Buying guide for Best wakeboard tower speakers
Using wakeboard tower speakers is a popular way to turn any boating trip into a party on the waves. Although the name might imply that these speakers are only for use by wakeboarders and skiers towed behind the boat, they can be enjoyed just as much by everyone else aboard.
Marine audio systems have come a long way in the past couple decades. No longer do you have to suffer through static-filled subpar sound when trying to enjoy your music. Many of today’s marine speakers are just as high quality as those you find in cars. Because these speakers are out in the open, they need to have high wattage in order to be heard. They also need to be water and corrosion resistant.
Whether you’re blasting tunes to wakeboarders or jamming to your favorites on an afternoon cruise, you want the best possible wakeboard tower speakers for your boat. That’s where we can help. We’ve done the research so you can find the right wakeboard tower speakers for your situation. If you’re ready to buy, take a look at our favorites, and start dancing your heart out.
Key considerations
When choosing wakeboard tower speakers, you want to gather as much information as possible on each speaker set. Because most people have a pretty specific idea of what they want and need in audio equipment, you want to make sure you find your preferred sound recipe. Carefully check the specs of each set of wakeboard tower speakers you’re considering, and compare those with your needs out on the water.
Primary use
Think about how often you’ll be using your speakers and in what conditions. Different speakers have different strengths and weaknesses, so if you’re planning on using them on rare occasions, you might not want to splurge on the most expensive option. If you plan to use them every week, you want durable, reliable speakers with good sound quality.
Water resistance and durability
Although any wakeboard tower speaker will be protected from the elements by its housing, think about how the design will hold up over time. Some wakeboard tower speakers have a larger cover over the woofer and tweeter, which protects the speaker not only from water but also from sun damage.
Wattage
Different speakers have different output capacity, measured in watts. Most of the popular wakeboard tower speakers range between 100 and 550 watts per speaker. The louder you want your speakers to work without distortion, the higher the wattage you’ll need. Do you want to blast your tunes all over the lake or just enjoy some light music on the deck? Your decision will play a role in determining which wakeboard tower speakers you choose. There’s no need to purchase high-wattage speakers that function best at high decibels if you only plan on using them at low volume.
Music
At first glance, this may seem trivial, but it isn’t. The type of music you enjoy should dictate the speakers of any sort that you purchase. For example, some high-wattage speakers have powerful woofers to deliver low bass tones. Others that may have lower wattage but larger tweeters are better at hitting accurate high notes. Consider what you’ll be listening to most often and choose your wakeboard tower speakers accordingly.
Quantity
The fun of wakeboard tower speakers is that you can purchase and use as few or as many as you want. Some wakeboard tower speakers are sold individually, but most come in sets of two. Some people choose to have as many as a dozen on their boat for maximum volume. Others do just fine with one or two. Consider the audio power you want to wield out on the water when choosing how many wakeboard tower speakers to purchase and install.
Caution
Listening to very loud music for extended periods can cause permanent hearing loss.
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Wakeboard tower speaker features
Titanium tweeter
Titanium tweeters give wakeboard tower speakers some of the clearest high notes possible. Because titanium is so strong, it’s less susceptible to distortion at high volume than traditional tweeters made of other materials. Most of the highest-quality speakers come with titanium tweeters.
Dual-mount speakers
Because wakeboard tower speakers are often used in pairs, some companies have started selling dual-mounted speakers, meaning they come as two connected speakers, making installation even more convenient. One obvious drawback to dual-mounted speakers is that you have less freedom to arrange the speakers than if they were mounted individually, but the convenience may trump the negatives, depending on your needs.
LED lights
If you’d like to provide your passengers with the full party experience, consider getting wakeboard tower speakers with built-in LED lights. These lights are usually multi-colored and add a whole new dimension to whatever music you might be enjoying. Many of them have up to eight different color options, and some lights pulsate along with the beat of the music.
Amplifier
An external amplifier is now an option with some wakeboard tower speakers. The advantage to this is that you can have the maximum power allowable coming through your speakers whenever you want. If your marine stereo can’t provide sound at the same decibel level that your wakeboard tower speakers can deliver, consider getting a set that includes an amplifier as part of the kit.
Wakeboard tower speaker prices
Inexpensive: The most affordable wakeboard tower speakers cost from $60 to $200. These speakers sound good and are easy to install, but they don’t have the same high-decibel capacity as more expensive models.
Mid-range: The speakers that cost between $200 and $400 are high-quality options for blasting your tunes at the highest level.
Expensive: The best wakeboard tower speakers cost between $400 and $650. These speakers have the highest wattage and are made of materials (like titanium) that won’t cause cutouts or distortion.
Tips
Hire a professional. Although you can probably install your wakeboard tower speakers if you can follow the instructions, you might be better served by having an audio professional do the work. This will guarantee the best possible sound quality.
Wash off your speakers after your boating trips. If you use your wakeboard tower speakers in a saltwater environment, it’s a good idea to wash them off with clean water once you’re back at the dock.
Don’t blast your speakers at max volume while piloting your boat. You need to have all your wits about you to stay safe on the water.
Match the speakers to the stereo. Make sure you have a powerful enough marine stereo so your wakeboard tower speakers will sound their best. Otherwise, add an amplifier to the mix.
- Adjust the settings. If your marine stereo has a built-in equalizer, change the settings until you find the combination that suits your speakers.
FAQ
Q. Do I still need wakeboard tower speakers if I already have regular boat speakers?
A. Maybe. Wakeboard tower speakers give you a broader range of sound than traditional marine speakers, so if you want the best possible audio setup for your boat, consider wakeboard tower speakers.
Q. Can I ever have too many wakeboard tower speakers?
A. No. The more wakeboard tower speakers you install, the longer your boat parties will last.
Q. Is it safe to buy used wakeboard tower speakers?
A. Although you can find good used wakeboard tower speakers from reputable sellers, there is still an inherent risk of buying damaged speakers.
