Thinking hard about upgrading speakers. Adding Amp. Need advice.
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
Thinking hard about upgrading speakers. Adding Amp. Need advice.
I've been reading threads and surfing web sites until my head spins. I want a kick *** stereo and don't know how far to go. Here's my plan, please critique and give me feedback.
- upgrade the stock RG speakers to the 7.5" J&M. They look the best to me, and seem to have the best comments.
- Replace the stock saddle bag lids with speaker lids and add another set of matching speakers. I guess this is mostly for my wife, because I've read that the rider can't hear the saddle bag speakers over 40mph.
- Add another matching set of speakers to the fairing lowers (if they fit, otherwise smaller). I think I need the 4 speakers in front of me to really give me the kick *** sound I'm looking for. Was thinking maybe just woofers in the lowers, or should they match the fairing speakers.
- I guess I'll need a 6ch amp. What do you recommend?
- XM module. I have a car XM receiver mickey moused and duck taped to my dash, I need something permanent, was thinking of the HK module. Comments?
Do I really need all those speakers? The stock stereo has been good for me. But I have to basically crank it almost all the way on the highway. But it sucks for my wife, because of wind and engine noise. So we compromise, I turn down the stereo and she uses her ipod.
How can I fix this problem, and how much will it cost. Something economical, but not cheap skate cheap.
- upgrade the stock RG speakers to the 7.5" J&M. They look the best to me, and seem to have the best comments.
- Replace the stock saddle bag lids with speaker lids and add another set of matching speakers. I guess this is mostly for my wife, because I've read that the rider can't hear the saddle bag speakers over 40mph.
- Add another matching set of speakers to the fairing lowers (if they fit, otherwise smaller). I think I need the 4 speakers in front of me to really give me the kick *** sound I'm looking for. Was thinking maybe just woofers in the lowers, or should they match the fairing speakers.
- I guess I'll need a 6ch amp. What do you recommend?
- XM module. I have a car XM receiver mickey moused and duck taped to my dash, I need something permanent, was thinking of the HK module. Comments?
Do I really need all those speakers? The stock stereo has been good for me. But I have to basically crank it almost all the way on the highway. But it sucks for my wife, because of wind and engine noise. So we compromise, I turn down the stereo and she uses her ipod.
How can I fix this problem, and how much will it cost. Something economical, but not cheap skate cheap.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,647
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From: Stockbridge, GA (Atlanta)
you can do the proven method of alpine 4x150 digital amp in bag 4 six by nines (pioneer comp series 2 way) in the bags -- four infinity kappa's 6 1/2 (2 or 3 way) to get the best out this need to change the head unit -- crystal clear can be heard blocks away
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 38
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From: Antarctica
I have an Arc Audio 2-channel for front speakers- Polk Audio MM6501 separates. Air temp and voltmeter removed and tweeters installed (oil pressure gauge moved to voltmeter location). HK system powers rears- Polk Audio MM651. The Polks are 2ohm and weatherproof.
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Cruiser
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
the sensitivity spec on those is not very good 88.3 dB
Not very efficient use of amp power,
Many speakers with a "tweeter" use a filter network to keep the lows from destroying the tweeter, the lows are filtered off and bled to ground- as much as 30% of the amp power is consumed and wasted this way.
An efficient speaker with a spec of 98 dB would produce many times more sound from the exact same amp setting
I've written a couple of posts on speakers and sensitivity, how to read specs, what they mean and how to calculate impedance
Mike
Not very efficient use of amp power,
Many speakers with a "tweeter" use a filter network to keep the lows from destroying the tweeter, the lows are filtered off and bled to ground- as much as 30% of the amp power is consumed and wasted this way.
An efficient speaker with a spec of 98 dB would produce many times more sound from the exact same amp setting
I've written a couple of posts on speakers and sensitivity, how to read specs, what they mean and how to calculate impedance
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Dec 1, 2011 at 02:49 PM.
Depends on how much you are looking to spend also. I heard the JM system with 6 speakers at Biketoberfest, speakers were 2 fairing, 2 lowers, 2 saddlebag, I believe it was a 2 amp set up. At 100% volume there was absolutely no distortion, and it sounded good with the factory head unit, of course it's not cheap. On the other hand you can buy a Rockford amp for around $150, buy two sets of speakers for around the same price, hook it up and have a really nice system for a fraction of the cost. So many ways to go, best if you can listen to a few bikes and see what they have, then you'll be happier and more sure with your decision.