Best 6.5 Marine Speakers

Undeniably, music is the ideal complement to the sound of the wind and the waves whilst sailing or motoring along. There’s something about the splashing of the waves, the motion of the boat, the sound of the wind that blows the sails, the calls of flying birds, and that laid back sailing lifestyle that begs to be put to music. However, it goes without saying that music only sounds as good as the system it’s playing through.

A good sounding stereo system on your boat will transport you to a different universe – where things are simpler, and your only worry is the strength and direction of the breeze.

With all of that being, if your boat speakers are starting to sound muddy and creaky, installing new aftermarket speakers is the single most straightforward and significant improvements you can make to bring music to life in your boat. Not only are aftermarket speakers relatively inexpensive, they usually aren’t terribly difficult to install.

In this guide, we’ve evaluated the top 10 best 6.5 marine speakers that you can buy for this year, no matter what your budget.

Best 6.5 Marine Speakers — Reviews

1. Kenwood KFC-1653MRW

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Kenwood KFC-1653MRW

• Injection-molded polypropylene cone woofers
• Rubber surround
• 1 inch balanced-dome tweeters built into grilles
• UV-resistant fixed grille design
• 50 watts RMS (150 watts peak)

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Kenwood is a legacy speaker maker that makes a range of speakers for different applications. Kenwood has been around for a very long time, and you could say they know a thing or two about sound.

The KFC-1653MRW are some of the best 6.5 marine speakers that Kenwood has to offer. These speakers are designed to bring power and precision to your boat’s sound system thanks to their incredible sound powered by a 6.5-inch water-resistant cone woofers coupled with durable rubber surround and 1 inch balanced dome tweeters built into the grilles.

These speakers are built to withstand harsh marine conditions. They come equipped with white UV-resistant grilles, composite speaker baskets, and stainless steel hardware for long lasting performance.

Kenwood KFC-1653MRW speakers boast 60Hz to 20kHz frequency response and 86 dB sensitivity. They can handle up to 50 watts RMS and bursts up to 150 watts at peak. They deliver a great mid-range and decent highs, though to produce well-refined lows, try pairing with a marine subwoofer.

2. Pioneer TS-MR1640

Pioneer TS-MR1640

• 6-1/2 inch white water-resistant injection-molded polypropylene (IMPP) woofer
• 1 inch polyetherimide (PEI) semi-dome tweeters
• Water-resistant rubber surround
• Gold-plated tinsel leads and terminals
• Corrosion-resistant mounting hardware
• Recommended power range 2-30 watts RMS

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Pioneer has become one of the best brands within the audio space, and the TS-MR1640 speakers are a perfect example of why.

Pioneer has been in business for a very long time. The company has released everything from digital entertainment products to headphones, and maintained a level of quality throughout.

The Pioneer Nautica speakers at hand are built specifically for the tough marine environment. They can withstand water, salt, fog, extreme temperatures and more. That said, you can count on dependable performance onboard your craft.

Speaking of dependable performance, these speakers are featured with gold-plated tinsel leads and terminals, and corrosion-resistant mounting hardware.

The pair come equipped with a 6.5 inch water-resistant injection-molded polypropylene woofer cones bonded to weather- and water-resistant rubber surrounds.

These speakers’ power handling is a bit weak compared to the competition as they can only handle 30 watts of power on continuous basis.

Nevertheless, with a frequency response of 30Hz to 30kHz, you’ll score pristine highs, outstanding mid-range clarity and a respectable bass.

3. Kicker 41KM654LCW

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Kicker 41KM654LCW

• Built-in adjustable LED backlighting
• UV-treated polypropylene woofers
• Santoprene rubber surround
• Sealed motor structure and locking terminal covers
• 3/4 inch balanced dome titanium tweeters

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If you’ve ever taken any interest in car audio components, Kicker is a brand you likely recognize, and for good reason. It’s one of the most renowned brands in the car audio industry.

The 41KM654LCW 6.5 marine speakers stand out from the crowd with the built-in multi-color LED lighting that creates a glow on the woofer cone, and makes the speakers quite stylish – a nice option for a night time party on the water. You can manually select the color of the lights to match your mood, and you can even opt for an optional wireless remote control (sold separately) to make to control the backlighting on the fly.

Thanks to the screw hole pattern, these LED-enhanced speakers will fit into standard 6-1/2″ and 6-3/4″ openings. They’re rugged enough for withstand the effects of punishing marine elements.

These speakers are featured with UV-treated polypropylene woofer supported by durable santoprene rubber surround. Their 3/4″ balanced dome titanium tweeters are designed to cut through wind, waves, and engine noise to render amazing highs without annoying harshness.

Kicker 41KM654LCW speakers boast a 35Hz to 21kHz frequency response and 90 dB sensitivity, giving you all the range and power you could want. They deliver outstanding midrange presence and a great bass response, making them a perfect pal for your boat audio setup.

