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
If you have a 14 or newer and do anything aside from simply changing speakers, you need to have the head unit flashed to disable the HD DSP features otherwise when you connect an amp to it, it will sound like crap.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
well.. that all depends on what you're trying to accomplish. I personally wouldn't pull this head unit out (the 6.5) as it's got most of the features you'd want on a touring bike. If you want to add amps and speakers, there are several ways to do that. To change this 6.5 head unit out I think would be silly.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: DFW Area
took the bike into the dealer and had them flash the radio per RF instructions
because I'm using the pbr300x2 with kappa 62.11i speakers
now I have no sound, while at the dealer they offered to revert back and I told them that I will bring it tomorrow, just in case there is something I'm missing, hence why I'm here
I removed the fearing and double check the that everything is connected and that the inline fuse is good. I noticed that the power light on the amp is no coming up, there is power to it but the light does not come on at it all.
I bypassed the amp and connected the speakers directly into the radio and they work, the "fade" control seems to be all over the place and can't be adjusted.
any suggestions?
thanks
because I'm using the pbr300x2 with kappa 62.11i speakers
now I have no sound, while at the dealer they offered to revert back and I told them that I will bring it tomorrow, just in case there is something I'm missing, hence why I'm here
I removed the fearing and double check the that everything is connected and that the inline fuse is good. I noticed that the power light on the amp is no coming up, there is power to it but the light does not come on at it all.
I bypassed the amp and connected the speakers directly into the radio and they work, the "fade" control seems to be all over the place and can't be adjusted.
any suggestions?
thanks
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
took the bike into the dealer and had them flash the radio per RF instructions
because I'm using the pbr300x2 with kappa 62.11i speakers
now I have no sound, while at the dealer they offered to revert back and I told them that I will bring it tomorrow, just in case there is something I'm missing, hence why I'm here
I removed the fearing and double check the that everything is connected and that the inline fuse is good. I noticed that the power light on the amp is no coming up, there is power to it but the light does not come on at it all.
I bypassed the amp and connected the speakers directly into the radio and they work, the "fade" control seems to be all over the place and can't be adjusted.
any suggestions?
thanks
because I'm using the pbr300x2 with kappa 62.11i speakers
now I have no sound, while at the dealer they offered to revert back and I told them that I will bring it tomorrow, just in case there is something I'm missing, hence why I'm here
I removed the fearing and double check the that everything is connected and that the inline fuse is good. I noticed that the power light on the amp is no coming up, there is power to it but the light does not come on at it all.
I bypassed the amp and connected the speakers directly into the radio and they work, the "fade" control seems to be all over the place and can't be adjusted.
any suggestions?
thanks
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: DFW Area
connect your speakers back to the amp. The H/L adjustment is what you use to determine the voltage required to turn the amp off and on with the signal from the speaker wires. If you adjust it fully and the amp still doesn't turn on, then connect the rem IN wire to accessory (orange/red wire) on headlamp harness
by connecting the rem wire to the headlamp harness worked great.
one thing I noticed while testing it is that the fuel gauge and volt gauge are not working neither is the master switch when I turn it to the accessories position, not fuses blown and everything is connected where is suppose to and double check all connections, not sure what's going on.
the sound is definitely way better than before the flash, the kappas really sound great now
thanks for the help
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Correct. The flash is only required on the '14s and later. No offense, but the title of this thread is "The Official 2014 Audio Upgrade Thread," so it really only applies to 2014s, not earlier models. They changed a lot of stuff on the '14 sound system, thus the need for constant collective brainstorming on our part.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 73
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
Finally, a set up I can live with...for now.
No offense bud but I don't think you'll find 1 single recommendation in the Audio threads for Hawg-Wired speakers. There is a reason for that.
The magic box is not going to kill your bass response at all. All it simply does is flatten the DSP equalization on the stock head unit. The flash will do the same thing.
My suggestion is skip the Kicker speakers although they are a very good speaker IMO, grab a set of 62.11i and be done with it.
The magic box is not going to kill your bass response at all. All it simply does is flatten the DSP equalization on the stock head unit. The flash will do the same thing.
My suggestion is skip the Kicker speakers although they are a very good speaker IMO, grab a set of 62.11i and be done with it.
UN, good recommendation on the Infinity 62.11i! They are in a they rock! I got them on ebay for $109 and I must say, they sound MUCH better than the Hawg-Wired! I'm a little concerned about them rubbing, the surround may be touching the grills, although I did put V-Twin Audio grills on in place of the factory grills.
Here's my thoughts after trying 2 sets of speakers, with and without poly-fill and with various settings on the PBR300x2:
Hawg-Wired may be a well made speaker, but they are completely wrong for a 2014 system. They just don't sound good in the pods and I think they are way too bright. Infinity is a tight fit, but they sound great. I just hope they don't rub... Poly-fill is a slight improvement, but not much so probably not worth the effort. Amp setting with the Infinity speakers: gain +7, crossover set to HP with the crossover about 80hz (that prevents your speakers from trying to reproduce super low frequencies you'll never hear on the road anyway.
What would I do different next time...save my money up and buy the JM Rokker amp that has the DSP software built in to it. Magic box works o.k., but I still think it's killing some sound. For speakers, the best ones that are MADE for the 2014 (either hog tunes or cycle sounds) so you know they'll fit. Even with after market grills, unless the rings on the speakers are VERY thin, you could have problems. If these speakers rub and get worn, I'll try Hog Tunes.
Anyone one want a set of Hawg-Wired speakers? I'll make you a sweet deal!
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: SoCal 92509
14 ultra limited I just installed boom amp and replace all four speakers to boom speakers. I still need to flash the HU. When the bike turns on the rear speakers work only. I have to then go to audio setup on the fade and just tap it to the forward speaker once and then the front speakers work also. Will this be corrected in the flash? I hooked everything up per HD instructions and checked connections repeatedly. Everything works with alitlle nudge
I know this isn't working quite right because of the work around I have to do. The fader is always in the middle I just need to Nudge it once towards the front speakers and wohla it's on. Any advise..... About my question not the opinion of my direction with boom audio equip....
I know this isn't working quite right because of the work around I have to do. The fader is always in the middle I just need to Nudge it once towards the front speakers and wohla it's on. Any advise..... About my question not the opinion of my direction with boom audio equip....
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 73
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
Flash needed
14 ultra limited I just installed boom amp and replace all four speakers to boom speakers. I still need to flash the HU. When the bike turns on the rear speakers work only. I have to then go to audio setup on the fade and just tap it to the forward speaker once and then the front speakers work also. Will this be corrected in the flash? I hooked everything up per HD instructions and checked connections repeatedly. Everything works with alitlle nudge I know this isn't working quite right because of the work around I have to do. The fader is always in the middle I just need to Nudge it once towards the front speakers and wohla it's on. Any advise..... About my question not the opinion of my direction with boom audio equip....
I know this isn't working quite right because of the work around I have to do. The fader is always in the middle I just need to Nudge it once towards the front speakers and wohla it's on. Any advise..... About my question not the opinion of my direction with boom audio equip....