Sound on the Water

By Mike Gridley

Whatever your boating style, your time on the water is certainly enhanced by great tunes in your favourite music genre. Whether you enjoy listening to relaxing tunes or rocking out with the waves, there are many options for marine stereo systems for every budget and size and type of boat.

Not unlike the purchase of a boat, several questions require answers before visiting your local marine audio specialist to select an audio system. First and foremost, your boat size, whether it’s a bowrider, centre console, express cruiser, or yacht, will have unique requirements. Next is budget. Marine audio costs range from several hundred dollars to several thousand, and even beyond. Being able to articulate your needs, goals and budget make planning your system on your own or with a dealer a more focused exercise.

Great sound on a budget from Clarion’s M508.

Marine audio has come a long way with many features and options; even basic stereo receivers (source units) feature multiple source inputs for music and other media, multiple outputs, and remote-control options. A little online research comparing features and capabilities will provide some basic knowledge prior to purchase and installation, allowing you to build a system that delivers clean, crisp sound at low volume and, if it’s your thing, won’t lose it at high volume.

“Marine certified” is the thing. Whether you’re planning a DIY upgrade or a professional installation, selecting marine certified products is critical. One may be tempted to use audio components designed for the automotive market, however, these components will not survive in the harsher marine environment. Marine receivers (source units), speakers and amplifiers are built to resist moisture with coated circuit boards and weather-resistant materials. The best source units and remote controls are certified as IPX6 or IPX7 (able to withstand pressurized water) and can be mounted in exposed locations.

Marine certification also extends to all wiring and related components. Make sure you or your installers use marine certified tinned wiring, connectors and fuses.

Researching audio systems ahead of time will help you get the perfect system for your vessel.

Entry-Level Audio Systems

For many boaters, a basic or entry-level system comprised of a source unit and four speakers will suit their needs. In many cases this will be a simple upgrade from the original factory install. New components can be fitted into existing cutouts, so the task is DIY friendly.

The single most important component is the source unit. Suitable units are available from Clarion, JVC, Kenwood and Sony, to highlight a few. The drawback with many entry-level receivers, including the M508 discussed below, is that they are not IP-rated, meaning they will require protection from direct rain or spray.

Clarion, a stereo brand well known to boaters, make a full range of marine audio products, and offers the excellent entry-level Digital Media Receiver, the M508, which comes with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $379.95CAD. The M508 is a standard single DIN (2 x 7 inch) unit that will fit any standard marine stereo cutout. Features include AM/FM/WB, Bluetooth with AptX, USB, Aux Input, Pandora and SiriusXM-ready, and MFI for Apple iPod/iPhone USB Compatibility. Its built-in amplifier supplies 4 x 18W RMS @ 4 ohms with eight 4V RCA outputs (Front/Rear/Sub/Fixed). To fine-tune the sound, the unit has a 3-Band Equalizer, 11 EQ presets, and Subwoofer Low Pass Filter.

MS-RA70 delivers 200 watts and flexible connectivity in a waterproof unit.

Speakers can be one of the easiest upgrades to improve your sound quality. In a retrofit, new speakers can be swapped for old ones using the existing cutout. One of the best value products on the market is Clarion’s CMS-651-CWB marine coaxial speakers. These speakers are Salt & Sun Certified and handle 30W RMS of power with a bridge-mounted, 1/2-balanced-dome, a polymer tweeter with neodymium magnet and ferrofluid cooling. The suggested MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) is $149.95CAD per pair.

Mid-Range Audio System

For good quality without breaking the bank, Fusion offers two models of their RA70 Marine Stereos: the MS-RA70 with Bluetooth ($359.99CAD), and the MS-RA70NSX with Bluetooth, SiriusXM-Ready and NMEA 2000 connectivity ($429.99CAD). Both source units are single DIN chassis with an IPX7 waterproof rating and optically bonded LCD screens, essential for installation in wet areas.

Rockford Fosgate’s M2-750X5 amplifier packs 750 watts of sound and its built for the marine environment.

