Options for tunes

[wdlfbio]

The only thing I didn’t plan out on the new boat was tunes. Considered just bringing a weatherproof Bluetooth speaker each time.

I’m looking at all the options and wanting to keep things simple/cheap.

I want to play our music from our phones and play XM. We’re far enough offshore that we can’t stream XM through our phones.

I don’t want a head unit. No cds, no fm, no am, no cassettes, no 8-tracks.

Would like to control tunes via any of the Axioms, but that’s not a must.

I have a couple old school Rockford Fosgate (Punch) amps from the late 90s I could put to use. Have room for 2 6” spkrs up front and 2 6” speakers in the back of the cabin seat boxes.

or, just go with Bluetooth speakers powered via 12v hardwire. I might be able to reasonably fit pod speakers under the ceiling...

what options make sense?

 

[NaClAddict]

Bluetooth. Wire a usb outlet. If shit ain’t marine grade it will degrade. Sounds like you’re a little bit into sound. If so, wire in a marine stereo system. Bluetooth is okay but I find unless its quiet, the sound sucks. Two 2 way 6 inch rounds make a boat boom. Only way to go if you want to rock and run!

 

[dragonballs]

Dc gold best waterproof speakers. Reference series. Google it.

 

[Derby]

All the effort on that boat and you didn't add tunes?

WTF?

 

[Derby]

If you have to, use a side by side soundbar hard wired for power.

 

[wdlfbio]

All the effort on that boat and you didn't add tunes?

WTF?

Rookie error.

 

[DustinD99]

altec lansing bluetooth speaker - Google Search

Certain models come with a railing mount, are waterproof, can hold a charge for 16 hours of use, can connect multiple speakers to one another and it definitely is loud enough to hear at WOT on a single engine CC. Not to mention you could buy a new one every season at the price point. I am on my second season with minor rust on the metal screen portions and no difference in battery life.

Also certain models of these speakers come with wireless charging docking ports so they will charge your phone while you are listening to music.

Also, purchase Pandora Plus and utilize there offline listening offshore. Will cycle about 25-35 different songs on each of the 4 radio stations you can listen to while you are in offline mode. 100-140 different songs has been sufficient for us.

 

[Pitchinwedge]

 

[Pitchinwedge]

Seriously though...

I don't have experience in marine audio per se, but lots in other audio applications. Generally, it's the speakers and speaker enclosure in relation to the surroundings that makes or breaks SQ. IME, this is the biggest determinant of whether folks love it or hate it.

Seems locations are already in mind for where to put speakers. What is the sound radiation pattern to the listeners from these locations? Internal volume of the enclosed area? Relatively thin aluminum will likely be highly resonant. Some vibration damping material may help in this regard. This is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.

With so many things to consider and the time/cost/complexity to retrofit a worthwhile built-in system, a good portable BT speaker seems a very good option.

 

[Derby]

Need a stripper pole while your at it.

You WA lushes would get a lot of use out of it.

Like a record baby....

 

[wdlfbio]

If I went with 4 6” traditional speakers and an amp, it looks like I could go with a Fusion BT100 or JL Audio MBT-RX. Either would plug directly into the amp, then I’d Bluetooth my phone to that and control the music selection and volume via my phone. I would lose independent satellite XM (when out of cell range), but I could stream XM through my phone app while in cell range.

BT100 must be paired to the phone manually each time I’d turn on my “stereo”. Is that the same with the MBT-RX?

I’m $390 into 4 6” Skar speakers (80 watts rms, each) and an amp (75 watts rms x4), then $40 for the Bt100 or MBT-RX. Seems pretty cheap and functional. I have 10 USB ports in the cabin, so pretty easy to cheap all the phones/IPads charged up and at full brightness.

 

[jbrincks]

We just installed a Fusion MS-RA670 with 4 speakers and an amp and it sounds great. The Fusion is Bluetooth, XM and can connect to your Axioms.