JL Audio vs. Rockford Fosgate Marine Speakers
Introduction
Rockford and JL Audio are two legends in the mobile audio world. Both of these companies have been around since the beginning of car audio. JL Audio and Rockford Fosgate both have expanded from car audio into the marine market and been very successful. We are going to break down JL Audio and Rockford Fosgate marine speakers to help you understand what is similar, what is different. Also, we give our honest opinion on which ones we feel are the best for various applications.• M6
• M1
• M2
• 7.7"
• 7.7"
• 8.8"
• 6.5"
• 8"
• 8"
• 8" w/ Horn Tweeter
The Rockford Fosgate M1 and M2 speakers come in an open-style, sport grille. They are both available in black or white. Many marine speakers use a charcoal or titanium grille instead of a true black. But, Rockford's marine speakers come with true, black grilles. The Rockford Fosgate M2 speakers have removable stainless steel, mesh overlays. This overlay matched the previous, Punch marine speakers and is a nice finish that is not necessarily an open style grille. Still, it looks more aggressive than the closed, horizontal lines on the JL classic white grille.
• White Sport (Open)
• Gunmetal Sport (Open)
• Black (Open)
• White Sport (Open)
• Gunmetal Sport (Open)
• Black (Closed)
• Optional Stainless Mesh Overlay Included
Tweeters are very important when it comes to the sound profile of your speakers. There are three different types of tweeters for marine speakers, soft-dome (silk), hard dome, and horns. Neither JL Audio nor Rockford make a horn tweeter in a 6.5" coaxial speaker, so we can ignore that for this comparison.
Both the Rockford Fosgate M1 and M2 speakers come with 1" tweeters. The 6.5" M1 speakers have an LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) dome tweeter, which is a fancy name for hard plastic. This material is going to be bright, crisp, and loud. It isn't going to have the harshness of an aluminum dome tweeter. Yet, it is less expensive than a titanium dome tweeter. The 6.5" M2 speakers have a laminated PXNX tweeter. Rockford Fosgate is very forthcoming with regards to what PXNX is, but we have spoken with their product development manager, who has explained to us that PXNX is, "Stuff, that isn't really a hard dome tweeter, but it isn't a silk-dome tweeter either." The PXNX tweeter is super loud and also delivers better sound quality than a titanium dome tweeter. The 91.8dB sensitivity rating reflects the volume output and efficiency of the PXNX tweeter. This is much higher than most 6.5" speakers.
The JL Audio M3-650x and M6-650x both come with specially treated silk dome tweeters. Silk dome tweeters are very popular for their rich, warm, and balanced sound profile. Many people think silk dome tweeters just sound better. JL Audio has found a way to use specially treated silk in their marine speakers. They have tested to ensure that it stands up to the elements, including both salt fog and UV exposure. The silk dome tweeters are popular because they just sound better.
Now, if you are thinking, "Well, I will just go with JL because they have silk dome tweeters," there are other things to consider. The tweeters that come in the Rockford speakers are going to play much brighter and much louder than the silk dome tweeter in the JL M3 and M6. In an outdoor, marine environment, there is a ton of ambient noise from the wind, water, and engine. That noise is going to cancel out fidelity. Also, in a boat, the speakers are often located down low and not pointed toward your face and your ears. In these types of environments, the loud and bright speakers cut through all of that noise. Also, what do you want from your boat's speakers? Do you want it just to be loud? Or, are you willing to sacrifice sheer volume for sound quality? A lot will also depend on the type of boat you have and how you use it. Also, how loud is "loud enough?" These are questions we can't answer for you, but these are essential things to think about when selecting the right 6.5" speakers?
• Amplifier Recommended
• Amplifier Recommended
The Rockford Fosgate M1 and M2 speakers come standard with their Color Optix RGB LED lighting. The RGB LEDs are located behind the tweeter grille and shine backward onto the speaker to illuminate it. Rockford's Color Optix RGB LEDs are unique in that they are complete, plug-and-play. You don't need to run special, speaker wire. You don't have to cut, crimp, solder, or terminate. Instead, you buy Rockford's RGB LED controller, and you buy their Color Optix cables. Plug one end into the controller and the other end into the speakers. Repeat the process for the next speaker. You can then control your LEDs via Bluetooth using their app on your phone. The JL Audio M3 and M6 speakers are available with or without RGB LEDs. If you want them, buy the model that comes with the LEDs. They are slightly more expensive, but that's because they have LEDs. The LED models for the M3 speakers are available in the white sport and gunmetal sport grilles. All three grille styles of the M6 speakers are available with LEDs.
