Has anybody upgraded their boom box radio--2014 and above

[Trampas]

I know I need hearing aids but right now refuse to get them, I can hear ok and even carry on a conversation with people and no problem. When riding the trike on the interstate or secondary roads I have the radio just a little over the halfway mark to be able to hear it and really depends on the wind also found that out also.

Been looking at speakers and amps and really confused about all of it, not a tech guy so to speak but I do like a good sounding stereo to listen to while going down the road. Basically wanting a plug and plug and really don't want the harley crap they sell, the parts guy told me he has had a alot of complaints from people that spent the money on the harley stage 1 and 2 audio upgrade and are not happy at all, they wished they would have went after market.

So if you have upgraded your system and basically for the people that have 2014 and above which are the same so to speak, what do you have??

All for now Trampas

 

[GARYD]

My nickname is "MUSICMAN" I am a fanatic for my music. Everyone else has loud pipes - I have loud music - I share.

I have always updated my Harleys. For years I went with HogTunes, but for the Rushmore (a more complex electrical system) I went with the H-D system. First with the Stage 1 and then the Stage 2. There wasn't a 3rd party unit at the time. I am completely satisfied with my Boom Box system and don't have to worry about any warranty issues. No one I know has anything bad to say about their H-D system.

Harley is now selling Rockford Fosgate. I probably would have bought that if it was available at the time. I do a lot of freeway riding and can hear my music just fine - and clear.

Good luck with what you choose. It's like the oil controversy - everyone has their favorite stereo system and everything else is no good.

Here's a big hint. Wear ear plugs = you'll hear the music better, they cut down on the wind noise and the exhaust sounds better too.

 

[Trampas]

Thanks for the reply Gary D, I knew you had the harley system and happy with it and maybe I would be to. I know parts guy has told he has had to many complaints about the harley system and still can't hear on the interstate. I don't know for sure what these people are running for exhaust which would make a big difference in hearing the stereo on the road, I have stock system right now but maybe down the road I will put something on that has some sound to it, not loud, to old for that anymore, just want it to have low mellow tone I guess.

I seen a video online from John Maxwell and they did a fellow co-workers bike on the stereo, WOW, love the sound, it was from Soundz if I remember right and the people that sell it installed in his bike, they did a comparsion to the harley system and the one they installed, totally different in sound, way better with the sound system they installed, I know the guys bike they did it to said he has the harley system for sale. Now granted this guy has a loud exhaust system and some work to the motor if I remember right but he couldn't hear the harley stereo going down the road even when cranked up, his new system he hears really good and only part way up and hears good.

I want to thank you for replying Gary D, guess most people like the stereo they have and can hear good or don't care, I know that is money to get the sound you want and some don't want to spend that much, I may just wait until I blow a speaker and maybe not

All for now Trampas

 

[ultrafxr]

Hi Trampas. Can't help with you question since I use a J&M headset exclusively and never turn on the speakers on the bike. Gary gave you some excellent advise about wearing ear plugs. I wear hearing aids and my audiologist made me a set of custom fitted 'musicians' ear plugs for about $125. They have a 15db acoustic filter which cuts way, way down on wind noise, road noise and exhaust noise. I can hear music and intercom and CB transmissions much better with the ear plugs. My wife and I both wear them and I've recommended them to several riding friends who have purchased them.

 

[Trampas]

Hi Trampas. Can't help with you question since I use a J&M headset exclusively and never turn on the speakers on the bike. Gary gave you some excellent advise about wearing ear plugs. I wear hearing aids and my audiologist made me a set of custom fitted 'musicians' ear plugs for about $125. They have a 15db acoustic filter which cuts way, way down on wind noise, road noise and exhaust noise. I can hear music and intercom and CB transmissions much better with the ear plugs. My wife and I both wear them and I've recommended them to several riding friends who have purchased them.

I take it that J&M headset plugs into the dash on the console, don't know much about this and I should get around read the manual, maybe this winter, LOL. I take it you have to wear a helmet for the headset and since I don't wear a helmet I guess the headset won't do me any good.