4. Rockford Fosgate RM1652

Rockford Fosgate RM1652

• Injection-molded, mineral-filled polypropylene cone
• UV-stable ASA injection molded plastic parts and aramid fiber spider
• Integrated 1 inch volcano dome tweeters
• Salt-, fog-, and UV-resistant Santoprene rubber surround
• Corrosion-resistant, spring-loaded push terminals
• Stainless steel mounting hardware included

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A great pair of marine speakers should be built for not only durability, but performance too, and the Rockford Fosgate RM1652 speakers strike just the right balance.

These speakers are built to sound great outdoors, with True Marine Grade components and the performance you need to get the sound you want. They’re featured with a rugged Aramid fiber spider, corrosion-resistant spring-loaded push terminals, stainless steel mounting hardware, and 1 inch volcano dome tweeters built into the grilles for enhanced performance and durability.

The injection-molded, mineral-filled polypropylene cone and Santoprene rubber surrounders are designed to withstand salt-, fog-, UV-lights, extreme temperatures and more.

The RM1652 are legitimately powerful speakers that can handle up to 75 watts RMS and up to 150 watts at peak. They have a frequency response of 49Hz to 20kHz, and 89 dB sensitivity.

Rockford Fosgate RM1652 speakers are available in Black (RM1652B) and White (RM1652), so you get to choose the color that best suits your boat.

5. Rockford Fosgate PM2652

Rockford Fosgate PM2652

• Injection-molded mineral-filled parabolic polypropylene cones
• TPE (Thermo-Plastic Elastomer) surround and aramid-fiber spider
• 1 inch bridge-mounted aluminum alloy tweeters
• Integrated 12dB/octave sealed crossovers
• Corrosion-resistant, spring-loaded push terminals
• Removable white molded plastic sport grille

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If you’re want to scale up from the Rockford Fosgate RM1652 speakers mentioned above, and looking for something that can bump out extra power, the PM2652 might be the speakers to look at.

These speakers cost a pretty penny. However, they’re very well-built and look stylish. If you want to go balls to the wall and purchase these marine speakers, you’ll be looking at over $200 price tag. Are they worth it? Let’s find out…

Rockford Fosgate PM2652 speakers are equipped with a rugged, removable and good looking grilles built to stand up to blistering sunlight and damaging moisture. Underneath, you’ll find UV-treated polypropylene cones bonded to durable Thermo-Plastic Elastomer (TPE) surrounds, Aramid fiber spiders, and built-in 12dB/octave sealed crossovers.

To deliver a bright high frequencies that can cut through wind and engine noise, open space, and plashing water, these speakers use 1 inch bridge-mounted aluminum alloy tweeters. Furthermore, each speaker features a spare terminal set for additional component tweeters.

The PM2652 speakers have a frequency range of 49Hz – 22kHz, and 89 dB sensitivity. At 85 watts of continuous power and the ability to handle bursts up to 170 watts, these speakers are powerful enough to deliver loud and undistorted sound in the open space.

6. Polk Audio DB652

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Polk Audio DB652

• Marine certified — recommended for fresh water and powersports applications
• 6-1/2 inch polypropylene woofer cones
• Rubber surround
• 3/4 inch silk dome tweeters
• Handles up to 100 watts RMS (300 watts peak power)

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Polk Audio products don’t really need an introduction. This audiophile brand has carved out a name for itself as a serious contender within the audio space.

Polk Audio DB652 are some of the best 6.5 speakers you can buy, all things considered. These 2-way speakers are specifically designed for cars. However, they’re marine certified with IP55 rating and tested for salt-fog, UV and humidity, making them a suitable for boats in fresh water, motorcycles, ATVs, and other applications where the speaker might get wet.

These babies sport 6-1/2″ polypropylene woofer cones coupled with durable rubber surround for solid playback and longevity. To complement their bass output, these speakers use 3/4″ silk dome tweeters that deliver pristine highs with precision to give you a vibrant soundstage. The built-in crossover network keeps the highs and lows flowing to the proper drivers.

When it comes performance and sound output, these speakers can make a night and day difference. Obviously, when you name a series of speakers after sound measurement unit (dB for decibels), you’re telling us one simple fact – turn them up, they’re set to rock!

Polk Audio DB652 speakers have a great frequency range of 40Hz – 22kHz, and boast 92 dB sensitivity. They can handle a staggering 100 watts RMS and bursts up to 300 watts at peak. In plain text, these speakers will deliver impressive sound with stellar dynamic range, stereo imaging and bass power.

On the debit side, Because these speakers have coated steel baskets and the terminals and crossover components are not covered, we do not recommend using them in salt water environments.

7. Sony XS-MP1621

Sony XS-MP1621

• UV-, salt-, and water-resistant
• Polypropylene woofers with rubber surround
• Poly cone tweeters
• High-temperature voice coil
• Ferrite magnet motor structure
• Plastic protective magnet cover

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Sony is a conglomerate that has their hands in everything from camcorders to the wide selection of 4K TVs. The company has released a variety of products that can be used in every aspect of daily life.

