audio upgrade
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
audio upgrade
Ive got 2013 Ultra Limited and just had a Zumo 665 installed. The wife and I have put 15 thousand miles on it in just over 4 months. So we are on the road quite a bit and are willing to pay whatever it takes to make the experience the best possible.
We are really enjoying the XM radio and have been listening to the stock audio/speakers and would like upgrade, but dont know if it is necessary to add an amp or just upgrade speakers.
Ive already got the XM antenna under the fairing somewhere and so Im not sure if that is going to interfere with adding an amp.
I dont know much about my options either. We prefer to upgrade things only once. I dont like to buy parts that may be better than stock and then have to turn around and replace them when they arent good enough.
Would like to hear options from anyone that has an opinion on what would be best.
We are really enjoying the XM radio and have been listening to the stock audio/speakers and would like upgrade, but dont know if it is necessary to add an amp or just upgrade speakers.
Ive already got the XM antenna under the fairing somewhere and so Im not sure if that is going to interfere with adding an amp.
I dont know much about my options either. We prefer to upgrade things only once. I dont like to buy parts that may be better than stock and then have to turn around and replace them when they arent good enough.
Would like to hear options from anyone that has an opinion on what would be best.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 438
Likes: 433
From: Iowa
In my opinion; A good quality set (4) of speakers will make a very noticable difference and is usually good enough for most, however if you really like to jam it an amp is a great boost. Problem is though most amps seem to interfere with FM signal so radio stations are not reliable. Not sure how the amps have been affecting XM though. If your a do it yourselfer go ahead and try new speakers and if you find yourself still wanting more an amp is an easy upgrade if you follow UltraNutz's installation instructions
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
I agree with Jetblack3's info above. Change out the speakers first, both front and rear. The Polk MM651 speakers are a great option for this upgrade and also provides an upgrade path if you decide to add an amp later on.
1.) it's the least expensive and least time consuming upgrade and will make a MOST notable difference.
2.) if you decide to add an amp, the Class D amps (usually notated in the description of the amp) are the ones that pose issues with FM and then it's hit or miss. Might work perfectly fine.
3.) 15k in 5 months.. Damn I wish I had that much time to ride.. :-)
1.) it's the least expensive and least time consuming upgrade and will make a MOST notable difference.
2.) if you decide to add an amp, the Class D amps (usually notated in the description of the amp) are the ones that pose issues with FM and then it's hit or miss. Might work perfectly fine.
3.) 15k in 5 months.. Damn I wish I had that much time to ride.. :-)
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
Thanks
That sounds like great advice. I'll do just that.
It looks like the MM651's are bigger than the stock speakers. Do I have to buy some adapters separately? Is there a kit I can get that has 4 speakers? Can I get everything I need from 1 place?
Sorry for all the questions, just don't want to order speakers and then find out I need something else.
It looks like the MM651's are bigger than the stock speakers. Do I have to buy some adapters separately? Is there a kit I can get that has 4 speakers? Can I get everything I need from 1 place?
Sorry for all the questions, just don't want to order speakers and then find out I need something else.
Last edited by rkoivisto; Jul 28, 2013 at 08:56 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
well the thing that needs to be paid attention to more than anything is the impedance of the speakers (ohms). With a stock head unit you'll need to stick with 2 ohm speakers and the Polks are 2 ohm (actually 2.7 but close enough).
So on to your questions. Polk doesn't sell a 4 pack so you'll need 2 pair of them. Also the 6.5" adapter rings (only needed for 2 fairing speakers, the rears will drop right in the existing hole without modification), there are a ton of vendors out there with them.
Dragonfly Cycle Concepts
Cycle Sounds (these are dragonfly adapters)
Arc Audio (everyone seems to like these the most with polk speakers)
Scosche
many others too. Aside from the rings, nothing else is needed.
So on to your questions. Polk doesn't sell a 4 pack so you'll need 2 pair of them. Also the 6.5" adapter rings (only needed for 2 fairing speakers, the rears will drop right in the existing hole without modification), there are a ton of vendors out there with them.
Dragonfly Cycle Concepts
Cycle Sounds (these are dragonfly adapters)
Arc Audio (everyone seems to like these the most with polk speakers)
Scosche
many others too. Aside from the rings, nothing else is needed.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
polk speakers
So, I got my 4 polk speakers and the adapter rings for the front are on their way. I didn't expect to have a crossover to deal with.
Will the crossover fit in the rear speaker area of a Limited? For the front speakers, do I just wire tie the crossovers to something behind the fairing?
Would like to get this right the first time, so any input would be appreciated.
Will the crossover fit in the rear speaker area of a Limited? For the front speakers, do I just wire tie the crossovers to something behind the fairing?
Would like to get this right the first time, so any input would be appreciated.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
they will not fit inside the pods with the speakers however take a look here and you'll see where most are mounting them with doublestick tape or velcro. They're out of the way, out of weather, and until you pick up the backrest flap you'll never know they're there.
So, I got my 4 polk speakers and the adapter rings for the front are on their way. I didn't expect to have a crossover to deal with.
Will the crossover fit in the rear speaker area of a Limited? For the front speakers, do I just wire tie the crossovers to something behind the fairing?
Would like to get this right the first time, so any input would be appreciated.
Will the crossover fit in the rear speaker area of a Limited? For the front speakers, do I just wire tie the crossovers to something behind the fairing?
Would like to get this right the first time, so any input would be appreciated.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 988
Likes: 1
From: Ashevegas
To mount the front crossovers, just slip them behind the horizontal fairing braces and zip-tie to the brace. They are neatly tucked away there.
Last edited by rbferg; Aug 15, 2013 at 11:42 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
Done deal
OK, I got the speakers installed and we went for a ride today.
You guys gave some great advice. I'm super pleased with the result. The audio quality is 10X what it used to be.
Thanks for all the help.
You guys gave some great advice. I'm super pleased with the result. The audio quality is 10X what it used to be.
Thanks for all the help.
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