Another budget system
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 42
Likes: 5
From: Toronto
Another budget system
Okay so looking for advice/ideas. I'd like to upgrade my sound but I'm not an audiofile and don't want to break the bank. I have a new to me 2011 FLHTK which I'm really enjoying so far. I'm good with the OEM head unit and I'm cheap/poor whatever. I like the handlebar controls and the fader etc. I'm not sure if I need or want to bring the lower fairings into play (Money) so I am thinking 4 speaker. I assume I want a 4 in 4 out type of amp? I assume it's relatively easy to use an adaptor to install 6.5" speakers in the faring and to just stick with 5.25" in the back? I wonder if my preliminary choices will do what I'm after and am seeking advice. Do the rear speakers need to be marine grade I assume they will get wet. I have no idea about setting gain etc. I can read but simple is king here.
Kenwood KAC-M1814
JVC CS-DR521
Sony XS-FB1630
Scosche SAHD675B Speaker Mounting Brackets
Scosche LOC80 (x2 I guess??)
Does this make sense? Am I missing something?
Any advise will be appreciated.
Thanks
Kenwood KAC-M1814
JVC CS-DR521
Sony XS-FB1630
Scosche SAHD675B Speaker Mounting Brackets
Scosche LOC80 (x2 I guess??)
Does this make sense? Am I missing something?
Any advise will be appreciated.
Thanks
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 3,368
Likes: 689
From: indiana
Okay so looking for advice/ideas. I'd like to upgrade my sound but I'm not an audiofile and don't want to break the bank. I have a new to me 2011 FLHTK which I'm really enjoying so far. I'm good with the OEM head unit and I'm cheap/poor whatever. I like the handlebar controls and the fader etc. I'm not sure if I need or want to bring the lower fairings into play (Money) so I am thinking 4 speaker. I assume I want a 4 in 4 out type of amp? I assume it's relatively easy to use an adaptor to install 6.5" speakers in the faring and to just stick with 5.25" in the back? I wonder if my preliminary choices will do what I'm after and am seeking advice. Do the rear speakers need to be marine grade I assume they will get wet. I have no idea about setting gain etc. I can read but simple is king here.
Kenwood KAC-M1814
JVC CS-DR521
Sony XS-FB1630
Scosche SAHD675B Speaker Mounting Brackets
Scosche LOC80 (x2 I guess??)
Does this make sense? Am I missing something?
Any advise will be appreciated.
Thanks
Kenwood KAC-M1814
JVC CS-DR521
Sony XS-FB1630
Scosche SAHD675B Speaker Mounting Brackets
Scosche LOC80 (x2 I guess??)
Does this make sense? Am I missing something?
Any advise will be appreciated.
Thanks
Those brackets will work but these are cheaper:
If you want a setup that you wont have to worry about or upgrade in the future then look into the mmats pa601cx speakers as they are about the best bang for the buck out there right now and just a nice full range speaker that has good SQ and get loud without a lot of power. We all want to be cheap but in the audio world for a scooter, cheap ALWAYS cost you more by replacing it. Do it right the first time by spending a bit more so you don't have to replace later.
Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 42
Likes: 5
From: Toronto
First that amp isn't powerful enough to get you going as you will struggle to hear your system going down the road even at full volume. Look into a nvx vadm4 amp as it is the best budget friendly amp that will supply you enough CLEAN power for 4 speakers. A stinger spx 700x4 is better but will cost you more. Second, the speakers you mentioned will sound like an old transistor radio meaning tinny and scratchy. If you are truly needing a budget set up then look into a set of infinity kappa 6.5's or kicker ds 65's as they are budget yet sound ok to decent. The same with the jvc's. Kicker makes a 5.25 for your rears if you dont want to modify the tp. Your line converters will work but you need an amp wire kit to run to the battery. Be sure to get one with 6' ground cable so you can run the ground wire to the battery and NOT THE FRAME! This amp wire kit will work:
https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-am...1299421&sr=8-9
Those brackets will work but these are cheaper:
https://www.amazon.com/Metra-82-9601...s%2C190&sr=8-3
If you want a setup that you wont have to worry about or upgrade in the future then look into the mmats pa601cx speakers as they are about the best bang for the buck out there right now and just a nice full range speaker that has good SQ and get loud without a lot of power. We all want to be cheap but in the audio world for a scooter, cheap ALWAYS cost you more by replacing it. Do it right the first time by spending a bit more so you don't have to replace later.
