Marine stereos are designed for use on boats and other marine vehicles, with waterproof and weatherproof components. Specialized speakers and weather radios are also available, but they are more expensive and installation is more difficult due to fire precautions and grounding issues.
A marine stereo is a stereo unit that can be used aboard a boat or other marine type vehicle. Typically waterproof and often sealed from the elements much better than a typical car stereo unit, marine stereo will hold up to direct contact with water and sun much better than non-marine units. Major differences in the construction and design of the marine stereo include end caps that help reduce water contact with the unit. Additionally, weatherproof contacts are often used at wiring connection points such as speaker wires and antenna wires.
The stereo head is not the only specialized component of a marine stereo. Special waterproof speakers are also used in wet environments. Advances in polymers have led to very high-quality speakers that not only resist water damage, but create a marine stereo system that actually sounds good. Some of the higher end manufacturers offer all the components found in a quality car audio system in a comparable marine version. The amplifiers, equalizers and crossover boxes are mounted in waterproof boxes which are used to create a high quality stereo system for use in open water.
An addition to many marine stereo systems is the inclusion of a marine weather radio in the head unit. This allows the user to enjoy stereo quality while providing the added protection of a weather warning system. In this scenario, the weather channel can preempt the music channel to display any weather-related warnings or information that might be useful to a vessel on the water. Some versions of the marine stereo also include a two-way marine radio in the head unit. This allows the vessel to call for help if needed, as well as communicate with the coast guard or other vessels in emergency situations.
Typically, a marine stereo will cost more than a comparable vehicle audio system. This is partly due to the high quality of the components used that protect the unit against corrosion in the humid environment, as well as the waterproof casing that contains the main unit. The speakers are also more expensive than typical automotive components due to their waterproof construction and often compact size due to space limitations on most boats. Installing a marine stereo is also more expensive due to the necessary fire precautions, as well as the difficulty of grounding a stereo system in a fiberglass vessel.
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