The Official 2014 audio upgrade thread
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 601
Likes: 109
From: San Diego
My New AMP & Speakers
On a lighter note, just wanted to share my my audio upgrade project is complete for now with the following specs:
Amp:
RF PBR300X2 - Front fairing speaker pods
RF PBR300X2 - Rear rear speaker pods
Speakers:
infinity kappa 62 11i - front
Kicker 40CS674 6-3/4" - rear
Speaker Mounting:
Externally mounted, just like factory stock
Grills: Boom Left & Right
Flash Status:
No flash, factory stock, no magic box
Overall, the system sound quality & loudness is night & day difference after adding amp, huge change in bass & treble & overall richness & quality. Amp gain set between 5 & 6 for best all around no distortion at full volume, no clipping...still fine tuning. Just one comment of the re-installation of the front fairing got me worried last night as the fit did not quite fit like a "glove", but through patience and persistence, it all worked out.
I debated about installing the base mounting plate for the amp as my concern was proper heat dissipation between the head unit & two amps, will definitely create more heat inside that enclosed fairing, so ended up using tie warps to allow max heat transfer...deng, I wish there is a way to vent the front fairing without drilling holes.
I wired the "remote turn on" sensor to a 12VDC source just in case one of these days, I decide to have have the head unit flashed, but in the interim, I am leaving the it alone & factory stock for now until the "flash" or no flash", gets sorted out...
Thank you to all participants of the "the Official 2014 Audio Upgrade thread" who's comments, feedback, & reviews, made this experience so rewarding and memorable, most especially the removal of the those six "pesky" bolts holding the left & right front speaker pods...it definitely was worth taking this "fork in the road"...
Amp:
RF PBR300X2 - Front fairing speaker pods
RF PBR300X2 - Rear rear speaker pods
Speakers:
infinity kappa 62 11i - front
Kicker 40CS674 6-3/4" - rear
Speaker Mounting:
Externally mounted, just like factory stock
Grills: Boom Left & Right
Flash Status:
No flash, factory stock, no magic box
Overall, the system sound quality & loudness is night & day difference after adding amp, huge change in bass & treble & overall richness & quality. Amp gain set between 5 & 6 for best all around no distortion at full volume, no clipping...still fine tuning. Just one comment of the re-installation of the front fairing got me worried last night as the fit did not quite fit like a "glove", but through patience and persistence, it all worked out.
I debated about installing the base mounting plate for the amp as my concern was proper heat dissipation between the head unit & two amps, will definitely create more heat inside that enclosed fairing, so ended up using tie warps to allow max heat transfer...deng, I wish there is a way to vent the front fairing without drilling holes.
I wired the "remote turn on" sensor to a 12VDC source just in case one of these days, I decide to have have the head unit flashed, but in the interim, I am leaving the it alone & factory stock for now until the "flash" or no flash", gets sorted out...
Thank you to all participants of the "the Official 2014 Audio Upgrade thread" who's comments, feedback, & reviews, made this experience so rewarding and memorable, most especially the removal of the those six "pesky" bolts holding the left & right front speaker pods...it definitely was worth taking this "fork in the road"...
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 420
Likes: 4
From: Bradenton,Florida
DC, Thank you for putting my mind at ease on whether or not to flash. My system also sounds great so I will not be flashing the stereo. Speaking of flashing...I will be enjoying that site at Bike Week this weekend.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
I don't know what my dealer would say, I should ask, but just wondering if the AVC (auto volume control) has any effect on this happening. Does the AVC just increase volume at speed or do they have it doing something beside just increasing the volume. It may bring the EQ, as you say, back in. When all is done it may be that you either go with all Harley components (HU, Amp, spkr) or trash your HU and go completely aftermarket, or buy a real nice pair... of ear buds. I will be in the thick of it now that I have my misfitting 62.11i speakers installed and my new amp gets here. My amp rack got here today along with the wire set, so now I wait. It's snowing I think I'll do a little skiing while I wait. If you did toss you HU what aftermarket brand would you go with?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 601
Likes: 109
From: San Diego
That's the kind of "flashing" I am talking about...man you are so lucky...
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 356
Likes: 1
From: Mesa Arizona
UN...I have a 2014 SGS and I finished putting the rear speaker pods and speakers on my detachable trunk...now what? If I don't get a flash my rear speakers won't work...what the hell? I did install the Infinity's front and rear with the Alpine amp...I'm lost...did I waste my money and have rear speakers that can't be used? Any suggestions?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
If your head unit has never been flashed or software updated, I would go down and see if they can simply turn on the fader without doing anything else.
