What is a good stereo receiver to put in my boat.?

Toddely · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:49 am

Hey guys, going to replace my boat stereo and speakers this week and need some input for some good sounding equipment. Also does anyone know what the cover is called that mounts on the face to protect the radio, I need to order that as well. Thanks.

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 12:12 pm

Ohhh boy....here we go! That's like asking "what oil should I use" or "what sparkplug". Some will say "marine radio" only, while others use automotive stereos. I loooved my Kenwood Excelon KDC-X597 and 4 Infiniti 612m's, but the Kenwood got wet and died. Have an Alpine now.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 12:19 pm

I use this one. Would buy again for next boat
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-0LjE09t7zi ... -X597.html

Works with marine remotes.

captkevin · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 12:24 pm

Bought a Kenwood marine unit without a cd player.

http://www.rakuten.com/prod/kenwood-mar ... 36232.html

Never use cd's so why have it.

Supposed to be sealed better without??

Toddely · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 12:28 pm

anyone know about this one?Kenwood KMR555U Marine CD Receiver

ssoper · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 1:17 pm

Alpine CDE-HD148BT

Works great!

ric · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 1:48 pm

Don't bother getting a "Marine" stereo unless you need something to work specifically with the remotes you already have in your boat. All "marine" means in the car stereo world is that it's 3 generations behind and costs 5 times as much. They offer no more enviromental protection than a standard stereo. Unless you buy a Fusion, but they sound horrid.

fi.na.tine · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:17 pm

Let me start with saying I have no experience with marine stereo - lots of experience with cars though - which are not that much different.

You can't go wrong with a good Alpine or Kenwood. Check your local stereo shop - they often have good deals, but price match with Crutchfield.

Your questions should be -
Will I need an amp? If you already have an amp, you'll probably want to replace that as well.
Will this unit fit where the old unit is?
Will it work with my current accessories? (remotes, Sirius receiver, etc.)
And - Will my speakers work with this unit? (Get the model #'s of the speakers to confirm.) It is best to just go ahead and part with the extra money to upgrade the speakers as well - otherwise you have a new head unit pushing old speakers and that will affect your sound quality.

Now if I could just get the POC Sony to get out of demo mode on my boat I would be happy!! (Sony cdx-GT510) :evil:

flaMtneer · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:33 pm

I'm not sure I agree with the no difference in marine vs car. I've had both. Originally bought a fairly cheap Sony car unit for about $80. I went through 2 or 3 of those - each lasted about a season. Decided to try a Sony marine unit that cost maybe $150 and it's still going strong after 3 or 4 years. I wouldn't spend much more than that - some of the marine units are silly expensive.

fi.na.tine · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:35 pm

flaMtneer wrote:

I'm not sure I agree with the no difference in marine vs car.

From what I have seen - there are some "marine" models specially made to resist moisture - but most are just car units that do double duty - or are labeled "Marine" but have little to no difference from car units with just a different product designation. (Crutchfield has a few nice units for <$200 specified for marine use, and most of the DIN units are not sealed or even labeled as being water resistant.)

I was mostly referring to the install part of the job as having little or no difference. If you buy a good watertight install kit, and use a remote, you can get away with just about any head unit. However - eventually moisture is going to get in there and ruin your party. Best bet is to buy a marine head unit - of which most are based on the DIN standard. There are exceptions of course, most notably from Dual (Stay away) and JVC.

As far as your personal experience - is it the fact it was a "Marine" stereo, or that it had a little better build - resulting in a higher price point that has led to it's longevity? One will never know, But I know most $80 car head units don't tend to last very long, and if they do - they sound like an $80 head unit.

What I would do is look for a unit that has flush buttons, no open holes without covers (for input/USB) and no CD player. This one looks like a winner - http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113M308BT/Kenwood-KMR-M308BT.html?tp=61742

schoolsOut · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:39 pm

I recently put in a JBL PRV-170 which has since been replaced by the PRV-175. I mounted it into a cup holder hole. I am pretty pleased with the unit so far. Love the bluetooth connectivity.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-BphCWiqEgH ... RV170.html

ric · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:59 pm

My Kenwood x597 gets wet once and a while due to it's location and it goes into a "protect" mode until it dries out. It's not a marine stereo.

deafwish · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:12 am

schoolsOut wrote:

I recently put in a JBL PRV-170 which has since been replaced by the PRV-175. I mounted it into a cup holder hole. I am pretty pleased with the unit so far. Love the bluetooth connectivity.

I have the same head unit & find it brilliant.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:16 am

My coworker got one for her craft. Freaking loves it

Jdpber · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:07 am

i use a car HU Pioneer DEH-8500BH Blue tooth, HD Radio, powered USB 1amp charge ipod and phone, 4v RCA 6ch (front, rear, sub)... for a powerful stereo one key element you want to look at is the RCA output voltage signal.. even with an amp a low rca output will result is garbage audio replication.. I have this unit mounted in a waterproof housing and it has been a great HU.

www.iFourWinns.com

What is a good stereo receiver to put in my boat.?

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