I will try some ear plugs and see if that helps or not, I'm willing to try anything to be able to hear the music, I believe I got some kind of headset with the bike but never opened it up to see what it was, I know I didn't get as much stuff with the 18 as I did with the 16.

And thanks for the response

All for now Trampas

 

[Karl]

Here's a big hint. Wear ear plugs = you'll hear the music better, they cut down on the wind noise and the exhaust sounds better too.

That's the second time I've heard that this week.

 

[Rev J]

There is a website PlugUp.com that sells adapters to plug into your Harley system for earbuds. I use is the "Y" adapter (image #1) that bypasses the speakers in my headset. The comm still works as normal, just not the helmet speakers. I plug in a set of earbuds because of hearing loss and have difficulty hearing my wife through the speakers. The earbuds fit well therefore cutting down on wind and engine noise. There is also an adapter (image #2) that has only the 1/8" stereo plug for earbuds. Make sure to specify the correct version. I have no affiliation with this site, just a happy customer. Hope this helps, Richard.

 

[paws]

Hi Trampas. Can't help with you question since I use a J&M headset exclusively and never turn on the speakers on the bike. Gary gave you some excellent advise about wearing ear plugs. I wear hearing aids and my audiologist made me a set of custom fitted 'musicians' ear plugs for about $125. They have a 15db acoustic filter which cuts way, way down on wind noise, road noise and exhaust noise. I can hear music and intercom and CB transmissions much better with the ear plugs. My wife and I both wear them and I've recommended them to several riding friends who have purchased them.

Jerry... Am I understanding correctly... you wear the musician’s ear plugs while riding but when you get off the bike do you have to switch back to your regular hearing aids or can you hear/understand regular conversation with the musician’s plugs.... say,,,if it was just a gas/rest stop for a few minutes and someone was talking to you... can you understand them well enough to not have to switch back to your regular aids? Just curious, thanks.

 

[GARYD]

Jerry... Am I understanding correctly... you wear the musician’s ear plugs while riding but when you get off the bike do you have to switch back to your regular hearing aids or can you hear/understand regular conversation with the musician’s plugs.... say,,,if it was just a gas/rest stop for a few minutes and someone was talking to you... can you understand them well enough to not have to switch back to your regular aids? Just curious, thanks.

I've been using the 3M E.A.R yellow plugs for more years than I care to remember. Yes, I can hear a normal conversation when I get off the bike at a gas station etc.

I would imagine the custom made plugs are made to allow you to hear normal conversations, but cut out the frequencies of wind noise.

I keep toying with the idea of getting a pair of custom ear plugs, but I don't like the coast of them and I love the foam ones I use now. I buy a box of 200 pairs for about $38 and I get a fresh new plug every time. A box usually lasts me well over 5 years.

Try different makes of plugs until you find one that works good and fits comfortably....there are many types out there.

 

[GARYD]

I take it that J&M headset plugs into the dash on the console, don't know much about this and I should get around read the manual, maybe this winter, LOL. I take it you have to wear a helmet for the headset and since I don't wear a helmet I guess the headset won't do me any good.

I will try some ear plugs and see if that helps or not, I'm willing to try anything to be able to hear the music, I believe I got some kind of headset with the bike but never opened it up to see what it was, I know I didn't get as much stuff with the 18 as I did with the 16.

And thanks for the response

All for now Trampas

Harley also sells a headset that goes around the back of your neck if you don't wear a helmet. Many of my chapter members have them and love them.

 

[Trampas]

Harley also sells a headset that goes around the back of your neck if you don't wear a helmet. Many of my chapter members have them and love them.

Thanks for the tip, I will check that out the next time I'm at the dealer, might just online and look also. Question for you, since you have the stage 1 and now the stage 2 upgrade, you have just the 4 speakers with the one amp or do you have more speakers and another amp, I seen online about another set of speakers that goes into the body which I will not do, just curious how many speakers and amps you have, I can't get heads or tails out of the harley web site on this stereo stuff, wish they would make it better for the layman.

