HLCD Speakers

[Kevin_B]

The more I learn about boat audio the more I come to realize that if you are going to invest in Tower Speakers that HLCD speakers are the way to go for optimum sound and clarity behind the boat. I have been doing some research on this site and others and have come across several different types of speakers and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with any of these brands, or just good knowledge they feel compelled to pass along about this kind of speaker.

I'm sure there will be lots of good things said about Wet Sounds because that's the band wagon everyone is on at the moment, myself included. Because I'm one of those guys that obsesses over market research and data collection before I buy I thought I would see what the people of PN thought of these brands.

Wetsounds, -- www.wetsounds.com

Dbots: http://dbot5.com/store/wakeboard-speakers/

Bullet Hollow Point Speakers: http://www.bulletspeakers.com/index.php ... 1&Itemid=1

Krypt Audio: http://www.bulletlines.com/wakeboard-co ... -p/468.htm

Everything I have read says that Krypt audio is a direct rip off of the Bullet Hollow points, although that is all hear say from other forums.


Exile Audio: http://www.exilecaraudio.com/marine/?page=design



Open to any thoughts about these speakers but would really prefer constructive input. I'm not looking to bash company's especially if you don't have any real experience with them. If you do and it was bad by all means I want to know all about it though.

Thanks

[NautiDave07]

I have 4 pro 80's on my 236 and love them. They sound great on an alpine pdx 150x4. I have had nothing negative happen in two seasons of hard use. My local dealer took great care of me. I have had several friends buy wetsounds from the same guy. Everyone else I know runs 2 485's. The only thing I have seen with them that could be negative was discoloring of some white cans. Tim stepped up for both the guys I know this happened to and replaced the enclosures free of charge. One pair was even left on a lift all summer long with no sox and Tim still took care of them. Like I said I love my wetsounds and if I were to replace the tower speakers it would be wetsounds again.

[Mikeski]

You should have included NVS in your poll. I have seen some nice NVS systems on Mastercrafts, the billet aluminum matches the other trim pretty well.

My choices would still be Wetsounds but NVS are a close second, not far behind are the others including in no specific order Bullet, Krypt, Exile, etc. I would not recommend any Skylon products, a few of my buddies have had Skylon, none of them are happy.

[AuMDLST]

Absolutely need to include NVS

I've got NVS Entity's

[kinger]

I have the Dbots w/Alpine PDX amp and they sound as good as any other of the top brands I have heard.

[core-rider]

I say Wetsounds just because out of your choices they are the only ones I've heard personally. I would love to get a pair of 485's on my tower, but I lack the funds. Maybe David will really hook us up on that group buy! I constantly see David or one of his guys posting on various forums with tech support, not only for their stuff but just steroe related in general. They seem to be great guys with great customer service and stand behind their product. I will not hesitate to buy from them one day when I can afford to.

[EarmarkMarine]

Of the above mentioned products, EARMARK carries WetSounds, Bullet HollowPoints and Exile.

We've done extensive listening comparisons and testing which includes Real Time Analysis in two different listening environments. Plus, we've totally broken down the drivers and crossovers to their smallest elements. When you get past the normal propaganda, all of the above products are very competitive when compared within the same size category.

We can't effectively represent all the brands but I do acknowledge there are other HLCD products that we don't carry that deserve to be included in the discussion including NVS and the new Kicker KM6500.2. Sorry, I just don't have first hand familiarity with Dbots.

Pertaining to the poll, its more of a popularity contest based on ownership. Some of the more recent introductions or products lacking the marketing momentum or sales numbers can't show up as well even though they're very legitimate products.

On the subject that Kevin raised about Ken Land and BulletLines here are a couple of links that provide substance to the questionable character issues:

Caveat Emptor the $ specials on HLCDs

"G" your boat is on Craigslist


Interesting, if not entertaining reads, so you can come to your own conclusion.

I've got a thorough write-up on what's involved in designing and building HLCDs. It's not brand-specific so it should provide an objective viewpoint. I'll post this up shortly.

David
Earmark Marine

[EarmarkMarine]

For anyone who is interested in the nuts and bolts of HLCDs, particularly the design considerations and trade-offs, I hope you get something from this article.

Articles: THE ANATOMY OF AN HLCD TOWER SPEAKER

Some of this may be over-the-head of non-industry people. I apologize for that but its unavoidable when getting into this degree of detail. However, if I can fill in the blanks on anything I'll certainly do so as time permits.

David
Earmark Marine