I currently have a 2024 R4 and I’m thinking about adding tower speakers to it. I have a couple questions about it. First one is what do you guys recommend for a speaker setup. Second one would you recommends taking it somewhere to be installed or is it doable yourself.
Thanks
Adding tower speakers
Re: Adding tower speakers
It should be fairly straightforward assuming you have the OEM tower. The towers normally come pre-wired which makes it pretty easy. If you have the standard audio package you'll need an amp to drive them. When I upgraded mine I installed the amp under the port side bench where the battery switch and breaker panel are located. The black box (at least on the R5) was just forward the port forward seat so the RCA run was short and connection to the speaker wires easy. Not my $$ but if you are going to do the work and expense of an amp I would go with 4 speakers up there.
2021 R5 Shale/Ebony
VP 5.3L 350
"$TSLA"
VP 5.3L 350
"$TSLA"
- jhnmdahl
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Re: Adding tower speakers
Lots of people like JL Audio for in-boat speakers, but a handful here like Wet Sounds better for tower speakers. Feel free to check out the Member Discounts and Deals forum for a vendor (Creativeaudio.net) that gives forum members a pretty nice discount and consistently good advice.
viewtopic.php?t=3977
https://creativeaudio.net/#9726/fullscr ... r+speakers
viewtopic.php?t=3977
https://creativeaudio.net/#9726/fullscr ... r+speakers
Administrator of the www.cobaltchat.com Cobalt boats community forum
2015 210 (Volvo Penta 5.7L V8-225)
2015 210 (Volvo Penta 5.7L V8-225)
Re: Adding tower speakers
Definitely doable yourself, but even with a pre-wired tower on my R5, the dealer had a challenging time pulling everything through. Sometimes it’s as easy as it seems, other times
.
I looked long and hard at the JL Audio’s, but I prefer HLCD speakers so the sound can carry to the tubes and boards. I’ve had Wetsounds before and they’re great, but I ended up going with Kicker KMTC 11’s based off reviews and some people I know who have had them after Wetsounds. Honestly, I really love them. I know the other 2 are the big brands, but the Kickers sound great and I can’t tell the difference between them and the Wetsounds Rev 10’s I’ve been around.
Either way - always fun shopping for boat stuff this time of the year!
I looked long and hard at the JL Audio’s, but I prefer HLCD speakers so the sound can carry to the tubes and boards. I’ve had Wetsounds before and they’re great, but I ended up going with Kicker KMTC 11’s based off reviews and some people I know who have had them after Wetsounds. Honestly, I really love them. I know the other 2 are the big brands, but the Kickers sound great and I can’t tell the difference between them and the Wetsounds Rev 10’s I’ve been around.
Either way - always fun shopping for boat stuff this time of the year!
2020 Cobalt R5 - current
2012 Cobalt 242 - previous
2016 Malibu 23 LSV - previous
2014 Malibu 24 MXZ - previous
2013 Yamaha 242 - previous
2008 Cypress Cay Pontoon - previous
2006 Bayliner 185 - previous
2012 Cobalt 242 - previous
2016 Malibu 23 LSV - previous
2014 Malibu 24 MXZ - previous
2013 Yamaha 242 - previous
2008 Cypress Cay Pontoon - previous
2006 Bayliner 185 - previous
- jhnmdahl
- Vice Admiral

- Posts: 2393
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 5:11 pm
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Re: Adding tower speakers
I've heard the Kicker tower speakers, and they sound a bit less harsh to my ears than some of the bigger brands as well (not that Kicker is obscure). I believe they were something like these: https://creativeaudio.net/kmtc-parent/
Administrator of the www.cobaltchat.com Cobalt boats community forum
2015 210 (Volvo Penta 5.7L V8-225)
2015 210 (Volvo Penta 5.7L V8-225)
Re: Adding tower speakers
Yep, those are the ones. I think the sound is a little less harsh also and still has really good depth and quality. Personally, I liked that the LED’s light up the whole speaker rather than a ring and that it connects easily to the RGB controller for the R, so they match the boat interior. Saved a few couple/few hundred bucks also, but that wasn’t really a decision factor - just a bonus.jhnmdahl wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2025 11:48 am I've heard the Kicker tower speakers, and they sound a bit less harsh to my ears than some of the bigger brands as well (not that Kicker is obscure). I believe they were something like these: https://creativeaudio.net/kmtc-parent/
2020 Cobalt R5 - current
2012 Cobalt 242 - previous
2016 Malibu 23 LSV - previous
2014 Malibu 24 MXZ - previous
2013 Yamaha 242 - previous
2008 Cypress Cay Pontoon - previous
2006 Bayliner 185 - previous
2012 Cobalt 242 - previous
2016 Malibu 23 LSV - previous
2014 Malibu 24 MXZ - previous
2013 Yamaha 242 - previous
2008 Cypress Cay Pontoon - previous
2006 Bayliner 185 - previous
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