All for now Trampas

 

[ultrafxr]

Jerry... Am I understanding correctly... you wear the musician’s ear plugs while riding but when you get off the bike do you have to switch back to your regular hearing aids or can you hear/understand regular conversation with the musician’s plugs.... say,,,if it was just a gas/rest stop for a few minutes and someone was talking to you... can you understand them well enough to not have to switch back to your regular aids? Just curious, thanks.

Hi Carla. Yes I wear the musician's ear plugs always when riding. My hearing loss is typical in that I have a high frequency loss which means that I can hear but have difficulty understanding. It is not so severe that I cannot function without the aids and I never put them in until after the ride for the day is through or maybe if we are taking an extended break visiting some attraction, etc.

Even without the aids and with the ear plugs in place I can hear and understand regular conversation from my wife on the intercom and riding buddies on the CB. Sometimes I have to ask them to repeat but heck I do that even with my aids sometimes. And the music through the headsets if fine but listing to talk stations takes way too much concentration to understand and I just don't do that.

My wife and I and all our friends who have purchased these ear plugs agree that they make a huge difference and make the ride much more enjoyable. You just don't realize how fatiguing wind and road noise is until they are mitigated.

 

[Trampas]

Harley also sells a headset that goes around the back of your neck if you don't wear a helmet. Many of my chapter members have them and love them.

Thanks Gary D, looked online and found the harley one also I seen the IMC headset which is cheaper and has good reviews, I know lawabidingbiker swears by these and he sells them on his website also.

All for now Trampas

gives me alot of options for sure and cheaper than upgrading the stereo, will try the ear plugs the next time, might not need the headset which will save me even more money LOL

 

[GARYD]

Thanks for the tip, I will check that out the next time I'm at the dealer, might just online and look also. Question for you, since you have the stage 1 and now the stage 2 upgrade, you have just the 4 speakers with the one amp or do you have more speakers and another amp, I seen online about another set of speakers that goes into the body which I will not do, just curious how many speakers and amps you have, I can't get heads or tails out of the harley web site on this stereo stuff, wish they would make it better for the layman.

All for now Trampas

I have 4 speakers and 2 amps. Personally I think the 2 speakers in the body is overkill since you have 2 speakers already by the rear seat. Same with the lower fairing speakers. I have the saddlebags where those extra speakers would go. I think 4 speakers are enough.

I could use a 20" woofer in the tour pac though. LOL



I don't like to have speakers right on my ears - I want to be able to hear emergency vehicles etc.



For my CB I have the mic clipped to my jacket (I cut off the ear speakers) and listen through the bikes speakers.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

Harley also sells a headset that goes around the back of your neck if you don't wear a helmet. Many of my chapter members have them and love them.

Hi Gary;

Could you give a part # for those ?

I have some very loud pipes and have for over 20 yrs now.

My 14 tri glide is ALL stock.

Never had the radio updated either.

I have a hard time hearing it while riding down the rd.

I'm not going to spend a lot of Hard Cash for speakers when my wife says she can hear it and its too loud lol.

So these headsets your talking about ........ Where do you plug them in at ??

Thanks For any help you can give a tramp. Rick

P.S. if its easier to make a phone call I'll send you my phone # ??

 

[Trampas]

Hi Gary;

Could you give a part # for those ?

I have some very loud pipes and have for over 20 yrs now.

My 14 tri glide is ALL stock.

Never had the radio updated either.

I have a hard time hearing it while riding down the rd.

I'm not going to spend a lot of Hard Cash for speakers when my wife says she can hear it and its too loud lol.

So these headsets your talking about ........ Where do you plug them in at ??

Thanks For any help you can give and tramp. Rick

P.S. if its easier to make a phone call I'll send you my phone # ??

I'm not Gary but just go google IMC headset, can't remember the name of company but it does have IMC in it, whole lot cheaper than the harley one and IMC makes the harley one and then charges you more for it, check out lawabidingbiker on you tube, he sells this head set and has a video on this headset, very good reviews on this headset from what I have found.

All for now Trampas

 

[Rollin Thunder]

Thanks Trampas.

I'll check it out ...............Rick

 

[GARYD]

It plugs in in the same spot the other headsets plug into....in the center console.