Listening to your favorite music out on the lake is a quintessential part of boating. Whether you’re blasting tunes from the wake tower while towing your kids or listening while relaxing at a sandbar, having a great sound system in your boat is a great way to make any day on the water even better.
Most modern boats come equipped with quality sound systems from the factory, but many boats on the water today are older. An older boat is far more affordable than buying new and often sacrifices little in terms of performance. However, one area where older boats do come up short is with sound systems.
Luckily, an aftermarket stereo can be fitted to almost any boat. At Innovative Audio, we have years of experience upgrading boats’ sound systems in Utah. In this article, we’re going to go over some basic info and things to consider, based on our experience, when looking to upgrade your boat’s old or broken sound system.
Marine Audio vs Car Audio: What’s the Difference?
Audio systems are not created equally. Boats are exposed to significantly more moisture. This means all electrical components in marine audio systems are constructed to resist corrosion and keep working through variable weather conditions and temperatures.
Marine Audio Component Materials
Rubber, stainless steel, plastic, and special sealant on sensitive circuit boards are commonplace in marine audio. As a result, these systems tend to be more expensive than their automotive counterparts.
Automotive Audio System Materials
The stereo systems in cars and trucks are not exposed to conditions anywhere near as harsh as what’s found in a marine environment. As a result, speakers in automotive audio systems can utilize materials like paper cones and place less emphasis on anti-corrosion and waterproofing.
Considerations When Upgrading Your Marine Audio System
The year of your boat and its current equipment will impact how you go about upgrading your audio system. Here are a couple of things to consider.
Fitment
It will almost always be easier to fit an audio system similar in size to what your boat already has. Increasing speaker, head unit, and amplifier size may require modifications. While this is totally doable, it will increase the cost.
Stereo/Head Unit Sizing
Like automotive stereos, marine stereos are available in a few sizes. The most common are Single-DIN (2” tall × 7” wide) and Double-DIN (4” tall × 7” wide). While these sizes are the most common, your boat may have a different-size stereo, which could require customization to upgrade.
Internal vs External Amplifier
Amplifiers boost the signal between the stereo and speakers, improving sound quality and output. Amps can be built directly into the stereo or exist independently.
Most likely, your boat has an internal amplifier. When looking at audio system upgrades, it’s important to consider whether you will retain an internal amplifier built into the new stereo or opt for a system with an external amp.
There’s a tradeoff. Internal amps are more compact and will fit better if your boat’s old system also used an internal amplifier. External amps take up more space and will usually require custom work to install, but in general will sound better.
Inputs
If you have an older boat, your audio inputs might be limited to a tape deck and CD player. You may even have a cassette-to-aux adapter, letting you play music on your phone. A lot of modern phones don’t even have an aux jack anymore, so upgrading to a stereo with Bluetooth connectivity will help modernize your boat’s sound system.
How Much Will It Cost to Upgrade My Boat’s Audio System?
Like any audio project, there is no one way to answer this question. The type of system you choose, the modifications required, and the age of your boat will all impact on how much you will spend. A simple stereo upgrade will be much cheaper than a full system replacement. The best way to get an idea of cost is to speak with an expert.
Are Marine Audio Upgrades Worth It?
If you spend a lot of time on your boat during the summer and the audio system is subpar or broken, then upgrading your system is a good idea. A new system can breathe life into your older boat, making every outing on the lake more enjoyable.
Marine Audio Upgrades at Innovative Audio
Whether you are looking to repair a broken speaker or fully overhaul the stereo system in your boat, Innovative Audio is Utah’s destination for marine, automotive, and UTV audio! Reach out and chat with one of our team members and we will help you pick the perfect system for your boat and get you ready for a summer on the water with a powerful, great sounding stereo. Give us a call or stop at our store in Sandy today!