Speaker Upgrade Suggestions

[jlcj7]

Looking for some advise and opinions...

I still have only the 4 stock speakers and head unit that came with my SX210. I am looking for some opinions of some decent speakers i can upgrade to. I am not looking to build a crazy stereo system, just something that i can hear a little better (especially since one of my speakers seems blown).

Does the stock stereo have enough power to upgrade to 4 better speakers, or will i need something with more output?

I was hoping to simply unplug 4 old and install 4 new...

Thanks

 

[jcyamaharider]

Polk db651 would be a good choice. Far better then the stock white speakers and later if you decide to add an amp they will really come alive.

 

[brockhals]

Agreed. An amp will help you turn up the volume with no distortion so you'd actually be able to hear them while underway.

 

[David Analog]

Understand that while the stock speakers are not very good, most of the distortion you hear (if the speakers are in good condition) is the source unit running out of power. While a source unit may be rated at 4 X 50 watts, for example, in reality that might be a clean 4 X 15 watts over a reasonably wide bandwidth. Decent power for a small, enclosed, quiet vehicle cabin, but well short in an open environment, especially competing with exhaust noise and movement.
Better speakers will definitely help the sound quality. But to overcome the open air while underway you will need a modest external amplifier and the associated wiring.
As an upgrade replacement, the Polk mentioned above are a good choice. You might invest around $150 for two pair. The top 6.5" coaxial IMO would be the JL Audio MX650 which might cost less than $400 for two pair. Provided you have the power, speakers make the largest difference.

 

[MikeyL]

You can get the HIGHLY HIGHLY REGARDED (!!!!!) JL MX650's - List Priced and Price Protected @ $400 a pair) for $ 200, with FREE SHIPPING< and you get to keep the manufacturer's 2-year Warranty, as this seller is 1 of the VERY few on-line authorized JL Resellers at : CRUTCHFIELD !
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_136MX650CW/JL-Audio-MX650-CCX-CG-WH.html?tp=61755&awkw=75620776705&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=47439242305&awdv=c

If this price-point is within your budget, you CAN hear the difference with the JL's over the other brands !

You can also add an EXCELLENT amp for about $100 ! You do NOT need a "marine-grade" amp if you mount it carefully.

Here is an EXCELLENT amp, again from a highly regarded company. Rockford-Fosgate. WIRE the amp carefully with oxygen-free copper wiring, hopefully 4 gauge, and fuse it according the the amp manufacturer's specifications. YOu'll be PLEASED with your audio results, as will your family and guests as well. Less than $100 !

http://www.amazon.com/Rockford-Fosgate-R250X4-4-Channel-Amplifier/dp/B00BF6HYAW/ref=sr_1_7?s=car&ie=UTF8&qid=1420290659&sr=1-7

Good Luck and if I can help more, please PM me !

Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[David Analog]

You might note that I stated the JL Audio's are $400 for "two" pair. I have never seen them listed at more than $200 a pair for the base classic white version.
Earmark Marine/Earmark Car Audio is another authorized on-line dealer for all JL Audio marine products, as shown on the JL Audio website. Also, Earmark offers forum discounts, deeper zone discounts, and deeper system discounts. Odin with Earmark knows the marine audio category very well.

 

[waterboy]

I did the Polk upgrade only and a night and day difference in sound quality and volume. I'll never be the rocking boat with the thumping bass but good enough for only about $100 upgrade.

 

[KXCam22]

I have the JL in my truck. I couldn't get polk in my area but I also couldn't refuse the MTX thunder 65 for $60 a pair. Was looking for cheap upgrade. They have a lower sensetivity than many speakers and play noticeably louder than the stock ones with no amp. Sound quality is excellent. The downside is that they are black. Cam.

 

[MikeyL]

I agree with EVERYTHING @David Analog so wonderfully contributes here, and never mean to imply anything else.

 

[cozilla]

@jlcj7 I upgraded to the Polks and an amp last season. They sound great. If you would like to hear them just let me know. I am in your area.