We don not think that these Sony 6.5 marine speakers are a tremendous leap forward in quality from the rivals, however, these speakers still manage to impress thanks to their solid performance powered by polypropylene woofer with rubber surround and poly cone tweeters.

These speakers boast an impressive frequency range of 35Hz to 26,000 Hz, and 91 dB sensitivity. They’ll sound good running off your marine stereo, but because they can handle up to 70 watts RMS, they’ll truly come into their own when driven by a powerful marine amplifier.

8. Alpine SPS-M601

Alpine SPS-M601

• Poly woofers with weather-resistant santoprene surround
• 7/8 inch titanium/PEI balanced-dome tweeters
• Silver UV-resistant grilles
• High-temperature ABS custom frames

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Alpine is well-known for creating car audio components on the high end of the price and power scale, but the SPS-M601 speakers strike a more modest balance while still retaining that famous Alpine top notch build-quality and punch.

These Alpine 6-1/2″ marine speakers are designed to look good, sound good, and stand up to element that would turn cheaply made-speakers into paperweights.

These 2-way speakers sport IPx5 rating. They’re tested tough against salt, fog, and blazing sunlight, so they’ll sound great for many years to come.

These 2-way speakers come equipped with sleek, UV-resistant grilles with rigid 6-1/2″ poly woofers supported by weather-resistant surrounds, and 7/8″ titanium/PEI balanced-dome tweeters that deliver accurate sound reproduction with impressive high-frequency details.

Specs wise, these speakers aren’t that impressive, as their frequency response of 50Hz to 20kHz is a bit limited on the lower end. Further, these speakers can only handle 35 watts RMS and have a slightly low sensitivity rating (89dB) compared to the rivals. Still, these speakers would be a great replacement to most stock speakers out there.

Alpine SPS-M601 speakers are available in White (Alpine SPS-M601W) and Silver (Alpine SPS-M601), so you get to choose the color that best suits your boat.

9. Pyle PLMR60B

Pyle PLMR60B

• Marine grade waterproof construction
• Dual cone speakers
• Polypropylene cone
• Cloth surround
• Molded ABS machined basket and grille

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If you’re short on cash or if you’re looking for a decent replacement to stock speakers that can get the job done without tearing a hole in your wallet, the Pyle PLMR60B is an affordable options.

For the money, your best bet is Pyle PLMR60B, which can be acquired for less than $20, which is a major bargain. Though these speakers won’t deliver chest-thumping bass, or pristine highs, they’re still capable of producing decent sound quality. If you’re picky serious audio enthusiast though, I’m afraid these speakers aren’t for you.

Pyle PLMR60B speakers come equipped with Polypropylene cones bonded to cloth surround, 1/2″ dome tweeters, and 1 inch aluminum voice coil. It all sits in a molded ABS machined basket that keeps the internal components safe and increase the speakers’ longevity.

According to Pyle, these cheap 6.5 marine speakers can handle up to 75 watts, which sound slightly overrated. You’ll blow these speakers if you feed them that much power. Their frequency response of 80Hz to 18kHz is quite limited compared to the competition.

10. Fusion MS-FR6520

Fusion MS-FR6520

• Sealed, water-resistant construction
• Poly carbon cone with rubber surround
• 1 inch mylar dome tweeters
• 1 inch aluminum voice coil
• Handles up to 200 watts peak power

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On a budget but still want that great sounding 6.5 marine speakers? Check out the Fusion MS-FR6520 speakers. They’re not expensive, but you still get a lot for the money.

A boat is a rough place for speakers. Outdoor elements such as heat, humidity, salt, and spray, chalk up together to shorten the lifespan of any speaker that’s not built for life on the water. With that in mind, Fusion built these speakers to meet the toughest standards for UV stability and salt/fog resistance.

The Fusion marine speakers at hand are featured with poly carbon cones and 1 inch mylar dome tweeters, protected by a rugged, removable grille that can be painted to blend with your boat’s design.

The 25-Oz magnet and 1 inch high-temperature aluminum voice coil are housed in a sturdy, water-resistant enclosure that’s built to last.

These Fusion 6.5 marine speakers sport 90 dB sensitivity and can handle up bursts up to 200 watts. Their RMS rating is not communicated by the manufacturer, but we believe it’s around 50-60 watts.

On the debit side, these speakers’ frequency response is relatively limited especially in the lower end of the frequency spectrum. Therefore, don’t expect these speakers to deliver punchy bass especially if they’re running off a factory-installed radio.

Final Thoughts

Installing new aftermarket speakers is the single most cost-effective improvement you can make to breath life into your boat’s stereo system.

With great-sounding speakers on board, you’ll enjoy brighter highs and beefier lows. Plus, you’ll probably hear details that have always been part of your music but have remained hidden behind stock speakers

That said, we strongly believe that our little list of the best 6.5 marine speakers has a match for every budget and needs out there.

This is not by any means a comprehensive list. There is a ton of marine speakers out there. Too much to cover in one post. However, we wanted to give you a few good options. With any luck you’ll find something works for your boat.