I have been reading over the months the different squabbles about speakers for our bikes and was torn about what to buy. I was leaning towards the JBL's but after finding out that Infinity is part of the same company I went to Best Buy and listened to the Infinity Reference Series 5 1/4's (2 ohms). I liked the bass that they put out and the clarity. Remember, you are talking about a 5 1/4" speaker and they can only move so much air.

I have been a drummer in a band for over 20 years as well as a DJ and sound technician so I can appreciate great sounding music.

While talking with the store employee he mentioned the Infinity Kappa Series (2 ohms) which isa step upfrom the Reference Series. I ordered the Kappasoff E-bay for $61.00 including shipping!!!! I installed them yesterday on my 08 Ultra and I'm glad I did. Very clear with added bass over the stockers. I still have the stockers in the rear pods and kept fading from front to back and their IS a noticeable difference! My only problem is the Kappa's will not fit in the rear pods (without major hacking)due to the tweeters extending beyond the speaker frame. So now I have to decide which speakers will go in the rears and order them??????

Reading all the posts about who likes what, who hates what....I guess it all comes down to what each individual's personaltaste in music really is. I love a lot of smooth tight bass but face it, we aren't going to get it in a 5 1/4" speaker. Some might like more highs or more mids?? I am well satisfied with the Kappas and will next figure out my choices for the rears. Hopefuly this will give others another choice to argue about on this forum. Sorry for being an instigator!!!!! lol

 

What are the specs on the Kappas? Same dimensions as the stockers?

 

As inexpensive as most of the after market speakers are, I can afford to experiment a bit. I bought a pair of the JBL's off ebay for like $40 delivered.....and if I decide after I install them that I dont like them, or think I need something a bit better, I can always put the JBL's in my ford bronco's doors....its in need of new front speakers anyway.
If I do decide to get another pair of speakers after the JBL's I am just going to cut to the chase, and get either a pair of MB-Quart or Hawg-Wired....and add the Hawg-Wired amp to boot. I figure one of the top 5 reasons I bought a HD Touring model was having tunes to listen to while riding.....so if thats the case I may as well have some high end audio stuff. (sounds good while trying to talk myself into buying pricey stuff for the bikes anyway). I guess I will know a lot more once I have the JBL's in the fairing and I can ride enough to make a read decision. Right now its too cold to ride....even if I did have the new speakers in.

 

I installed the JBL's over the summer.They sound great.If I was to rate them over the stock speakers I would give them a STRONG 7+

 

A buddy of mine did the same ones and they sound great

 

Are the JBLs relatively water proof (or at least resistant?

 

The Kappa's are the same dimensions as the stockers, they fit right in the factory holes with the stock plastic speaker mount and factory Harley cover. You can't even tell that you have installed aftermarket speakers. The Kappas do come with an active crossover which I duct taped to the inside of the fairing with no problems.

 

my vote would be for the polk audio db501 or monos by polk audio. Marine rated and I have the mono's and db401s in my fairing. they sound awsome.

http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/sp...akers/5/db501/

good luck

Frank

 

Another Vote for the Infiniti Kappa's
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-8ZNC7EU...527I&tp=97

 

The JBLs are not waterproof.