Audio System at 80mph
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Audio System at 80mph
I've been reading alot about what radio to put in my fairing, but I am hoping to get some concrete answers from someone with a similar setup as mine. My setup is a batwing style fairing, with a small 6 inch windshield, I am 5'9". I'll be riding about 80mph on the hwy. So if thats similar to you, what radio and speakers and amp (if you have an amp) are you using? How many RMS? Thanks in advance for your help.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: round here
im running fosgate 6.5 separates in the front, fosgate 6.5 3way's in bag lids, and kicker 8" in a box in right side bag.
Headunit is pioneer "mech-less" bluetooth mvh8300, on a db Drive 125x4 amp on 6.5's and fosgate pbr300 on the kicker.
PLENTY loud enough...sufficiently loud enough to hear in a car beside me...going 80! thats not an exageration.
the thing to keep in mind is you hear/feel ZERO bass at any speed, so mids/highs are critial. spend for the best speakers you can in the front, and get rid of the harley headunit if you have one.
I found that the separates made a huge difference in listenability & sound quality.
Headunit is pioneer "mech-less" bluetooth mvh8300, on a db Drive 125x4 amp on 6.5's and fosgate pbr300 on the kicker.
PLENTY loud enough...sufficiently loud enough to hear in a car beside me...going 80! thats not an exageration.
the thing to keep in mind is you hear/feel ZERO bass at any speed, so mids/highs are critial. spend for the best speakers you can in the front, and get rid of the harley headunit if you have one.
I found that the separates made a huge difference in listenability & sound quality.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
im running fosgate 6.5 separates in the front, fosgate 6.5 3way's in bag lids, and kicker 8" in a box in right side bag.
Headunit is pioneer "mech-less" bluetooth mvh8300, on a db Drive 125x4 amp on 6.5's and fosgate pbr300 on the kicker.
PLENTY loud enough...sufficiently loud enough to hear in a car beside me...going 80! thats not an exageration.
the thing to keep in mind is you hear/feel ZERO bass at any speed, so mids/highs are critial. spend for the best speakers you can in the front, and get rid of the harley headunit if you have one.
I found that the separates made a huge difference in listenability & sound quality.
Headunit is pioneer "mech-less" bluetooth mvh8300, on a db Drive 125x4 amp on 6.5's and fosgate pbr300 on the kicker.
PLENTY loud enough...sufficiently loud enough to hear in a car beside me...going 80! thats not an exageration.
the thing to keep in mind is you hear/feel ZERO bass at any speed, so mids/highs are critial. spend for the best speakers you can in the front, and get rid of the harley headunit if you have one.
I found that the separates made a huge difference in listenability & sound quality.
Hey, I'm upgrading as we speak. I bought polk audio MM6501 component 6.5" for the fairing, MM691 3way 6x9's for the bag lids. And will be powering it with a JM 500x4 amp. I'm optimistic the bike will be rockin.
Now I read your thread and you're recommending switching out the HK head unit. What is that? Are they that bad?
I'm also toying with the idea of another amp and a sub. I might buy a quick detach tour pack for that. Glad you told me that you can't hear the sub at speed. Thanks.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Personally, I feel unless you have about a 60mph tailwind, any stereo you have will not sound that great at 80mph.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
My audio setup uses an Arc Audio ampwith Hertz hsk-165 component speakers in the front and Polk audio DXi6500 speakers in the rear. Plenty loud and decent bass at any speed.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 743
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
How did you get 6.5" in rear pods? What amp are you running to power all four speakers. I'm very interested in this setup.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
The Polk speakers are only 2 5/16" deep which is the key to making them fit. It's a tight fit. I don't think the Hertz speakers would work in the rear because they're a bit taller.
http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/dxi/specs.php
http://www.hertzaudiovideo.com/Doc/H...rgy_HSK165.pdf
Since the Arc amp is only 2 channel, I wired the amp in parallel to connect the rear speakers. I don't have fader control but it seems to be fine without it. Someday I may switch to a 4 channel amp but for now, I'm pleased with this setup.
Post #8 in this thread has some pictures.