Audio System FAQ's
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 582
Likes: 21
2017 Ultra Classic w/ M8: Stage II Boom upgrade Question. Replacing/upgrading both the fairing and the tour pack speakers and also adding the two amps. All HD kit. I believe that I still have to flash the system.
My question is... can I flash system myself? How? ... or is this best left for the dealer?
My question is... can I flash system myself? How? ... or is this best left for the dealer?
Because for the money you can get much, much, much better sound. More importantly, much more reliable audio components that will actually have a resale value. That boom stuff is so bad they won't even take returns on it. The failure rate is abysmal.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,788
Likes: 203
From: SW Florida
2017 Ultra Classic w/ M8: Stage II Boom upgrade Question. Replacing/upgrading both the fairing and the tour pack speakers and also adding the two amps. All HD kit. I believe that I still have to flash the system.
My question is... can I flash system myself? How? ... or is this best left for the dealer?
My question is... can I flash system myself? How? ... or is this best left for the dealer?
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 33
Likes: 3
From: Massachusetts
We are planning on installing the Stage II kit on my buddy's Ultra. It already has the four stock speakers and the Boom 4.3 screen. There are two speakers in the fairing and two in the tour pack. He has already purchased everything from HD, it will arrive this week. I have experience on upgrading to Stage II fairing speakers and added the amp on my 2015 FLHXS and I rode it to the dealer so they could flash it. The instructions clearly say that you will blow the speakers if the system is not flashed.
My question is strictly about flashing the system after the install so we don't blow the speakers. From what I have found it must be done at the dealer. However, he has a brand new 2017 and the Service Manager mentioned that he thought he would not have to bring it in to get it flashed and that somehow we could do it.
I still believe he should not turn the system on and that he should bring it to the dealer so they can flash it so it recognizes that it now has two 300 watt amps instead of stock power.
My question is strictly about flashing the system after the install so we don't blow the speakers. From what I have found it must be done at the dealer. However, he has a brand new 2017 and the Service Manager mentioned that he thought he would not have to bring it in to get it flashed and that somehow we could do it.
I still believe he should not turn the system on and that he should bring it to the dealer so they can flash it so it recognizes that it now has two 300 watt amps instead of stock power.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,788
Likes: 203
From: SW Florida
We are planning on installing the Stage II kit on my buddy's Ultra. It already has the four stock speakers and the Boom 4.3 screen. There are two speakers in the fairing and two in the tour pack. He has already purchased everything from HD, it will arrive this week. I have experience on upgrading to Stage II fairing speakers and added the amp on my 2015 FLHXS and I rode it to the dealer so they could flash it. The instructions clearly say that you will blow the speakers if the system is not flashed.
My question is strictly about flashing the system after the install so we don't blow the speakers. From what I have found it must be done at the dealer. However, he has a brand new 2017 and the Service Manager mentioned that he thought he would not have to bring it in to get it flashed and that somehow we could do it.
I still believe he should not turn the system on and that he should bring it to the dealer so they can flash it so it recognizes that it now has two 300 watt amps instead of stock power.
My question is strictly about flashing the system after the install so we don't blow the speakers. From what I have found it must be done at the dealer. However, he has a brand new 2017 and the Service Manager mentioned that he thought he would not have to bring it in to get it flashed and that somehow we could do it.
I still believe he should not turn the system on and that he should bring it to the dealer so they can flash it so it recognizes that it now has two 300 watt amps instead of stock power.
Stage I
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Diagram
Hi New the forum...
I have a quick ?
I have 3 reg speakers... 1 4x6 and 2 5x7 and 1 sub. Do I need a 4 channel amp? The only thing got me confused is the bridging part. What I really want to do is play all four through 1 amp with good power going the sub. Please show a diagram of how this should be wired. Any help with be appreciated.
Thanks
I have a quick ?
I have 3 reg speakers... 1 4x6 and 2 5x7 and 1 sub. Do I need a 4 channel amp? The only thing got me confused is the bridging part. What I really want to do is play all four through 1 amp with good power going the sub. Please show a diagram of how this should be wired. Any help with be appreciated.
Thanks
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Hi New the forum...
I have a quick ?
I have 3 reg speakers... 1 4x6 and 2 5x7 and 1 sub. Do I need a 4 channel amp? The only thing got me confused is the bridging part. What I really want to do is play all four through 1 amp with good power going the sub. Please show a diagram of how this should be wired. Any help with be appreciated.
Thanks
I have a quick ?
I have 3 reg speakers... 1 4x6 and 2 5x7 and 1 sub. Do I need a 4 channel amp? The only thing got me confused is the bridging part. What I really want to do is play all four through 1 amp with good power going the sub. Please show a diagram of how this should be wired. Any help with be appreciated.
Thanks
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: jonesboro, la
I have a '14 SG and looking to upgrade my stock system. Looking at the RF PBR300x2, because it seems to be a popular choice on this forum, plus I'm also on a budget. What I really need to know is, what is a good quality brand of speakers to buy, without having to modify my stock pods. Do I need 2 or 4 ohms, and exactly how to wire them. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 44
Likes: 8
From: Danville Va
Thank you
This old fart learned something tonight, I have been scratching my bald head for weeks trying to figure out how to upgrade my 16 RG Audio, this bit of education helps . Thanks, Vann
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 738
Likes: 29
From: Smithfield, VA
Who to go to for Newbie Audio Questions
Below is an excerpt of a post from Gannicus:
"....Here are some guys to ask in no specific order.
1. Alex Haze alex@ baggeraudiolab.com
2. Slyedog
2. Tailwind
3. SBates08
4. CPbedor
5. AAWAV
6. Tesnevo
7. Matt76mich
8. Roadie
9. CVOJOE
10. grumble
These are just few. But I guarantee there's not a question you have about audio on a bike that one these guys can't answer. Guaranteed."
You can add Gannicus to that list and you WILL get the best sled audio advice there is!
"....Here are some guys to ask in no specific order.
1. Alex Haze alex@ baggeraudiolab.com
2. Slyedog
2. Tailwind
3. SBates08
4. CPbedor
5. AAWAV
6. Tesnevo
7. Matt76mich
8. Roadie
9. CVOJOE
10. grumble
These are just few. But I guarantee there's not a question you have about audio on a bike that one these guys can't answer. Guaranteed."
You can add Gannicus to that list and you WILL get the best sled audio advice there is!
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 640
Likes: 23
From: Greensboro, NC
good info regarding ohms and matching speakers to source (HU/amp)
what about watts?
example: two 4 ohm speakers in parallel connected to 2 ohm channel, channel output is 150 watts @ 2 ohms. how many watts do each speaker get? 150 or 75
what about watts?
example: two 4 ohm speakers in parallel connected to 2 ohm channel, channel output is 150 watts @ 2 ohms. how many watts do each speaker get? 150 or 75