Same old audio question
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 4
From: Boca Raton, FL
contact Pete at Soundz Customz in SD
he did just that with a razor tour pak this year on his bagger
sounds good too
Audio Upgrades
We have tried and tested pretty much all the big players in the audio world and have come up with either one of two ways to go. J&M has the biggest following due to the length of time in the motorcycle business. They have good volume, and pretty good mid bass. For True Sound quality we prefer the Focal's. The Arc amp is by far the best amp in the business as it puts out great power; with very little draw on the motorcycle charging system. (We have even run two 4 channels with no problem) J&M's amp is made by Arc Audio, so there is only the price difference between the two.
I can only say in Sturgis this year we pulled out every system out there (I won't go into all the names) as we did over 90 bikes. No one came back and was unhappy with the Focal's!
As far as the IPod connector, it is a great way to go. It makes the stock Harmon Kardon radio really shine, and far out performs the simple head phone jack on the front of the unit in many ways. Stay away from car stereo's with a simple hand control interface. Even if they say they are "Marine Grade" they are still just a car stereo Chassis that has a spray on coating on the circuit board that only helps in a high salt water content in the air. They can't handle getting wet any more than the car equivalent.
Arc, Focal systems start as low as 999.00 for a 4-channel amp and 6 speakers. When done you will think you are sitting in a pair of head phones going down the road!!!
I can only say in Sturgis this year we pulled out every system out there (I won't go into all the names) as we did over 90 bikes. No one came back and was unhappy with the Focal's!
As far as the IPod connector, it is a great way to go. It makes the stock Harmon Kardon radio really shine, and far out performs the simple head phone jack on the front of the unit in many ways. Stay away from car stereo's with a simple hand control interface. Even if they say they are "Marine Grade" they are still just a car stereo Chassis that has a spray on coating on the circuit board that only helps in a high salt water content in the air. They can't handle getting wet any more than the car equivalent.
Arc, Focal systems start as low as 999.00 for a 4-channel amp and 6 speakers. When done you will think you are sitting in a pair of head phones going down the road!!!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 733
Likes: 8
From: Georgia
Yeah that!! Tell Pete what you want to spend and turn him loose. You can get louder than Focal but it'd be hard to get clearer!!
Yes Pete also buys FOCAL as he is a car stereo shop in Souix Falls SD. He has started doing Motorcycle audio by going to some shows. As we have done Motorcycle audio ONLY for over 10 years we personally know Pete he has been an installer for us at past shows and bought our old trailer when he ventured out on his own.
Check out FOCAL's Commerical with Dragonfly on what makes FOCAL Second to none
Check out FOCAL's Commerical with Dragonfly on what makes FOCAL Second to none
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
100% agree. if you're ever in any doubt as to what your rears provide to you in the way of sound (provided they are something other than the stock crap and preferably something other than boom audio "slip ins") take off down the highway, turn the radio up, then fade it all the way to the front. Granted they don't provide a ton of audio at highway speeds especially to the driver but they will most CERTAINLY fill it in around you.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 4
From: Boca Raton, FL
100% agree. if you're ever in any doubt as to what your rears provide to you in the way of sound (provided they are something other than the stock crap and preferably something other than boom audio "slip ins") take off down the highway, turn the radio up, then fade it all the way to the front. Granted they don't provide a ton of audio at highway speeds especially to the driver but they will most CERTAINLY fill it in around you.
If you are trying to get clean, clear and loud for your passenger then yes, ok go ahead, but if for you alone are looking to upgrade for yourself then fronts and lowers with an amp
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 200
Likes: 1
From: West Bend, WI
Okay great thread. The interface is a must. Mounts are stupid as you cannot incorporate the controls on the head unit and the bars. Anything else is a bad choice hands down. Is there a site that sells focals specifically for the bikes?
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
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Yes Pete also buys FOCAL as he is a car stereo shop in Souix Falls SD. He has started doing Motorcycle audio by going to some shows. As we have done Motorcycle audio ONLY for over 10 years we personally know Pete he has been an installer for us at past shows and bought our old trailer when he ventured out on his own.
Check out FOCAL's Commerical with Dragonfly on what makes FOCAL Second to none
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJO5O...&feature=share
Check out FOCAL's Commerical with Dragonfly on what makes FOCAL Second to none
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJO5O...&feature=share
Ya, we had to meet up with the Focal camera crew on their way home to Paris. The rig was coming across the country right before the ROT Rally. The cop in the video was supper cool and hung out for a couple hours. Then at the end a different one gave us a F*#*(!@ ticket!