Boat tower speakers
When it comes to picking the best tower speaker for boating, having a marine-grade waterproof construction is key. Besides that, you’re largely looking for speakers that fit your specific boat setup and boast excellent and loud sound quality that you can hear while trailing behind on a wakeboard.
While you may be focusing on using tower speakers for boating, many people also elect to purchase versatile or portable mounting speakers that can be used for other sports and outdoor activities, like water skiing, riding in an ATV or just hanging beside the boat on the beach.
Boat tower speaker features
Waterproof
When searching for tower speakers for boating, the best will be somewhat waterproof, despite usually being mounted up high on towers. While most boating speakers aren’t going to get soaking wet — and ideally aren’t going to get very wet at all — it’s still important to find some that can resist water, especially in saltwater regions.
Subwoofer and tweeter combo
Most tower speakers offer a combined subwoofer, which handles the audio’s lows, with a tweeter, to handle the audio’s highs. Tower speakers with a combined subwoofer and tweeter build will emphasize the clarity of a speaker’s sound, along with providing a wider range of frequencies in general.
Speaker size
As a general rule, larger speakers can reproduce a wider range of frequencies than small speakers. While this doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll sound better, it does mean they’ll tend to handle bass frequencies better, which is often what’s so hard to come by in bad-sounding speakers. Between speaker size and finding speakers with a subwoofer and a tweeter, good tower speaker audio can often be achieved, even out on a boat.
Portable
While speaker size can be helpful in determining the depth of a speaker’s frequency range, it can also be helpful to find tower speakers that are small and/or portable, especially if you plan to use them for more than just boating. Tower speakers are often also used in ATVs, dirt bikes and other non-marine applications, so some like to purchase the type that can be easily removed and mounted elsewhere.
Best boat tower speakers
Best of the best tower speaker for boating
MCM Custom Audio Marine Wakeboard Speaker Pair: available at Amazon
Our take: This pair of tower speakers are super easy to install on several different boat tower systems and feature a waterproof build making them especially useful for boating.
What we like: They arewaterproof, come as a pair and are easy to install. Each speaker features an 8-inch poly cone woofer with a titanium dome tweeter. Top clamps are included, which are super easy to fasten to any tower, pole or mounting bracket. These can be used with or without an amp.
What we dislike: They may not be durable enough for use in heavy waves.
Best bang for your buck tower speaker for boating
Pyle Waterproof Marine Wakeboard Tower Speakers: available at Amazon
Our take: These boating tower speakers are not only super affordable, but they also feature built-in subwoofers and tweeters to produce an impressive sound, given the low price tag.
What we like: They are super affordable. Each tower speaker includes 1-inch titanium dome tweeters and 4-inch subwoofers. They are both waterproof and UV resistant. And they come with a removable mounting bracket, which is easy to mount to towers and smaller poles.
What we dislike: Some reported that they stopped working shortly after purchase.
Best Bluetooth tower speaker for boating
Boss Audio BM40AMPBT Bluetooth Marine Tower Speakers: available at Amazon
Our take: This pair of Bluetooth marine tower speakers includes 4-inch speakers and a convenient interface for connecting to devices and controlling audio.
What we like: Bluetooth connectivity. It is compatible with the headphone port. Marine-grade weatherproof housing. The 4-inch dome speakers have a 1-inch tweeter that produces surprisingly good sound. Shop offers a 3-year online platinum warranty.
What we dislike: Not as bass-heavy as other models.
Best tower speaker for boating under $100
Boss Audio MRWT40 Boating Tower Speakers: available at Amazon
Our take: These tower speakers are straightforward to use and install, and are made from a durable, marine-grade waterproof polyurethane, making them perfect for boat use.
What we like: Affordable. The polyurethane construction protects them against UV rays, water damage and moisture damage. They have excellent sound quality and are easy to install and use. Can be used with or without an amp. Includes a 3-year platinum dealer warranty if purchased through Amazon.
What we dislike: Some users report that these tower speakers aren’t as loud as others.
Best 8-inch tower speaker for boating
Rockville 8-inch Boating Tower Speakers: available at Amazon
Our take: This pair of tower speakers is a great mid-grade option or ATV pick, featuring easy installation, a small, portable design and impressive speaker quality.
What we like: Comes with two speakers. Includes nylon mounting hardware and 600-watt power. Features polypropylene mica-injected cones with Santoprene Surround sound. The 8-inch speakers provide a wide frequency range, at a budget price.
What we dislike: Exterior isn’t as weatherproof as some other models.
Best tower speaker for boating with LED lights
Pyle 61/2 inch Marine Wakeboard Tower Speakers with LEDs: available at Amazon
Our take: This tower speaker set comes as a pair and features a 6 1/2-inch subwoofer with 1-inch onboard tweeters, plus exciting LED lights for boating in style.
What we like: They have a 6 1/2-inch subwoofer with a 1-inch tweeter. Nineteen dynamically colored LED lights. The IP44 weather-resistant and UV-resistant speaker housing faces up against even the harshest saltwater conditions. The black finish allows for discreet mounting, and the mounting hardware is included.
What we dislike: There really isn’t anything that we don’t like.
Best upgrade pick tower speaker for boating
Kicker 6 1/2-Inch White Marine Tower Speakers: available at Amazon
Our take: Perfect for boating, these big marine-friendly tower speakers are super loud and rock a great sound quality.
What we like: Comes as a pair.These6 1/2-inch speakers produce super loud sounds with clear highs and lows. And the injection-molded enclosure is built to protect the speakers inside from sand, water, and other elements. The package includes mounting hardware and screws.
What we dislike: A bit more expensive than other tower speaker models.
Zachary Visconti is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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