I guess I am wondering what benefits would there be to upgrading from the factory HK unit? Would there be any disadvantages? I noticed that biketronics makes a plug and play kit so the upgrade itself seems easy enough.

Mike

 

depends on what bike you have. If a streetglide then you don't have to worry about the headset communications, passenger pod controls, and cb that you'll lose like you would on an Ultra. There is a huge difference in sound quality in an aftermarket radio vs the stock HK unit. Then you get all the bells and whistles on the aftermarket radio additionally. For example, the Sony DSX-310btx has a face plate that opens to expose a drawer which will hold just about any iPod you can put in it, then there's the equalization thing that is HEADS above the bass and treble settings on the stock HK unit, bluetooth, pandora, etc. The list goes on and on.

 

I second everything UltraNutZ mentioned. The HK deck is pre-2005 technology at best- the Harman Kardon's big "feature" is MP3-CD capability (I had that factory-installed in my 2002 Dodge Ram!). There's no USB functionality, native iPod control or satellite radio, and if you're a fan of HD radio, that's not even possible to add to the HK to my knowledge. You CAN add iPod/Satellite radio, but each requires EXPENSIVE modules and extra-cost cabling (unless you use the HDPDPlus module; at least the cables are PART of that kit). I will say one good thing about the HK radio: the display is very easy to read in sunlight.

Plus, once you buy either the Biketronics or Hawg-Wired's module/install kit, you can swap in any deck that comes along that offers the features you're looking for while retaining bar controls (AND AVC with Biketronics). As he mentioned, the Sony DSX models all feature "TuneTray" which allows you to plug your iPod/iPhone 4S in (though there's no iPhone 5/Lightning connectivity yet) then close the face: it's protected and charges while you go even if you're not using that as your source. Or you can get a cheap high-capacity thumb drive and plug that in inside the TuneTray instead of an i-device, and still mount your iPhone on the handlebars and plug it into the external USB port, retaining full control. If you're interested in satellite radio but don't want to add an external tuner, Alpine makes a cd deck with SiriusXM built in that still includes iPod control and USB functionality!

Point is, you can get all manner of CD decks with MP3 cd, HD radio-ready, native iPod control, Bluetooth connectivity, native Pandora control with an iPhone/Android device, all costing HUNDREDS less than the Harman Kardon "Advanced" Audio AM/FM/CD Radio Kit. (seriously, a GRAND for this thing!?!?!?) You can't add USB functionality or Bluetooth to the HK deck. I'm referring to Bluetooth more for the A2DP functionality (streaming audio) rather than phone functionality, but it's a moot point with HK. There's the higher end of aftermarket features (still cheaper than HK) - decks like this one with motorized, flip-out LCD screens for DVD video or this model that includes Navigation (not sure how the screen being extended works out when rolling down the road though; check with GLACIERPEARL on here for his input, he's running a similar deck. Frankly, it's probably illegal to watch a movie while rolling through the twisties, beyond being just plain DUMB! ). Check this out: Parrot (a big player in Bluetooth systems for automotive use) is marketing a mech-less (no CD) unit that is fully bluetooth compatible and has a built in apps (Nav and Traffic apps included) with a 3.2" screen in a Single-DIN form factor! (However, it's physically a very short depth, so it doesn't appear that it would bolt into either the Biketronics or Hawg Wired deck install kits...)

In my opinion, the BEST part is that if your deck can't handle weather or vibration well, they're CHEAP and easy to replace. The DSX-S310BTX he mentions can be had for under $150 brand new shipped to your door. 30 minutes later (depending on the complexity of your setup, and if how familiar you are with getting in/out of your fairing), you're back up and running with a new deck, and you didn't have to deal with a dealer giving you the runaround, or wonder if the HK was even in stock at the dealer. And if you're out of warranty, you are saving TONS. That "30 minutes" is MY experience swapping decks to verify the Biketronics module I had did indeed fail; I swapped from the DSX-S200X back to my refurb DSX-S100 hoping it was a deck failure, but no dice, it was the BT1002 (older version). (By the way, Biketronics is great to deal with; you can reach them by phone or email and if you email a phone number, the DO call back! You pay a core charge and they mail out a new unit Priority Mail to you, and you're credited very quickly once you send back the faulty part.) Worse comes to worse, you can run to WallyWorld and grab a $79 Sony deck (still much more functionality than the HK) to get you through until the better option actually gets to your door (then you've got a spare deck if anything goes wrong again later- and you're not bankrupt!).

