Choosing a marine stereo for your boat can be difficult if you don’t know what you’re looking for. The stereo for your boat needs to be different from your car stereo, mainly because a marine stereo has to last through all types of weather, intense heat, and constant water exposure.
A car stereo also has different sound limitations than a marine stereo does. If you want loud music, you don’t have to turn it up so high in a car because of the closed space. On a boat, though, you get external sound interference from the environment, so you need a receiver that can compete with that.
Main Qualities
Just like with car stereos, marine stereos have lots of different things to offer users depending on what they need. Amplifiers, Aux cord and USB connections, and overall higher power are some specifics that are sought out by boat owners. But, there are a few main qualities that every marine stereo receiver should have, regardless of the extra features.
Waterproof vs. Water Resistant
Making sure that your marine stereo receiver is waterproof instead of water resistant is an important point. Water resistant equipment can handle light water exposure, like a few occasional splashes, but waterproof equipment can be completely submerged, and have no issue. Depending on how you plan to use your marine stereo receiver, this is a quality to consider.
Anti-Corrosion Materials
Speaking of water, salt water can do lots of damage to marine equipment. It’s important to ensure that your receiver and circuit boards are built to withstand potential saltwater damage.
Marine equipment is usually protected from potential corrosion by being coated in rust-resistant materials. Consistently retouching these materials keeps the marine gear in optimal condition.
UV Resistance
Harsh sunlight is another thing that weathers down marine equipment. Ensuring that the marine gear that’s exposed to the sun (like the marine stereo receiver faceplate, remote controls, and speaker cones) is designed to be UV resistant, can extend the quality and life of these features.
Imagine Marine
At Imagine Marine, we can help you find so much more than just a stereo. We combine the right amount of expertise and quality materials to give you the best marine stereo for your needs. We only use the best products on the market and stock from renowned companies, like JL Audio, Ray Marine, and Fusion.
Francis Burns is an avid writer from Louisiana. With a Bachelor’s in English and a background in journalism, Francis has been writing for a variety of media outlets for the last five years. He specializes in stories about the local culture and loves to fill his work with inspiring words. When not writing, Francis enjoys exploring the outdoors of Louisiana and photographing nature.
