First off I would like to thank HD Forums and it's members for helping me spend my money for the past 12 years. Since I have a little knowledge in a lot of areas but not a lot of knowledge in any particular area I have only posted 12 times in 12 years. The search feature should have my name on it...

I'm hoping that a few Audio Gurus will help this old guy out. A few months ago I sold my old bike and went out and purchased a new 2016 SGS. I know the same bike as everyone else but I like it.

I need a little more sound out of the bike. I like the stock set up but it is a little lacking at highway speed. My hearing isn't so great. I suffer from Tinnitus due to years of ear infections, air tool use, gun shots, sirens and Harleys. Yes I have had a great time getting here.

My question is - What is the best way to get the same sound out of the stock HU at 50% volume that I am getting at 75% now so that leaves a little more for the highway speeds? Budget is not the biggest concern but the concern is value considering that I may not be able to notice the different Sound Quality.

I have already purchased a JL Audio MHX 280/4 from Crutchfield. I thought about running 1 in the fairing now and if needed another later in the bags but researching here I found that most of the sound from the rear will not reach my ears at highway speeds.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations,
Bill

 

Since u already have an amp, good amp btw, how much r u willing to drop on speaks? That will drive the outcome.

T

 

T-

Thanks for asking.

The cost is not as concerning as getting a good sound with my hearing loss. I'm afraid of buying 500.00 speakers that sound the same as 150.00 speakers due to my situation. The constant loud ringing caused from Tinnitus fights with any incoming sounds. Like I said in my original statement, the factory unit sounds good but lacking volume and clarity when turned up where I need it at highway speed. Since most guys here think the factory SQ is horrible, my hearing is fubar...

I read that the DD AW6.5 with the AT28 speaker set up is first class but if there's a component speaker that's close and good with my amp I would like to know. Then I can look for audio files for those speakers and try to hear a difference.

FYI I ran the PBR 300 Infinity Kappa combo on my last bike and it seemed to work quite well. I also ran the SS 4.520 with J&M's that again was loud and clear but not many guys around me had boosted audio on their bikes to compare to.

 

I have high frequency hearing loss and put off getting hearing aids until I couldn't understand what my grandchildren were saying. I had almost quit listening to music (which has always been a part of my life) because it sounded empty.

Now with a great set of hearing aids and a nice stereo upgrade, I can enjoy my tunes running at highway speeds. Life is Good! Getting the right combination of front speakers & amp is paramount in hearing music clearly when flying down the road.

My system is based around the MHX280/4, with the amp bridged. If you're willing to invest in the Biketronics brackets ($249.00 msrp), then I'd highly recommend the Digital Designs AW6.5s in the fairing and a pair of quality tweeters/crossovers. Although most folks go with the AT28 tweets, I went down the less traveled , cheaper route and bought the T2s. My experience with the T2s has been that they play LOUD, but are a little harsh for my ears, when the system is turned-up and I running 70+ mph. The BT30s are priced in between the AT28s and T2s, so I'm going to try a set of them. They are advertised as playing just as loud as the T2s but have better clarity and aren't as harsh.

My system: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/audio...-included.html

If you don't want to invest in the BT brackets, Babyboy installed a set of Digital Designs CC6.5 components in the pods of his Dad's bike and they sound good in the garage and I think they were happy with the results when riding.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/audio...thread-13.html - Post #129

 

I'm also thinking the CC6.5 option might be a good play here.
There are a few more vids floating around the forum and also a few more folks installing them. Slow things down just a bit and get some more reviews on the CC6.5. Good price point and also no need to buy the fairing pod replacement brackets.
AW6.5s are just hands down a great 6.5 so the CCs hopefully have not fallen far from the tree for your ears.
Check out the BT30 thread for the latest AW6.5 install with Aquatic HU and BT2180. Softy did a really nice job putting that system together. Then go check out BBoys CC6.5 install vid. Another great job there too!!!!

Note, make sure u use ear buds when listening to these vids as it really gets u a much better idea of the sound quality ur ears might be looking for.

T.

 

What are ear buds????

I'm still using the Koss Pro4A headphones I bought back in 1978. The ear cushions are fluid filled, kind of like jelly. That was back in the day when Koss made descent products and great headphones.

 

WTR - Thanks for joining in the conversation. I have been following your build from the beginning and have been waiting patiently for your review and any follow up since you also posted about having some hearing loss. I had been planning on copying your system but wanted a little feedback from the audio wizards on if there were anything in the speaker consideration due to my Tinnitus - constant high pitch ringing in both ears as well as high frequency hearing loss like you. I really appreciate you attaching the links to the files. I wonder if retaining the speaker pods are hurting the sound of the CC 6.5 though. I would think that it would. Any chance of getting information on bridging the JL Amp and the RCA cables you used? Since I have never bridged an amp I'm a little lost on that part.

T - I'm going pretty slow here and reading every post on the site right now...lol...As I stated above, I would think that putting a good speaker in the pods will hurt the sound output from a decent speaker. Am I wrong? I had already planned on buying the BT Brackets since they are 1 and done and better for any maintenance inside the fairing so that cost in my mind has already been made. It's the speakers that have me over thinking at this point.

Thanks again,
Bill

 

The BT brackets are the way to go, as the volume (.25 cubic feet) of the pods is simply too small to get the optimum fidelity. There's no doubt that the pods are limiting the performance of all but the lowest tier speakers (such as the Boom units).

Here's a link to the MHX280/4 manual. On the second page, the 4th diagram down, it shows "2 bridged stereo outputs". This is the diagram you want to use. I say this because others have used the "2 mono outputs" by mistake.

http://mediacdn.jlaudio.com/media/mf...pdf?1422053867

I actually found a deal on a dozen or so, good quality RCA "Y" cables that I shared (sold) to forum members. The link below shows a similar item. They're not for the Audiophile looking to squeeze every bit of pure sound from a system, but they work great for the motorcycle (riding) environment. They're short, so your Line Leveler will need to be mounted close to the amp. You'll need (2) of them for bridging the amp.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-Inch-Y-Spl...wAAOSwA3dYVWg7

 

WTR - Thanks for the hook up. I was surprised to find out that they don't make many RCA cables in that configuration. My project has been put on hold for now. Biketronics is out of stock on the brackets and no idea of when they will get them back in.

Thanks again,

 

That is not good news about the brackets!