is it the stereo or speakers?
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 658
From: Eastpointe, MI
is it the stereo or speakers?
I have (I think) the stock Harley Davidson Harman Kardon CD stereo system in my new to me 2008 Electra Glide Ultra Classic - yes a CD.
I've never been much of an audiophile, my previous 10 or so Hondas didn't even have music, but this isn't a very good sounding system.
Is the limiting factor here the stereo (it's amp) or the speakers?
Yes I like to replace one or the other before both.
I don't think I need an extra amp talked about in the touring pack - what would like a better stereo maybe with a bigger amp in the unit?
Or would that not do any good with the same speaker?
and similarly would replacing the speakers not do any good with the same stereo?
The CD skips anyway so I'm inclined to replace that.
Yes I could replace everything and probably be happy but as you can see I'm a cheapskate ( I bought a 2008, not a 2025).
What would be the first thing you would replace and with what?
I've never been much of an audiophile, my previous 10 or so Hondas didn't even have music, but this isn't a very good sounding system.
Is the limiting factor here the stereo (it's amp) or the speakers?
Yes I like to replace one or the other before both.
I don't think I need an extra amp talked about in the touring pack - what would like a better stereo maybe with a bigger amp in the unit?
Or would that not do any good with the same speaker?
and similarly would replacing the speakers not do any good with the same stereo?
The CD skips anyway so I'm inclined to replace that.
Yes I could replace everything and probably be happy but as you can see I'm a cheapskate ( I bought a 2008, not a 2025).
What would be the first thing you would replace and with what?
Last edited by Robertbc3141; Jul 27, 2025 at 09:17 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,576
Likes: 8,405
From: Inland NW
Why did you post this in the LiveWire subforum?
To answer your questions, you NEED an amp and new speakers at a minimum. If you go over to the stereo sub-forum and read, you will find this to be true. Many of us have made this upgrade.
To answer your questions, you NEED an amp and new speakers at a minimum. If you go over to the stereo sub-forum and read, you will find this to be true. Many of us have made this upgrade.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 3,841
From: Cape Cod
Money pit rabbit hole......
YES you need a new AMP, RADIO and SPEAKERS.
Hit the Audio section and ask away.
I've used SONY radios, BIKETRONIC amps and 3 different speaker manufacturers.
Im pushing 1500 watts to 6 speakers and my buddies can hear the radio at highway speeds.
YES you need a new AMP, RADIO and SPEAKERS.
Hit the Audio section and ask away.
I've used SONY radios, BIKETRONIC amps and 3 different speaker manufacturers.
Im pushing 1500 watts to 6 speakers and my buddies can hear the radio at highway speeds.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 3,495
From: Wake Forest, NC
"Yes I could replace everything and probably be happy but as you can see I'm a cheapskate ( I bought a 2008, not a 2025)."
Don't feel bad, I bought a 2025 and I bet the stereo is worse than yours. They really cheaped out on the new models sound system. Oh, and at 500 miles it sprung an oil leak from the transmission main shaft, and I can't get the bike in for warranty repair until August 13 at the earliest. Until then, I'm riding my old trusty 2001 Road King. Anyway, check the stereo sub-forum. This forum is for the LiveWire HD electric motorcycles.
Don't feel bad, I bought a 2025 and I bet the stereo is worse than yours. They really cheaped out on the new models sound system. Oh, and at 500 miles it sprung an oil leak from the transmission main shaft, and I can't get the bike in for warranty repair until August 13 at the earliest. Until then, I'm riding my old trusty 2001 Road King. Anyway, check the stereo sub-forum. This forum is for the LiveWire HD electric motorcycles.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 658
From: Eastpointe, MI
Thanks to who move this to the proper forum, I don't know what I'm doing.
So someone mentioned there is a piggyback amp that attaches to the standard low end Harley Davidson stereo/CD player.
Is that the Rockford Fosgate 200W one?
Please assume I know nothing of stereo equipment.
