powerful sound (especially with the help of a powerful marine amp and marine receiver), overcoming the sound of the motor. Additionally, they are also CEA rated.

The speakers feature 55Hz – 20000Hz frequency response, 86 dB of sensitivity, and 4-Ohm impedance. Thanks to these solid specs, the speakers provide high-quality, clear sound reproduction, and work for a wide array of tones. They also can possibly work as the best boat speakers if you want a full bass response but don’t feel like installing a separate subwoofer.

The mounting depth of these speakers is 3-3/8-inch. They are 9.1 x 4.4 x 9.1 inches in size and weigh 6.61 pounds. In the kit, you will also get 12 1-1/8-inch stainless steel mounting screws and 12 stainless steel speed-clips.

Pros

The speakers have gold-plated terminals.
The speakers are universal in terms of installation as they can be installed in boats, ATVs, UTVs, and more.
The speakers are powerful enough to be installed in big boats and vehicles, delivering loud sound in large spaces.

Cons

These 8-inch speakers require large cutouts which may be a challenge for someone.
The tiny connector can make it difficult to adjust speakers on the boat.

Sony XSMP1611

These Sony marine speakers come with dual cone and 1-way design. They aren’t completely waterproof, featuring water-resistant IPX5 certified construction which means that you can spray water on them for 3 minutes straight and they won’t be damaged. Additionally, they are UV and saltwater resistant so are still suitable for marine applications. Having polypropylene woofers and tweeters, the speakers can ensure that the music quality is also great and that your tracks will sound the way they are supposed to, even if you crank them up. The speakers also have treated cloth surround.

The XSMP1611 speakers have 6-1/2-inch mounting depth. Having 6.9 x 6.5 x 2.1 inches in size, they are among the most compact ones. However, these speakers are still quite powerful as for their size with 140W (65W RMS) of maximum power with CEA-2031 compliance. They are also very light, having only 3.09 pounds of weight.

The speakers have 45Hz – 20,000Hz frequency response, 4 Ohms of impedance, and 90 dB of sensitivity. With such specs, the speakers deliver great performance with ease.

These 6.5-inch speakers are suitable for front or rear mounting and feature white removable paintable grille. This means that you can remove it and paint to match your boat if you need to.

In the kit, you will also get eight 1-1/8-inch screws and ten white plastic screw head covers.

Pros

The dual cone is quite rigid, helping ensure that the bass sound reflects around the boat.
The speakers are able to deal with every sound frequency thanks to a 4-ounce woofer ferrite magnet.
They don’t require any modifications before installation in the factory gap.

Cons

The bass is not really punchy and deep.
Durability may be a problem as the speakers’ housing is made of not very sturdy plastic.

Kicker 41KM654CW

These 2-way coaxial speakers for boats feature a water-resistant design and include both charcoal and white grilles. They have a 3/4-inch titanium dome tweeter, polypropylene woofer, and durable rubber surround. They also have locking terminal covers to keep water away from the internal parts of the speakers. The cones, surrounds, baskets, and grilles of these speakers feature UV-resistant covering.

These speakers from Kicker have 195W of peak power (65 RMS) being quite powerful. They have 4-Ohm impedance, 90 dB of sensitivity, and 35Hz – 21,000Hz frequency response. The speaker’s performance is rather bottom-heavy, with decently sounding lows. They also provide wide dynamics and crisp details.

These 6.5-inch marine speakers have 2-7/8-inch mounting depth and are 16.5 x 8.5 x 4.5 inches in size, weighing 6.65 pounds.

The set includes two charcoal grilles and two white grilles, you will also find two plastic terminal covers, two 7-1/2-inch zip ties, two 0.25-inch crimp on female quick slides, two 0.187-inch crimp on female quick slides, eight 1-inch self-tapping stainless steel screws, and 8 stainless steel speed clips. Each speaker also has a 16-inch long speaker wire attached with male quick slides.

Pros

The speakers feature customizable LED backlight.
They are impressively loud as for their size providing cabin-filling sound.
The sound of these speakers is well-balanced, they give nice bass and treble even at the quiet volume level.

Cons

The mids and highs are a bit muddy.
The magnet in the back part of the speakers is too thick and may take up too much space.

Fusion Electronics MS-FR6021

These 6-inch 2-way Fusion marine speakers feature smooth design suitable for most interiors of modern boats. They have a high-efficiency titanium dome tweeter and woven fiber heat-pressed woofer. They are also made using CURV cone technology. These speakers are designed to withstand the harsh marine environment and meet the international ASTM standards for UV Stability and resistance to salty water and fog. The speakers have sealed crossover, magnet, and tweeter housing, waterproof cone, and rubber surround. They also feature a corrosion-resistant basket.

The speakers have 200W of maximum power (45W RMS), 4 Ohms of impedance, 90 dB of sensitivity, and 70Hz – 22000Hz frequency range. They provide full, volumetric sound.

Each Kicker waterproof boat speaker is 6 x 3.5 x 6 inches, has 3-inch mounting depth, and weighs 6.4 pounds. The kit includes two ice white grilles, two midnight black grilles, two foam gaskets, two 14-3/4-inch speaker wires, and eight 1-1/8-inch stainless steel screws.

Pros

The speakers have minimal magnetic interference with your boat’s navigational equipment.
The MS-FR6021 are high-efficient and don’t take too much power of your boat’s batteries.
The speakers go with a comprehensive installation guide with diagrams.

Cons

It’s hard to reliably fix the grilles when changing them.
They introduce some distortion at high volume levels.

Buyer’s Guide

Water-resistance – the most important factor for marine speakers

Thanks to the waterproofness, the marine speakers are suitable not only for water transport but also for camper-vans and off-road vehicles that are subjected to such rough conditions like the abundance of sand, dust, dirt, and of course, water. The boat speakers are also perfect for spas, saunas, bathrooms, swimming pools, etc. Their waterproofness protects them from many other negative factors that would normally damage the ordinary speakers, making them not only waterproof but also dustproof.

Principle of Technical Design Marine Speakers

It takes a lot of crucial design changes to create waterproof speakers for boats without sacrificing their sound quality. The manufacturers use a lot of complex innovative technologies to make the speakers that are completely protected against water. There are three main factors that contribute to the speaker waterproofness:

Frames and Grilles

The frames and grills of the ordinary speakers are usually made of steel. This material is great when you use the speakers indoor, but outside they can quickly get rusty because of different weather conditions. Unlike them, marine speakers use stainless steel, aluminum, or brass to prevent corrosion or breakages.

Mylar Diaphragms

The diaphragm is one of the most important parts of the speakers that is involved in sound production. The indoor speakers usually use the paper diaphragm that is obviously very sensitive to humidity and sunshine that both can lead to the faulty damage. The boat speakers use diaphragm made of mylar so they are much more durable than the paper ones.

Speaker Casings

The waterproof speakers mean that they are well-protected from water getting inside the casing. The casing is the most important thing in the protection of the inner components of the speakers. If water gets inside the speakers, it will immediately cause some serious damages. For this reason, the marine speakers have a durable casing with a polypropylene finish that protects the speaker’s inner components from getting damaged by water. In some cases, the speaker’s housing can even have a Teflon protection for even more long-term usage.