Pumping up volume no longer enough: unpicking advances in marine audio
Marine Industry News sits down with marine audio specialists (Hertz Marine and Kicker) to unpick the trends pushing innovation in the sector — specifically how high-res audio integration has stolen the crown (from volume) as boat owners look to recreate their at-home experiences on the water.
Thriving marine audio brands can engineer emotion
Silvio Pupino, director of marine sales for Hertz Marine, believes that the future of marine audio is completely wrapped up in how people feel on the water. “The brands that thrive will be the ones who stop chasing volume and start engineering emotion,” he says.
“When audio is an afterthought, boaters know it,” adds Jeremy Bale, Kicker Marine Audio. “Now, boaters are comparing their experience to luxury home audio, not old-school stereos. They want rich, detailed sound that blends in, holds up, and elevates the moment.”
This is not the first time – and won’t be the last – that owners are cited as looking to move their luxury home, tech-rich experience onto the water. Recently, Videoworks’ Paolo Tagliapietra spoke to MIN about how owners are now able to (easily and reliably) keep working onboard for long periods of time: “in the marina, at anchor, in a fantastic bay … and then they go to swim. Technology can provide high-definition video conferences, and owners can stay, all the time, connected with their business. With this new tech, they are certain they can be online 100 per cent of the time.
“It’s a very interesting period for this type of technology. The huge amount of hardware that, until a couple of years ago, a vessel had to carry to store film and music is now not needed.”
Thus, Pupino is keen to point out that audio shouldn’t be seen as a simple add-on to the strides being taken.
“Marine audio is no longer just an accessory as it is becoming a signature part of the ownership experience. Whether you’re on a wake boat, a centre console or a pontoon, great sound isn’t just about listening, it’s about how it makes you feel on the water,” he says.
At the same time, Kicker is keeping a close eye on the growing demand for curated, lifestyle-driven systems. “People don’t just want a louder boat — they want a better experience that reflects who they are and how they boat,” says Bale. “We’re seeing opportunities for systems that feel more personal, whether that’s custom-tuned sound zones or cleaner aesthetics that elevate the feel of the vessel. It’s not about matching a single design, it’s about meeting customer desires, global expectations for quality, longevity, and sound that magnifies the moment.”
High-res audio on boats is finally replacing CD players (and cassettes)
Marine audio is evolving fast, and “boaters don’t just want volume anymore, they want control that feels effortless. If it doesn’t feel integrated, it feels dated,” says Bale. “Over the next year, systems will continue to get smarter and become more intuitive.”
Marine audio tech has traditionally lagged behind as many boats held onto cassette and CD players far longer than the rest of the world, posits Pupino.
“Bluetooth eventually took over, but even that has its limits,” Pupino continues.
“Now, streaming services like Spotify are shifting to high-resolution audio, and that’s a gamechanger,” says Pupino (pictured left).
“High-resolution audio delivers greater detail, clarity, and depth than standard audio, allowing listeners to experience music exactly as it was recorded.” As boats begin to adopt systems capable of reproducing this higher-quality sound, the listening experience will finally match the luxury of the vessel. (In March this year, the company launched its first hi-res audio certified stereo.)
Marine speakers: the best sound happens when boatbuilders integrate
Both are keen advocates for working closely with boatbuilders, getting in on the ground and making sure the sound is fully integrated. “When we’re embedded at that stage, we help shape the experience before the boat ever leaves the lot,” says Bale.
“The best sound systems happen when we’re brought in early to help builders tune systems to the layout, the brand, and the boat’s personality. Not just louder, but cleaner, smarter, and longer-lasting.
“As they develop plans for the 2025 model year, I think builders will continue building ‘experience’ into their audio systems. We want to be the kind of partner who helps them do that — not just ship boxes.
“When we get it right, the boat sounds amazing, the install’s cleaner, and the customer feels the upgrade without needing to ask for it,” says Bale (pictured)
“New builds offer the opportunity to collaborate closely with the shipyard to develop the optimal solution from the ground up,” agrees Pupino.
One of the founding principles of Hertz Marine’s approach is, therefore, to build open collaborations with shipyards, recognising that it’s essential for both parties to have mutual commitment. Pupino talks about shared goals, transparency, and long-term success.
“As a manufacturer, it is essential that we fully understand the challenges shipyards face and offer innovative solutions that maximise the use of our products by enhancing both value and ease of use.”
Marine audio refits are passion projects for boat owners
Refits and new builds take on equal footing at Hertz, and both sectors come with their own unique challenges. “Refit projects require navigating the constraints of an existing design. While refits typically deliver faster results, new builds often require a longer timeline to realise.”
Bale notes that refits “are where the passion lives.” He says Kicker customers know what they want, and they demand better. “It’s where we prove ourselves one boat at a time.” (Details on Kicker’s boat systems can be found on its website.)
“Both matter, but if we can serve builders and impress boaters, we’re in a great place.” And to do that, the company is constantly innovating.
“Marine is still full of challenges: salt, heat, vibration, exposure,” notes Bale.
“Can we make it sound better than anyone else and also last longer? That’s the challenge we show up for every day. If we were at peak innovation, we’d be bored. No one on our team is bored.”
Main image taken from a film depicting a race between a Mustang and a Lund Power Boat.
