Forward Facing Tower Speakers

[BHudson]

Has anyone tried running tower speakers facing forward? My rear tower speakers seem to produce most of the sound in my boat while running, but their sound is limited up in the bow. Seems like adding two more facing forward would be a simple solution to balance the sound. I've seen several boats with this set up, but have no idea if the speakers would work well facing into the wind. Does anyone have any experience with this idea?

 

[Cambo]

Bazooka made speakers that had that set up . They worked great had them in a salt water use for over 10 years no problems . Most stereo systems in boats leave out the most important part an eq that's what can be used to add more channels / zones and more speakers ? just add some speakers in the bow they sound better than tower speakers .

 

[BHudson]

Bazooka made speakers that had that set up . They worked great had them in a salt water use for over 10 years no problems . Most stereo systems in boats leave out the most important part an eq that's what can be used to add more channels / zones and more speakers ? just add some speakers in the bow they sound better than tower speakers .

Thanks for the info, good to know it works. Did you ever get caught in the rain...I wonder if driving in the rain would hurt them. My alternative idea is cutting holes and adding two speakers adjacent to the driver and passenger. Although I think it would be easier to add two speakers to the tower.

 

[RNYCLV]

swivel mounts...

 

[Cambo]

They did get caught in the rain while trailering and one nasty hail storm that blasted them so hard the metal domes on the tweeters were dented. The speaker wire run to them evaporated from the salt water corrosion . But the main feed was landscape power wire that held up against salt corrosion. So I just hooked new wire in a parallel series configuration for the best load on the Amp. Not sure they are still available

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

My towers can turn 360 degrees, but don't really use that. I have a WetSounds soundbar that I spin forward when needed. I do like keeping the front quieter as it is a place people can go to talk or make phone calls.

 

[BHudson]

My towers can turn 360 degrees, but don't really use that. I have a WetSounds soundbar that I spin forward when needed. I do like keeping the front quieter as it is a place people can go to talk or make phone calls.

The problem I have is getting sound to the driver and passenger seats without blasting the back seats. I'm thinking adding two forward tower speakers would let me turn down the volume but have sound in front of the tower.

 

[BHudson]

They did get caught in the rain while trailering and one nasty hail storm that blasted them so hard the metal domes on the tweeters were dented. The speaker wire run to them evaporated from the salt water corrosion . But the main feed was landscape power wire that held up against salt corrosion. So I just hooked new wire in a parallel series configuration for the best load on the Amp. Not sure they are still available

View attachment 177898View attachment 177897

I haven't seen bi-directiinal speakers like that...I think I could do the same thing by facing two speakers forward and two aft.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

The problem I have is getting sound to the driver and passenger seats without blasting the back seats. I'm thinking adding two forward tower speakers would let me turn down the volume but have sound in front of the tower.

Sometimes I also face the Soundbar straight down. It's directly at me then.

 

[BHudson]

Sometimes I also face the Soundbar straight down. It's directly at me then.

I like that idea too...and a sound bar is a lot more compact and lighter than two more tower speakers.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

I like that idea too...and a sound bar is a lot more compact and lighter than two more tower speakers.

Plus the self amplified one makes it for a quick and easy install.

 

[Julian]

My Wetsounds soundbar can flip to face forwards or backwards, but we always have it facing forwards and when amped properly (not how it came from the factory-in series) it sounds great!

This is the factory direction:

 

[BHudson]

My Wetsounds soundbar can flip to face forwards or backwards, but we always have it facing forwards and when amped properly (not how it came from the factory-in series) it sounds great!

This is the factory direction:


View attachment 178017

What model is your sound bar?

 

[Farny]

The problem I have is getting sound to the driver and passenger seats without blasting the back seats. I'm thinking adding two forward tower speakers would let me turn down the volume but have sound in front of the tower.

Many have installed speakers near the helm and passenger seats in the gunnel.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

What model is your sound bar?

That is a WetSounds Stealth 10 - same one I use.

 

[212s]

I think the biggest issue with forward facing towers is the bug-factor. I wouldn't want them getting splattered with bug guts when trailering or ripping around on the water. It's hard to clean bug guts off a woofer without damaging it, and the tweeters usually have grills over them which are hard to clean. One good poke through the grill and your tweeter is toast too.

Mid-cabin speakers help when your cruising and you need an amp if you don't have one already.

 

[BHudson]

Many have installed speakers near the helm and passenger seats in the gunnel.

That's my plan-B...it's either fish wire through the tower tubes or cut holes in the gunnel...

I think I'm leaning towards the sound bar facing forward.

 

[kgower]

I think the biggest issue with forward facing towers is the bug-factor. I wouldn't want them getting splattered with bug guts when trailering or ripping around on the water. It's hard to clean bug guts off a woofer without damaging it, and the tweeters usually have grills over them which are hard to clean. One good poke through the grill and your tweeter is toast too.

Mid-cabin speakers help when your cruising and you need an amp if you don't have one already.

I have the same concern. We have the swivel mount for our WS tower speakers which we turn for when seating the bow, but I am hesitant to cruise with them facing in that direction. I have a set of Speaker Sox so tra;ering isn't a concern, just cruising.

 

[CraigAR]

Some 8" Wetsounds speakers installed in the side wall seat storage in the bow will take care of your music needs. I've had them installed for a couple years now with no issues.

 

[Marvin willis]

these add a lot of sound to the bow