These new flashes HD released a few weeks ago for the Stage II BA crap are screwing everything up.
These new flashes HD released a few weeks ago for the Stage II BA crap are screwing everything up.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 212
Likes: 3
From: South Jersey
UN...I have a 2014 SGS and I finished putting the rear speaker pods and speakers on my detachable trunk...now what? If I don't get a flash my rear speakers won't work...what the hell? I did install the Infinity's front and rear with the Alpine amp...I'm lost...did I waste my money and have rear speakers that can't be used? Any suggestions?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
I am in the same boat as you. I just ordered new Hertz speakers for my front and bags and have been told by the vendor who built several award winning audio systems on these bikes to NOT flash for anything including fader. He recommended a magic box off the front feed and splitting the feed with RCA's for the rear and said i will be extremely satisfied. I'm not sure about the Alpine amp you are running, mine has a separate gain for the rear channel to adjust the fader that way. Kinda bummed out that I can't change it on the fly but it may not be worth it. So for now, set it and forget it.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 137
Likes: 6
From: new jersey
On a lighter note, just wanted to share my my audio upgrade project is complete for now with the following specs:
Amp:
RF PBR300X2 - Front fairing speaker pods
RF PBR300X2 - Rear rear speaker pods
Speakers:
infinity kappa 62 11i - front
Kicker 40CS674 6-3/4" - rear
Speaker Mounting:
Externally mounted, just like factory stock
Grills: Boom Left & Right
Flash Status:
No flash, factory stock, no magic box
Overall, the system sound quality & loudness is night & day difference after adding amp, huge change in bass & treble & overall richness & quality. Amp gain set between 5 & 6 for best all around no distortion at full volume, no clipping...still fine tuning. Just one comment of the re-installation of the front fairing got me worried last night as the fit did not quite fit like a "glove", but through patience and persistence, it all worked out.
I debated about installing the base mounting plate for the amp as my concern was proper heat dissipation between the head unit & two amps, will definitely create more heat inside that enclosed fairing, so ended up using tie warps to allow max heat transfer...deng, I wish there is a way to vent the front fairing without drilling holes.
I wired the "remote turn on" sensor to a 12VDC source just in case one of these days, I decide to have have the head unit flashed, but in the interim, I am leaving the it alone & factory stock for now until the "flash" or no flash", gets sorted out...
Thank you to all participants of the "the Official 2014 Audio Upgrade thread" who's comments, feedback, & reviews, made this experience so rewarding and memorable, most especially the removal of the those six "pesky" bolts holding the left & right front speaker pods...it definitely was worth taking this "fork in the road"...
Amp:
RF PBR300X2 - Front fairing speaker pods
RF PBR300X2 - Rear rear speaker pods
Speakers:
infinity kappa 62 11i - front
Kicker 40CS674 6-3/4" - rear
Speaker Mounting:
Externally mounted, just like factory stock
Grills: Boom Left & Right
Flash Status:
No flash, factory stock, no magic box
Overall, the system sound quality & loudness is night & day difference after adding amp, huge change in bass & treble & overall richness & quality. Amp gain set between 5 & 6 for best all around no distortion at full volume, no clipping...still fine tuning. Just one comment of the re-installation of the front fairing got me worried last night as the fit did not quite fit like a "glove", but through patience and persistence, it all worked out.
I debated about installing the base mounting plate for the amp as my concern was proper heat dissipation between the head unit & two amps, will definitely create more heat inside that enclosed fairing, so ended up using tie warps to allow max heat transfer...deng, I wish there is a way to vent the front fairing without drilling holes.
I wired the "remote turn on" sensor to a 12VDC source just in case one of these days, I decide to have have the head unit flashed, but in the interim, I am leaving the it alone & factory stock for now until the "flash" or no flash", gets sorted out...
Thank you to all participants of the "the Official 2014 Audio Upgrade thread" who's comments, feedback, & reviews, made this experience so rewarding and memorable, most especially the removal of the those six "pesky" bolts holding the left & right front speaker pods...it definitely was worth taking this "fork in the road"...
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 356
Likes: 1
From: Mesa Arizona
I am in the same boat as you. I just ordered new Hertz speakers for my front and bags and have been told by the vendor who built several award winning audio systems on these bikes to NOT flash for anything including fader. He recommended a magic box off the front feed and splitting the feed with RCA's for the rear and said i will be extremely satisfied. I'm not sure about the Alpine amp you are running, mine has a separate gain for the rear channel to adjust the fader that way. Kinda bummed out that I can't change it on the fly but it may not be worth it. So for now, set it and forget it.