Speaker Upgrade Question
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 277
Likes: 4
From: Jersey Shore
Speaker Upgrade Question
I see here that a lot of people upgrade their speakers, which is what I would like to do. I'm not interested in buying an amp, just speakers. My question is simple, but I haven't been able to find an answer. I've searched quite a bit, so sorry if this has been asked before:
will any 6.5 speaker work? It seems as though I can find them much cheaper if i buy pioneer, sony, etc. than buying hogtunes, hawg wired, j&m, or any other brand specific to an MC stereo. im not looking for top of the line, just something thats a step up from stock.
If there is any reason why i need to go the route of the more expensive speakers, please let me know. this could be a nice sticky for someone new to HD and MC stereo components.
will any 6.5 speaker work? It seems as though I can find them much cheaper if i buy pioneer, sony, etc. than buying hogtunes, hawg wired, j&m, or any other brand specific to an MC stereo. im not looking for top of the line, just something thats a step up from stock.
If there is any reason why i need to go the route of the more expensive speakers, please let me know. this could be a nice sticky for someone new to HD and MC stereo components.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 462
From: Arizona
Since your bike is an '06, your speakers need to be 2ohm to match the head unit (assuming it's stock). If you buy 6.5's you'll need adapter rings to fit the 5.25 holes. Something weatherproof would also help.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 277
Likes: 4
From: Jersey Shore
ok, well i just bought an aftermarket head unit. ill make sure the speakers pair up with the unit. i have read so many things tonight that 6.5 just came to mind. id probably stick with 5.25 unless the adapter ring is cheap enough.
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
We are talking only the front faring speakers right. If you have an after market headunit then your choices are pretty much endless. Don't waste your time with 5.25, the adapters are not that expensive. You will get better sound out of 6.5 speakers and since you are upgrading anyways go the extra. Weather proof are nice but not a necessity since the adapters pull the speakers back from the grill another inch or so. I put in a pair of JBL's on a sony head unit and all has been great.
Last edited by GBond; Feb 19, 2012 at 12:55 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 277
Likes: 4
From: Jersey Shore
Yeah, just front speakers. im not an audiophile by any means, just want a little extra kick. i figure since i am upgrading the head unit, i may as well see if i can throw an inexpensive but decent pair of speakers in there too. i saw some adapters on fleabay for 15 bucks. sounds like a plan. thanks for the help!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
i had 6.5" polk audio speakers in my aftermarket bat-wing fairing and they sounded great and were waterproof (waterproof as speakers can be). And at $89, they were disposable.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
Good luck with your project.
Carl
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Motorcity
You would have gotten better bang for you buck, if you had invested in an amplifier and an inexpensive set of 4 ohm speakers.
The Source unit is not the weakest link in the HD system, the lack of clean undistorted power (wattage) is the issue.
If you had kept your stock head unit, and purchased a small amplifier like the Rockford Fosgate PBR 300x4 which produces 75 watts RMS X 4 (into a 4ohm load).
You would need to replace the stock speakers with an inexpensive, yet more than proficient for the application pair of 4ohm speakers.
I see the PBR amp here locally at stores in Mi for $170, with a signal/ noise ratio >80db. (s/n ratio = how loud you can turn it up before clipping/distortion. The higher the better)
I see a very nice set of Polk audio 6.5" speakers with a efficiency of 92db (@1watt per meter) and a Rms power rating of 125 watts(250 watts max). $150
HOLD the phones, I now see that ther is a PBR 300x2 which is 2ohm stable, meaning it will work with your stock speakers.
Adding an amplifier with clean power, will give you the best bang for you buck possible. It is the first area that should be adressed!
The only thing that the Hogwire/JM systems do is make you amp essientally a plug and play endever, and for this they charge you a hefty premium.
They (the manufactures of plug an play) prey on the fact that "most" HD riders dont understand mobil audio spefications. If "most" riders did they would realize that they could get better "VALUE for there money" with aftermarket ie car audio components.
(sorry for crappy spelling, my spell checker is inoperative)
#putting on my flame proof suit.
The Source unit is not the weakest link in the HD system, the lack of clean undistorted power (wattage) is the issue.
