I've looked at audio solutions until I'm blue in the face and haven't found exactly what I'm looking for. I'm interested in anyone who has a Softail with audio and what speakers, amplifier, etc. you have used.

I don't have bags so I don't want to add anything to the backend of my bike. I also want it loud enough to be heard at highway speakers and prefer a 4 speaker solution.

What do you recommend? Any pics?

 

Do you have or would you....
Fairing (yes or no)?
Crash bars (yes or no)?

There are post's out there on the subject (in the softail section) you just have to get creative with words you use.

 

 

So, I am in the process of finalizing my "winter wiring" project. This involves replacing my dead Innovv K1 camera with a new, shiny Innovv K2 camera, rewiring all the janky one-offs I've added piecemeal into a cohesive setup. I have saddlebags, and unfortunately, half of one of these is the home of all my electronics. LED strips controller, Camera electronics, stereo amp, speaker wires and my trailer hitch wiring. I have a 2016 Heritage. Now, when I started this reply, I didn't catch that you didn't have bags. That makes a difference.

I'll go ahead and finish. I tested my setup before finalizing it and I think my volume is quite loud and clear. Granted, I haven't ridden with it yet, but my speakers are pretty close behind the windshield. (Pic below.)

First, you need an amp. Period. Just gotta have it. I bought this one. It's small and will handle the wattage:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07281X8FP

Secondly, you need speakers. So far, in testing these out, I'm quite happy... so far.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B074TJ3YY4

Now, this picture isn't very good because I don't have a backdrop, but you can see the speakers mounted to my handlebars. The cupholder is probably gonna have to go.


You'll also want to connect to the switched power, or install your own switch. You don't want that amp pulling from the battery when the bike is off, or if you do, that's why you need to be able to cut the circuit for when you're not around the bike. (I like to have the LED's on during a bike night, but don't trust their "we'll shut it off if your battery gets low" nonsense, so I put in my own three-switch on the left handlebar. You can see it in the picture. Top is for my passing lamps (I hated the stock switch), the middle is for the LED strips and the stereo amp. The bottom switch is for the 12v brake controller power to my Roll-a-Home trailer, to cut the brake controller off during slow speed maneuvering.

I don't have a picture handy, but you'll have to find somewhere to squirrel away the amp and the wiring. Mine will all be in my left side, low side saddlebag. I bought a project box, mounted a fuse box to it. I'll try to remember to upload a new pic for that later. I changed my mind on some of the wiring and have ordered a new fusebox to come in Tuesday. I'm a programmer, so I like to over-engineer. So I bought this, to keep ground wiring, constant power and switched wiring all covered unlike what I've done so far. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WM2MWQ4/

Hope some of this can help you in some way.

 

You're never going to get anything of decent sound on the highway without an amp.
You're going to never be able to "hide" an amp on a Deluxe without bags or a fairing.

So you've got to decide; adding bags or a fairing to hide the amp and then jamming at 75 mph or staying naked and only jamming at under 55 mph.
If you add the bags and/or fairing there are many options.
If you go naked; it's pricey but the Harley Boom Audio with handlebar speakers is the way I'd go.

 

Based on my experience and extensive research, these are completely true statements.

 

Check these guys out, I have not heard how they sound but may be worth checking into.

https://www.brassknucklecustoms.net/...roll-with-pods

 

After reading the posts made.....
No Fairing, No bags, no mounts on your new Bars....
That leaves you with ..................... forgot one question, what type of helmet (if you wear one) do you wear?

You have the crash bars (most likely will need an amp) not sure if you can mount speakers to the frame and get enough sound.
I have seen write ups about putting blue tooth receivers (why not a small amp) in a leather bag (tool bag) but you have to mount it someplace.
One other option is your helmet, from the Cavalry (1/2 helmet) to some of the full face units.
They do have some impressive tech out there for helmets.

Ow that bed roll speaker system looks good, wonder how it sounds (directed outwards), anybody know?

I have my eye on the Cavalry, the one negative is then I will be able to take phone calls.
I do not want to (my wife will call and chat).
If not for that I would already have one.
But I already have music on my Deluxe that is great all the way up to 75 +/- above that it gets tougher to have the volume at the level I like.
But the riding I prefer is below 70, back highways (50-65) vs interstate (70-80+).

As always this is JMHO

 

I've seen several people hide an amp in a right side chrome toolbox but I have a 2012 and the toolbox doesn't fit unless I made a custom mount.

 

I think I might do the 4 speaker bedroll option. There is a bluetooth amp built inside the tube.
I don't want audio in my helmet.