 

[GTBRMC]

I did the Polk db651 x 4 cabin speaker upgrade late in the 2014 season. Huge difference!
After the season was over, I added the Clarion XC1410 amplifier to those same four channels. Huge difference, again!

I got the db651 coaxials for <$150 all in (don't recall exact price, may be on another thread here) and the XC1410 for <$100.

If you can do the install yourself, this is a very cost effective upgrade route over the Yamaha stock systems.

I will likely add another, higher power amp to drive a pair of higher end swim platform speakers in 2015. We will see how the time and $$$ constraints play out.

 

[Julian]

What they all said is right on! The install is easy if it is just speaker replacement. Wiring an amp isn't hard...I bought a car amp install kit and it worked great! The Polks are a huge step above the stock (in most models) Seaworthy speakers (white plastic speaker cover - which twists to unlock) - so much so that even my wife noticed the difference!!!! JLs would be the next step up, then an AMP, then a subwoofer. So if an sub is something you might do in the future, buy an amp that can drive it too (assuming you are going the AMP route).

 

[jlcj7]

@jlcj7 I upgraded to the Polks and an amp last season. They sound great. If you would like to hear them just let me know. I am in your area.

Thanks for the offer, as it gets closer to spring i might take you up on your offer

 

[jlcj7]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I appreciate the info. Maybe i will start with the Polk Speakers this year and move to an amp after that...

 

[96Pirate]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I appreciate the info. Maybe i will start with the Polk Speakers this year and move to an amp after that...

Me too! Just waiting for Amazon to have some crazy sale

 

[jawsf16]

I am on my second boat with Polk DB651 and Pioneer Car Amp (Make sure you get a class D amp!) and love it. Very cost effective and sounds great. Easy install too as the Polks are drop in replacements.

 

[cozilla]

Thanks for the offer, as it gets closer to spring i might take you up on your offer

Sounds good!

 

[jlcj7]

I did the Polk db651 x 4 cabin speaker upgrade late in the 2014 season. Huge difference!
After the season was over, I added the Clarion XC1410 amplifier to those same four channels. Huge difference, again!

I got the db651 coaxials for <$150 all in (don't recall exact price, may be on another thread here) and the XC1410 for <$100.

If you can do the install yourself, this is a very cost effective upgrade route over the Yamaha stock systems.

I will likely add another, higher power amp to drive a pair of higher end swim platform speakers in 2015. We will see how the time and $$$ constraints play out.

@GTBRMC I just purchased the db651s and based on your post here, i am thinking about also getting the XC1410 amp. I still have my stock JBL head unit. Did you replace your head unit as well or have the stock unit? Also, if so, are there RCA outputs on the stock head unit or did you have to wire each speaker wire individually into the head unit?

Just curious... you got me thinking for about $100 if the sound with the amp is that much better, i will go ahead and get it...

 

[GTBRMC]

@GTBRMC I just purchased the db651s and based on your post here, i am thinking about also getting the XC1410 amp. I still have my stock JBL head unit. Did you replace your head unit as well or have the stock unit? Also, if so, are there RCA outputs on the stock head unit or did you have to wire each speaker wire individually into the head unit?

Just curious... you got me thinking for about $100 if the sound with the amp is that much better, i will go ahead and get it...

There are RCA outs on the JBL MR17 head unit that was stock on my boat.

I kept my stock head unit and spliced the speaker wires from the xc1410 to the stock boat speaker wires and used the RCA out from the head unit to the xc1410 in the installation referenced above (note: I have since modified the setup, but won't go through that here to keep the discussion simpler.)

Some possibly helpful links:

https://jetboaters.net/threads/jbl-mr17-head-unit-wiring-to-clarion-xc1410-amp-question.3706/

http://www.clarion.com/us/en/products-personal/marine/XC1410/manual/index.html

If the above doesn't get you the info you need, I can go into more detail. There are a few threads here with more info.

 

[jlcj7]

Half way there, installed the speakers this weekend... Amp is up next

(some pics are sideways, not sure why...)

Before:



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