My Tower Speaker Install...

Printable View

06-04-2010, 04:34 PM
ian ashton

4 Attachment(s)

My Tower Speaker Install...

In an effort to not highjack the other thread, I figured I'd start this one.

I recently bought a pair of Krypt Tower 8" HLCD speakers, and the generic BoardersMall 8" cans. I'm not done installing them yet, but I'm getting there.

First, I had to cut the cans hole slightly larger to accomodate the Krypt speakers. I used a Saber saw with a metal blade (22tpi) and lots of blue tape to protect the cans;
https://forum.moomba.com/attachment....1&d=1275683488

https://forum.moomba.com/attachment....1&d=1275683488

To mount the speakers I drilled and tapped the top horizontal crossbar to 3/8" and bolted the cans directly to the tower with Grade 8 bolts. I put a star washer between the can and teh tower, and used flat and lock washers on the the bolts. So far they seem really stable, which was a concern.

Here are a few pics of them mounted;
https://forum.moomba.com/attachment....1&d=1275683488

https://forum.moomba.com/attachment....1&d=1275683488
06-04-2010, 04:35 PM
ian ashton

3 Attachment(s)

I ran the speaker wire from the cans to the front vertical tubes, and out the bottom of each leg. The passenger side was really easy, but the drivers side, where the factory anchor light wires run, was much harder and took like 2 hours.

All the wires are covered with TechFlex loom, as apposed to split-loom tubing;
https://forum.moomba.com/attachment....1&d=1275683800

To get the wires into the boat I decided to drill through the tower base plate (inspired by badasshybrid) to keep it clean. Again, I used TechFlex braided loom to cover the wires;
https://forum.moomba.com/attachment....1&d=1275683800

I don't have a picture of the back with both speakers mounted, but I do have this picture, with the speakers and mirror nicely protected with their new SpeakerSox! I wanted to get them embroidered with the Moomba text, like on my swim platform (but only once, not 15 times) but unfrotunately SC only authorized SpeakerSox to use the swoopy logo, so I might see if I can have it done locally, or just leave them as is.
https://forum.moomba.com/attachment....1&d=1275683800

Sorry the pictures suck, I used my iPhone.
06-04-2010, 04:45 PM
woodrowlow

thats nice.......can't wait to see the final product!
06-04-2010, 04:58 PM
brain_rinse

Looks good! Those speaker sox are mandatory here too.

Why did you mount to the side crossbar rather than the overhead bars?
06-04-2010, 05:04 PM
ian ashton

I don't like the way they look mounted on the overhead bars, I just wanted to be different. I was inspired by the Malibu Illusion towers.
06-04-2010, 05:15 PM
jmvotto

Great install. How do they sound and what are you powering them with?
06-04-2010, 05:31 PM
ian ashton

They don't sound yet, I haven't installed the amp, haha. I have a Kicker ZX350.4 that I am going to bridge to 2 channels for 175 watts / speaker, nothing too insane. Trying to keep things cheap.
06-04-2010, 10:42 PM
viking

Looks good and thanks for posting the pics. Doesn't look like you have plugs in the speaker cans yet for the speaker connections?? I like it so far. I have the OEM bimini and think it would interfere with the speakers mounted that way? But really creative.
06-05-2010, 12:20 AM
kaneboats

Looks great. I like it when somebody takes the initiative to make it the way they want it and the conventional way be damned. (You saw my bimini on the old O/B, right?)

It's your boat so you make it how you want it. (As long as it's OK with Dad).
06-05-2010, 05:34 AM
brain_rinse

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian ashton

I don't like the way they look mounted on the overhead bars, I just wanted to be different. I was inspired by the Malibu Illusion towers.

It looks really good! Nice job.
06-05-2010, 07:56 AM
ian ashton

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaneboats

It's your boat so you make it how you want it. (As long as it's OK with Dad).

I call the shots here, he's just along for the ride (or drive, lol)!
06-05-2010, 10:14 AM
ian ashton

Quote:

Originally Posted by viking

Looks good and thanks for posting the pics. Doesn't look like you have plugs in the speaker cans yet for the speaker connections?? I like it so far. I have the OEM bimini and think it would interfere with the speakers mounted that way? But really creative.

