As for this "plug and play" comment that seems to be the perpetual intro statement for audio newbies, I just wanted to try and clear this up a bit so that folks can make better audio choices by not getting sucked into some of theses plug and play marketing traps.
Disclaimer: I had the same mandate when I first showed up looking for audio.

What does "plug and play audio system" actually mean?
Is it the entire system that makes it plug and play?
Is it just the amp, HU, and hand control interfaces / harnesses?
What are the benefits of complete plug and play systems that companies use as marketing leverage.
Do BT Lines Levers constitute plug and play?
Are there wiring kits that make any combination of components plug and play?

Just seeing far to many guys that are following my initial footsteps and locked in on the potential misconception of what plug and play actually is and how to manage purchases and installs with the most bang for the buck.

My JM system was plug and play but lasted a very short while.
My HT speaker lids also had some nice plugs but lasted a week.
BT is a very good reliable amp that happens to be plug and play.
My current system, after far too many speakers and amps to count, still just plugs right in.

I'm thinking that plug and play for me meant that I was not going to cut into wires within the HD electrical system on a brand new sled that would void the warranty on such system. The second part of plug and play meant that I was a total dumb shix regarding audio however was not too challenged with plugging harnesses in.

Point of this thread being to help to new guys manage expectations and obtain the perfect install tools so that they to not fall victim to the marketing of complete "systems" that fall well short of reasonable standards, but win us over based on the claim that the install can be accomplished by a cave man.

Thoughts? Comments? Advise?

T.

 

Any real amp requires you to pull the tank off and run power and ground back to the battery. If you can do that you can plug a few things in. I think having to take the tank off voids and claim that said product is plug and play. The only benefit I see of these packages is not having to set gains, but what you gain in ease of install you lose in potential volume, sound quality, etc.

I'm curious on a cost ananlysis. Cost of a plug and play system vs having a system installed by some on. What's the cost difference and how do you value if one sounds better than the other. Either way, agreed.....in large part PnP is mostly marketing.

 

I don't know if I'd consider myself a total dumb a** when it comes to audio in general but I'm admittedly a newb when it comes to bike audio. My history with audio systems includes home audio and car audio. All my home audio was done by myself yet I've paid to have shops install all my car audio. Not sure why.. Probably because the perception of installing car audio (to me) seemed a little more daunting and I didn't want to risk messing up a new truck. I've owned plenty of bikes in the past but this is my first bike with a fairing and speakers so my experience was non-existent. When I first started looking to upgrade I came to you all for advice. I wanted to do something budget friendly and "plug and play" if possible. Thanks to everyone on the forum I made my first audio upgrade on the bike by installing Kappas. Ironically, they were not plug and play since I wanted to keep the stock harness. Minimal wiring required to mock up some adapters with spade connectors. Not to mention the pod mods. I would agree 100% that "plug and play" is a great marketing tool aimed at folks like myself who want better audio but don't have the knowledge or experience installing bike audio. When I look for something plug and play, I want something that doesn't include cutting into factory harnesses, splicing wires, soldering, or creating my own adapters. I don't mind removing fairings, tanks, pods etc. That's half the fun! Anyways, with that being said, I'm already moving forward with my second audio upgrade. Just ordered the 2180 BT package for 14+ Street Glides, Donna was great and gave me an amazing deal on everything including replacement grills. I didn't go BT because it's "plug and play" but because it seems like a really solid system that allows me further options down the road and no flash is required. Not to mention the warranty and all the great feedback from guys on the forum. Should be here Monday, can't wait!!

To Haze's question, I was looking at two different plug and play systems before finally settling on the BT. I even checked out my local audio shop. The BT system retails for around $900, the RF system for about $1000 and the Boom system, we'll honestly I never considered the Boom Stage 2. My local shop quoted me $950 installed for a Diamond amp, line levelers, and two Focals in the fairing. So if people are going "plug and play" just to avoid the install it seems like you could easily get a better quality system installed by a shop and still pay less than some of the heavily marketed Plug and play systems out there.

 

Good input!!!!

I'm thinking the best thing folks that show up here and new to sled audio, the absolute first thing I would do is understand that u can indeed purchase the "plug and play" wiring goods necessary to get good sound to an amp and power to an amp. EG, Rushmore gets BT Line Leveler(s) or comparable and also sled audio power and ground kit with fuse.

