Rushmore rear speakers

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 13, 2016 | 03:33 PM

plongson

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 1,151

Likes: 328

From: Southern Utah, USA

Rushmore rear speakers

I need some advise. It's probably old news here on the audio forum, but I'm always over in Rushmore forum...so here goes

2014 FLHTK stock 25w/ch BOOM

I/we nearly always ride with full face helmets using the HD headsets plugged in. This last weekend we had a bit of a ride where we were around town and played the BOOM using the external speakers. The rear speakers are blown and sound like ****. The high/mid range FREQ is OK but the low FREQ/base just make them rattle...new speaker time I guess.

Except for playing the external system in the garage periodically, the speakers are rarely used...

What are the recommendations from the audio experts here??

1.) Just replace the rears with genuine MoCo and live with it?
2.) Get a much better aftermarket speakers for a bit more $$ and be way ahead?
3.) Replace all four along with an additional amp?
4.) What are your feelings on the BOOM audio upgrades? Worth the $$?
5.) Will adding an amp improve sound through the helmet set speakers?

The audiophiles will **** but I don't want to spend more than about $500 if I don't have too. I also don't want to have to get the ECM flashed every time I turn around. Essentially I just want good sound and don't want to make a hobby out of the system.

THANKS ALL!!!

Paul

Sep 14, 2016 | 07:42 AM

Bertk

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 5,788

Likes: 203

From: SW Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by plongson

I need some advise. It's probably old news here on the audio forum, but I'm always over in Rushmore forum...so here goes

2014 FLHTK stock 25w/ch BOOM

I am assuming you are referring to the internal amp within the stock 6.5 HU.

Quote:

I/we nearly always ride with full face helmets using the HD headsets plugged in. This last weekend we had a bit of a ride where we were around town and played the BOOM using the external speakers. The rear speakers are blown and sound like ****. The high/mid range FREQ is OK but the low FREQ/base just make them rattle...new speaker time I guess.

Except for playing the external system in the garage periodically, the speakers are rarely used...

What are the recommendations from the audio experts here??

1.) Just replace the rears with genuine MoCo and live with it?

If you mainly use the external speakers in the garage this is your best bet. You can most likely find a pair of stock speakers in the classifieds or on eBay for next to nothing.

Quote:

2.) Get a much better aftermarket speakers for a bit more $$ and be way ahead?

You could replace the rear speakers with pair of 2ohm aftermarket speaker. The problem is the TP pods are shallower then in previous years and not a lot of aftermarket speakers will fit without spacers. And without an external amp the there is not going to much of a benefit but will of course sound better than blown speakers.

Quote:

3.) Replace all four along with an additional amp?

Do to HD's efforts in blocking the use of aftermarket audio there are three components needed before even thinking of adding an amp and speakers.
Two Biketronics Line Levelers and a breakout harness. With a 10% forum discount the your looking at about $200. So that would leave you with $300 for amp and speakers which is doable with budget components.

Quote:

4.) What are your feelings on the BOOM audio upgrades? Worth the $$?

Most of the folks that come through here are disappointed with the way over priced Boom audio upgrades. Most end up tearing it out at a loss and starting over. The big problem with the Boom system is most dealer techs don't know how to properly install them and send them out the door sounding like crap. Then your stuck with it. If you could get them to take it back you would still be out labor costs.

So no, you won't find us recommending Boom audio.

Quote:

5.) Will adding an amp improve sound through the helmet set speakers?

I can't say I love listening to the setup I have without a headset.

Quote:

The audiophiles will **** but I don't want to spend more than about $500 if I don't have too. I also don't want to have to get the ECM flashed every time I turn around. Essentially I just want good sound and don't want to make a hobby out of the system.

Using he BT Line Levelers the stock flash works the best. The problem is with the software updates. HD uses these updates to circumvent advances made in aftermarket audio by changing EQ or DSP setting. In some cases these efforts also reduce the quality of sound on the stock and Boom upgrade systems.

THANKS ALL!!!

Paul[/QUOTE]

Sep 14, 2016 | 08:06 AM

plongson

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 1,151

Likes: 328

From: Southern Utah, USA

Bert, THANKS for an amazing reply!! I REALLY appreciate the time you took to answer my rookie questions, I now have a very good point of reference to start this project!

Thanks again...Paul