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Just got a new Clarion 475 (21W x 4) and am thinking of replacing my speakers. They are getting old and 1 quit working. I have 4, 6-1/2" speakers (currently Sony). What would you buy if sound, not price, were the major factor??? Don't want to add an amp or subs, just speakers.
I just installed the JL audio 6.5 and Have to say what a great sounding loud speaker. I'm pushing 50 watts each. BOE marine has them for a descent deal.
JL Audios are great but are expensive. For a lesser sounding but more economical speaker that sounds very good, consider the Infinity Kappas which I installed to replace 6.5" speakers on my boat.
Have the Infinity in both my boats. I really like them. I got mine at www.hookedontronics.com for $90 and free shipping - cheapest I found them; and the 6x9's were $110 a pair. Shipped right out.
Alpine is the best marine speaker you can buy. I had 8" pioneers before the alpines and the alpines blow them away in every range of sound. I bought the 7" alpines and I think it is worth cutting out another 1/2" for a 7" speaker. If you don't want to do that, they come in 6 1/2" also. Crutchfield is showing them at 180.
Looking at the Infinitys...they do not list the Kappa series as marine speakers and there are also several models of 6-1/2s. The marine series are the M602s or something like that. These will be exposed to the weather...would that be an issue for the Kappas? If not, which model are you guys using. The JL Audio's look pretty sweet!!!
Hate to tell you...but pioneers are not junk. I have never lost a pair and they sound awesome. I thought they sounded the best besides the jls.
I did hear propbenders mb quartz 6x9s and they sounded great so that is what I ordered for the new boat...over pioneer, infinity, etc...would get the jls but just too expensive. Mb does make a 6.5 so that may be worth taking a look at also
Maybe this is a silly question, and don't mean to steal the spotlight for it, but can you put car audio equipment in a boat or is it just not sealed enough to stave off moisture? Question relates to both speakers and receiver/CD player/AM-FM tuner.
That said, does anyone have experience with Polk Audio? I noticed they have a special marine line, and, generally, I've found their speakers produce better sound than Pioneer, Infinity, Bose and JL.
You CAN put a car stereo in your boat. It may not last too long. Or it might! It all depends on where you install it. Inside a cabin there would not be a problem, but on the center console exposed to rain and spray it will not last long at all.
I have Pioneer TS-MR1640 speakers in my boat. 4 of em. They are not "junk" and they sound fine. Two of the speakers were pulled out of an old boat I sold. They were in use for close to two years before I pulled them. They still sound fine. The other two I ordered as the new boat had 4 speakers installed - but those speakers were shot and needed to be replaced.
__________________ 1999 20 foot Seagull power cat
Single 135 Optimax outboard
Thanks Iguana. Well, if car stereos are in play, then you have an extremely wide range to choose from at just about any price point between $50 and $50,000. But if there's any sort of expiration associated with having them exposed on the center console, may want to avoid the investment in a Burmester custom audio system, not to mention they'd certainly require amps. My vote goes for Polk.
Yeah, I have a regular Alpine CD in my boat. It's lasted for 4 years (been flaky the past year). It is mounted in the glove box on my console. I'm replacing with a marine stereo...don't think I would go back with a non-marine unit.
Fresh water boat = go ahead and buy whatever. They won't sound as good as JL's but they probably won't wear out as fast as the same speaker on a saltwater boat.
Salt water on a budget = I defer to GlenE. He is almost always right, lol........
Salt water boat no budget or first last speaker to ever buy= 1 option in my opinion, JL. They sound superb and will not wear out. JL period no more discussion needed worth every cent.
I picked up a pair of 6 1/2 Polk from Circuit City for $99 a pair. They sound good to me. For what it’s worth, they said right on the box Marine Certified. I asked one of the installers and he said not sure but I did see a commercial with them spraying them with a hose?
You gotta love when somebody says that a product is ""junk. When you make a statement like that get ready. Nothing like offending a proud THT member who owns the "junk". But, regarding the question, I think the proper advice has already been given. For price and value go with the Infinity 602m. Great sound even without an amp. If money is no object (can't believe someone said this), then yes, JL is the way to go.
6-1/2" Speakers...what would you buy??? 
