Saddlebag Lids
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 32
From: Phoenix, AZ
I added lids, and while they sound great in the shop, at speed I don't hear them much. They are behind you, and sound travels in waves. I've used this analogy here before, so my apologies to those that have heard it already, but picture sound waves coming from your speaker lids as a spray of water spraying in the direction the speakers are facing. If you're sitting still, the water will spray directly up and fall down on top of you. Now imagine that same stream at 70 mph. That water will land far behind you, same as sound waves will. I'm not trying to dissuade you, just pointing out that for all the expense involved, the gains are very minimal unless your bike is parked. Sound wise, you're better off with lowers. At least you can hear them at speed. Just an opinion from a guy that has both lowers and lids.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 100
From: Pasadena TX
Depending on how you define bass, no. The speakers themselves are too small, but more importantly the enclosure they are in is too. Lids, or more accurately the saddlebags, have enough volume (space) in them to produce good bass (by motorcycle standards). Lids sound great in your garage, make no mistake about it, but at speed you outrun the sound wave. I have the BT 7.1's in the fairing which produce some bass but not as much as in the lids. At speed, I seem to hear the fairing speakers more than the lowers or lids. Sound quality is subjective, others here might have a different opinion.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 277
From: Hawkeye state
Lowers lose sound at 50-60 just as bad. Neither are your prominent sound source. Always focus on fairing first, then add. I can hear my bag lids at 80 just not near as pronounced. The right speaker and correct power, bag lids seem to be much better than lowers, plus no heat issues to boot. My .02¢
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
From: Washington State
I would agree with slyedog. I have Polk 6x9s in my lids and they are the best sounding of all my speakers. Bass still sucks once over 50mph, but I can hear everything else just great from lids. I am running them with the Cerwin Vega Amp. (see my other threads for details)
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 821
Likes: 54
From: Tomball, Tx.
Bringing this back up for a bit more help. Lowers are out for me as my ride is liquid cooled and I'm not real hip on the Hogtunes lower pods. If someone has something better or suggestions, I'd be interested to hear. Plus the amount of heat that comes out of the lower pod opening is something else that concerns me. This is what is driving me to look at lids. I will run 6x9's in them. Besides Baddad, any input on the hogtunes or Vtwin audio lids? How much space do you lose in the saddlebags? We do ride and travel, it's not a parking lot bike.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 277
From: Hawkeye state
Bringing this back up for a bit more help. Lowers are out for me as my ride is liquid cooled and I'm not real hip on the Hogtunes lower pods. If someone has something better or suggestions, I'd be interested to hear. Plus the amount of heat that comes out of the lower pod opening is something else that concerns me. This is what is driving me to look at lids. I will run 6x9's in them. Besides Baddad, any input on the hogtunes or Vtwin audio lids? How much space do you lose in the saddlebags? We do ride and travel, it's not a parking lot bike.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 100
From: Pasadena TX
Bringing this back up for a bit more help. Lowers are out for me as my ride is liquid cooled and I'm not real hip on the Hogtunes lower pods. If someone has something better or suggestions, I'd be interested to hear. Plus the amount of heat that comes out of the lower pod opening is something else that concerns me. This is what is driving me to look at lids. I will run 6x9's in them. Besides Baddad, any input on the hogtunes or Vtwin audio lids? How much space do you lose in the saddlebags? We do ride and travel, it's not a parking lot bike.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 821
Likes: 54
From: Tomball, Tx.
What is the standard process for wiring lids to the existing tour pak speakers? Is there an adapter kit to use or do they need their own wiring?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 277
From: Hawkeye state
Fully independent of one another. The only time that could be accomplished is if you had 2 identical sets or 2 sets with VERY similar ratings you could possibly parallel but that would not be common. 6x9 or 8's in the bag lids are the way to go. Places make kits but you can make your own very easily.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 705
Likes: 18
From: Huber Heights,Oh
Originally Posted by Blue Tick
Bringing this back up for a bit more help. Lowers are out for me as my ride is liquid cooled and I'm not real hip on the Hogtunes lower pods. If someone has something better or suggestions, I'd be interested to hear. Plus the amount of heat that comes out of the lower pod opening is something else that concerns me. This is what is driving me to look at lids. I will run 6x9's in them. Besides Baddad, any input on the hogtunes or Vtwin audio lids? How much space do you lose in the saddlebags? We do ride and travel, it's not a parking lot bike.