Boat Stereo Receiver Suggestions...where to buy?

Shreddy · 06-26-2013, 11:08 AM

Hi guys - looking to put a new deck in my boat. I have a nice bose speaker system in there but the deck doesn't have the power to amplify it (very old tape deck). I want a deck with an auxiliary input (preferably in the front) to run my iphone. I've been looking online and came across the Sony CDX-M30 which would be right in my wheelhouse I think. Looking to spend under $200 and pickup locally so I can put it in this weekend. Suggestions on units and stores are greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

BroadHopper · 06-26-2013, 11:17 AM

Take a look at this website. You should find an excellent deck for your boat.

http://www.rocktheboatmarine.com/

I puchased two decks for two boats from them. Delivery was only 3 or 4 days from the order date. Check for clearances to save money.

I purchased DC Gold waterproof speakers from them 5 years ago. They survived many 'teen' and college parties on the boat. Highly recomend them despite the expense.

Both decks I purchased were JBL. They put out 50 watts per channel and the back of the unit gets pretty hot. I made sure the is good circulation. One is 7 years old and one is 5. Both performed well. I will be glad to demonstrate the DC Gold. (Formerly Babb waterproof speakers).

AC2717 · 06-26-2013, 11:23 AM

I purchased a MBquart head unit two years ago from a ebay store in Germany. MBquart is a very good quality in the Automotive world as well as Boating world

I love it! It is the MBQuart WR1, also I was able to pay well under $100 for it because it came from Germany, and was a new unit not refurbished, it pushes 40 Watts per channel, has a audio input on front, RCA out put and inputs on back, and also has a USB port on it as well, Also does satillite. I went for the non cd model because I was not using them much anymore and also did not want a opening to the unit. It is all marined up including the screen that you can still read in bright sun, also it has a cut out that if you max out on volume it will cut out the volume to the speakers so you do not blow them
here are the main features:

• AM/FM/Media Receiver: WR1-USB
• AM/FM Radio
• MP3, WMA Media Compatible
• 3.5mm AUX input
• USBInput
• SD Card Input
• PA Input with optional PA microphone
• Apple iPod-Ready with Full Text Display to controlyour iPod from your deck using the optional cable
• 40 Watts X 4 output
• RCA audio output
• Multi-Color LCD Display
• AM/FM Tuner with 18 FM, 12 AM Presets

I replaced my sony tape deck in the boat with a Jensen and it broke within two years. this one cost me more than the MBquart

codeman671 · 06-26-2013, 11:54 AM

I believe the one that I installed this spring is the DEH-X6500BT. It does have front input as well as Bluetooth. I use it in a Boston Whaler using the Bluetooth and it works great.

It is not marine rated, but I don't feel it is necessary. Mine sits under a flip down cover, and in most applications it wont be out in the weather anyhow.
$101 with free shipping (or pay for faster shipping method) on Amazon, may be available locally as well.

brk-lnt · 06-26-2013, 12:10 PM

I'd recommend Amazon, I've found several good units there. Been planning to upgrade the decks in the boat and golf cart this year, just haven't had any time (or time at the lake) yet to do so.

LIforrelaxin · 06-26-2013, 04:05 PM

Kenwood KMR 355 from Amazon for less the 100$

4 channels x 22w RMS; 50 per channel max

Marine rated

Easy expansion with 2 pre amp outputs

It also has all the bells and whistles you are looking for

I just bought one and installed it a couple of weeks ago

Shreddy · 06-27-2013, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

Kenwood KMR 355 from Amazon for less the 100$

4 channels x 22w RMS; 50 per channel max

Marine rated

Easy expansion with 2 pre amp outputs

It also has all the bells and whistles you are looking for

I just bought one and installed it a couple of weeks ago

Very close to what I went with! I got this for $130 from Best Buy yesterday

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Kenwood+...&skuId=7501184

I'm sure it will do exactly what I need to it, play the speakers to their capabilities and let me play music from my iphone!

hig · 06-28-2013, 11:05 PM

I have this in my boat: http://www.rocktheboatmarine.com/html/53141.html. It has a lot of power - no need for extra amps.

IPod fits inside in a fully waterproof enclosure.

BlackcatBoater · 07-01-2013, 11:08 AM

My previous boat was an older model that I upgraded with a unit that looks very similar to the above- it was made by Fusion. Many adapters for the different style Ipod/Iphones. I absolutely loved it. I'm not one to crank my radio too loud, but it was sufficient at speed without distorting the speakers. It was nice to put my ipod right inside and forget about it. No chance of a wet towel or cold beverage interference!

surfnsnow · 07-01-2013, 11:12 AM

you might want to check out vanworks in laconia, small outfit but a decent selection

BroadHopper · 07-01-2013, 11:31 AM

WOW! So that mean I can have the cabin as 1 zone and the cockpit as another?

That is going to require 4 more speakers and holes as well as a maze of wires to my boat. At least I can control the speakers much better as of right now I use the fade control to isolate the speakers.

I like the idea of isolating the MP3 player or Ipod from the weather.

Rock on!

FullHouse · 07-01-2013, 04:55 PM

I would highly recommend Vanworks. Great work. They were prompt and priced very reasonable.

