How to Install a Marine Waketower Speaker Bar

Quick Answer

Mount your waketower speaker bar securely to the tower crossbar, run speaker wire through the tower tubing, and connect to a marine-grade amplifier. The BOSS MRWT40RGB is a popular choice for its weatherproof IPX5 rating and built-in RGB lighting.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

1. 1. Prepare the Tower and Gather Tools: Clean the tower crossbar where the speaker bar will mount. You'll need a drill with a step bit, a wire snake, marine-grade speaker wire (14 AWG or thicker), crimp connectors, a heat gun for shrink tubing, and a multimeter. Check that the crossbar diameter matches the speaker bar's mounting bracket. Most brackets fit 1.5–2.5 inch round tubing.
2. 2. Mount the Speaker Bar Bracket: Position the bracket on the crossbar and mark the screw holes. Drill pilot holes (use a step bit for stainless steel towers). Attach the bracket with the supplied stainless hardware and tighten to the manufacturer's torque spec. Do not overtighten—it can crack the bracket. Apply a dab of marine sealant to each screw hole before inserting the screw to prevent water intrusion into the tower.
3. 3. Run the Speaker Wire: Feed the speaker wire from the amplifier location up through the tower tubing using a wire snake. Leave at least 12 inches of slack at both ends. If the tower has internal channels, use a lubricant to ease the pull. Avoid running wire near sharp edges inside the tower. Use a grommet where the wire exits the tubing to prevent chafing.
4. 4. Connect the Speakers: Strip 1/4 inch of insulation from each wire end. Crimp on ring terminals or use banana plugs. Connect positive to positive and negative to negative on the speaker bar. For the MRWT40RGB, also connect the lighting control wire if using the wired remote option. Polarity matters: reversing it will cause the speakers to play out of phase, reducing bass and sound clarity.
5. 5. Connect to the Amplifier and Test: Connect the speaker wires to the amplifier channels, maintaining proper polarity. Set the amplifier's crossover to around 80–100 Hz for full-range speakers. Power on and play a test tone. Check that both speakers produce clear sound and that the RGB lighting (if equipped) responds to the remote. If you hear distortion, reduce the volume immediately. Distortion at low volume usually indicates a wiring issue or an impedance mismatch.
6. 6. Secure and Waterproof All Connections: Wrap each connection point with electrical tape, then cover with heat-shrink tubing. For outdoor installations, apply dielectric grease to all metal contacts before sealing. Tuck excess wire neatly and secure with zip ties. Even IPX5-rated speakers can fail if the wire connections are exposed. Water creeping into a loose connection is the most common cause of premature speaker failure.

Recommended Products

• MRWT40RGB: IPX5-rated weatherproof and dustproof, with 20 multicolor illumination options and a wireless remote. You can install it on an open tower without worrying about rain or splash, and change the lighting to match your boat's look from the driver's seat.

  

• MRWT69RGB: Also IPX5-rated, with dynamic illumination patterns and speed/brightness controls via wireless remote. Offers more lighting customization and a slightly larger driver for fuller sound, while still being fully weatherproof.