Speaker upgrade Help
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Speaker upgrade Help
Hi, I am a new member and want to thank you for your help in advance.
My bike is a 2012 Ultra Limited FLHTK. I am going to use the stock HK head unit but want to install a new amp and speakers.
I guess my first question is about speakers. I know that marine speakers are not waterproof but resist the elements. What about speakers that are not rated marine? After reading post the last few days it is obvious that these speakers are being used. What are your thoughts on this?
After reading older posts by UltraNutz I decided to purchase the SS PN4.520D amp. now I need to find speakers and I am not having much luck finding them in 2 ohm. My plan is to replace the front two in the fairing and the two in the back pods. The polk MM series are marine but also 4ohms. I was also considering the Infinity Kappa 62.11i which are 2 ohm but not marine. I would love to hear everyone's opinion on what I am doing. Thanks again.
My bike is a 2012 Ultra Limited FLHTK. I am going to use the stock HK head unit but want to install a new amp and speakers.
I guess my first question is about speakers. I know that marine speakers are not waterproof but resist the elements. What about speakers that are not rated marine? After reading post the last few days it is obvious that these speakers are being used. What are your thoughts on this?
After reading older posts by UltraNutz I decided to purchase the SS PN4.520D amp. now I need to find speakers and I am not having much luck finding them in 2 ohm. My plan is to replace the front two in the fairing and the two in the back pods. The polk MM series are marine but also 4ohms. I was also considering the Infinity Kappa 62.11i which are 2 ohm but not marine. I would love to hear everyone's opinion on what I am doing. Thanks again.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 246
From: Lakeville, MN
Kappas are your ticket. Regarding waterproof/marine speakers...if you're concerned about keeping water out get yourself a half yard of black speaker grille cloth, spray it down with Kiwi Camp Dry or any other water repelling aerosol spray can and wrap your grilles with it. Fact is, your inner fairing stays pretty dry even in the worst of rainstorms and while the rear speakers will catch some rain, you're not likely to ruin anything even if they get a little with without grille cloth on them. If you get any bike wet enough, lots of things can go wrong...like say if you ride it underwater...but for the most part, your speakers are the least of your concerns.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Kappas are your ticket. Regarding waterproof/marine speakers...if you're concerned about keeping water out get yourself a half yard of black speaker grille cloth, spray it down with Kiwi Camp Dry or any other water repelling aerosol spray can and wrap your grilles with it. Fact is, your inner fairing stays pretty dry even in the worst of rainstorms and while the rear speakers will catch some rain, you're not likely to ruin anything even if they get a little with without grille cloth on them. If you get any bike wet enough, lots of things can go wrong...like say if you ride it underwater...but for the most part, your speakers are the least of your concerns.
While the speaker cloth and camp dry ARE a great idea, you will soon see how much of a pain the *** it is, to effectively cover you fairing speakers. I'd say not to worry about the fabric in your fairing, and concentrate on covering the rear pods. If you aren't familiar with the Rushmore fairing mounted speakers, you're in for a treat. Make sure you have a flex head socket adapter, and a foot long extension for your ratchet. The bolts under the radio are a bitch!!!!!! I believe the socket is a 7/16", but I cant remember. May be a 1/2" Don't worry about putting all the bolts back in underneath. You'll know which ones, after you've tried for 10 minutes to put them back in. 2 bolts are good enough. In fact, Biketronics makes a bracket that lets you remove the stupid pods, all together. Trust me, they suck!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 246
From: Lakeville, MN
Use the Kappa grilles in the rears. There are also some tricks to get those Kappas in the pods without having the surround hit on the edge. Someone else will have to field that one, my pods are ancient history and I've never tried putting them in a pod...anyone?
Banned
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,177
Likes: 196
From: Miami, FL
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Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
I see where others have put the 6.5" in the 5.5" rear pods but I am not having any luck. They are just shy of sitting flush without the adapter rings and look like crap with the rings. Would love to hear any tricks that have been used. I was even considering using a heat gun to heat the pod to give it the little extra room that's needed. Any suggestions? 2012 Ultra Limited.
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