2024 Factory audio upgrade ??
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 880
Likes: 81
From: California
2024 Factory audio upgrade ??
I have a 2024 FLTRX with the stock audio system. I am considering upgrading to the optional RF 500W amp and the Stage II fairing speakers. Im curious if anyone has done this, and what you think.
To be clear, Im talking only about the fairing speakers. Im not looking for any saddlebag or lower speakers. And I fully understand that I can do better for less $$ if I go aftermarket. But this is a dealer credit, and can only be applied to genuine HD accessories. And these two components will utilize the $1,000 that I have available. Will the difference in sound quality be noticeable better, or is it a waste without also doing the saddlebag speakers (which I will never do)?
I am not an audiophile. I usually feel that factory car radios are adequate for me. Thats just for reference on my expectations. For the Road Glide, I would just like to be able to hear it at 75MPH with my full face helmet.
To be clear, Im talking only about the fairing speakers. Im not looking for any saddlebag or lower speakers. And I fully understand that I can do better for less $$ if I go aftermarket. But this is a dealer credit, and can only be applied to genuine HD accessories. And these two components will utilize the $1,000 that I have available. Will the difference in sound quality be noticeable better, or is it a waste without also doing the saddlebag speakers (which I will never do)?
I am not an audiophile. I usually feel that factory car radios are adequate for me. Thats just for reference on my expectations. For the Road Glide, I would just like to be able to hear it at 75MPH with my full face helmet.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,716
Likes: 1,813
From: In a house
Does your dealer have a 24 CVO in stock? Listen to one with the saddlebag speakers disconnected or fade set all the way to the front. That's basically what you'll have if you go that route. How much better it will be is subjective. Not knowing what else you've done to the bike and where audio falls on your priority list it's tough to say. Knowing that you can get better aftermarket sound for less than a grand I would personally spend it on other stuff. If the bike is otherwise right where you want it, then it may be worth it to you.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 432
From: PA
You would be better off using this credit for Service Intervals, Slip on's, Exhaust, Bars, Wind screen, Lots to choose from, My CVO came with the 500W and Stage 2, the speakers are in a box in the Garadge all replaced, and waiting on an after market interface to replace the amp.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,113
Likes: 11,160
From: San Diego, CA
I looked into numerous audio upgrades for my 2016.... I ended up getting a Harley 7-pin to ear bud adapter, and just plug in a good set of ear buds.
It's not high fidelity, but I can hear my music at speed, at idle (without blaring it to the rest of the world), and the ear buds cut down on wind noise for those long rides on the freeway...
I also have a modular helmet with IMC plug-in speakers and mic. They work well too, but not as good as ear buds with my half-helmet... IMO...
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 722
From: Ontario, Canada
I have a 2024 FLTRX with the stock audio system. I am considering upgrading to the optional RF 500W amp and the Stage II fairing speakers. Im curious if anyone has done this, and what you think.
To be clear, Im talking only about the fairing speakers. Im not looking for any saddlebag or lower speakers. And I fully understand that I can do better for less $$ if I go aftermarket. But this is a dealer credit, and can only be applied to genuine HD accessories. And these two components will utilize the $1,000 that I have available. Will the difference in sound quality be noticeable better, or is it a waste without also doing the saddlebag speakers (which I will never do)?
I am not an audiophile. I usually feel that factory car radios are adequate for me. Thats just for reference on my expectations. For the Road Glide, I would just like to be able to hear it at 75MPH with my full face helmet.
To be clear, Im talking only about the fairing speakers. Im not looking for any saddlebag or lower speakers. And I fully understand that I can do better for less $$ if I go aftermarket. But this is a dealer credit, and can only be applied to genuine HD accessories. And these two components will utilize the $1,000 that I have available. Will the difference in sound quality be noticeable better, or is it a waste without also doing the saddlebag speakers (which I will never do)?
I am not an audiophile. I usually feel that factory car radios are adequate for me. Thats just for reference on my expectations. For the Road Glide, I would just like to be able to hear it at 75MPH with my full face helmet.
And for the record, I switched to a Shoei Noetec II modular helmet last year and mounted my Cardo with JBL speakers. I now use my helmet speakers 95% of the time. Great sound, not fighting road or wind noise, etc.
And it works just as well in my two other helmets...HJC 3/4 or Bell Pit Boss 1/2 helmet. I have a mount on all helmets and just pop the Cardo off one and on to the other. But i find I'm wearing the modular most of the time now.
The speakers are right over your ears...where they should be. In fact, I just pulled my aftermarket amp & speakers out of the bike as I just don't use them anymore after going the helmet speaker route.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,974
Likes: 5,477
From: Woodlands, MB, Canada
I'm not plugging Volunteer Audio, I don't know anything about them. (For the record, I use a Cardo headset with JBL helmet speakers). But Volunteer appears to have been working at aftermarket solutions for the '24 models. They've adapted a Kenwood amp to work with the IFCU and they sell it as a kit along with various speakers.
https://volunteeraudio.com/product-category/2024-up
Here's a (long) video showing how to install the system. Near the end they demonstrate how loud it is.
https://volunteeraudio.com/product-category/2024-up
Here's a (long) video showing how to install the system. Near the end they demonstrate how loud it is.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10,035
Likes: 10,766
From: SE Michigan
I'm not plugging Volunteer Audio, I don't know anything about them. (For the record, I use a Cardo headset with JBL helmet speakers). But Volunteer appears to have been working at aftermarket solutions for the '24 models. They've adapted a Kenwood amp to work with the IFCU and they sell it as a kit along with various speakers.
https://volunteeraudio.com/product-category/2024-up
Here's a (long) video showing how to install the system. Near the end they demonstrate how loud it is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-wnHsXo8es
https://volunteeraudio.com/product-category/2024-up
Here's a (long) video showing how to install the system. Near the end they demonstrate how loud it is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-wnHsXo8es
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 552
From: NH
21 LTD upgraded to stage II RF speakers X4 and the 400W 4-channel amp (100W per channel)...I wanted to keep it all Harley and have so far, in order to keep trade-in value as high as possible...
It sounds maybe 50% better, but was Very expensive even with my discount and I work at a Dealership...it was the install hours that jacked the price up...was it worth it? For me it was...did I mention it was Very expensive...
You would be getting a redesigned 500W 4-channel amp at 125W per channel, along with the stage II fairing speakers, so maybe even better sound for you...if you want to keep it under the Harley umbrella this might work for you...
It sounds maybe 50% better, but was Very expensive even with my discount and I work at a Dealership...it was the install hours that jacked the price up...was it worth it? For me it was...did I mention it was Very expensive...
You would be getting a redesigned 500W 4-channel amp at 125W per channel, along with the stage II fairing speakers, so maybe even better sound for you...if you want to keep it under the Harley umbrella this might work for you...