Thanks for posting the link for that article. It makes a lot of sense and I'm going to go back in and turn the gains up on my amp.

 

I have $350 in the amp and speakers, and $350 in my Zumo 450--which also has a side function of being a GPS . I also mostly listen through the Zumo's MP3 player since it doesn't involve moving parts, and when I play MP3's on the CD player I feel like I'm wearing it out. I'll pass judgement when (if) the speakers ever get here, but I think I did okay too. They were supposed to be delivered today and the UPS site still says "Out for delivery." It's 8:30pm now and somehow I don't think UPS is still out and about.

 

We can't trust everything written on the 'Net, but it sounds credible enough to try.

 

Thanks. I didn't notice all those menu items at the top. I was beginning to wonder if they were still in business, but it's good to know there's someone there (Saad) who will help out if needed.

 

I saw that article as well when I was researching how to adjust my AMP - I turned up the gains and the AMP kept shutting down - It is prob due to the heat in the fairing.. So I backed em off, etc. With the gains set to about the 1 o'clock position I can turn the volume on the HK to Full with just a smidge of distortion - then I back it down a bar - That is my highway volume - and - quick story - my buddy/co-worker was behind me last nite - he was in his jeep about 2-3 seconds behind me - he told me this AM.. "MAN, I can hear your Stereo" - and that is over the pipes too..LOL

 

Well, the speakers came in late yesterday, a day late since Ride Shack had my zip code wrong on the address label, which freaked UPS. Although it would take me about 15 sec. to find a zip code on-line, I guess UPS needs an extra day.

Anyway, the Biketronics-Hertz 6˝" speakers went in almost without a hitch--the exception being that they must be oriented properly for the fairing bracket to fit. In my case the connectors needed to be on the inside, toward the gauges. With connectors pointing up the brackets won't fit. Compared to the Hogtunes 5ź" speakers these sound fuller with more bass response, but as TRMRC said, real thumping bass ain't gonna happen on a MC, at least not with fairing speakers. In all fairness, the BT-Hertz speakers cost 2X as much as the Hogtunes, and I can't fault the latter on a bang-for-the-buck basis. They are a good upgrade over stock at a fair price, IMO.

I tried the output set to "High" with the crossover at "100," but when I switched back to "Full" I noticed better bass response. Not a lot, but audible--so I'll leave it there. I put the gain at about 2 o'clock for both speakers and didn't play around with this further. In a test by ear this provided plenty of loudness at about 1/2 volume, and cranking it up to an uncomfortable volume above that I heard no distortion. I have bass boost higher than most here recommend, about 1/2 of the scale on the Elf and the head unit. I did notice that replacing the outer fairing made more of a difference in bass response with the BT-Hertz speakers than the Hogtunes, which I guess makes sense with more air volume moving around. I do worry a bit about how the fairing brackets will hold-up to the extra weight, as these things are heavy. They weigh-in at 40 oz. compared to 12 oz. for stock and about 28 oz. for the Hogtunes.

I was a bit worried that the 3Ω output of the BT speakers might throw off the balance between them and the Tweeter pods, as the HT speakers are rated at 2Ω. This didn't happen and the balance is about the same, which is to say just right. I had 1.5Ω final output before with the speakers connected in parallel and now have a more compatible 2Ω final output, which should make the amp run a bit cooler.

Anyway, I'm happy with this setup and only have about $350 in the amp and speakers. Here are some photos showing the good fit for the Elf amp on top the head unit. I now have not one but two sets of Hogtunes speakers I will be selling, so if anyone is interested drop me a PM or email. I'll be putting these in the Buy-Sell section soon.

Update: Took a ride between thunderstorms and I can say that the difference between speakers is more noticeable on the road than in the garage. This is a good upgrade and worth the money to me and my sub-par ears.

 

As a follow-up after putting some miles on the bike with the new stereo hardware, I can say that I'm very pleased. The Elf-Hertz combo provides plenty of power and the sound is much fuller than before with no distortion at any sane listening level, and even at highway speeds you can hear some bass frequencies. The bass response won't rattle the fillings out of your teeth or sound like the 12" sub in your den, but I think it's about as good as I'll get with fairing speakers. I'm happy and will stay with this setup.

 

I'm glad to read u r happy - after reading about how u set yours up - I adjusted mine again - it dawned on me I had set the AMP to the other speakers I had in there before , not the HERTZ - So I set it to full and gave the gains just a little more - The hertz handle it fine. Take care.

 

The gain not only increases the volume, it also increases/decreases the rate at which you get to that volume. Meaning if the gain is too low you will need to turn the volume control **** from zero to full just to get a small gain in volume. If you turn the gain up too high then just a small movement of the volume control will bring the volume from to low to blasting your ears out. You need the gain somewhere in the middle so that you have good control over your comfort zone. You do not want to turn the volume control **** to much or to little. I would have the gain control set to the minimum of what it takes to get the volume up to the highest level of loudness you will need. This will give you the most adjustability over the volume.

 

I agree - I had mine set less than a 1/4 before , now just a tad more, maybe a 1/4 now - if that - I can bring it to full volume on the head unit - and that is freakin' loud - but distortion free - that is for wide open throttle Highway riding..lol