FCT5 question for the stereoheads

[nautiques4life]

I've got this tower with the 2 polk rotating 6.5's; I actually like the function of them being able to rotate but obviously no one's gonna hear them at the end of a wakeboarding line. My question is how are people upgrading this system. I haven't seen any retrofitted wetsounds 8's that could be swapped in to use the mounts or keep the function, does anything like that exist? I feel like adding some wetsounds in a different location would completely over power the 2 6.5's and basically render them useless. I guess I'm wondering how to get audio to the rider the best way ( as cost effective as possible) while still maintaining the stock function/style of what I've already got. Thanks

[nyryan2001]

You are going to have a hard time getting big quality sound starting with 6.5s as your base. Kicker has some 6.5 HLCDs, but they are prolly last In sound quality as compared to other offerings. If you want "big" balanced sound in 2015... You are into $1500-$2500 for Wetsound Rev10s, 410s, Exile XM9s, or the new JL 8.8s for example.

You can get a set of Rev10s for around $1100 and a good 400w x2 amp for under $300.

[a0128]

Wet Sounds makes tower adapters specifically for the FCT5. Both upper and lower. Using these would let you mount some REV8's to either the upper or lower mounts, or go big and do both. See link below.

https://wetsounds.com/pages/products/ta-nautique.html

[nautiques4life]

Very good info thanks. Hadn't seen those adapters before; anyone on here use/like them? ...I like the idea of keeping the somewhat stock look. Can they handle a REV10 or is the rev8 as big as I can go? (I'd like to maintain the ability to rotate the speakers forward on the beach) Anyone run just 2 rev8's on the tower? Is it enough? How much better from your experience would the upgrade to 2 REV10's (if even possible) be?

[Jhepler]

What anchor light do you have installed? I've got the original flip up on my fct5 and would prefer something lower. Roswell perhaps? Thanks

[a0128]

Very good info thanks. Hadn't seen those adapters before; anyone on here use/like them? ...I like the idea of keeping the somewhat stock look. Can they handle a REV10 or is the rev8 as big as I can go? (I'd like to maintain the ability to rotate the speakers forward on the beach) Anyone run just 2 rev8's on the tower? Is it enough? How much better from your experience would the upgrade to 2 REV10's (if even possible) be?

I'd give Wet Sounds a call with your questions, however the brackets can handle either model. 1-800-WET-SPKR (938-7757).

I run a pair of REV8s and they are more than enough to project 70 feet to the rider, so I would think they would be fine for beach music. REV10s are going to require more amplifier power and they are larger so you will need to consider headroom in the cockpit. I would not mix the two (although some have) due to the different output levels.

[nautiques4life]

Don't know anything about the anchor light... Its just what it came with, although I don't think it is any shorter than the fold down one off my 210. Checked it... No manufacturer label.

[jonsquatch]

I have the factory hlcd's on the top of my FCT5 and it actually works well with the 6.5" spinners when surfing, but are obviously useless when wakeboarding. I would love to swap out the uppers for some Rev8's at some point and if the don't get the job done I could swap in the lowers although they might be a bit bulky. Rev10's would be awesome on the uppers but I have the Z5 which I need to store my gigantic surf board and I can't afford the height loss to space it down to make room for the 10's. Even with the 8's it looks like it might be prudent to go with the clamps and tuck them as far into the corner on the rear bar as they will go rather than using the adapters for my purposes. Also, that looks like the stock anchor light that came on my 210.

[David Analog]

I like as big of an HLCD as you can fit up high on the tower, and that would be the Wetsounds Rev10. Everything else is an 8-inch or smaller. One pair of larger Rev10s increase the possibility that one pair is all that is needed. Larger is warmer with more midbass extension. It's about the larger surface area and the larger pod displacement. The Rev10, being larger than the Rev8, is more efficient so it does not really require any more power to drive it. You may feel that with the greater potential of the larger speaker, you want more power, which would be understandable. The Rev10 does have a swivel collar available.

Lower hang height might be a concern to some. I didn't see a bimini but I 'guess' that could also be a concern based on whether using a factory bimini or an aftermarket option.

The brackets are available for the side mounts. I do not care for this position half way up the tower. If the side mount speakers are oriented towards a rider then the rear cockpit occupants fall within the strong axis of the HLCD's dispersion pattern and that can be a beating for those in so close.

[nautiques4life]

Hadn't considered bimini space yet since I am planning on ordering a custom bimini... But I guess that means I need to figure this out before I order the bimini. I also hadn't considered blasting rear passengers with the speakers at the mid tower/stock position... Anyone else have experience with this? Jonsquatch where do you ride in AZ?

[jonsquatch]

We typically ride at Saguaro, but also put in at Canyon on Apache somewhat frequently, around Phoenix the only lake we haven't had our boat out on is Bartlett.

[nautiques4life]

Nice, never been to any of those... Maybe its time for me to start branching out- just so easy when the boat is in Havasu.

[jonsquatch]

Never put my boat in Havasu but I was on Parker last summer for the Nautique regatta.