Best Wakeboard Boat Tower Speakers (Tested) – 2025 Buyer’s Guide
- By: Kameron Scott
- Published: March 15, 2017
- Updated: November 16, 2025
Tested by us
How we evaluate: We install and listen to the same size speakers featured on this page—both coaxials and component sets—in real vehicles. Rather than publish lab graphs, we focus on what matters day-to-day: fitment, sound quality at normal and loud volumes, and whether the speakers perform well on factory power or with a modest amplifier.
- Fit & install: Check mounting depth and cutout diameter, tweeter/grille protrusion under factory grilles, and whether adapter rings or simple spacers are required for a clean, rattle-free fit.
- System matching: Listen on a stock head unit and with a sensible amp upgrade to confirm which picks work great with no amp—and which truly benefit from added power.
- Listening tests: Use consistent reference tracks across genres to judge midrange clarity (vocals, guitars), tweeter smoothness (no harshness), and bass fullness appropriate for the SIZE format.
- Build & materials: Note cone and surround materials, crossover quality (for components), terminal design, and included hardware that simplifies installation and improves reliability.
- Sensitivity & impedance sanity-check: Verify rated sensitivity and impedance against documentation so buyers avoid mismatches with common head units and entry-level amps.
- Everyday reliability: Track long-term feedback (rattles, failures, warranty support) and flag models that consistently hold up well in daily use.
Disclosure: Some speakers are manufacturer samples; many we purchase. Brands don’t review or approve our picks, and recommendations are based on our hands-on installs and listening.
In this article: I review 8 of my latest top pick wakeboard tower speakers for your wake boat with specs, hands‑on notes, photos and setup tips. This guide is a child article of my broader parent guide to boat speakers — if you’re still deciding between in-boats, coaxials and towers, start here: Best Marine Grade & Boat Speakers (Buying Guide).
Here Are My Recommended Wakeboard Boat Tower Speakers
- Best Overall: Wetsounds REV Series
- For Wake Surfing: JL Audio M6-880ETXv3
- Heavy Duty & Aggressive Look: Kicker KMTC9
- LED Lighting Pick: Fusion Signature Series 3
- Wakeboarding Tower Speaker Package: Exile Audio XM9
- Entry Level Pick: Rockville RWB65B
- 4″ Compact Tower Speaker: Boss Audio MRWT40
- Budget Pick: Pyle PLMRWB852LES
You probably already have a stereo system in your boat. But can the wakeboarder, surfer or tuber behind you hear what you can hear? The right set of wakeboard tower speakers projects clean, intelligible sound above wind and engine noise so riders 60–80+ feet back still get the vibe.
Tower speakers are purpose‑built. Inside, they use tuned enclosures and drivers optimized for throw and efficiency. Outside, hardware and housings are marinized to handle UV, salt and spray. Paired with a proper marine amplifier and clean gain tuning, they transform a day on the water.
I’ve installed and tuned many of the speakers below on customer boats and my own builds over the years. On my Nautique G23, for example, I’ve run Wet Sounds REV towers (see the install) and spent time A/B testing them against JL and Kicker setups in the shop.
Who Is This Review For?
If you want riders to hear the music — or you want an easy way to add party‑ready sound that looks great — towers are for you. They’re just as at home on wake boats as they are on ATVs/UTVs and RZR cages when properly mounted.
New to the category? Read my parent guide first: Best Marine Grade & Boat Speakers (Buying Guide). Then come back here to choose the right towers for your use‑case.
Best Overall Tower Speaker for Wakeboarding & Distance
Wetsounds Revolution Series Tower Speakers
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Why I Picked Them
Wet Sounds has been my go‑to when a rider needs maximum projection and distance. I’ve run REV8s/REV10s on my Nautique SAN210 and now on my Nautique G23 (full install here) and installed dozens for customers. The HLCD (horn‑loaded compression driver) design and Rev TEC™ tuning are why these crush at 70–100 ft without the harsh, fatiguing edge some horns can have when they’re not tuned right. I recommend a multizone equalizer for tuning these on the fly – I've used Wet Sound's WS420BT (first look review here) for years now and still think it's a great option. If your priority is wakeboarding at speed and you want the rider hearing the same chorus as the crew in the cockpit, this is it.
Real‑world tips: give them enough clean power (around ~200W RMS per pod is the sweet spot), use the Swivel‑Quick clamps to toe‑in or out slightly toward the rider’s path, and high‑pass ~80–100 Hz so you’re not asking your towers to be subwoofers. If you primarily anchor and float, jump to the JL M6 section below for a more “hi‑fi” in‑boat experience.
