Garbage In Garbage Out?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,712
Likes: 9,219
From: Snow Hill, NC
I am amazed at the difference in plain FM radio VS my MP3 plugged on my stock HK unit running Hog Tunes speakers... possibly the almost worst on a bike... I can actually hear the music on the hwy with the MP3.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul MN
I've been working my way though testing all the different streaming services. So far I have tried Amazon, Pandora, SiriusXM, and Spotify. I like the fact that all four of these can be tested on my home stereo before listening in the car or on the bike. I liked Amazons selection and quality (up to 850kb on HD service). Pandora and Sirius I do not think have the quality (96kb and 160kb), but they serve their purpose as steaming radio. But for me, Spotify sets itself apart because I can listen to full albums in their entirety. I can also download both albums and playlist to my phone to listen to when offline. The app on the phone just has to check in once a month to make sure your account is valid otherwise the offline files will stop playing. Spotify also has a decent quality setting of 320kb or full MP3 for both downloads and steaming that you have to select as it is not set by default. I have yet to find another service that lets you download full albums locally, but I still have Idagio, Tidal, Live X, and YouTube Music to try out. But for right now the decent streaming quality at 320kb MP, full album selection, play list and a great interface on both my phone and LG TV make Spotify the clear winner for me.
Last edited by thaddeus2364; Jun 5, 2020 at 07:51 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 221
Likes: 53
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Is there a noticable difference in sound quality? I have Amazon Music and have dowloaded a bunch of playlists to my iPhone, which is connected directly to the head unit on the bike via the USB port (phone charges at the same time). A hardwired connection will always give you better SQ than streaming via Bluetooth. Also, go into your settings on Amazon Music and under "STREAMING AUDIO Quality" select "Best Available". That may help.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 510
Likes: 78
Imho, I prefer to rip my CD's to FLAC USB if possible for vehicles that can handle it, and for those that cannot, 320K MP3. Spotify, I also download in the Highest Quality, and only play downloaded material, and turn off cell mobile access.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,835
Likes: 988
From: Southern Virginia
I have had good luck with 192kbps MP3 rips of my CDs. I tried some at 320kbps but couldn't tell the difference in sound quality so I went back to 192 to save space. I just got a fourth gen iPod 32 gig to keep my music on and have it in the saddlebag connected to an HDPDPlus iPod module. The sound quality is excellent.
I can connect that same iPod to my head unit through the SaddleTramp bluetooth connection and it doesn't sound quite as good. It is OK, but definitely sounds better with the direct connection.
I can connect that same iPod to my head unit through the SaddleTramp bluetooth connection and it doesn't sound quite as good. It is OK, but definitely sounds better with the direct connection.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 221
Likes: 53
From: Scottsdale, AZ
I wouldn't think you could tell a difference with even higher-end bike speakers and amps. Even with my home theater equipment (McIntosh seperates & B&W speakers) I can't tell much of a difference but your source material is also a huge factor, if fact it will reveal the deficiencies in your setup.
Last edited by AZBadgerFan; Jun 5, 2020 at 01:01 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 510
Likes: 78
No doubt, once you start the motor, and get moving on a sled, you probably can't tell the difference between 320Kb vs 48Kb, but I do think that when sitting stationary, and in particular in a car/truck, I can tell a difference between a 128Kb and 320Kb MP3, and definitely FLAC in my Caddy. And, on my home theater for that matter, even CD to SACD I think is very perceivable. But, sure this is all very subjective.
But the point is, with a 128GB USB stick even at 320Kb, you can fit a ton of songs. Even my 16GB Ipod, which is slowing going the way of the Dodo bird, could handle 4,000 songs with about a mix of 128Kb and 320Kb songs.
I just did a quick check and the average 320Kb song is around 9MB, which calculates to over 14,000 songs on a 128GB stick you can pick up for $15. Even with FLAC that averages around 35MB/Song, that same drive will handle 3,600 songs or say 360 albums. Imho, why throttle it back, with virtually unlimited cheap storage? My .02 fwiw.
But the point is, with a 128GB USB stick even at 320Kb, you can fit a ton of songs. Even my 16GB Ipod, which is slowing going the way of the Dodo bird, could handle 4,000 songs with about a mix of 128Kb and 320Kb songs.
I just did a quick check and the average 320Kb song is around 9MB, which calculates to over 14,000 songs on a 128GB stick you can pick up for $15. Even with FLAC that averages around 35MB/Song, that same drive will handle 3,600 songs or say 360 albums. Imho, why throttle it back, with virtually unlimited cheap storage? My .02 fwiw.
Last edited by mrmagloo; Jun 5, 2020 at 04:42 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post