Which tower speakers should I buy?

[Matt Garcia]

Ok this question is for all of the audio gurus out there. I am looking to purchase some tower speakers but don't have the slightest clue on what to look for, what to avoid, etc. I would like to know your experience or suggestions. Thanks.

[blr]

I have the B60's on my current tower and they sound great in the boat but real hard to hear when riding. my new tower has the samson dual (2 on each side) Focal's (not on their web site either). I am told you can hear them real well when riding. I should know in a coulpe week and will let you know. There have been a lot of people raving about the new entity tower speakers (www.nvs1.com) and also just put in a set of the new high end monster tower speakers on my buddies x-star. The ones we put on my buddies x-star are awesome (can hear them real well when riding). both those and the entities use 8" subs and a horn. I think the horns are the real way to go. they really "throw" the sound well since they are designed as outdoor loud speakers. the only issue is, if you stand up (in line with the tower speakers) your ears are gonna bleed! but in the boat they sound awesome as well as when riding. hope that helps.

[yllw20]

check out www.loudliguid.com.....they claim you can hear their box - 4 6x9's w/a 300 w amp from 75 yards away. they are lightweight, but I dont know of anyone around here who has them.
besides it can really depend on the amount of $$$$ you want to spend.

[jeffro]

blr has it right.....

mostly it's going to come down to what "you" think sounds good on your setup. If you can, ride behind some peoples boats with tower setups so you can compare. Make sure you find out exactly how they have the amps and speakers wired. How much power, etc etc.

I'm not a big fan of running 2 ohms on single channels of amps for mids and highs, so me personally, i would recommend keeping each tower speaker channel at 4ohms. I know a ton of people are running 2 ohms, but to each his own. You don't really get more power per speaker, you just get more speakers running on one amp....not to mention at 2 ohms the distortion level is usually higher as far as the sound output goes.

The more surface area you have (more speakers) the more you are going to hear...assuming you have plenty of power pushing each speaker. I'd recommend at least 75+watts per channel (per speaker.)

Popular (non horn) speakers have been: Momo's, Kickers, Diamond Audio (really nice), MB Quarts, JL Audio, and some upper end Infinities.

One company you should check out is www.ftasports.com (don't think they have the site complete). I've seen these cans, and they are light and very very nice!! They are using the diamond audio.

[Domsz06]

I bought my speakers on ebay. Not bad, but the key to them was making sure I'm inline with them when boarding. When I first put them up I made them parallel with the boat when flat, big mistake. I now have them tilted up a bit since when driving the boat points the bow up, and the stern down, now I can hear them great. Now I just need to build my fiberglass box for my sub. I just can't decide where to mount it. I want to hear it, but not be death. Can you still hear yourself if you mount it on the front wall by the drivers feet?

Dom

[wolfpack]

Make your own, and throw a big amp at it.

[yllw20]

dom,
mine is by my feet and can hear and feel it fine. gives a nice little breeze

[Ruune]

Matt-
If you REALLY want to hear it while you're riding, look for a compression loaded horn driver (CLHD) setup. Most of whats out there right now uses car audio coaxial speakers. The most cost-effective setup I've seen is the monster tower monster speakers. They're actually Electrovoice PA-type speakers that appears to use a small CLHD between two radiating midwoofers... regardless, its based on outdoor PA equipment.

[David]

Matt,

The guys at the Slalom Shop Pro Shop put together a nice set of speakers for our tower. 2 Titan brand Bullet Speakers. If you tell them your preferances and a little bit about what you might want, they do a really great job of putting a nice system together. Also, any online wakeboarding store such as BuyWake or Wakeside will have a good variety of speakers, amps, subs, etc. for pretty good prices. Like everyone said though, its your preferances and the money you want to spend on them....

[David]

Matt,

I was just looking through some stuff and I noticed some speakers. If you want amazing sound (costs a good amount of money) the Deafcon I, II, III, and IV give a good sound and a new type look for speakers came out. These speakers are used by Ricky Gonzales on his Malibu and they look like they are pretty good (havent heard them yet)... www.liquidtrends.com ... should be pretty good...Not sure though...

[Ruune]

the Deafcons use kicker car audio speakers, and they just seem more flash than sound. I'd be willing to bet that the monster speakers put out more sound.

[Matt Garcia]

Thanks for all the info and suggestions everyone..I am still doing some research. I thought about the Deafcon IIs but I have not heard them and they seem somewhat in my price range. Has anyone heard the Deafcons or MonsterTowers?

[yllw20]

matt,
slalom shop has the deafcons and the mb quarts on the wall. you can probobably find some others at wtrski amer. I would check there. Yeah your talking $$$ for just the speakers. From my experiance on pricing the guys at slalom shop were willing to discuss price and you get your owners discount if you bought your boat there.

[mctrick]

I just bought a new 21i and have no clue what tower speakers come with it. All I know is I bought the Tower Of Power and for what it cost it better be able to be heard a freakin mile away. Is this set up any good?

[David]

My mistake...

In my earlier post I put a link to Liquid Trends but it was the wrong website. Go to www.liquidtrends.net and it has very nice speakers...!
All better