Speaker location AR195

[dshscarab]

Hello everybody. I hope everyone is safe and well. I am thinking about putting 2 - 5.25 inch speakers near the tow hook for music in the water when chilling behind the boat. What are your guys thoughts? Will it make the fiberglass too weak to support weight when stepping into the boat or pulling a tube? The pink circles would be the cut out for the speakers.

 

[tdonoughue]

I don't think stepping would be an issue, but towing I would worry...

I wound up adding some small tower speakers for that purpose. Others have put them on the edge of the cushions.

 

[dshscarab]

That's what I was thinking. I might just do what you said with small tower speakers. Sounds like a better idea. Thank you for your reply. Stay safe and healthy.

 

[2kwik4u]

That's what I was thinking. I might just do what you said with small tower speakers. Sounds like a better idea. Thank you for your reply. Stay safe and healthy.

If you're just trying to throw some sound out behind the boat, I've been really happy with my Wetsounds Stealth 10 soundbar. It's not for an audiophile, but it satisfactorily fills the water behind the boat with clear music at a good volume for lounging. Hookup is incredibly easy since it has it's own internal amp, power, ground, and a 3.5mm audio connection from the head unit. Had to pull the tower off to run the wires, but that still only took a few hours with the help of a friend.

Here's the best picture I have of it. We've really enjoyed it for the last two seasons.


Here's our normal spread of folks on any given weekend. Plenty loud enough to overpower the crowd if we want to. Only complaint is a lack of bass, and with any luck we're gonna toss a powered 8in sub under the passenger seat this summer.

 

[dshscarab]

Hey thanks for the pic. I was thinking of the soundbar too. That looks like a good setup. I already have a sub in the starboard rear so that would probably work out good. I am thinking stronger on that route now.

 

[tdonoughue]

I was considering a soundbar. I opted for the normal tower speakers because a) they were cheaper than a soundbar and b) I had a whole open zone on the head unit to drive it. If I had to add a whole amp or something to hook up to do it, the soundbar would be a no-brainer due to the built in amp.

 

[dshscarab]

@tdonoughue, I already have an Amp. So I could run the 4 speakers on two channels and run 2 tower speakers or non powered sound bar on the other two channels. My sub has a built in Amp so that is out of the equation. How heavy is the soundbar compared to tower speakers? I do have to raise and lower my tower every time I take the boat out. Plus, I don't want the tower speakers getting in the way (either tower up or down) and banging my head on them.

 

[tdonoughue]

Don't know about the sound bar weight. The speakers I got are light (I raise and lower each time too) and I put them far enough over that hitting them with my head is not an issue.

 

[dshscarab]

Thanks for the info. I guess now is to discuss it with the wifey and decide from there. Hopefully, they lift the lock down ban on the ramps and I can actually get the boat out on the water for a change. lol

 

[2kwik4u]

The amplified soundbar I have is around 20lbs I would guess. It added a little weight to the tower, but I can still raise and lower it myself from one side of the boat without a problem.

I've hit my head 12 times in two seasons of boating. Haven't drawn blood once, but did see stars once. It DID NOT mount the way I intended it to. I had hoped that it would mount "inline" with the tower, such that the lowest point on the bar was the same height from the deck as the lowest point on the tower. Because of the curve in the tower this wasn't possible, so instead it's "hung" underneath the tower. I'm 6'2" tall and it's 6'1" off the deck. I still feel pretty strongly from my time spent on friends boats that I would bonk my head more often on traditional pods, than the soundbar.

Overall, we're very pleased with it.

FYI, look for "refurbished" units on Wetsounds website. Comes with the same warranty as the new units, and are usually a couple hundred bucks less expensive. I got my powered bar for just over $500, and the new ones are retailing for ~$900

 

[dshscarab]

Very good information. Thank you @2kwik4u. I will see what the wife says about it all. After purchasing the float, it has now become an issue.

 

[tdonoughue]

Here is my placement.

Given my tower and how far over they are, they are actually over the seats, so much less likely to be head bump material! FWIW. Good luck with the wife!