Stereo on 2011 Ultra Classic
Stereo on 2011 Ultra Classic
Is it just me, or do all the stereo's sound like crap. Brought my new to me 2011 Ultra Classic home on Saturday, 8 hr drive from New Hampshire and the stereo was useless above 10-15 mph. Everything sounded like the Bee Gees on helium. The stereo is supposed to put out 80 watts, but it sounded terrible. Would a set of new speakers be the answer, or would everything need to be replaced. Would like to keep the intercom & CB functions. Any suggestions.....
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 2
From: scurry, TX
The stereos are junk. You will notice an Extreme difference with the !Boom speakers. They are plug-n-play replacements and sooo much better. Eventually I will also replace the head unit too but this is good for now.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,520
Likes: 270
From: Wellsboro, PA
You can do better than Boom, and Hogtunes. Go up & click on search, and type in "speakers" or "stereos" or something like that. Lots of stuff out there, but just remember that you're on a forum with lots of opinions! You need to upgrade to 6.5" speakers & an amp, and you'll be good.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
If you find the stereo useless above 10-15 mph nothing is going to help you.
It should be decent to 50 mph.
The best thing to do is get a great headset and use it that way.
I use Skull Candy Ear Buds with Foam Tips.
It's my understanding the Headsets that came with your bike are a joke for listening to music.
and a stereo rated at 80 amps is actually 20 watts per speaker times 4 speakers thus the 80 amps rating.
So to me you have a 20 watt radio
If you want to keep the intercom and CB then you can't change the head unit.
It should be decent to 50 mph.
The best thing to do is get a great headset and use it that way.
I use Skull Candy Ear Buds with Foam Tips.
It's my understanding the Headsets that came with your bike are a joke for listening to music.
and a stereo rated at 80 amps is actually 20 watts per speaker times 4 speakers thus the 80 amps rating.
So to me you have a 20 watt radio
If you want to keep the intercom and CB then you can't change the head unit.
Last edited by Texas Fat Boy; Aug 22, 2012 at 02:32 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 54
From: The Burgh
I think there's something wrong with your radio or your speakers or ...... your ears. <g>
I agree that upgraded speakers make a big difference but even the stock speakers should be heard way above 15mph. Before I replaced my stock speakers by J&M 5.25", I could hear them up to 55-60mph without much distortion. Above that, the sound deteriorated noticeably.
I agree that upgraded speakers make a big difference but even the stock speakers should be heard way above 15mph. Before I replaced my stock speakers by J&M 5.25", I could hear them up to 55-60mph without much distortion. Above that, the sound deteriorated noticeably.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 136
Likes: 6
From: Sterling Heights, Michigan
Agree that everyone has their own opinions on the upgrades of head units and speakers. I was also pretty disappointed in the sound of the stock speakers and the head unit myself. The sound was not very loud or crisp at speeds above 60 mph. I upgraded the speakers added an amp and left the stock HK unit in. IMHO the speaker upgrade will help but an amp is almost a must. I don't like the sound from the HK when listening to the radio at all. The CD player is better but since I play all my music thru my Garmin GPS with the built in MP3 player I can hear it going 80+ mph and to me there is no distortion and it's plenty loud.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 20
From: Southeast GA
If you find the stereo useless above 10-15 mph nothing is going to help you.
It should be decent to 50 mph.
The best thing to do is get a great headset and use it that way.
I use Skull Candy Ear Buds with Foam Tips.
It's my understanding the Headsets that came with your bike are a joke for listening to music.
and a stereo rated at 80 amps is actually 20 watts per speaker times 4 speakers thus the 80 amps rating.
So to me you have a 20 watt radio
If you want to keep the intercom and CB then you can't change the head unit.
It should be decent to 50 mph.
The best thing to do is get a great headset and use it that way.
I use Skull Candy Ear Buds with Foam Tips.
It's my understanding the Headsets that came with your bike are a joke for listening to music.
and a stereo rated at 80 amps is actually 20 watts per speaker times 4 speakers thus the 80 amps rating.
So to me you have a 20 watt radio
If you want to keep the intercom and CB then you can't change the head unit.
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