Howdy!! Been lurking here a long time but randomly post. Posting now because I’m a new 2020 Road Glide Standard owner and want to get educated on upgrade options plus I have several Infotainment questions. I’m not new to Harleys or audio, but in 31-plus years of riding, this is my first bike to have an audio system. I have the Boom GTS 2-speaker system and it is ok at 60 MPH or under. I find it totally useless at any speed above. What I want is a robust system that I can hear at highway speeds. I don’t need competition level components, but I would like good sound quality with highway capable volume levels. I am willing to drop appropriate dollars to get what I want, but I am unsure of direction at this point. From what I have read in the HD Forums Audio section and elsewhere, an amp and upgraded speakers are a minimum requirement. Also, I understand that certain amps can interfere with FM reception. I DO want to retain FM and I DO want to keep the stock Boom GTS head unit.

With all that in mind, is what I’m wanting even doable with two speakers? Me and my wife tour a lot so I would rather not take up bag space with bag lid speakers. I’m also installing a TourPak in the future but it will be detachable and not on 100% of the time. I was thinking that if I needed 4 speakers, my best option would be fairing lowers with pods. How do the lower fairing vs bag lid locations compare?? Is one better than the other for highway riding??

The Stinger 700 and MMATS 601.cx appears to be a very popular combo here. Are there any other recommended good combos for my application?? 4-channel amp seems to be the smart route to facilitate additional speakers if necessary. What is the best way to wire in the amp without cutting or splicing into my stock wiring harness. BTBOC adapter?? I would prefer not to cut any wires if possible. What is a line leveler and do I need it with a two speaker system?? Or is it only to add balance/fade capability for a 4-speaker system??

Additionally, if I understand correctly, I need to have the Boom GTS flashed to enable WHIMS before I can activate Apple CarPlay? And CarPlay will work without WHIMs installed; it just has to be enabled (I understand voice commands won’t work without a headset and mic connected). Seems like a typical H-D cash grab to not have it enabled and wired from the factory. Are there independent shops that have this flash capability or is this HD software only?? I’m in DFW, if any Indy shops are close...

Finally, if I did go all the way in and install the WHIMs harness, I only get stereo sound if I drop another $330 on the HD-branded Sena—-correct? Mono feed only on non HD-branded headsets is what I’ve read. Does anyone know if the HD-branded Sena will pair with an iPhone when not connected to the Boom? I have multiple bikes and if I can pair the Sena with my phone when I’m on one of the other bikes, it may persuade me to by the headset. In other words, will the HD-branded Sena pair with a non-HD device??

Sorry for the long post! I feel like I am drinking from a fire hose trying to learn and figure out which upgrades will fit my needs. Any advice is appreciated...

 

It is very possible to hear 2 speakers at up to 90'ish. I have a Diamond Micro 2v2 (does not interfere with FM) and MMats 601cx's and can hear them loud and clear. 4 speakers is of course going to require a different amp and while Diamond makes a 4v2 it's only rated at 80x4 which is a little low IMO. Others can speak to 4ch FM friendly amps, but you can get away with just 2.

 

Supposedly the stinger amp is FM friendly. I'll find out soon.

 

if u and the wife tour as much as u say u do, id just get the nicest headsets for u and the wife to play music through.

 

Honestly seems like good advice.

 

We both use Shure Bluetooth Earbuds most of the time on longer trips. I’d still like to hear the Boom when we are riding locally...

 

It is. Replaced my Soundstream amp which killed ALL my fm, with the stinger. I got my FM back, but rarely listen to it anyway. lol

 

my wife and I use headsets, the sena HD ones, but the stereo is just light years better when it comes to SQ