The Official 2014 audio upgrade thread
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 401
Likes: 22
From: Lebanon, Pa
jpalm
you stated this:
I used the BT recommended flash and mine screams. It's the 00_OFF flash. Loud and clear as a bell with all working controls. Less than $300 total invested.
I am using Harley amp and Harley speakers for your $300 what are you using? Just speakers speakers and an amp?
Again I am trying to figure out if there is a better bin file for the Harley setup than the one they loaded,
you stated this:
I used the BT recommended flash and mine screams. It's the 00_OFF flash. Loud and clear as a bell with all working controls. Less than $300 total invested.
I am using Harley amp and Harley speakers for your $300 what are you using? Just speakers speakers and an amp?
Again I am trying to figure out if there is a better bin file for the Harley setup than the one they loaded,
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 755
Likes: 57
From: St. Augustine, FL
jpalm
you stated this:
I used the BT recommended flash and mine screams. It's the 00_OFF flash. Loud and clear as a bell with all working controls. Less than $300 total invested.
I am using Harley amp and Harley speakers for your $300 what are you using? Just speakers speakers and an amp?
Again I am trying to figure out if there is a better bin file for the Harley setup than the one they loaded,
you stated this:
I used the BT recommended flash and mine screams. It's the 00_OFF flash. Loud and clear as a bell with all working controls. Less than $300 total invested.
I am using Harley amp and Harley speakers for your $300 what are you using? Just speakers speakers and an amp?
Again I am trying to figure out if there is a better bin file for the Harley setup than the one they loaded,
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Sturgis
Thought I'd throw I just another opinion here. 2015 SGS with 1.18 software and original flash. PBR 300x2 with Kicker 6.75 batwing speakers only. Decided against Polk at last minute due to all the issues. Wired using speaker level inputs.
I did the install with the polyfill filling the entire plastic housing and mounted the speakers on the outside of the plastic housing and left the factory speaker grills in the bike. Of course the kicker grills won't fit like that.
So, it's loud. Sounds great with the motor off and becomes a different but not terrible sounds with motor running. Going 80 is a different story but I think I've decided that nothing with a 2 speaker setup is probably sounding great at 80. It's louder for sure and can be heard but starting to wonder if it was worth it even though I spent very little.
I think I'll try upgrading to the newest software to see what that does. Maybe I'll try a dealer flash or magic box if that doesn't help the sound quality at speed. This shouldn't be this hard...why must they mess with stuff like this?
Also, I'm a little unsure of what you guys are calling inside versus outside mounting of the speakers. Are you taking in versus out of the white plastic box?
I did the install with the polyfill filling the entire plastic housing and mounted the speakers on the outside of the plastic housing and left the factory speaker grills in the bike. Of course the kicker grills won't fit like that.
So, it's loud. Sounds great with the motor off and becomes a different but not terrible sounds with motor running. Going 80 is a different story but I think I've decided that nothing with a 2 speaker setup is probably sounding great at 80. It's louder for sure and can be heard but starting to wonder if it was worth it even though I spent very little.
I think I'll try upgrading to the newest software to see what that does. Maybe I'll try a dealer flash or magic box if that doesn't help the sound quality at speed. This shouldn't be this hard...why must they mess with stuff like this?
Also, I'm a little unsure of what you guys are calling inside versus outside mounting of the speakers. Are you taking in versus out of the white plastic box?
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 718
Likes: 210
From: IL
If you split the pods and mount the speakers so you look at them thru the speaker openings is inside.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Sturgis
Ok, cool...Thanks. I didn't even consider doing it the "inside" way.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 755
Likes: 9
From: Phoenix, AZ
I would think getting rid of the pods would help in the first place. Has anyone gotten rid of their pods altogether???
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 362
From: Mansfield Texas
Dont know if they sell them separate but you need something in place of the pods seeing how it is
a support for the fairing.
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, IL
Wanted to share my experience for anyone having the same issues:
14 SGS added Arc 125.4 amp and Focals in the fairing. Originally had Focals inside of pods as shown above. Also, originally had first flash recommend by Rockford done - 135_OFF. Eq was flat. And flat isn't even the right word. Even adding the Eq of your phone to the input source didn't make it sound great. Also, had such low volume coming out of the head unit that the amp gains were way up. Wasn't happy at all and barely better than stock.
