Speaker Reviews/Recommendations for 2013

[wessnapp]

How are everyone's speakers holding up?  Any new speakers on the market that are worth of note?  

The two pairs of MB Quarts NK116 I installed April 2011 have totally fallen apart.  The cones have cracks all over, the tweeters have become unglued, and the backs have all corroded and shorted out.

[MarshMarlowe196]

It seems like its so hard to keep any kind of stereo equipment working on a boat. That's why I just bring my portable DeWalt radio if I go booze cruising.  I've heard good things about JBL marine speakers. FWIW- Dad says that Key West has tried several different brands of speakers and head units, after being bombarded by warranty returns, they now only factory install JBL systems. Seems to be one of the few systems that will reliably last through the warranty period.

[seabob4]

It seems like its so hard to keep any kind of stereo equipment working on a boat. That's why I just bring my portable DeWalt radio if I go booze cruising.  I've heard good things about JBL marine speakers. FWIW- Dad says that Key West has tried several different brands of speakers and head units, after being bombarded by warranty returns, they only factory install JBL systems. Seems to be one of the few systems that will reliably last through the warranty period.

Which is what, a year?

[MarshMarlowe196]

That's right - one year. They might fall apart after that, but I haven't seen anyone griping publicly about their JBL systems on the KW forum. Seems the initial quality is better than many of the other marine systems available.

[seabob4]

Jesse,
That is a good thing...although it sucks that any boater should be happy with 1 year of reliable use from their speakers, without paying serious $$ for them.

You know I love Infinity speakers, at least from an automotive standpoint.  But the brand I have seen hold up pretty damn good, and sound pretty good as well is Poly-Planer.  And I replace a LOT of speakers in my line of work...

[wessnapp]

Thanks Bob - that's really good to know!!

[wessnapp]

Jesse,  That's great to know as well.

[Double Trouble]

I have Pioneer 1640"s on my boat 4 years now,they are in the cockpit exposed to everything and holding up well. I think I paid 79 bucks for them and they sound fine but then I am no stereo bug just like to listen to some music without everybody else on the ocean having to hear it.

[Blue Agave]

X2 on Poly-Planar both the speakers and head units.

[seabob4]

Wes, tell us about your most recent experience with MBQuart...  

[wessnapp]

In the process of speaker selections, I thought it might be worht while to contact MB Quart.  After speaking with their Warranties department and exchanging a few emails and photos, they have proved to exceed customer service expectations.

MB Quart has me shipping both sets of speakers to them.  They will in turn be sending me two upgraded replacement pairs.   WOW!  

[TheKid]

I used to use the Polk Audio speakers in my boat. They were water resistant. Lasted many years with water dripping all over them as they were mounted low on the gunwale.

Here: http://www.polkaudio.com/products/db691

I mounted them in Medex (MDO) boxes and they sounded incredible with an extra 10" sub under the deck.

[gran398]

I'm with Kid, go with Polk. Went to Best Buy...the Polk's blew away the comparable Bose.

We just put these on Miss D

http://www.polkaudio.com/products/atrium4

Crutchfield had them cheap

[skyliner4444]

I went with JL speakers when I replaced the Clarions last year. They sound great and had a lot of positive reviews. We'll see how they hold up.