So someone mentioned there is a piggyback amp that attaches to the standard low end Harley Davidson stereo/CD player.
Is that the Rockford Fosgate 200W one?
Please assume I know nothing of stereo equipment.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 658
From: Eastpointe, MI
Do I need size adapters for the rear speakers of an Electra Glide speaker upgrade?
So I got 4 Rockford Fosgate 4 ohm R16 5x3 speakers - a marginal improvements over the stock speakers I'm told.
And 2 adapters for referring speakers that go from 5 and 1/4 to 6 and 1/2.
I was just going to start with speakers before I go down the rabbit hole money pit of amps and a new stereo.
The question here is do I need those adapters for the rear two speakers also?
And 2 adapters for referring speakers that go from 5 and 1/4 to 6 and 1/2.
I was just going to start with speakers before I go down the rabbit hole money pit of amps and a new stereo.
The question here is do I need those adapters for the rear two speakers also?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,612
Likes: 1,606
From: Eastern Ohio
So I got 4 Rockford Fosgate 4 ohm R16 5x3 speakers - a marginal improvements over the stock speakers I'm told.
And 2 adapters for referring speakers that go from 5 and 1/4 to 6 and 1/2.
I was just going to start with speakers before I go down the rabbit hole money pit of amps and a new stereo.
The question here is do I need those adapters for the rear two speakers also?
And 2 adapters for referring speakers that go from 5 and 1/4 to 6 and 1/2.
I was just going to start with speakers before I go down the rabbit hole money pit of amps and a new stereo.
The question here is do I need those adapters for the rear two speakers also?
That would be an oval speaker. If you're talking about putting them in the Tour Pak pods, that's a no go. The pods have round holes for 5 1/4" speakers.
The factory speakers were 2 ohm. If you put 4 ohm speakers on a 2 ohm stereo you effectively cut your wattage in half. So if you were getting 25 watts @ 2 ohm, you're going to get 12.5 watts at 4 ohm.
You should cease spending money till you have a plan. You're just going to throw good money after bad.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 658
From: Eastpointe, MI
5x3?
That would be an oval speaker. If you're talking about putting them in the Tour Pak pods, that's a no go. The pods have round holes for 5 1/4" speakers.
The factory speakers were 2 ohm. If you put 4 ohm speakers on a 2 ohm stereo you effectively cut your wattage in half. So if you were getting 25 watts @ 2 ohm, you're going to get 12.5 watts at 4 ohm.
You should cease spending money till you have a plan. You're just going to throw good money after bad.
That would be an oval speaker. If you're talking about putting them in the Tour Pak pods, that's a no go. The pods have round holes for 5 1/4" speakers.
The factory speakers were 2 ohm. If you put 4 ohm speakers on a 2 ohm stereo you effectively cut your wattage in half. So if you were getting 25 watts @ 2 ohm, you're going to get 12.5 watts at 4 ohm.
You should cease spending money till you have a plan. You're just going to throw good money after bad.
Its just part of the Rockford fosgate model number.
I have them they're six and a half inch round diameter and I bought the adapters to go from 5 and a quarter.
And I believe you're incorrect about the ohms.
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 514
Likes: 134
From: Clayton,N.J.
Thanks to who move this to the proper forum, I don't know what I'm doing.
So someone mentioned there is a piggyback amp that attaches to the standard low end Harley Davidson stereo/CD player.
Is that the Rockford Fosgate 200W one?
Please assume I know nothing of stereo equipment.
So someone mentioned there is a piggyback amp that attaches to the standard low end Harley Davidson stereo/CD player.
Is that the Rockford Fosgate 200W one?
Please assume I know nothing of stereo equipment.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,612
Likes: 1,606
From: Eastern Ohio
I have a degree in electronic engineering. I built car audio as a hobby in high school and tech school. Electrician of 24 years. I teach 4th year apprentice class. I know exactly how ohms and amplifies work. Do a Google search...