Hope this helps.
https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-am...1299421&sr=8-9
Those brackets will work but these are cheaper:
https://www.amazon.com/Metra-82-9601...s%2C190&sr=8-3
If you want a setup that you wont have to worry about or upgrade in the future then look into the mmats pa601cx speakers as they are about the best bang for the buck out there right now and just a nice full range speaker that has good SQ and get loud without a lot of power. We all want to be cheap but in the audio world for a scooter, cheap ALWAYS cost you more by replacing it. Do it right the first time by spending a bit more so you don't have to replace later.
Hope this helps.
Are there adaptors for putting 6.5's in the rear pods? I could only find them for the front.
Thanks
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 3,368
Likes: 689
From: indiana
Exactly the kind of tough love I'm looking for. I'd much rather spend more now and have something that will last and be pleasing for a while than to have to redo it or spend and be disappointed. Thanks for piping in. I'll do a little more research and report back.
Are there adaptors for putting 6.5's in the rear pods? I could only find them for the front.
Thanks
Are there adaptors for putting 6.5's in the rear pods? I could only find them for the front.
Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 5,749
Likes: 1,603
From: High Point, NC.
OP, you will be very happy if you go with the mmats speakers. As TG said, they sound really good and are way loud enough to hear at any speed. Paired with the stinger amp, its a good combo and hard to beat for that price. Check around for prices. Audio advantage in SC is a good source for the speakers.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 919
From: Southern Virginia
Olnydad I have been told that the Polk MM652 marine speakers will fit in the rear pods without spacers if you rotate them right:
Polk Audio MM 652
If you want a little more adjustment you can get 1/4" 6.5" spacer rings off of Ebay from Sound Mechanix that will give you a little more space but not eat too much into your passenger seating. A lot of the spacers on the market can really crowd your passenger.
If you don't like the grills the polks come with a lot of us have used these cheap Chinese CVO grill knock offs:
6.5" Saddlebag Lid Speaker Grills Covers Fit For Harley Electra Road Glide 83-20
Also one thing some of us will mention is that when you get a wiring kit make sure the wire is OFC or Oxygen Free Copper. A lot of the cheaper kits will be ACC or Aluminum Clad Copper. The OFC is easier to work with and more reliable in the long run.
For my rear pods I chose Audio Dynamics CX621s which fit great with the 1/4" Sound Mechanics 6.5" spacers. They are a little more pricey but come with top notch grills. I haven't seen any aftermarket grills I like as much for the rear pods. They are water resistant from the get go. I think the current model is called ADCX623 but they look the same to me. They have good waterproof coating sprayed all over the metal surfaces as well. They also have good customer service and honor their warranty if you ever need it.
Good luck with your build. Keep the questions coming these guys will set you straight.
Polk Audio MM 652
If you want a little more adjustment you can get 1/4" 6.5" spacer rings off of Ebay from Sound Mechanix that will give you a little more space but not eat too much into your passenger seating. A lot of the spacers on the market can really crowd your passenger.
If you don't like the grills the polks come with a lot of us have used these cheap Chinese CVO grill knock offs:
6.5" Saddlebag Lid Speaker Grills Covers Fit For Harley Electra Road Glide 83-20
Also one thing some of us will mention is that when you get a wiring kit make sure the wire is OFC or Oxygen Free Copper. A lot of the cheaper kits will be ACC or Aluminum Clad Copper. The OFC is easier to work with and more reliable in the long run.
For my rear pods I chose Audio Dynamics CX621s which fit great with the 1/4" Sound Mechanics 6.5" spacers. They are a little more pricey but come with top notch grills. I haven't seen any aftermarket grills I like as much for the rear pods. They are water resistant from the get go. I think the current model is called ADCX623 but they look the same to me. They have good waterproof coating sprayed all over the metal surfaces as well. They also have good customer service and honor their warranty if you ever need it.
Good luck with your build. Keep the questions coming these guys will set you straight.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 42
Likes: 5
From: Toronto
Thanks for all the replies, looks like my budget has tripled +, which is good and bad. If I delay a bit I'll come up with the extra and try to do it right.. I'm here in Canada so sourcing hardware is always a wee bit more difficult and costly..
