Install wet sounds 485's above tower

dougdstecklein · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2011 Posts: 12

I haven't been able to find any info on whether speakers can be installed above your tower. I have 2 wet sounds 485's that i am thinking about installing above my tower to make more head room in the boat. Is this a bad idea? I don't want to screw up my speakers.

Baltfrog · Addict Joined: 24 Jan 2012 Posts: 555 City: Baltimore

My concern would be hitting them with the line if you go out far. Its not something I would think would be likely, but its a lot more likely then if you install them under the tower.

chawk610 · Addict Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 668 City: Fort Worth

You will make your boat look like the official Mickey Mouse Tow Boat.

Baltfrog · Addict Joined: 24 Jan 2012 Posts: 555 City: Baltimore

HAHAHA

chawk610 · Addict Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 668 City: Fort Worth

There was a thread on this before. Someone posted a pic, and yep, look like mouse ears.

dougdstecklein · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2011 Posts: 12

There are two crossbars on the top of the tower and the rope attachment point is on the front crossbars. I think if they are mounted on the back crossbar there shouldnt be any concern about the rope hitting them. My concern is with the potential for damaging the speakers. If tower speakers are designed and built to hang from the tower, can they handle the opposite forces that would be exerted if they were sitting on top of the tower?

chawk610 · Addict Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 668 City: Fort Worth

I'm sure... the clamps for most are super heavy duty.

Baltfrog · Addict Joined: 24 Jan 2012 Posts: 555 City: Baltimore

If you mean the pull is from the front bar meaning towards the bow while you are considering mounting the speakers on the back bar which is near the stern, then you are much more likely to knock the speakers off. If they were all on the same bar you would need to have the rope at a 90 degree angle from the boat to worry about hitting the speakers. If the pull is set forward it lowers the angle based on how forward set it is. Think of a triangle vs a straight line.

dougdstecklein · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2011 Posts: 12

Sorry, I should have said the rope attachment is on the rear crossbar. I mounted the speakers on top earlier today to see if it would work. There is no way the rope would hit the speakers. I don't think the appearance was that bad either.

dizzlestoy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 305 City: dallas

you may not think i looks bad but everybody else on the water will.

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

No, they do not do well. My friend had two pro-80's on his, above the tower.

Yes it looked like Mickey Mouse. And they constantly would tilt/rotate downward. He was always having to try and tighten them, and spin them back into posititon.

But I think the 485's are the three-way looking deal with multiple mounting points. So they may not have that problem.

Here's a pic of his boat.

chawk610 · Addict Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 668 City: Fort Worth

I just can't get on board with the mouse ears, I say teach everyone to duck!

bmock50 · Outlaw Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 117 City: Dodge City

^^^^^^x2

dougdstecklein · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2011 Posts: 12

The 485's are so big they take up the entire width of the tower together. There is only enough room for the tower light in between the speakers. They definitely don't look like mouse ears.

JRW160 · Soul Rider Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 367 City: Huntsville

There are several pics of people with 485s above the tower on the wetsounds website in the mastercraft gallery. Just email them and ask.

dougdstecklein · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2011 Posts: 12

JRW160 · Soul Rider Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 367 City: Huntsville

I just email Tim at wetsounds whenever I have questions. He is always really helpful and usually responds in under an hour.

wetsounds1 · Criminal Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 60 City: austin

The speakers can be mounted upside down if you wish. There is a support structure inside the speakers that hold the speakers inplace for any type of mounting. So if the look is OK with you, go for it.

Tim
Wet Sounds