06-26-2013, 11:08 AM	#1
Shreddy Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 512 Thanks: 180 Thanked 222 Times in 116 Posts	Boat Stereo Receiver Suggestions...where to buy? Hi guys - looking to put a new deck in my boat. I have a nice bose speaker system in there but the deck doesn't have the power to amplify it (very old tape deck). I want a deck with an auxiliary input (preferably in the front) to run my iphone. I've been looking online and came across the Sony CDX-M30 which would be right in my wheelhouse I think. Looking to spend under $200 and pickup locally so I can put it in this weekend. Suggestions on units and stores are greatly appreciated! Thanks! __________________

06-26-2013, 11:17 AM	#2
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,589 Thanks: 3,230 Thanked 1,107 Times in 797 Posts	The Crutchfield of Marine audio Take a look at this website. You should find an excellent deck for your boat. http://www.rocktheboatmarine.com/ I puchased two decks for two boats from them. Delivery was only 3 or 4 days from the order date. Check for clearances to save money. I purchased DC Gold waterproof speakers from them 5 years ago. They survived many 'teen' and college parties on the boat. Highly recomend them despite the expense. Both decks I purchased were JBL. They put out 50 watts per channel and the back of the unit gets pretty hot. I made sure the is good circulation. One is 7 years old and one is 5. Both performed well. I will be glad to demonstrate the DC Gold. (Formerly Babb waterproof speakers). __________________ Someday may never be an actual day. Last edited by BroadHopper; 06-26-2013 at 12:17 PM. Reason: Correction

06-26-2013, 11:23 AM	#3
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,582 Thanks: 755 Thanked 355 Times in 267 Posts	I purchased a MBquart head unit two years ago from a ebay store in Germany. MBquart is a very good quality in the Automotive world as well as Boating world I love it! It is the MBQuart WR1, also I was able to pay well under $100 for it because it came from Germany, and was a new unit not refurbished, it pushes 40 Watts per channel, has a audio input on front, RCA out put and inputs on back, and also has a USB port on it as well, Also does satillite. I went for the non cd model because I was not using them much anymore and also did not want a opening to the unit. It is all marined up including the screen that you can still read in bright sun, also it has a cut out that if you max out on volume it will cut out the volume to the speakers so you do not blow them here are the main features: • AM/FM/Media Receiver: WR1-USB • AM/FM Radio • MP3, WMA Media Compatible • 3.5mm AUX input • USBInput • SD Card Input • PA Input with optional PA microphone • Apple iPod-Ready with Full Text Display to controlyour iPod from your deck using the optional cable • 40 Watts X 4 output • RCA audio output • Multi-Color LCD Display • AM/FM Tuner with 18 FM, 12 AM Presets I replaced my sony tape deck in the boat with a Jensen and it broke within two years. this one cost me more than the MBquart __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

06-26-2013, 12:10 PM	#5
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,944 Thanks: 544 Thanked 570 Times in 335 Posts	I'd recommend Amazon, I've found several good units there. Been planning to upgrade the decks in the boat and golf cart this year, just haven't had any time (or time at the lake) yet to do so. __________________ [insert witty phrase here]

06-26-2013, 04:05 PM	#6
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,876 Thanks: 1,037 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	Kenwood KMR 355 from Amazon for less the 100$ 4 channels x 22w RMS; 50 per channel max Marine rated Easy expansion with 2 pre amp outputs It also has all the bells and whistles you are looking for I just bought one and installed it a couple of weeks ago __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

06-26-2013, 11:54 AM	#4
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,509 Thanks: 221 Thanked 818 Times in 491 Posts	I believe the one that I installed this spring is the DEH-X6500BT. It does have front input as well as Bluetooth. I use it in a Boston Whaler using the Bluetooth and it works great. It is not marine rated, but I don't feel it is necessary. Mine sits under a flip down cover, and in most applications it wont be out in the weather anyhow. $101 with free shipping (or pay for faster shipping method) on Amazon, may be available locally as well.

The Following User Says Thank You to Shreddy For This Useful Post:
LIforrelaxin (07-01-2013)

06-28-2013, 11:05 PM	#8
hig Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 58 Thanks: 41 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts	I have this in my boat: http://www.rocktheboatmarine.com/html/53141.html. It has a lot of power - no need for extra amps. IPod fits inside in a fully waterproof enclosure.

07-01-2013, 11:08 AM	#9
BlackcatBoater Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 29 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	My previous boat was an older model that I upgraded with a unit that looks very similar to the above- it was made by Fusion. Many adapters for the different style Ipod/Iphones. I absolutely loved it. I'm not one to crank my radio too loud, but it was sufficient at speed without distorting the speakers. It was nice to put my ipod right inside and forget about it. No chance of a wet towel or cold beverage interference!

07-01-2013, 11:12 AM	#10
surfnsnow Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 173 Thanks: 133 Thanked 52 Times in 29 Posts	you might want to check out vanworks in laconia, small outfit but a decent selection

07-01-2013, 11:31 AM	#11
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,589 Thanks: 3,230 Thanked 1,107 Times in 797 Posts	Two zones WOW! So that mean I can have the cabin as 1 zone and the cockpit as another? That is going to require 4 more speakers and holes as well as a maze of wires to my boat. At least I can control the speakers much better as of right now I use the fade control to isolate the speakers. I like the idea of isolating the MP3 player or Ipod from the weather. Rock on! __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

07-01-2013, 04:55 PM	#12
FullHouse Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tyngsboro, MA Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Vanworks I would highly recommend Vanworks. Great work. They were prompt and priced very reasonable.