|
02-29-2020, 08:24 AM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Ma
Posts: 128
|
Tell me what you know about speakers
I was planning on installing better speakers this year but for the second time i read on forums that the standard radio will not support new speakers with a larger magnet. Has anyone else found this to be true? Has anyone else replaced just their speakers only and had no problem and had an improvement in sound quality.
I'm riding a 2016 voyager and usually keep the sound level between 7 & 9 i don't need an amplifier nor do i want to install one. Replies from those who have performed a speaker swap will be appreciated. If i do replace the speakers they will be a straight forward replacement that doesn't require cutting the speaker boxes or replacing the top grills, i think they exist with a little searching of past posts. Login or Register to Remove Ads |
|
02-29-2020, 10:09 AM | #2 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Cannon Falls, Minnesota
Posts: 127
|
I installed a pair of Polk DB521 speakers last fall and got 1 or 2 rides in before storing the bike for winter. I would say they are better than stock. i do not have an amp installed and do not plan to do so. I think they were around $60.00 and i would say worth it. Mike
__________________
2012 Voyager (graystone/black) Ivan's ECU flash K & N air filter Racnray's throttle mod Kuryakyn trunk rack Kuryakyn longhorn offset hiway pegs Grasshopper riders back rest |
|
02-29-2020, 10:16 AM | #3 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: ontario canada
Posts: 94
|
new speakers
there are two places that I know of that sell better replacement speakers.
Hog Tunes is one of them and Metrix Audio is the other one. both are 5 and a half in. speakers. I can`t vouch for either one as I went with Engineered Adapters and 6 and a half in. Kicker speakers on my vaquero. with no amp I keep my volume at 10 or 11 on the highway and the sound is great with no distortion.
__________________
2015 vulcan vaquero ABS SE mettalic carbon grey 12in. windshield grasshopper driver backrest oem aux lights ram mount for gps freedom performance true duals tank bra saddle bag chaps kuryakin longhorn cruise pedals black isso grips chucksters risers k&n air filter ivanized VBA#03256 |
|
02-29-2020, 11:06 AM | #4 |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 542
|
I suggest you search through posts a little more and upgrade your speakers to 6.5" using Randy's adapters.
EngineeredAdapters.com http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=44138 |
|
02-29-2020, 11:42 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 994
|
I put Polk ddb522 in mine this winter. No amp. Just sitting in shop the sound is crisper and can turn it up higher before they distort compared to the stock ones.
I had the speaker out doing some wiring and upgrading the lights to leds, so I just upgraded the speakers. I didn't have a issue with hearing the stock speaker. I have my stock head unit set to get louder the faster I go. So setting between 8-12 at highway speed is sufficient. Not sure what most expect running down the road with your head in the wind. I don't think it should be so loud that everyone around you can hear it.
__________________
Troy Donat VBA #02401 2015 Voyager 2006 1600 Nomad black(sold) 2016 Salem, Antlers, 2017 Eureka Springs, Lake George, Antlers 2018 Custer NR, Antlers Login or Register to Remove Ads |
|
02-29-2020, 12:20 PM | #6 | |
Jr. Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: shippensburg, pa
Posts: 26
|
Quote:
|
|
|
02-29-2020, 01:52 PM | #7 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 1,565
|
I know nothing about Speakers.
But I have installed the Polk 5.25s. Never got the sound I expected. I was told that the magnet puts to much of a draw on the head unit and can make it over heat. Now go back and read sentence #1 I Installed an amp, I am much happier with the sound. But how to set it correctly? Well back to sentence #1 I have found the bass is better on the stock speakers when combined with the highs, and my polks get fuzzy when adding bass to them. Now I also keep in mind that many years riding without a helmet has affected my hearing. So I needed more push to the speakers to hear it well. YMMV
__________________
Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles |
|
02-29-2020, 02:07 PM | #8 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 297
|
You're going to get conflicting stories on this because of how under-informed the average consumer is on audio equipment, coupled with confirmation bias (i.e. "I want these speakers I just bought to sound better so...yup, I really think they do!").