I figure it's probably best to go big with the amp and save on the speakers, does this make sense?
This is where I am now..
stinger spx 700x4 (Will I need Line converters?? Seems this Amp is direct wired?) (does this amp turn itself on and off via the head unit?)
Polk Audio MM 652 Rear pod speakers per Hoyt ( will try to get them to fit, will order the 1/4" spacers if needed) These are Marine grade so should be okay in the pods.
Infinity Kappa 62ix Front Batwing speakers ( these are not marine grade but are in the fairing, will these be okay?)
Metra speaker Adaptor per Travelingypse
Amp wiring kit , per Travelingypse
Thanks for your time.
I figure it's probably best to go big with the amp and save on the speakers, does this make sense?
This is where I am now..
stinger spx 700x4 (Will I need Line converters?? Seems this Amp is direct wired?) (does this amp turn itself on and off via the head unit?)
Polk Audio MM 652 Rear pod speakers per Hoyt ( will try to get them to fit, will order the 1/4" spacers if needed) These are Marine grade so should be okay in the pods.
Infinity Kappa 62ix Front Batwing speakers ( these are not marine grade but are in the fairing, will these be okay?)
Metra speaker Adaptor per Travelingypse
Amp wiring kit , per Travelingypse
Thanks for your time.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 5,749
Likes: 1,603
From: High Point, NC.
Thanks for all the replies, looks like my budget has tripled +, which is good and bad. If I delay a bit I'll come up with the extra and try to do it right.. I'm here in Canada so sourcing hardware is always a wee bit more difficult and costly..
I figure it's probably best to go big with the amp and save on the speakers, does this make sense?
This is where I am now..
stinger spx 700x4 (Will I need Line converters?? Seems this Amp is direct wired?) (does this amp turn itself on and off via the head unit?)
Polk Audio MM 652 Rear pod speakers per Hoyt ( will try to get them to fit, will order the 1/4" spacers if needed) These are Marine grade so should be okay in the pods.
Infinity Kappa 62ix Front Batwing speakers ( these are not marine grade but are in the fairing, will these be okay?)
Metra speaker Adaptor per Travelingypse
Amp wiring kit , per Travelingypse
Thanks for your time.
I figure it's probably best to go big with the amp and save on the speakers, does this make sense?
This is where I am now..
stinger spx 700x4 (Will I need Line converters?? Seems this Amp is direct wired?) (does this amp turn itself on and off via the head unit?)
Polk Audio MM 652 Rear pod speakers per Hoyt ( will try to get them to fit, will order the 1/4" spacers if needed) These are Marine grade so should be okay in the pods.
Infinity Kappa 62ix Front Batwing speakers ( these are not marine grade but are in the fairing, will these be okay?)
Metra speaker Adaptor per Travelingypse
Amp wiring kit , per Travelingypse
Thanks for your time.
Last edited by teedoff65; Sep 28, 2020 at 06:06 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 185
From: Fond du Lac WI
yep agree with this 💯
Where you at up here in Canada? I'm in Edmonton. If you are anywhere nearby you are welcome to check out the Mmats I have in my fairing. Well worth the effort to get them shipped up here. The shipping was a little pricey from Mmats, but if you can team up with a couple buddies and order up a few sets it will offset the shipping cost a bit.
if you decide you want the Mmats in the tour pack, they should fit with the Vtwin speaker adapters VTTP65. The adapters are a little pricey, but they work well.
Again the Stinger mentioned is also a great choice.
if the budget gets a little tight, shoot for the Stinger and a set of Mmats for the fairing to begin with. Maybe add the tour pack speakers when you can afford them.
As for the Kappas vs Mmats. I upgraded my Kappas to the Mmats and it was worth every penny. The Kappas are good, but the Mmats are definitely louder.
if you decide you want the Mmats in the tour pack, they should fit with the Vtwin speaker adapters VTTP65. The adapters are a little pricey, but they work well.
Again the Stinger mentioned is also a great choice.
if the budget gets a little tight, shoot for the Stinger and a set of Mmats for the fairing to begin with. Maybe add the tour pack speakers when you can afford them.
As for the Kappas vs Mmats. I upgraded my Kappas to the Mmats and it was worth every penny. The Kappas are good, but the Mmats are definitely louder.