Now, the real difference in RGB LEDs is seen on the JL M6 speakers. The M6 speakers feature JL's patented, Transflective RGB technology. On these speakers, instead of putting the LEDs in the grille, behind the tweeter, the LEDs are located on the speaker basket itself. The cone is made from special, translucent material, and the LEDs light up the cone from the backside. Putting the LEDs on the speaker basket instead of behind the tweeter allows the M6 speakers to have more LEDs. Also, because the cone is translucent, it lights up smoother with less halo effect, and you don't see the "hot spots" that you oftentimes see when the LEDs are behind the tweeter. As a result, the M6 speakers are hands-down, the best looking LED speakers in the world. They light up brighter, and the output is smoother than any other LED marine speakers.
• The Best Looking RGB LED Speakers in the World
Call to Order
The price points between the JL M3 and the Rockford M1 are close. The Rockford M2 is noticeably less expensive than the JL M6. Now, if you want RGB LEDs, the Rockford models are significantly less expensive than JL Audio. Rockford is going to be bright, crisp, and all about being loud. Since the JL speakers have silk dome tweeters, they are going to be rich, warm, and balanced and more focused on sound quality.
If you want other people to hear your music, go with Rockford. If you just need it to sound good to you, on your boat, JL will probably sound better.It is also important to think about when and where you listen to your boat's stereo system. If you usually listen to it while out on the water with the engine on, going over 20 mph, the Rockford speakers will cut through all of that noise better than JL will. If you just go out and cruise and its usually quiet, the JL will sound better because you will be able to hear the difference in sound quality.
I personally do not think the M6 speakers are worth the money for 6.5" speakers. If you want sound quality, the M3 speakers are excellent, and they significantly cheaper. If you want it loud, go Rockford. If you want sound quality, go JL.
The Rockford Fosgate M1-8 and M2-8 speakers come in an open-style, sport grille. They are both available in black or white. Many marine speakers use a charcoal or titanium grille instead of a true black, but Rockford's marine speakers are a true black. The Rockford Fosgate M2 speakers have removable stainless steel, mesh overlays. This overlay matched the previous, Punch marine speakers and is a nice finish that is not necessarily an open style grille, but it looks more aggressive than the closed, horizontal lines on the JL classic white grille.
• White Sport (Open)
• Gunmetal Sport (Open)
• Black (Open)
• White Sport (Open)
• Gunmetal Sport (Open)
• Black (Closed)
• Optional Stainless Mesh Overlay Included
Tweeters are very important when it comes to the sound profile of your speakers. There are three different types of tweeters for marine speakers, soft-dome (silk), hard dome, and horns. JL Audio does not make a horn tweeter in an 8" coaxial speaker, but Rockford Fosgate does in the M2.
Both the standard Rockford Fosgate M1 and M2 8" speakers come with 1" tweeters. The 8" M1 speakers have an LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) dome tweeter, which is a fancy name for hard plastic. This material is going to be bright, crisp, and loud. It isn't going to have the harshness of an aluminum dome tweeter, yet it is less expensive than a titanium dome tweeter. The standard 8" M2 speakers have a laminated PXNX tweeter just like the 6.5" model. Rockford Fosgate is not very forthcoming with regards to what PXNX is, but we have spoken with their product development manager, who has explained to us that it is made of, "Stuff. It isn't a hard dome tweeter, but it isn't a silk-dome tweeter either." The PXNX tweeter is really loud and also delivers better sound quality than a titanium dome tweeter. The volume aspect of the PXNX tweeter is reflected in the sensitivity of the speaker as it is up at 93.1db. This is much higher than most 8" speakers.
