Why Marine Tower Speakers?
Summer 2019 is right around the corner and getting great sound on your boat can help make your summer unforgettable. Marine Tower Speakers will give you the best sound and protection while in the elements so you don’t have to worry about your speakers failing. Not all speakers can withstand the elements.
Good marine tower speakers, also known as wakeboard tower speakers, are built to be water-resistant or waterproof. They also have corrosion protection and can withstand dust and vibrations. Many are also made with uv-inhibitor materials to block ultraviolet radiation from the sun which will prevent fading. This testing and build quality is why wakeboard tower speakers will stand the test of time and thrive in different terrains where most electronics tend to fail.
Marine Tower Speaker Features
Finding the best tower speakers for you will mean finding some that will suit your specific needs. When shopping for tower speakers, there are some key features to look out for.
Water-resistant vs. Waterproof: Knowing the difference between water-resistant and waterproof is a must. Water-resistant will usually mean that the speakers will do fine against water spray, but not full on immersion. If your situation calls for more protection, then waterproof speakers are what you’re looking for. These speakers can be immersed in water for short periods of time which should do the trick for most applications.
Marine Rated: It may seem a little obvious, but make sure the speakers are marine rated. This will mean that the materials used will handle harsh terrains, whether it be on a boat at sea or a UTV on a muddy trail. Check if the speaker meets marine standards such as the ASTM Test Standards. You can also check to see if the speaker has an IP rating which will quickly identify what level of protection the speaker has against dust and water.
Stainless steel hardware: Many tower speakers use stainless steel hardware and grilles which will prevent corrosion. Since the elements will make most other materials corrode, it’s best to use stainless steel hardware, grilles, etc. Another hardware feature to look out for is the mounting hardware. Having a swivel mount is helpful to move the speakers in the direction you want at any time. This is useful for boat tower speakers so you can easily adjust the sound projection. The other option is having a fixed mount. Fixed mounts keep your speakers in one fixed position at all times.
HLCD: Although not necessary for most marine applications, an HLCD is a great feature and a perfect solution for wakeboarding. Most speakers will only project sound directly in front of the speaker and not be able to reach outside the wake. A horn loaded compression driver (HLCD) is a great feature that is designed to produce a wide, horizontal sound projection. An HLCD will also project sounds to distances of 70 feet or more. The Wet Sounds Revolution Series speakers shown below are a good example that has HLCDs.
Best Marine Tower Speaker Brands
So now you know what features to look out for when shopping for wakeboard tower speakers. To make things even easier, here are our picks for some great wakeboard tower speakers that are in the market as of 2016:
Wet Sounds
Wet Sounds speakers are created by industry veterans that specialize in the marine industry. The technologies and materials they use in their tower speakers create high performance products like the Revolution Series. The speakers in this series have high RMS power ratings between 200-400 Watts each. They utilize stainless mounting hardware, fully marinized, fixed or swivel mount hardware and they have Proprietary REV TEC™ technology which provides outstanding volume and full range sound quality. They offer tower speakers in both 8 inch and 10 inch options.
Rockford Fosgate
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line reliable tower speaker, then the Rockford Fosgate line is what you’re looking for. The Punch Series speakers meet ASTM Marine Grade standards, CEA-2031 standards, have UV inhibitor enclosures and are equipped with marine horn tweeters for high output. These features make this series ideal for any terrain. The Punch Series speakers are Element Ready. They are tested to withstand dust, water, sun exposure, corrosion and use stainless steel hardware. These powerful compact speakers come in 6.5 inch and 8 inch options and can handle up to 85 and 200-300 watts RMS respectively.
JL Audio
JL Audio’s M-Series enclosed speaker systems provide great power and style. The coaxial drivers will get loud and provide maximum performance in marine conditions. They use marine-grade polymer materials to protect the speakers from the elements. The M-Series speakers are also available with Transflective™ LED Lighting. This gives you a great balance of functionality and a clean look. These speakers are available in a multitude of colors and two different sizes, 7.7 inch and 8.8 inch.
Installing your Marine Tower Speakers
When you finally have your new marine tower speakers, installing them is fairly easy. You can follow the step-by-step instructions on how to install your tower speakers from our video below. Enjoy the summer!
Here at Sonic Electronix, we have a wide selection of tower speakers to choose from as well as the wiring, amplifier, subwoofer and accessories you need for your system. For additional tower speakers and much more, visit our site here!
