The staff at Ralph’s Radio in Victoria and Vancouver, BC, know that the key to great sound in any mobile entertainment system is to start with great speakers. This fact is especially true when it comes to marine applications. Choosing a speaker that sounds good, plays loudly and will withstand the torture that Mother Nature can dish out is no easy task. The sales team at Ralph’s Radio is here to help you choose the right marine audio speakers for your needs. In this article, we present the top five things to look for when purchasing a high-quality marine speaker.
Sound Quality
Designing a speaker to sound good in a car or truck is very different from designing one to sound good in the open space of a boat. Each environment has different needs and requires different designs. Speakers used in most marine applications need excellent dispersion from the tweeter to ensure each seating position on the boat experiences clear and detailed high-frequency information. Without the cabin gain (also known as a transfer function) of a vehicle to help boost bass response, marine speakers have to be able to produce low-frequency information with authority.
Power Handling
The number-one enemy of every speaker is heat. When you play music at high volumes, you are sending a lot of energy to the speaker from your amplifier. If the speaker cannot handle the heat, it will fail. Marine speakers have to play loud over long periods without failing. Reliability requires innovative speaker voice coil and motor designs and excellent overall efficiency. Nobody wants to head out for a weekend cruise only to hear a crunchy and crackly speaker. A Ralph’s Radio-designed marine entertainment system not only sounds good, but is reliable.
The Forces of Nature
Water, UV rays, the wind, and even snow and ice – we love the weather here on the coast, but that does not mean things do not get ugly now and then. Marine speakers have to handle exposure to the elements without failing. All the marine speakers we sell are water-resistant and can handle rain, wave splashes and even being hosed down without any problem. These same marine speakers are manufactured from plastics that can withstand extended exposure to the sun’s UV rays without material failure. Cracking, yellowing, fading and chalking are not concerns when you choose a quality marine audio speaker.
Marine Audio Speakers Variety
We stock many different-sized marine speakers. We offer coaxial speakers in sizes up to 8.8 inches in diameter and subwoofers at up to 12 inches. We even have component speaker sets for smooth, clean sound. Enclosed wakeboard tower speakers are available in a variety of sizes and configurations to ensure the skier behind your boat will be as entertained as the folks on board.
Premium Installation
We take a great deal of care to make sure your boat is protected from damage while we are working on it. Running wires for radios, amplifiers and speakers in a boat is an extensive process. We cannot simply lift up the carpet and run wires underneath as in a car or truck. We run all wiring along factory wiring channels, carefully secured in place.
When it is time to shop for new marine audio speakers, drop in at Ralph’s Radio in Victoria or Vancouver or contact us HERE. Our experienced sales staff would be happy to work with you to find a solution that meets your needs.