Who says you can’t have a complete audio system on your boat? Read on to discover the ultimate guide to marine audio systems.
Are you interested in buying a new stereo system for your boat?
High-quality marine audio systems are sought after by boat owners because they can better your experiences while on your boat. Many people think that boat stereo systems aren’t all that, but they’re wrong.
In many cases, a boat’s audio system will be better than a car’s. This is because they’re more powerful, durable, and versatile. There are endless customization options when it comes to a boat’s audio system, so it’s important to know about the components.
Read on to learn more about marine audio systems and how they work.
How Are Marine Stereos Unique?
Boat stereo systems stand out for a variety of reasons. These systems are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions. Unlike car stereos, marine stereos have to be loud enough to hear over the water.
Numerous things can affect audio equipment such as water, salt, and sunlight. These can affect the quality of audio equipment, potentially damaging them. Marine stereos are tested for thousands of hours to ensure that they endure the elements.
When the audio systems are tested, they’ll be blasted with water to ensure that everything is waterproof. They’ll also be exposed to ultraviolet light to simulate sun exposure. Before hitting the shelves, the systems will be applied with an additional coating to protect the circuits.
What Do They Have?
While marine systems have to be carefully made so they can withstand the outdoors, all of their components are equally durable. They have most of the same parts that car audio systems have, but also a few additional pieces:
Amplifiers
Marine amplifiers are much more powerful than standard car amplifiers because they generally have to play at louder volumes. These amplifiers are completely waterproof and provide enough power to play music that can be heard over the engine and water.
Subwoofers
Subwoofers are what produce the bass when you’re listening to a song. In most marine audio systems, the subwoofers are surrounded by rubber and plastic so that nothing leaks into them. These can be exposed or enclosed depending on how you want to mount them.
Wires and Cables
Without wires and cables, a sound system would be useless. All boat audio systems use marine-rated wiring to ensure that they don’t corrode because of saltwater.
Satellite Radio
Unless you intend on listening to DVDs all the time, satellite radio is necessary for a marine system. As boats get further from the coast, radio systems tend to fade out. Satellite radio allows you to listen to a variety of stations from hundreds of miles offshore.
Power Inverter
A power inverter is one of the most useful things you can have on board, especially if you use several small electronics. These can be equipped to your marine audio system to let you charge things like phone batteries, laptops, etc.
GPS and Bluetooth
Many modern marine audio systems are equipped with waterproof screens that let you control it. Having GPS navigation built into the system lets you see exactly where you are on the screen at all times.
Bluetooth is a feature that most radios have nowadays because it prevents people from having to hook their devices up to the radio. You can check out this article to learn more about Bluetooth radio gear.
Installing Components
Installing stereo components on boats varies with each boat, making it difficult to say where exactly things should go. However, this lets you can come up with a plethora of boat sound system ideas that can make your system unique.
If your boat already has a sound system installed, you can most likely mount things in the preexisting locations while also using the same wiring. Should you need to change something, you can cut the panels or run new wires at ease.
Many people put their amplifiers and subwoofers under their seats, but you can also use the side panels of your boat. Keep in mind that there are no rules when you’re installing components. Measure areas of your boat where you’d like to install something and choose parts based on that.
Things to Look for in Components
Aside from the fact that you can install a boat stereo system almost anywhere on your boat, you’ll have to make sure you know what you’re looking for. Here are some things to consider when browsing for gear:
Durable Materials
While all boat stereo systems are designed to be waterproof, some are better options depending on the environment you’re in. For example, a boat that is in a sunny region will need to withstand more UV rays than a boat in a cloudy region.
The Right Specs
The better the specifications are, the better your sound quality will be. When it comes to boats, it’s worth spending more on a system that sounds great whether it’s on land or water. You’ll also need to ensure that the gear you buy will fit your boat.
High Power
Marine systems need to have a lot of power since you’ll be listening to music out in the open. Most systems are equipped with strong amplifiers, but you can always add external amps to make them more powerful.
Don’t Look down on Marine Audio Systems
If someone’s ever given you a hard time because of your interest in marine audio systems, you can prove them wrong by investing in a high-quality system.
Ensure that you purchase the right components so they don’t get damaged from the outdoor elements. These systems will withstand water, salt, and sunlight. Providing that you measure out your boat and gear, you can get a stereo system that beats any car’s.
Feel free to browse our tech section to read more articles about technologies that you can use to modernize your boat!
