Tower Speaker Help

[jeffmeag]

Hi All. I have a 2017 R5 with the factory stereo and upgraded system with the two amps. Love the system with the exception of the tower speakers, they are crap, look cheap and produce very little sound. I am interested in replacing the tower speaker, looking at the JL Audio's 8.8" but have a question I am looking for advice on. I'm not an electronics guy as many of you are, so with the system that I have, will the tower speaker sound be better with better speakers, or is it a system thing where I would have to make other changes as well?

[Big Block Power]

I think you answered that yourself. Yes new speakers will sound better. Be it kicker, jl, wet sounds they all need power to push them. Start with the speakers you can't go wrong. Then if your still not happy let's change the amp. I thought they used a jl amp so you might be ok. What speakers are there now and what is in the boat. I really like the way Wet Sounds did there horn on there tower speakers.
It's really amazing how much better it all sounds inside of the boat with the towers.

[jeffmeag]

Thanks BBP, that's the answer I was hoping for, but really don't know enough to answer myself. The amp's are JL's, so hopefully they will be just fine. The current speakers are "Samson", seem cheap and don't product much sound at all. Was leaning towards the JL's simply because of the amps, but will look at the Wet Sounds too.

[Big Block Power]

Thanks BBP, that's the answer I was hoping for, but really don't know enough to answer myself. The amp's are JL's, so hopefully they will be just fine. The current speakers are "Samson", seem cheap and don't product much sound at all. Was leaning towards the JL's simply because of the amps, but will look at the Wet Sounds too.

What speakers are in your I
cockpit?
I think Jeff has a picture of the amp they use. I forget. Do you have a sub? Please say yes.

[jeffmeag]

Honestly, I don't know what speakers are in the cockpit as they are covered. Yes, I have two JL amps and a sub in addition to the cockpit speakers and tower speakers.

[jeffmeag]

Transom speakers are JL, cockpit ones are as well? Maybe.

[Chrispval]

Jeff,
i just finished adding JL tower speakers myself. You will need to add a 3rd amp to your setup to power them. I think all in, materials were around $1500 for the pair of 8’s and the JL amp. I ordered through Crutchfield. I will grab some pictures and add to the post when the rain passes

[Chrispval]

56840D71-B07F-404B-8F38-EEEB2E1A862A.png

You also need a pair of JL swivels. They should run around $250 for a pair.

[Big Block Power]

I'm guessing them they ran the transom and sub speaker off the second amp then?
So if you're going to add a 3rd amp you want way more power than 75 or 150 watts going to the towers. I think I'm an running 300. Mr Nauti is way more familiar with this them I am. He is the real expert. He is in charge of all stereo questions on here.
Also most of us got our systems from creative audio they were great and have a ton of knowledge.

[Chrispval]

I based my order from this older post from Nauti.
Picture of the factory setup in that post, m800, m600, and the m200 amp for the towers.
I must say though, after installing my pair, they look naked without another pair. Plenty of room on the tower. So my advice if you want yours to have some standout sound, add 2 pairs of JL 8’s , and maybe a 2nd sub too. Instead of the m200 2 channel amp, run a m700 which will power all 4 tower and your sub.

Just posted this in the stereo thread, but yes Cobalt has stepped up stereo setup in the new boats. Here is a 2019 R5 /w tower speakers we saw at the boat show tonight. One M800/8 one M600/1 for the sub and a M200/2 for the towers. Properly sized power and ground wires, JL Audio interconnects, all run really really well. Most important the right number of amp channels for the speakers in the boat!

Cobalt is also using the nice JL speaker tower mounts that swivel. They retail for $250 a set. I passed and went /w the fixed mounts.

Thanks Malibu.

20190124_180825.jpg

[Big Block Power]

I based my order from this older post from Nauti.
Picture of the factory setup in that post, m800, m600, and the m200 amp for the towers.
I must say though, after installing my pair, they look naked without another pair. Plenty of room on the tower. So my advice if you want yours to have some standout sound, add 2 pairs of JL 8’s , and maybe a 2nd sub too. Instead of the m200 2 channel amp, run a m700 which will power all 4 tower and your sub.