Easy to use, these units support AM, FM, BLUETOOTH, USB audio, iPhone, iPod, AUX, and Android AOA for seamless integration with mobile devices. The Fusion Audio mobile-app provides remote control from your iOS and Android devices. Peak power is 200 watts from the built-in Class AB amplifier, with Multi Zone Technology allowing individual volume control for two areas. The MS-RA70NSX also offers NMEA 2000 connectivity, allowing you to control the unit from a compatible Multi-Function Display.

A good choice in mid-range speakers is JL Audio’s M3 series. The M3 Coaxial speakers, with long excursion woofer design and 0.75-inch silk dome tweeters, deliver a surprisingly full range of sound. This speaker range can be operated with as little power as 20 watts per channel but are well suited to upping the power with an amplifier such as Rockford Fosgate’s M2-200X2, which retails for $409.99CAD.

The M2-200X2, while being a value-priced amplifier, still boasts some of Rockford Fosgate’s technologies, such as C.L.E.A.N. circuitry, which assists with adjusting gain settings, making the amp easy to set up and configure.

To deliver the best sound possible, consider the addition of a subwoofer. Subwoofers deliver a rich sub-bass sound that enhances your listening enjoyment at low and high volume. Major marine audio brands offer a range of subwoofers to meet your size, power and feature requirements. Rockford Fosgate and JL Audio offer 8-, 10- and 12-inch models, starting at $369.99CAD.

The JL Audio M6 speaker is built to provide power and handle the elements. Credit: Garmin Media.

High-End Marine Audio

Planning and installing a state-of-the-art system with multiple components is a project for the professionals. To get an understanding of the range of possibilities, I sat down with Jeff Partridge and Matt Garroway of Fast Forward Audio Video in Midland, Ontario. We spent a few hours discussing the complexities, options and components that go into a full installation that integrates existing systems with new components throughout a vessel. It’s an undertaking that takes time and resources, and the budget can cover quite a range. To simplify the process, we’ll focus on major components and capabilities.

The heart of the system is the source unit, and a highly recommended unit is the Fusion Apollo MS-RA770 Marine Stereo (MSRP $939.99). This unit brings state-of-the-art technology and innovative features to your audio system. The face, with its 4.3-inch LCD touchscreen, meets IPX 6 and IPX 7 waterproof standards. Supported sources include Apple AirPlay 2, BLUETOOTH, optical audio, advanced SiriusXM features, AM/FM radio, AUX and USB connections.

While the stereo incorporates four zone audio control, Fusion-Link and Party Bus Networking really sets this unit apart. Fusion Link provides connectivity with compatible Multi-Function Displays, iOS and Android devices. Party Bus allows you to link multiple Apollo stereos throughout your boat. You can synchronize audio across all stereos, or they can function as standalone entertainment systems. This allows for the creation of dedicated entertainment zones for the cockpit, flybridge, salon and staterooms.

Fusion Apollo models like the MS-RA770 are feature rich and strong performers.

Party Bus’s compatible system means you can set it up with Ethernet or Wi-Fi using an existing router, providing maximum flexibility. Compatible products for Party Bus are MS-SRX400 Stereo ($499.99CAD) Wi-Fi and Ethernet, and MS-ERX400 Wired Remote with Ethernet ($339.99CAD).

High-end audio requires serious amplifiers and speakers for each source unit. For the primary zone, Fast Forward Audio Visual recommends Rockford Fosgate’s M2-750XS 750 watt, 5-channel amplifier, which incorporates all of Fusion’s tech.

To handle both the power and the elements, the JL Audio M6 series offers a wide range of speaker and subwoofer sizes and styles for every application. The M6-650X coaxial speakers are designed for all boating environments, cleanly handling 25 to 150 watts with a MSRP starting at $999.95CAD.

To fill in the bassline, M6 subwoofers are available in 8- and 10-inch sizes with a range of grill styles and lighting options. MSRP for the MS-10W subwoofer is $769.95CAD.

Great sound on a budget with JL Audio M3-650X-S coaxial speakers.

Your Next Steps…

Between now and next season, talk to your dealer, do some more research and (hopefully) try out the systems that have the features you are looking for. Listen to the pros and their advice for your specific boat. Then, make a plan for a more entertaining season onboard in 2025!