From that point I think you will be able to make damn good decisions regarding the remaining ingredients (amp, speaks, etc) that will deliver the sound u desire at a responsible budget.

Not trying to steer anyone towards specific products here, just trying to help guys understand that "plug and play" can be very misleading so no need to dive into certain packages that will not deliver. On the flip side there are some shops / businesses that will provide you killer set up that use proven products with all the wiring kits included.

Just don't fall for this overpriced high energy marketing stuff that many of us have fallen for and regretted. The guys on this forum will not let u down throughout the entire process. Invaluable resource!!!!

T.

 

In my mind, "Plug and Play" was not having to cut the factory wiring harness.

However, Tailwind you have made me re-think what that statement really means. Looking at it that way, I can see where some of the people that are new to the installation of aftermarket stereo equipment on their bikes might assume that "Plug and Play" means that all they have to do is remove the faring and all the connections needed for their install will be in the faring and that their new "Kit" will provide all necessary connections to hookup their new equipment....Would that it could, but there a lil more to it than that

Good write-up Tailwind

 

I'm willing to bet the cost difference between "plug and play" and having someone install a system is negligible (assuming the same level of system) partly because of the tune.

One HUGE thing people don't get is the tune. Installing is easy, the hardest part of any of my installs has been tuning. The most intimidating was taking off the tank (yeah I know, but it was ) and once you've done it once you realize how truely trivial it is. Tuning on the other hand has been something I've had to learn the hard way and it's cost me a lot of money.

If I could roll back time (hum along if you know the words), I'd contact a reputable installer with my expectations and see what they can come up with. If it was out of my budget, I'd get something that I could build on (per the installers recommendation). MOST of all though, I'd have THEM install and tune it.

I can't tell you how much money I've spent in the last year trying to chase what I thought I wanted only to find out a few twists of a screwdriver and some precised EQ adjustments could have put me where I want to be a LONG time ago.

Having said all that, I don't regret my path. Like I said, having someone else do it from the start would have been WAY lighter on the wallet though but now I do have the ultimate set of tools (yeah more pop culture references)

 

For me it was all about intimidation never installed stereo in anything , home theater yes auto no way let alone a bike came off a dyna cvo lots of money spent on ear buds .
I was perfectly happy with my Bt setup , That was no way plug and play, but tank off and power wires was no big deal pods out amp tray was fun project lasted me two years then it was this site that caused me to search out for better, better, better, two steps forward and one back agree with bunker in that someone else to tune it but would still install my self if something quiet's working I have the knowledge to hopefully chase problem down .

Stereo on bike has been pain in butt bike's just not meant to be sound friendly at speed .Most things I work on I have solid game plan with sold outcome on first try know what its going to cost and execute. Bike has kicked my butt and willing to admit it to myself and others.
I feel I am so close but still not where I have set the bar and not sure what its going to cost or take to get there . ALL that said have had fun and like bunker no regret's some day I will be able to laugh at myself as others already have about this bike audio love hate relationship .
To the rest of you just starting down this road pick your target wisely set goals reasonably and Happy Thanksgiving!! to All

 

Maybe I'm cut from a different cloth. But in my mind there is no such thing as plug and play. Haze and CVOJOE eluded to it. it's all a marketing strategy based around keeping the stock HU and not having to cut into the stock wiring harness. As soon as you add an amp to the mix. plug and play is out the window. 99% of us have amps and most of us took our gas tanks off to run wires to the amp.

When they design a system where wire strippers are not used. That's when I'll call it plug and play. I guarantee there's not one guy who has put in his own system that didn't use wire strippers to do it! JMHO.

 

Gan hit the nail on the head. It is simply a marketing strategy to let the more intimidated costumers think all they have to do is plug it up and go. No system is that easy mainly as most have mentioned b3cause of turning. I hate when I see guys selling pre tuned amps.....There is literally no way to pre tune an amp to be at its potential with out having it hooked up and ready...each amp is slightly different, each head unit is slightly different, hell even speakers of the same model are slightly different.....the list goes on. If you purchase a setup from me I will put everything you need in the box for install but I will never tell you it's plug and play....I absolutely hate that term lol

 

I remember when T was a new guy asking these questions. Now he is always helpful, has well thought out replies, is respectful to all and always willing to hang in there with the new guys. Very proud to have him on the team.
My thoughts on PNP are also marketing based. Thanks for the great write up T.
Kris