Best 6 1/2's for a boat?

[ssteve 10+ year member]

Hey guys, I have a friend with a wakeboard boat and he is looking to replace the stock kenwoods. The amp thats running them is a boston gt42 I believe. He already has 2 12" W7's in it so this would pretty much be the last thing he needs, what would be his best bet?

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[ssteve 10+ year member]

looking to spend around 150ish

 

[Paddywad 10+ year member]

polk audio speakers are built to be marine proof. And I think Kicker's are as well.

 

[funkyab 10+ year member]

Super happy with my soundstream picasso's. They are on the tower so definately get some weather, which is why i went with the marine version.

 

[ssteve 10+ year member]

not overly worried about weather and stuff cause the boat is always covered, so do you think a marine speaker is needed. cause it seems like there is a lot of good deals to be had on non marine grade 6 1/2's

 

[funkyab 10+ year member]

if they are not for the tower, which can get rained on at any time, you dont need to go with marine speakers. If they are in a place where people are splashing getting in and out of water i would reccomend a marine speaker. Otherwise,, he will be just fine with non marine speakers. if the back is going to be exposed to a fair amount of moisture, can always add a cheap foam baffle. Since boat audio takes a pretty good beating, he will probably be replacing them every couple of years anyway. I know i do.

 

[PremierAudio 10+ year member]

Just have to remember, water seems to get everywhere on a boat no matter how careful you are, so unless it is a show boat, where no one is getting in and out of the water. It will be best to stick with a marine speaker. Ive installed my fair share and was pretty impressed with Soundstreams, along with Polks as mentioned. Otherwise there really is not much out there.

 

[///M5 10+ year member]

I'd recommend any driver with a non-paper cone. Poly, Aluminum, Magnesium, Kevlar are all fine. A rubber surround is a good idea too as some foams can seep moisture. Other than that any driver that you like the sound of will be fine.

 

[Wkbdkid 10+ year member]

Dont go with P.O.S. marine grade speakers. There really is no such thing as "waterproof" I have diamonds in the bow and we've flodded the front a couple of times and have completely drenched the speakers. Once they dry their jus as good as before. So go with a speaker in which sounds good and not by it being waterproof or not.