Yea, I haven't installed the gromets or plugs for the cans yet.
06-05-2010, 10:57 AM
jmvotto

1 Attachment(s)

Ian,

i got my krypts mounted in the similar area off to the side but hung from the tower. I had to go 6.5 do to the bimini.:o

Did you thread the cross bar for the bolts?? or how di you get the nut in the cross bar.

where did you get that type of loom, i like it..

sorry for all the ?'s
i will get better pics once back at the lake, but now the system is loud.....
06-05-2010, 01:12 PM
meech

look great ian ... nice job.
06-05-2010, 04:14 PM
newty

Looks great! I like the side mount.
06-07-2010, 09:31 AM
newty

I have 3 sets of those cans and was wondering if the 8's would fit in there. Looks like they fit perfect! I'm really tempted to pick up two sets. Let us know how it sounds when you get them going.
06-07-2010, 09:51 AM
jmvotto

Newty, the 6.5 's sound great but these are the first HLCD i have heard. My local dealer just got a WS display so i may take a listen to them for reference.

I have them powered with aMandley kicker 450.2 and it sounds great. I assume the 8"'s will sound even better and four would really scream.

MY .02
06-07-2010, 12:15 PM
ian ashton

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmvotto

Did you thread the cross bar for the bolts?? or how di you get the nut in the cross bar.

where did you get that type of loom, i like it..

Yes, I threaded the cross bar for the bolts.

The loom is called TechFlex and I got it from this seller on eBay:
http://stores.ebay.com/FURRYLETTERS

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmandley

Looks realy sharp man.

Are you only using 1 bolt to hold that up? If so might think about a small pin the kind that are slit that you can sorta press in or double bolt those. I would think all the vibrations might wear it loose or maybe a lock washer will hold it tight. Just a thought.

Yea, I need to figure something for that out. Right now between the tower and the can I have a star washer, and then a lock washer between the head of the bolt and the can. They seem really stable, but I'm still not convinced that they won't move. I'd like to run a second bolt or something through, but the suface area of the bracket is really small, so not a lot of room to work with. Still trying to figure that one out, lol.
06-07-2010, 11:26 PM
jmvotto

Ian you could just swap sides with the speakers and have the mounting bar face up, instead of down, therfore the weight would keep it in place. just have to spin the grills so the krypt lines up. it should be centered on the speaker so height should be the same... just a thought
06-07-2010, 11:49 PM
viking

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian ashton

The loom is called TechFlex and I got it from this seller on eBay:
http://stores.ebay.com/FURRYLETTERS

Is that the 1/8" stuff on the site?
Might grab me up some.
Thanx
06-08-2010, 12:25 AM
badasshybrid

Looks good you did a nice clean job.
06-08-2010, 10:09 AM
ian ashton

Quote:

Originally Posted by viking

Is that the 1/8" stuff on the site?
Might grab me up some.
Thanx

That is the 3/8", and I also used their 3/4" split for the rest of my system.
06-08-2010, 10:10 AM
ian ashton

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmandley

My first thought is a small pin like a press pin, Problem is it wont com out to easy if you ever take the system down. It would keep it from loosening and spinning possibly.

Thats a really good idea! I think I'm going to have to find me some press pins!
06-08-2010, 05:45 PM
badasshybrid

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian ashton

Thats a really good idea! I think I'm going to have to find me some press pins!

Or what about the bolts like you would put in a header so it will not back out. Its a bolt with a allen wrench bolt down the middle of the bolt. You tighten up the bolt then tighten up the allen head in the middle to hold it in place. I havent seen one back out on its own yet.
06-08-2010, 06:24 PM
viking

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by badasshybrid

Or what about the bolts like you would put in a header so it will not back out. Its a bolt with a allen wrench bolt down the middle of the bolt. You tighten up the bolt then tighten up the allen head in the middle to hold it in place. I havent seen one back out on its own yet.

Great idea..........something like these!