Just posted this in the stereo thread, but yes Cobalt has stepped up stereo setup in the new boats. Here is a 2019 R5 /w tower speakers we saw at the boat show tonight. One M800/8 one M600/1 for the sub and a M200/2 for the towers. Properly sized power and ground wires, JL Audio interconnects, all run really really well. Most important the right number of amp channels for the speakers in the boat!

Cobalt is also using the nice JL speaker tower mounts that swivel. They retail for $250 a set. I passed and went /w the fixed mounts.

Thanks Malibu.

20190124_180825.jpg

Well then I guess that's what it is. I can't argue on that one then. I'll plead the 5th in this one. Maybe at least for 24 hours. I don't want Mr Nauti on my bad side he's a bad a$$.

Sorry was that 24 his. I can't wait. Those speakers want 125 watts rms.. Ok I'm done now. I'm sure Mr Nauti will correct me though.
Ok I'm back I'm not done. You want the 7 inch ones. They don't take much to power them. 50 to 150 watts

[Chrispval]

I agree though BBP and its a good idea when upgrading to add more power. If we are spending money, why just upgrade to the factory setup. They do a good job with their optional power upgrades from the factory. I love my JL system and how seamless the integration is. I think its well balanced too. But if I were designing a system from the ground up, I would step it up and put the MV amps in.

[Big Block Power]

I agree though BBP and its a good idea when upgrading to add more power. If we are spending money, why just upgrade to the factory setup. They do a good job with their optional power upgrades from the factory. I love my JL system and how seamless the integration is. I think its well balanced too. But if I were designing a system from the ground up, I would step it up and put the MV amps in.

Chris I updated my last post a few hundred times. Lol

[jeffmeag]

Thanks for all the input. I'm curious, and only asking because I don't know and am not knowledgable about stereos/electronics, why would i need a 3rd amp if the current tower speakers are being run off of the current 2nd amp? I understand the idea that to make it the "best" system upgrading everything like new amps/subs, etc. would accomplish that, however, I'm really just looking to get better sound out of my tower speakers.....but maybe the current speakers don't sound good because they need a dedicated amp?

[NautiGirl]

I based my order from this older post from Nauti.
Picture of the factory setup in that post, m800, m600, and the m200 amp for the towers.
I must say though, after installing my pair, they look naked without another pair. Plenty of room on the tower. So my advice if you want yours to have some standout sound, add 2 pairs of JL 8’s , and maybe a 2nd sub too. Instead of the m200 2 channel amp, run a m700 which will power all 4 tower and your sub.

Just posted this in the stereo thread, but yes Cobalt has stepped up stereo setup in the new boats. Here is a 2019 R5 /w tower speakers we saw at the boat show tonight. One M800/8 one M600/1 for the sub and a M200/2 for the towers. Properly sized power and ground wires, JL Audio interconnects, all run really really well. Most important the right number of amp channels for the speakers in the boat!

Cobalt is also using the nice JL speaker tower mounts that swivel. They retail for $250 a set. I passed and went /w the fixed mounts.

Thanks Malibu.

20190124_180825.jpg

Well then I guess that's what it is. I can't argue on that one then. I'll plead the 5th in this one. Maybe at least for 24 hours. I don't want Mr Nauti on my bad side he's a bad a$$.

Sorry was that 24 his. I can't wait. Those speakers want 125 watts rms.. Ok I'm done now. I'm sure Mr Nauti will correct me though.
Ok I'm back I'm not done. You want the 7 inch ones. They don't take much to power them. 50 to 150 watts

Sorry just catching up on this. I dunno about me being a bad a$$, but I guess I will take the compliment?

All my amp recommendations were based on the 7.7 JL towers. BBP is correct, if you move up to the big 8.8's you are going to want to take advantage of their increased power handling. If you are only going to run 75watts to the towers then just buy the 7.7s.

We have 7.7's on our boat with 125watts going to them and have been asked to turn them down while floating in a cove. It was a very proud moment for me.