My DSX-S200X (updated to the DSX-S210X now; no Bluetooth, but all the other features of the DSX-S310BTX; this is a dirt cheap price!) has gotten wet (not directly sprayed with water, but rained on, as well as sitting in condensation from morning dew), and I've had no problems with it's performance even though it's not a "Marine" deck. One other nice feature - I can change the deck's lighting from blue to red, so it's a little better match with the gauges in my fairing. It has three 4 volt pre-amp outputs for expansion, and adding XM to it required a $79 universal tuner module and $19 Sony-Specific cable. (Harley wants $500 for their XM module- and that's not counting the $109 cable that's 80% unnecessary wiring just to MAKE their module work on a Non-Ultra bike- the Ultra harness is less but necessary!!). Adding an amp is easier with the pre-amp outputs (as opposed to the line-level setup you'd use with the HK, or having Iron Cross Audio take your HK and mod it to include the pre-amp outputs). Plus your speaker choices expand even if you're not looking to amplify the deck because you can go to any car audio place and find 4 ohm speakers more readily than finding 2 ohm speakers like Harley uses. Without trying hard to find the "best" deals, you can reconfigure your ride to have the latest in technology for less than adding either the iPod or XM modules to your HK (figuring $250 for the universal Biketronics Retro-Radio kit, $150 for the DSX-S310BTX and another $110 for Hogtunes drop-in 5.25" speakers (4 ohm)). For less than the cost of EITHER Boom! Audio module, you've just upgraded functionality and sound quality...and you can eBay your HK and recoup that initial cost or put the proceeds into an amp/6.5" speaker setup and STILL be cheaper than trying to make the HK radio do all the things an aftermarket deck of even semi-recent vintage offers.

As for DISADVANTAGES: Hmm...your bike won't be Bone-Stock. I can't think of any other advantage the Harman Kardon system provides over the aftermarket at this time. I mean, yes- you CAN amplify the system and upgrade your speakers, but the deck is still the limiting factor. One tiny bonus; if you swap the deck, you gain the added 'feature' of the clock display moving to your odometer display! Both Biketronics and Hawg-Wired make plug-and-play modules to EASILY add Sony decks to any fairing bike, as well as Universal kits if you're looking to go with Alpine, Kenwood, JVC, Pioneer, etc. (I focused on HW with those links; BT doesn't post JUST the interface online- their module is part of the install kit). Which company you choose depends largely on how you feel about retaining AVC (Auto Volume Compensation)...BT keeps it, HW doesn't. I've read posts from a couple guys who used steering-wheel interface modules from PAC or Axxess, but they aren't as simple as the BT or HW modules, both of which are plug and play once you've connected your head-unit's harness to them. Another disadvantage is that upgrading WILL get you more features, which as I mentioned regarding the flip-out screen units, can be dangerously distracting (like worrying about cover art or track info when you should be watching the road). But being smart about not paying attention to your display (which is cautioned against in the manual regarding the HK too), and you'll be fine. Oh, and you can't add the spiffy $15 chrome trim pieces available for the face of the HK from Harley, so if you're a big "chrome" guy, that's a disadvantage I guess. Might have to settle for finding a silver head unit!

To quote Dennis Miller: "That's my opinion, I could be wrong."

 

very well done sir. Makes me want to go out and buy another aftermarket radio!

 

Thanks, UltraNutZ! I keep seeing the new stuff coming out and thinking "Hmm...how do I justify that $199 cost when the deck I have does 99% of that....?" Luckily, the wallet is there to remind me of one basic fact: "You can't. Deal with it!"

[RANT] This Harman Kardon radio is my biggest gripe about the bike overall. The pathetic state of "technology" that HD has the audacity to title the "Harman Kardon Advanced Audio System" is a shame at best. And recently I've seen Harman Kardon ads for home audio (featuring Jennifer Lopez. The spot reminds me of recent Levi's commercials - you know this company is selling SOMETHING, but not exactly sure what or to whom)...the SAME people designed this thing? And continue to allow their name to be associated with it? There's NOTHING cutting edge/modern about the HK in our fairings, so I'm for SURE not even intrigued enough to go to their website and peruse their home audio gear. By continuing to peddle 12 year old technology (that HD/HK introduced six years late, btw) as "Advanced" is an insult to most people's intelligence. Yet here we are...adding gear and swapping parts to make something that SHOULD work right from the factory WORK. Wait a second... that sounds like Harley's entire business model! Nobody's exempt, not even purchasers of their 'top of the line' Touring Family bikes! [/RANT]

As for my quest to fix the issue, I just wish I could wrap my noggin around amplification better. I'll learn though...eventually! Did you have any luck getting info on the JL 600/6 amp? I keep going back and forth in my head about adding both lower fairing pods AND Tour Pak pods, but for the life of me don't know how to put it all together (6 sets of speakers) on a 4-channel amp/Sony deck with 2 pre-amps for f/r and one for SUB (Mono). Digging around on the12volt.com should help...

 

helluva write up

 

I haven't received my 600/6 amp but I did finally put my hands on 1 yesterday at a local audio store. It looks to me like there's no way this is going to fit inside the fairing.

I would suggest the 4 channel route setup like this;

use 4 ohm speakers for the fairing and lowers, wire them in parallel to bring it to a 2 ohm load on the front and use 2 ohm speakers in the rear. When you remove your tourpak, you're still running a 2 ohm load in the front and it will sound great. When the tourpak is on, it will sound that much better.

 

sorry this is assuming the soundstream PN4.520d amp or really any 4 channel amp that handles a 2 ohm load.

 

I was THINKING that was what I could (or should) do if I wanted to roll with six speakers and the SS amp. Thanks for the confirmation man! You're a true asset to the forums!!

 

Take a look at the Alpine PDX series amps for size , flexibility ( 2 & 4 ohm ) , and power .