OK so out and about today with the bike. I decided to stop at a couple different shops to see what can be done about beefing up the sounds system. Currently I am running Sony head unit with Rockfords pbr300x4 with 6.5 Focals in the fairing. I want to add some sounds to the bags. Here are 2 ideas form 2 different shops

Shop 1
Wants to build a custom enclosure out of fiberglass into the bags and port it out of the side. Basically making the bags the enclosure. In that enclosure they want to place 2 JL 6" subs in each bag. Total of 4 JL's 6" subs. I would run the 6" subs off the pbr300x4 and then add a pbr300x2 to run the Focals up front. These guys admit they never done a a Harley like that before. They been around over 20 years and done some bad *** car installs. They did mine back in the day. Nobody up here with Harley's are into the stereos as much.

Shop 2
Again want to do the fiberglass enclosure only this one wants to mount 1 6" shallow mount kicker sub in each bag. Also they want to run the speaker lids with a 6x9. So each bag would have a 6" sub and a 6x9. They want me to dump the Fosgate amp and replace it with a Phoenix gold 5 channel 800 watt amp. This amp would need to be mounted in one of the bags. Now the installer who I was talking to said he has done a lot of Harley's when living in CA. He says they always put 6x9's in the bags. My only concern is would the 6x9's and the 6" sub be fighting each other?

Anyway what are your thoughts?

 

The first question you need to ask yourself is "do you want to give up your saddlebag storage for your sound system?" That being said..have you looked at the saddlebag lids that MoCo sells? I am not saying to buy the boom audio kit since you can do way better for speakers, but the lids can be ordered painted to match and you wouldn't have to pay for someone to build custom lids.

 

the other question would be how much power does the 5 channel 800 watt amp suck from your stator.

 

Yes sir .... the amp is only as good as the power supplied to it!

 

I think that Shop 2 has the better option. I would also suggest to go with 2 Ohm Speakers both up front and for the 6x9's in order to get the most out of the amp. Also, check the Massive Audio NX5 Amp, it is small enough to go almost unnoticed in the Saddlebags but packs a big punch.

 

Here's a link to my friend's installation on his 2012 CVO SG:

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=70520.0

Basically, it's two PBR300x4 amps installed on the top of the HK radio; Hybrid Audio Technologies 7.1" Lagatia speakers in the fairing with separately mounted tweeters in gauge holes; 6.5" HAT Clarus full range speakers in the lowers; 5x7 JL C5-570 components in HD saddlebag speaker lids; and, CDT Audio EU-651 6.5" components in HD Tour Pak speaker pods.

He's very serious about audio (mobile and home), and says this system is amazing.

I'm doing the same installation except for the speakers selected, and I'll not have the tour pak on the bike very often. I'm still completing installation of the speakers in the HD saddlebag lids, as well as installing the crossovers for the HAT Unity 6.5" components with the tweeters installed in the Hogtunes Tweeter Pod.

The virtue of these set-ups in the very neglible space given up; i.e. a modest amount for the speakers in the saddlebag lids.

Good luck with your project.

Carl

 

I wish I could see those pics but I guess you need to be a member. I was thinking about how I could mount 2 pbr amps in the fairing.

 

Yeah I likie the idea of a sub and 6x9 in each bag. I just didnt like the idea of going with a bigger car amp. Thats why I was hoping to use the amp I already have and then get a second one. I am curious how it would sound if I ran the pbr300x4 to the subs and 6x9 then get another pbr300x2 for the Focals up front

 

There are so many ways to tackle these bikes it would all end up being up to the end user.You can do 6x9's on the lids, and subs in the hard bags. I don't use subs they make no sense as you cant hear them riding only when parked, the tones they put out just blend with the exhaust. I usually do 4-6x9's so at least while riing you can have the vocals and then when parked have the bass. I am not a fan of the PBR for its quality so if I was to run 6x9's or subs I would stick with at the min. the Arc Audio mini 125.4. the PBR for the front speakers are okay but with Focal I would run the Arc Mini 125.2 BX its a much cleaner sounding amplifier. For the back I would use something beefier the bikes I usually build I run the PDX-F4 or the PDX-F6 they have the most power for the back of the bike. Costly but worth the money. I would bump up the stato to a police stater and put an odyessy battery in to help with the electrical system.