Key Features
- REV TEC™ Technology
- Wet Sounds™ EFG™: Epoxy Fiber Glass Speaker Cone
- Reinforced Composite Enclosure.
- Wet Sounds™ Extensive Crossover Network.
- Multiple clamp options: Patented Swivel-Quick Disconnect Clamp, Fixed Clamp, Custom tower clamps
- Stainless Steel Hardware
- HLCD: Horn Loaded Compression Driver
Reasons to Buy
- HLCD projection that stays clear to the rider at 70–100’ when tuned
- Swivel/quick-style clamp options make aiming and service straightforward
- Marine-tough build (Kevlar-reinforced cone, titanium driver) for long-term use
Reasons Not to Buy
- Wants ~200–300W RMS per pod and proper EQ to shine
- Larger/heavier pods—confirm tower clearance and weight limits
- Premium price tier compared with coaxial options
Best Tower Speaker for Wake Surfing
JL Audio M6-880ETXv3 Tower Speakers
Latest Prices
Key Features
- 8.8″ 2-way marine grade tower speakers
- 5 RGB LED light choices with JL's Transflective™ speaker cones
- Control the intensity and color of the lighting with a separate LED controller MLC-RW
- Lightweight neodymium magnets
- Patented tweeter bridge allowing for easy removal and painting of the grille
- Swivel or fixed clamps available. Normally sold separately
- 200W RMS, 400W Peak power handling
Why I Picked Them
When the day is more about surfing, coving and conversation than throwing 75’ ropes, I like JL’s M6‑880. I’ve demoed these many times and love how balanced they sound — big 8.8″ woofers for mid‑bass, smooth top end, and JL’s Transflective™ LEDs that look classy even when they’re off. They don’t shout like an HLCD at extreme distance, but they stay musical and loud without turning edgy.
Power pairing that’s worked well for me: ~100–150W RMS of clean power per pod from a quality marine amp (see my best marine amps, plus hands‑on reviews like Fusion Apollo and Infinity 6001A). Set a gentle high‑pass around 80–100 Hz and follow my amp tuning quick guide to keep them ultra‑clean.
Reasons to Buy
- Oversized 8.8″ woofer delivers real mid-bass with a smooth, hi-fi top end
- Transflective™ LEDs look clean on or off and diffuse evenly
- UV/salt-ready construction and strong support from JL’s marine line
Reasons Not to Buy
- Not an HLCD—projection at 65–80’ won’t match horn-loaded designs
- Some clamp/adapter options are sold separately
- Performs best with ~100–150W RMS per pod
Best Heavy Duty & Aggressive Looking Tower Speaker
Kicker KMTC9 Tower Speakers
Latest Prices
Key Features
- Power Handling: 300 watts RMS / 600 watts Peak
- HLCD 2-Way Design. Santoprene® surrounds
- Woofer Size: 9″. Woofer Composition: UV-treated Polypropylene
- Tweeter Size: 1 1/4″
- Impedance: 4-Ohms. Sensitivity: 92dB. Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz
- Heavy duty, 354 degree swivel mount
Why I Picked Them
I did a hands‑on first look with the KMTC9 and came away impressed with how stout the housings and swivel clamps are. The KMTC line uses a horn‑loaded design that carries to the rider well, and the hidden LEDs reflect off the cone for a clean glow. They match Kicker’s KM in‑boats and KMF subs nicely for a cohesive look.
Setup notes from my installs: they wake up with ~250–300W RMS per pod, the 354° swivel makes aiming easy, and they respond well to a small high‑shelf cut if you’re sensitive to upper‑treble outdoors. Kicker also offers a larger 11″ HLCD (KMTC11) now if you want even more output without changing this list’s order.
Reasons to Buy
- Horn-loaded compression driver delivers real rider reach
- 354° swivel with toolless cam and through-clamp wiring
- 316L stainless hardware and LED grilles included
Reasons Not to Buy
- Can sound bright on-axis if EQ isn’t dialed
- Large, visual pods—confirm clearance/weight on smaller towers
- Best with ~250–300W RMS per pod to realize full output
Best Wakeboard Tower Speaker for LED Lighting
Fusion Signature Series 3 SG-FLT882SPC
Latest Prices
Key Features
- CURV technology woven polypropylene cone with rubber surround
- 1” silk dome tweeter
- Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) casing
- Power handling: 130W/330W (RMS/MAX) @ 4ohm
- Frequency response: 50Hz~20KHz
- Sensitivity: 91dB
- Overall diameter: 8.8″
Fusion Signature Series 3 Wakeboard Tower Speaker Video Review
Join us for an exclusive unbox and first look at the Fusion Signature Series 3 speakers in our latest video. We'll walk through the key features that make this speaker a great choice.
