Pumping Up Volume Is No Longer Enough: 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.”

Read the full story at Marine Industry News. »