Checking "dead" speakers in bow

[kayakwv]

The WS420 is installed in my '05 VLX, although the aluminum facing has to be reordered, since they didn't send the correct one.

Had to add a small JL amp to run the 6 factory sony boat speakers, so that the Kicker Amp can be dedicated to the Rev 10's.

Installer says my sony bow speakers are dead. What all should I check to see if they are indeed shot? Is it common for bow speakers to die, since they do tend to get a few dunks in a surf boat, now and then? If so, what is a great waterproof marine speaker to put in the bow?

Edited June 23, 2015 by kayakwv

[David]

To test simply remove the speaker, bypass the in-boat wiring, and connect the speaker to a known working amplifier channel. Easy does it if the speaker is tested without a baffle. You can also measure the DC resistance which should be between 3 & 4-ohms for a 4-ohm speaker.

Or, do a physical excursion check to see if the speaker coil is rubbing internally or frozen in place. And sometimes the cone is separated from the surround or the cone is beginning to crack and crumble, things that you can visually inspect.

It is easy to overdrive and damage bow speakers if they are mis-tuned because the driver and cockpit occupants can't hear them when underway. Most people don't consider the bow speakers to be crucial. For a true waterproof marine speaker, a Sony coaxial marine speaker would be adequate. In something with matching white cosmetics, you could look at Alpine, Kenwood or Sony in a sub $100 per pair range. A better speaker in white could be the JL Audio or Wetsounds in the sub $200 per pair range. All would have polymer baskets, synthetic spiders, coated tinsel leads, and so on that make them true marine construction.