Considering adding a five channel stereo amplifier to my boat sound system. Would like a unit with a separate level control for the sub woofer output. I see sound stream, MB Quartz, and Pyle all seam to be reasonably priced. Not looking to go over the top just looking for some better sound quality. I know back in the day sound stream in MB were top brands but not certain how their products fair these days? Not familiar with Pyle at all. Any input? I know JL audio comes highly recommended but that’s a little bit more than what I really wanted to spend.
The Pyle and MB stuff you mention will get you by, but you will beg for more. They make power, but it’s nowhere near as clean or distortion free as the big names. Nowadays all of those brands are made in the same s hithole factories with different badges on them. I was in your same boat, not wanting to spend the $. I regret not doing so 1 year later.
I would save a bit and go wet sounds or JL…my $0.02.
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
Actually found a Clarion unit for a good competive price and is ultra compact. Reviews look good and Amazon offers their replacement plan pretty cheap. Anyone w/ experience with Clarion? Priced similar to sound stream and connections allow for heat shrink but connectors as opposed to open terminals that can corrode. Clarion, Soundsreeam, and MB used to be well known and good brands back in the day. Just not certain about these days? Back then mongoose also made a great bike now they sell them at Wally world.
If you’re looking to “rock the water” or want to hear music very loud while running WOT, then stay with higher quality as leadenwahboy noted. If you just want some music while in the boat at low speed or stopped, about any brand will do fine. I love music but my personal taste is that I don’t need it to be too loud, particularly since I’m mostly just inshore. Something to consider is Bluetooth - you don’t need a head unit if you get one with Bluetooth. I always had trouble with head units not lasting and did away with them completely. Now just have the amp and play music from phone (iTunes, Spotify, etc.). Current (cheap) unit I have is a MarineMaxx (Google it) and happy with it but only know of 4 channel model. It’s plenty loud enough for me, I can hear it when running WOT but it’s not loud at WOT. Speaker positioning plays into that as well. Since I did away with my head unit, it’s nice that it has the controller, which I mounted on starboard covering the head unit hole. I also mounted on the starboard a USB plug that connects to the amp (via USB connection) and can charge my phone from that as well. Simple and clean.
Yep, I haven’t had a head unit on my big boat for years, just Bluetooth directly to the amp with a $30 Bluetooth to rca connector and handle volume through my phone.
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Originally posted by contender1Considering adding a five channel stereo amplifier to my boat sound system. Would like a unit with a separate level control for the sub woofer output. I see sound stream, MB Quartz, and Pyle all seam to be reasonably priced. Not looking to go over the top just looking for some better sound quality. I know back in the day sound stream in MB were top brands but not certain how their products fair these days? Not familiar with Pyle at all. Any input? I know JL audio comes highly recommended but that’s a little bit more than what I really wanted to spend.
You’re for sure old school! lol 
Seems like you have some ‘sound’ advice here! Sorry, I couldn’t stop myself
Fishing Nerd
“skilled labor isn’t cheap, cheap labor isn’t skilled”
Rockford Fosgate marine amp has worked great for me. Make sure you get large enough speakers if you are concerned about volume underway. 6.5" won’t cut it. Need 8" or larger IMO.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
Wetsounds HT6
Wet sounds and JL Audio are 2 of the best sounding and come stock on many new boats. Clarion and Fusion have different lines from the basic on up. I know Fusion has a decent 5 channel that will run a sub and 4 speakers and will not break the bank.
Ended up going with the Clarion. Really like the ultra compact design and built in crossovers for all outputs and individual gains. I also like the connection style and was able to use heat shrink connections across the board. Currently running (4) 6-inch coaxial off of it and the sound is rich. Will mostly likely add an 8-inch Rockford fosgate sub eventually and move my crossovers for the front and rear to a more mid level setting and then set the sub at low. Running everything through straight Bluetooth out from phone through a jl audio Bluetooth receiver to RCA output. Would like to add a equalizer app to my iPhone for more bass and treble output control customizable to each type of music I am playing.
Also got 3-year replacement warranty from amazon for a whopping $9.