Why I Picked Them
Fusion’s Signature 3 towers are my pick when the brief is “clean sound + best‑in‑class lighting.” The CRGBW LEDs (with cool and warm white in addition to RGB) give you richer, more accurate tones than standard RGB. These are coaxial (not HLCD), so think strong volume with a smoother top end and excellent cone/control tech (that woven CURV cone) — great for surfing distance and hanging at the sandbar.
As of 2025, Fusion has updated much of the Signature line to “3i” with improved marinized connectors and installation tweaks. If you find the 3i version of these towers, that’s the one I’d buy. For a deeper dive on sound and lighting, see my first‑look review.
Reasons to Buy
- CRGBW lighting provides richer whites and more accurate color
- Smoother coaxial voicing that shines near the boat and at surf distance
- Enclosures optimized specifically for wake-tower applications
Reasons Not to Buy
- Coaxial design won’t match HLCD throw at 65–80’
- For full light control, plan a compatible Fusion/Garmin controller
- Premium price tier
Best Wakeboard Boat Tower Speaker Package
Exile Audio XM9 Tower Speaker Package
Latest Prices
Key Features
- Quick release rotating clamping system that can direct sound a full 360 degrees to put sound on virtually any target
- Capable of projecting full force Hi-Definition sound at 80 feet
- Compact enclosure
- Peak: 500 watts
Why I Picked Them
Exile focuses almost exclusively on marine, and it shows. The XM9 is a 9″ HLCD that combines impressive distance with premium fit/finish. I like the patented 360° quick‑release clamp — super handy for aim and service. Tuned right, XM9s are crisp and authoritative at the end of a 70–80’ line. Plan for ~250W RMS per pod and a proper high‑pass to keep things clean when you’re really leaning on them.
Reasons to Buy
- 9″ HLCD with excellent throw and intelligibility for riders
- Patented quick-release, 360° rotational clamp—installer friendly
- Marine-focused build and finish from a boat-first brand
Reasons Not to Buy
- Needs ~250W RMS per pod and careful tuning
- Availability can vary by season/region
- More intense up close than a coaxial at anchor
Best Entry Level Tower Speaker
Rockville RWB65B
Latest Prices
Key Features
- Quick release rotating clamping system that can direct sound a full 360 degrees to put sound on virtually any target
- Capable of projecting full force Hi-Definition sound at 80 feet
- Compact enclosure
- Peak: 500 watts
Why I Picked Them
For budget builds, I like the value here: sturdy nylon/steel reinforced brackets, long mounting screws that fit a variety of towers, and a sound that’s perfectly respectable for casual cruising. These won’t throw like an HLCD, but with sensible expectations and clean power they’re a solid step‑up from no towers at all. If you’re wiring your first amp, my amplifier wiring guide and amp/speaker pairing tips will help you dial them in.
Reasons to Buy
- Very affordable entry into tower speakers
- Adjustable nylon/steel-reinforced brackets fit a wide range of tube sizes
- Simple to wire and mount for first-time installs
Reasons Not to Buy
- Limited low-end and rider projection vs larger HLCD towers
- Finish/durability aren’t on par with premium brands
- Ignore peak watt claims—design around realistic RMS power
Best 4″ Compact Tower Speaker
Boss Audio MRWT40
Latest Prices
Key Features
- Weather Proof Enclosed System 4″ 2-way Speaker Pair
- 400 Watts MAX 200 Watts RMS Power Handling per Pair
- 130 Hz to 20 kHz Frequency Response and 94dB Sensitivity
- Polypropylene Woofer Cone and Rubber Surround
- Sold in Pairs
Why I Picked Them
Compact, affordable and easy to place where bigger pods won’t fit. I’ve used these on smaller towers and side‑by‑sides when clients wanted background music and a minimal footprint. Expect limited low‑end (they’re 4″ after all) and plan to cross them over higher than larger pods. As a lightweight add‑on or starter tower, they do the job.