I installed professionally in the past and have kept up with it over the years as best I can, still building subwoofer boxes and currently replacing a factory 12-speaker Mark Levinson system in my Lexus. If you were to ask me a very general question, "Would you rather run stock speakers off an aftermarket deck or aftermarket speakers off a stock deck", with no other information than that general question, I'd choose an aftermarket deck on stock speakers. Reason being, you're better off with more power pushing existing speakers than you are with the same power pushing more capable speakers. Since you're wanting to go the less desirable route and forego an amp and use the rather pathetic internal amp in the head unit, your main focus needs to be twofold: 1) Installing the biggest speakers possible (somebody mentioned adapters...if you can upsize from 5-1/4's to 6-1/2s, DO IT! -and- 2) Installing speakers with the highest sensitivity rating you can find. I see people endorsing Polk speakers which, more often than not, only have a sensitivity rating of 89db@1w/1m...this is pathetic, but it's because they're meant to be amplified. What you want is a sensitivity rating of 93db@1w/1m found in such speakers as the Hertz "Energy" lineup. Since decibels are logarithmic in nature, a speaker with a rating of 93 isn't like 4% louder than one with a rating of 89, it's FOUR TIMES as loud with the same wattage, so it's far more efficient. Using deck power and no amplifier, you want the largest and most efficient speaker you can install, and you need to have realistic expectations on what it can do since you're expecting it to produce full range (ideally you'd want an 80hz HPF installed, not something you can do with a stock deck, you'd need a passive crossover of some sort which will soak up precious wattage).
__________________
'09 Nomad 1700 - Ivan's flash - Kuryakyn Alley Cat - V&H slip-ons - Triple hi/low beam H4 headlights - Desert Dawgs - Half the F&S Catalog |
|
03-01-2020, 08:57 AM | #9 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Ma
Posts: 128
|
Brokeass, what is an 80hz HPF?
|
|
03-01-2020, 10:18 AM | #10 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 297
|
It's a High Pass Filter blocking frequencies below 80hz, known to be subwoofer frequencies. Your full-range stock head unit likely has no such filter, so you'll be turning the bass down to try and mitigate distortion, but if you had this filter the speakers could play much much warmer without distorting.
__________________
'09 Nomad 1700 - Ivan's flash - Kuryakyn Alley Cat - V&H slip-ons - Triple hi/low beam H4 headlights - Desert Dawgs - Half the F&S Catalog |
|
03-03-2020, 07:50 AM | #11 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 1,565
|
SWEET, now I know just enough about speakers to be dangerous. Thanks Brokeass, Looking for a new amp this spring so I will now have a better Idea as to what I should look for. And Suggestions on makes and models? under 200 or better yet 150.00. Maybe the Rockford Fosgate Punch?
__________________
Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles |
|
03-03-2020, 09:56 AM | #12 | |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 297
|
Quote:
https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item...02.html#photos https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item...NVX-VADM2.html https://www.amazon.com/MB-Quart-NA2-...247268&sr=8-18
__________________
'09 Nomad 1700 - Ivan's flash - Kuryakyn Alley Cat - V&H slip-ons - Triple hi/low beam H4 headlights - Desert Dawgs - Half the F&S Catalog |
|
|
06-04-2022, 03:38 PM | #13 | |
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Placerville, CA
Posts: 2,959
|
Quote:
Bringing up an old post. I would like to go with the 6 1/2" front speakers only, no rear speakers, on my stock Voyager radio. Would the Polk Audio MM 652 speakers work the best with a stock radio? It has a 93db rating like you suggested. Thanks in advance for any suggestions you can give me.
__________________
Jim Diebolt 2015 Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS The Black Kaw 2005 Vulcan Nomad Sold 2006 Honda 1800 VTX (Freebie) Sold 2008 Harley Ultra Classic Sold 2001 Harley Ultra Classic Sold Hangtown, Kalifornia VBA #2625 |
|
|
06-04-2022, 10:47 PM | #14 | |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 297
|
Quote:
__________________
'09 Nomad 1700 - Ivan's flash - Kuryakyn Alley Cat - V&H slip-ons - Triple hi/low beam H4 headlights - Desert Dawgs - Half the F&S Catalog |
|
|
06-05-2022, 04:11 PM | #15 | |
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Placerville, CA
Posts: 2,959
|
Quote:
__________________
Jim Diebolt 2015 Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS The Black Kaw 2005 Vulcan Nomad Sold 2006 Honda 1800 VTX (Freebie) Sold 2008 Harley Ultra Classic Sold 2001 Harley Ultra Classic Sold Hangtown, Kalifornia VBA #2625 |
|
|