If you had kept your stock head unit, and purchased a small amplifier like the Rockford Fosgate PBR 300x4 which produces 75 watts RMS X 4 (into a 4ohm load).
You would need to replace the stock speakers with an inexpensive, yet more than proficient for the application pair of 4ohm speakers.
I see the PBR amp here locally at stores in Mi for $170, with a signal/ noise ratio >80db. (s/n ratio = how loud you can turn it up before clipping/distortion. The higher the better)
I see a very nice set of Polk audio 6.5" speakers with a efficiency of 92db (@1watt per meter) and a Rms power rating of 125 watts(250 watts max). $150
HOLD the phones, I now see that ther is a PBR 300x2 which is 2ohm stable, meaning it will work with your stock speakers.
Adding an amplifier with clean power, will give you the best bang for you buck possible. It is the first area that should be adressed!
The only thing that the Hogwire/JM systems do is make you amp essientally a plug and play endever, and for this they charge you a hefty premium.
They (the manufactures of plug an play) prey on the fact that "most" HD riders dont understand mobil audio spefications. If "most" riders did they would realize that they could get better "VALUE for there money" with aftermarket ie car audio components.
(sorry for crappy spelling, my spell checker is inoperative)
#putting on my flame proof suit.
Last edited by Motor City Street Glide; Feb 22, 2012 at 09:05 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 250
Likes: 5
You would have gotten better bang for you buck, if you had invested in an amplifier and an inexpensive set of 4 ohm speakers.
The Source unit is not the weakest link in the HD system, the lack of clean undistorted power (wattage) is the issue.
If you had kept your stock head unit, and purchased a small amplifier like the Rockford Fosgate PBR 300x4 which produces 75 watts RMS X 4 (into a 4ohm load).
You would need to replace the stock speakers with an inexpensive, yet more than proficient for the application pair of 4ohm speakers.
I see the PBR amp here locally at stores in Mi for $170, with a signal/ noise ratio >80db. (s/n ratio = how loud you can turn it up before clipping/distortion. The higher the better)
I see a very nice set of Polk audio 6.5" speakers with a efficiency of 92db (@1watt per meter) and a Rms power rating of 125 watts(250 watts max). $150
HOLD the phones, I now see that ther is a PBR 300x2 which is 2ohm stable, meaning it will work with your stock speakers.
Adding an amplifier with clean power, will give you the best bang for you buck possible. It is the first area that should be adressed!
The only thing that the Hogwire/JM systems do is make you amp essientally a plug and play endever, and for this they charge you a hefty premium.
They (the manufactures of plug an play) prey on the fact that "most" HD riders dont understand mobil audio spefications. If "most" riders did they would realize that they could get better "VALUE for there money" with aftermarket ie car audio components.
(sorry for crappy spelling, my spell checker is inoperative)
#putting on my flame proof suit.
The Source unit is not the weakest link in the HD system, the lack of clean undistorted power (wattage) is the issue.
If you had kept your stock head unit, and purchased a small amplifier like the Rockford Fosgate PBR 300x4 which produces 75 watts RMS X 4 (into a 4ohm load).
You would need to replace the stock speakers with an inexpensive, yet more than proficient for the application pair of 4ohm speakers.
I see the PBR amp here locally at stores in Mi for $170, with a signal/ noise ratio >80db. (s/n ratio = how loud you can turn it up before clipping/distortion. The higher the better)
I see a very nice set of Polk audio 6.5" speakers with a efficiency of 92db (@1watt per meter) and a Rms power rating of 125 watts(250 watts max). $150
HOLD the phones, I now see that ther is a PBR 300x2 which is 2ohm stable, meaning it will work with your stock speakers.
Adding an amplifier with clean power, will give you the best bang for you buck possible. It is the first area that should be adressed!
The only thing that the Hogwire/JM systems do is make you amp essientally a plug and play endever, and for this they charge you a hefty premium.
They (the manufactures of plug an play) prey on the fact that "most" HD riders dont understand mobil audio spefications. If "most" riders did they would realize that they could get better "VALUE for there money" with aftermarket ie car audio components.
(sorry for crappy spelling, my spell checker is inoperative)
#putting on my flame proof suit.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tnriverluver
Audio Systems
4
Mar 4, 2019 10:38 AM
