The Official 2014 audio upgrade thread
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Looks like a couple of dealer in your area cracked the code! And in all fairness we don't hear a lot of the success stories, mainly folks with BA problems. Considering how many are installed world wide we see much less than 1% of the problems here on the forums. It's good to see some are getting good results.
Here's a good video on the Stage II setup. Different speakers, different amps, different flashing steps for the dealers. So yeah to answer your comment, I think HD in general has figured out
1) riders want better audio than that of the stock crap and boom audio stage 1 crap offered and HD wants their piece of this audio pie.
2) they've certainly figured out the flashing aspect for this stage II setup.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,788
Likes: 203
From: SW Florida
Just keep in mind this is specific to the BA Stage II setup only. The Stage I setup still sucks IMO.
Here's a good video on the Stage II setup. Different speakers, different amps, different flashing steps for the dealers. So yeah to answer your comment, I think HD in general has figured out
1) riders want better audio than that of the stock crap and boom audio stage 1 crap offered and HD wants their piece of this audio pie.
2) they've certainly figured out the flashing aspect for this stage II setup.
Here's a good video on the Stage II setup. Different speakers, different amps, different flashing steps for the dealers. So yeah to answer your comment, I think HD in general has figured out
1) riders want better audio than that of the stock crap and boom audio stage 1 crap offered and HD wants their piece of this audio pie.
2) they've certainly figured out the flashing aspect for this stage II setup.
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?
OK, several months after making the post above, I haven't done anything additional - still sounds pretty good without the motor running and not as much with it running.
I did read the last 20 some pages and it looks like the line out unit is what I need to make a drastic difference versus dealer flashes, upgrades, etc...? Do I have that correct?
I have the 2 channel RF amp and did read that the 4 channel is a lot better with speaker level inputs, though...so I'm a little screwed unless the 4 channel amp differs from the 2 in this area.
Thoughts?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
I would say you need the line leveler from Biketronics.
You'll be fine with your PBR300x2. What you'll find is you have more "adjustability" with it where it's not distorting.
You'll be fine with your PBR300x2. What you'll find is you have more "adjustability" with it where it's not distorting.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Sturgis
and not need to worry about the software version or the flash, correct?
thanks!
thanks!
I would say you need the line leveler from Biketronics.
You'll be fine with your PBR300x2. What you'll find is you have more "adjustability" with it where it's not distorting.
You'll be fine with your PBR300x2. What you'll find is you have more "adjustability" with it where it's not distorting.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 296
Likes: 116
From: Vancouver BC and Palm Desert CA
I had a conversation with a service guy at a local HD dealer that I thought was interesting
The background is I am getting an audio upgrade to my 15 SGS done by VTwin Audio in Vancouver in the Spring. I happened to be in a local dealer and asked one of the senior service guys what he thought of a Boom Stage 2 upgrade. He looked around carefully to make sure no one was in earshot and in a quiet voice said " We have had our challenges with Boom 2 upgrades.Go see V Twin Audio They will give you a better system for the same or less money"
It's pretty obvious that despite recent success stories not all dealers have figured out the Stage 2 upgrade.
I applaud him for his honesty and not following the company line.
The background is I am getting an audio upgrade to my 15 SGS done by VTwin Audio in Vancouver in the Spring. I happened to be in a local dealer and asked one of the senior service guys what he thought of a Boom Stage 2 upgrade. He looked around carefully to make sure no one was in earshot and in a quiet voice said " We have had our challenges with Boom 2 upgrades.Go see V Twin Audio They will give you a better system for the same or less money"
It's pretty obvious that despite recent success stories not all dealers have figured out the Stage 2 upgrade.
I applaud him for his honesty and not following the company line.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Rockwall, Texas
Ultra NutZ
I appreciate all your input, I quit reading all the posts about 3 Months ago.
(EXTREAM TIRED HEAD AND FRUSTERATION)
im back now hoping there was some progress. Will the Boom Stage II work on My 2014 Ultra, as well as you say it will work on the SGS?
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