Anyway, finally had it reflashed per the new instructions from Arc and Biketronics - 00_OFF. Never liked the speaker pods - especially after I hacked them up to install the speakers inside. I went ahead and ordered the brackets from Biketronics. $200 by themselves. Installed easy enough. Wrapped polyfill around the speakers when done and readjusted amp with multimeter. I can tell you that correct flash made all the difference in the world. Those Focals are amazing when given a good signal. This 2 speaker setup isn't super loud and there are speakers out there that will handle more power, but the quality is terrific. I can't say for sure if the brackets made much difference as I did most of it all at once, but I do think they help. They certainly give you more room. I would buy them again
Hope this helps someone in the same boat.
14 SGS added Arc 125.4 amp and Focals in the fairing. Originally had Focals inside of pods as shown above. Also, originally had first flash recommend by Rockford done - 135_OFF. Eq was flat. And flat isn't even the right word. Even adding the Eq of your phone to the input source didn't make it sound great. Also, had such low volume coming out of the head unit that the amp gains were way up. Wasn't happy at all and barely better than stock.
Anyway, finally had it reflashed per the new instructions from Arc and Biketronics - 00_OFF. Never liked the speaker pods - especially after I hacked them up to install the speakers inside. I went ahead and ordered the brackets from Biketronics. $200 by themselves. Installed easy enough. Wrapped polyfill around the speakers when done and readjusted amp with multimeter. I can tell you that correct flash made all the difference in the world. Those Focals are amazing when given a good signal. This 2 speaker setup isn't super loud and there are speakers out there that will handle more power, but the quality is terrific. I can't say for sure if the brackets made much difference as I did most of it all at once, but I do think they help. They certainly give you more room. I would buy them again
Hope this helps someone in the same boat.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 718
Likes: 210
From: IL
Wanted to share my experience for anyone having the same issues:
14 SGS added Arc 125.4 amp and Focals in the fairing. Originally had Focals inside of pods as shown above. Also, originally had first flash recommend by Rockford done - 135_OFF. Eq was flat. And flat isn't even the right word. Even adding the Eq of your phone to the input source didn't make it sound great. Also, had such low volume coming out of the head unit that the amp gains were way up. Wasn't happy at all and barely better than stock.
Anyway, finally had it reflashed per the new instructions from Arc and Biketronics - 00_OFF. Never liked the speaker pods - especially after I hacked them up to install the speakers inside. I went ahead and ordered the brackets from Biketronics. $200 by themselves. Installed easy enough. Wrapped polyfill around the speakers when done and readjusted amp with multimeter. I can tell you that correct flash made all the difference in the world. Those Focals are amazing when given a good signal. This 2 speaker setup isn't super loud and there are speakers out there that will handle more power, but the quality is terrific. I can't say for sure if the brackets made much difference as I did most of it all at once, but I do think they help. They certainly give you more room. I would buy them again
Hope this helps someone in the same boat.
14 SGS added Arc 125.4 amp and Focals in the fairing. Originally had Focals inside of pods as shown above. Also, originally had first flash recommend by Rockford done - 135_OFF. Eq was flat. And flat isn't even the right word. Even adding the Eq of your phone to the input source didn't make it sound great. Also, had such low volume coming out of the head unit that the amp gains were way up. Wasn't happy at all and barely better than stock.
Anyway, finally had it reflashed per the new instructions from Arc and Biketronics - 00_OFF. Never liked the speaker pods - especially after I hacked them up to install the speakers inside. I went ahead and ordered the brackets from Biketronics. $200 by themselves. Installed easy enough. Wrapped polyfill around the speakers when done and readjusted amp with multimeter. I can tell you that correct flash made all the difference in the world. Those Focals are amazing when given a good signal. This 2 speaker setup isn't super loud and there are speakers out there that will handle more power, but the quality is terrific. I can't say for sure if the brackets made much difference as I did most of it all at once, but I do think they help. They certainly give you more room. I would buy them again
Hope this helps someone in the same boat.
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, IL
This does help me in that I was wondering about the RF flash. I currently have 00_OFF. Good to know that RF flash gives 135_OFF. Still curious to hear what my set up would sound like with 135_OFF - it would be nice if that was something I could try in my garage so since the dealer is needed basically gotta take what ya can get... Thanks for the info.