Reasons to Buy
- Compact and lightweight—fits where larger pods won’t
- IPX5 weather rating with simple mounting
- Great as a secondary zone or budget add-on
Reasons Not to Buy
- Minimal bass—plan a higher crossover point
- Output ceiling is modest in open water
- Materials/finish can’t match premium towers
Best Budget, Low Cost Tower Speaker for Your Boat
Pyle PLMRWB852LES
Latest Prices
Key Features
- Includes (1) Speaker Tower with (2) Built-in 8” Speakers
- Rugged Marine Grade Weatherproof Construction
- Sleek Bullet-Style Wakeboard Speaker Design
- 2-Way Audio Speaker System
- Built-in Crossover Network
- Built-in LED Lights With Color & Dancing/Flashing Speed Adjustment
- Included Remote Control
- Chrome-Plated Speaker Plug Terminals
- MAX Power Output: 600 Watts
Why I Picked Them
If the goal is “fun on a budget,” the Pyle’s integrated dual‑pod bar with programmable LEDs delivers a light show and a simple single‑mount install that preserves headroom. I don’t expect premium fidelity at this price, but for casual tunes and nighttime ambiance they’re a blast. Just be realistic about output vs the premium options above.
Reasons to Buy
- Includes mounting bracket and hardware for straightforward installs.
- Built-in multi-color LEDs add fun night-time visuals.
- Lowest price point on this list.
Reasons Not to Buy
- Sound quality and throw are basic vs premium tower speakers on this list.
- Weather sealing is minimal – protect from salt and cover when stored.
- LED control/wiring can get messing when mixing systems.
Best Tower Speakers | What to Look For
Common Things to Consider
- Size – Bigger pods (8–10″) extend lower and throw farther; smaller pods are easier to place and lighter. Pick the size that fits your tower and goal.
- Marinization – UV, salt and spray kill non‑marine gear. All picks here are marinized, but the premium models go further with materials and coatings for longevity.
- Mounting – Measure your tower precisely and verify clamp options; modern towers (e.g., MasterCraft/Malibu) may need specific adapters. Swivel clamps make aiming far easier.
- Aesthetics – Style matters on a boat. Consider finish (black/white), grille design, and whether you want LEDs (standard RGB vs CRGBW).
- Power/Sensitivity – Match realistic amp power (RMS) to the speaker and your listening style. See pairing tips below and my guides on matching speakers to amps and tuning gains/EQ.
HLCD vs Coaxial Towers: Which Fits Your Riding?
| Use‑case | Best Driver Type | Why | Examples on this list |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wakeboarding @ 65–80’ rope | HLCD (horn‑loaded) | Highest efficiency & throw; cuts wind/engine noise | Wet Sounds REV, Kicker KMTC9, Exile XM9 |
| Wakesurfing 10–25’ / cove floating | Coaxial | Smoother top‑end, fuller mid‑bass near boat | JL M6‑880, Fusion Sig 3 |
| Compact towers / UTV cages | Small coaxial | Easy placement, lighter weight | Boss MRWT40 |
| Budget party vibes + LEDs | Coaxial bar | Simple single‑mount, integrated lighting | Pyle PLMRWB852LES |
Power & Amp Pairing (Quick Reference)
Rule of thumb I use on installs: target the speaker’s RMS rating per pod (or slightly under) from a quality marine amp, high‑pass ~80–100 Hz, and set gains with a track and meter (or a distortion tool). Helpful reads: amp tuning quick guide, gains with SMD DD‑1, and my current picks for best marine amplifiers and best marine subwoofers.
Design & Materials (What Matters)
- Woofer cone & surround – Stiff, lightweight cones (e.g., polypropylene, CURV) with durable rubber surrounds resist sun/water and keep detail at volume.
- Tweeter/driver – HLCDs use compression drivers for throw; coaxials use dome tweeters for smoother tone. Both can be excellent when powered and tuned correctly.
- Enclosure & hardware – UV‑stable housings, stainless hardware and smart clamp options make install easier and extend life on the water.
Want a complete system recipe? Pair towers with matched in‑boats, a zone‑capable head unit (e.g., JBL R4500) and a sub. Use true multi‑zone control so tower volume doesn’t overpower the cockpit.
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Why Trust Our Opinion on Car Speakers?
CarAudioNow is an award winning automotive blog, founded and built from the ground up by car enthusiasts over a decade ago. Between our editor, Kameron, and a few selected qualified writers, we’ve installed and tested a wide variety of speakers in cars, boats, golf carts – you name it. We know our speakers, how they should sound and perform and what’s a good value for your dollar. We get our hands on every product that we test in person – many of which are purchased and some provided by a manufacturer. It’s a combination of these tests and extensive research that lead us to our recommendations. And we’re frequently testing new speakers for our lists.
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