Now, the Rockford Fosgate M2-8H speakers have a 1" high compression horn tweeter. The horn tweeters are ridiculously loud. The horn tweeters are super aggressive. We are talking about melt-your-face-off, make-your-ears-bleed loud. These horn tweeters are designed for the pro-audio type of environments. Think about concert halls, night clubs, and those types of stereo systems that require the speakers to be insanely loud. Those are horn tweeters. You can get that type of volume in your boat if you want. If you want to be the loudest guy on the water, go with some Rockford horn tweeters, give them the power they want, and it will be entirely too much for most people. Some of us, though, will absolutely love it.
The JL Audio M3-770x and M6-770x both come with specially treated, silk dome tweeters. Silk dome tweeters are very popular for their rich, warm, and balanced sound profile. Many people think silk dome tweeters just sound better. JL Audio has found a way to use silk in their marine speakers and use special treatments to ensure that it stands up to the elements, including both salt fog and UV exposure. The silk dome tweeters are popular because they just sound better.
Now, if you are thinking, "Well, I will just go with JL because they have silk dome tweeters," there are other things to consider. The tweeters in the Rockford speakers are going to play much brighter and much louder than the silk dome tweeter in the JL M3 and M6. In an outdoor, marine environment, there is a ton of ambient noise from the wind, water, and engine. That noise is going to cancel out fidelity. Also, in a boat, the speakers are often located down low and not pointed toward your face and your ears. In these types of environments, the loud and bright speakers cut through all of that noise. Also, what do you want from your boat's speakers? Do you want it to just be loud? Are you willing to sacrifice sheer volume for sound quality? A lot will also depend on the type of boat you have and how you use it. Also, how loud is "loud enough?" These are questions we can't answer for you, but these are important things to think about when selecting the right 8" speakers?
The Rockford Fosgate M1 and M2 speakers come standard with their Color Optix, RGB LED lighting. The RGB LEDs are located behind the tweeter grille and shine backward onto the speaker to illuminate it. Rockford's Color Optix RGB LEDs are unique in that they are completely plug-and-play. You don't need to run special speaker wire. You don't have to cut, crimp, solder, or terminate. Instead, you buy Rockford's RGB LED controller, and you buy their Color Optix cables. Plug one end into the controller and the other end into the speakers. Repeat the process for the next speaker. You can then control your LEDs via Bluetooth using their app on your phone. The JL Audio M3 and M6 speakers are available with or without RGB LEDs. If you want them, buy the model that comes with the LEDs. They are slightly more expensive, but that's because they have LEDs. The LED models for the M3 speakers are available in the white sport and gunmetal sport grilles. All three grille styles of the M6 speakers are available with LEDs.
Now, the real difference in RGB LEDs is seen on the JL M6 speakers. The M6 speakers feature JL's patented, Transflective RGB technology. On these speakers, instead of putting the LEDs in the grille, behind the tweeter, the LEDs are located on the speaker basket itself. The cone is made from special, translucent material, and the LEDs light up the cone from the backside. Putting the LEDs on the speaker basket instead of behind the tweeter allows the M6 speakers to have more LEDs. Also, because the cone is translucent, it lights up smoother with less halo effect, and you don't see the "hot spots" that you oftentimes see when the LEDs are behind the tweeter. As a result, the M6 speakers are hands-down, the best looking LED speakers in the world. They light up brighter, and the output is smoother than any other LED marine speakers.
• The Best Looking RGB LED Speakers in the World
Call to Order
When it comes to the 8" speakers, more so than the 6.5", the differences between Rockford Fosgate and JL Audio come down to personal preference and what you want your speakers to do. The Rockford Speakers cost less money than the JL Audio, they handle more power, and they are more efficient. But, in the 8" models, the Rockford speakers are designed to play loud. The JL sacrifice volume for sound quality. It all depends on how you use your boat, how you like your music, and how loud is, "Loud enough?" There's nothing quite like silk dome tweeters, but in an open environment like a boat, loud also matters.
If you want other people to hear your music, go with Rockford. If you want to try to be the loudest boat on the water, the Rockford horn tIf you just need it to sound good to you, on your boat, JL will probably sound better.It is also important to think about when and where you listen to your boat's stereo system. If you usually listen to it while out on the water with the engine on, going over 20 mph, the Rockford speakers will cut through all of that noise better than JL will. If you just go out and cruise and its usually quiet, the JL will sound better because you will be able to hear the difference in sound quality.