Are Tower Speakers Worth It?

[dmudave]

In one month (hopefully) I will be the owner of a 2020 Nautique 200 with a tower.

I didn't really want to spend the extra $2500 on the factory tower speakers, so I didn't order any. I do see that I can order the same speakers for less than $1000 and install them later.

So questions... How do the speakers affect the in boat listening experience? Are they strickly for the rider and to annoy all the neighbors on the lake?

It also seems like something to hit your head on consistently.

Thoughts?

[sbaird4000]

I love having tower speakers, they make the experience behind the boat far more enjoyable. I don’t find them annoying and have never hit my head on them. I know that when you order the speakers from the factory you also get the amplifiers needed to power them. I’m not sure you get the amps if you don’t order the speakers from the factory. Therefore, adding tower speakers after the fact may run you more that $1000.


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[MLA]

Just note that there is also the factory amp and install incidentals to factor in, not just the speakers. Plus, there is additional factory labor. So just want you have a more apples to apples rather then just the most visible part of the tower system, the speakers.

The primary function of a tower speaker is to project behind the boat. One side effect though, is additional volume added to the cabin of the boat. So the need for tower speakers would depend on your boating goals.

[dmudave]

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize the amps etc were involved.

Appreciated.

[scottb7]

Definitely for the rider and to annoy everyone else out on the lake. And they do take a fair amount of room. IMO.

[GMLIII]

I would definitely add tower speakers if nothing more then for resale boat value . On a positive, your existing tower is already wired for two sets of tower speakers . Go for it and get them installed, it will give you piece of mind and you will not be disappointed

[swatguy]

Another vote for tower speakers. As mentioned what factors into the price from the factory is the amp needed , the extra wiring, the labor hours for install, and the “factory look” for a bit of a premium. Yes sound does travel across the water pretty easily, but having tunes while riding or doing any watersports back there enhances the fun and compete level for us. There is also an advantage of having them on while swimming around the boat. With the tower speakers mounted above the gunwale , you don’t have to have the stereo cranked to hear it while your in the water because the sound comes from above and doesn’t have to overcome the interior of the boat.

[bandit628]

I love listening to my tower speakers while riding. That being said, if someone isn't wake boarding I try to keep the music at a lower volume. Trying to piss off the least amount of people lol.

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[2016SPORTNAUTIQUE200]

You are talking about a $100k boat give or take. Whats another $2500 in reality? 2.5%. Sound difference, looks, and resale well worth the money. Of course, this is coming from someone who replaced nautique factory tower speakers and amp with wetsounds so im all for them!

[hal2814]

I don’t listen to the stereo much on my boat. But I still wouldn’t consider buying a new boat without tower speakers. When I bought my 230, the dealer seemed kind of surprised I wasn’t too interested in the stereo other than it works. They told us stereo sometimes makes or breaks deals. If you don’t install the speakers now, I’d just put them on before selling the boat when the time comes. That might actually work out better since they’ll be new speakers at that point.

[dmudave]

Thanks for the input. Sold!

I just added them to my order.

[Interjon]

I will also add, since it goes to your original concern, that tower speakers improve the in-boat, cockpit listening experience. The tower speakers compliment the in-boat audio quality, when both are playing at roughly the same volume, or with the tower speakers slightly lower in volume than the cockpit speakers.

[bturner]

I agree with what's being said. The good news is that if you play your cards right and have some stereo skills you can beat the $2500 number fairly easily and still have a very stock looking installation. I saw a set of used JL 770s with the mounting brackets for $550 and a JL 400/4 on another site for $275. The breaker should already be in the panel so all you'd really need is the speaker wire between the tower and amps and power cables between the breaker/ground and the panel. If you want to go bigger the JL 880s can be had for about $1300 with brackets and the JL 400/4 on sale for about $500.

While this can be tempting if you don't have the skills to do this correctly the opportunity for failure is definitely there. Labor for a PROFESSIONAL to buy from and do the installation would be right on top of what the factory charges and you just can't beat a factory installation..... unless of course I did it.....