When people talk about their Harley, they usually include the stereo system. The right speakers for your bike could mean the difference between a mediocre and great time out on the road. We all know how magically the right music can make a trip much better but get confused when picking the right speaker. Motorcycleall.com teams had gone deep and ended up with the following best speaker upgrades for Harley Davidson.
Best Overall – Rockford Fosgate Power
Best Value – Hogtunes 352F-AA
Best Bluetooth – BOSS MC440B
Best for Handlerbar – LEXIN Atmosphere
Best for Touring – XFMT Lower Vented
Best for Street Glide / Road Glide – Rockford TMS6SG
Best Coaxial – Infinity Kappa
Best for Cruiser – GoHawk TJ4-R
Stereo Systems on Your Harley – Benefits
A stereo system can bring your experience to an entirely new level. How? Here we gathered some of the benefits associated with stereo systems to favor what we claim.
- Speakers look good, making your Harley slightly more stylish.
- A stereo system can help pass the time quicker without monotony, changing how you experience a ride.
- They make you feel like a rockstar. You will find great joy in having great audio equipment, whether riding solo or with friends.
- A slightly risky though, music from the speakers probably makes you feel like a hero. As long as you’re mentally stable (not feeling like a superhero who can fly with the bike – lol), it’s a great joy indeed!
- A stereo system is just one way to increase resale value on your Harley by making it more appealing to buyers.
Safety & Precautions – When Using Motorcycle Stereo Systems
- Be responsible! The first rule that applies to any stereo system is that you should never give up your full attention to the music, as this could lead to serious injury and/or death.
- Turn down the volume. It’s nearly impossible to hear emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances over the roar of speakers. Other drivers may not be able to listen to the horn, either, which is why it is dangerous to listen to music at high volume while riding a motorcycle. Don’t let this happen to you. While it is entirely up to you whether or not to listen to music while driving your bike, the music volume must never take precedence over safety.
- Use a helmet with a communication system. You’ll be able to chat with whoever is with you on your bike or even riders from group riding, who can convey what’s coming/happening if you miss.
- Stay up to date. It’s not specific to Harley riders but applies to all vehicle owners out there who are looking for the best audio equipment for their vehicles. Ensure that you’re aware of any changes in your state’s laws regarding motorcycle audio system usage.
Different Powersport Speakers – Compatibility to Harley
For a Harley, different types of jacks can handle the speaker size and power requirements. Not all powersport speakers fit your H-D, even if it’s a universal one. You, of course, pick speakers for your Harley considering compatibility.
Power handling is crucial. Speakers must be able to handle at least 75 watts RMS at power levels up to 100 watts. It will ensure that they can handle the current produced by your stereo system’s amplifier. The higher the wattage, the greater ability the speaker has to produce volume.
Impedance measures the electrical resistance of speakers. Higher wattage generally has lower impedance. As Harley’s engine may produce a deep sound, installing lower impedance speakers is a good idea.
Overall, you must complement your current stereo system and create a balanced sound within the entire vehicle without overpowering any particular area.
Is a Car Speaker Suitable to Your Harley?
Many would-be Harley riders think that aftermarket car speakers are just as good as motorcycle-specific ones. No matter how ultimate it is, a car speaker won’t work as such on your motorcycle. The sound quality will be poor, and the power required to make it work is more than a motorcycle’s electrical system can put out. As with any purchase, the type of bike you have will determine what speaker will fit and ultimately produce the best sound quality.
Buying Harley Aftermarket Speakers – Considerations
Here are some of the things that you should consider when Buying a replacement Harley speaker:
Quality and Type of Sound
Before spending your hard-earned money on a pair of aftermarket speakers, you should determine what type of sound quality you want. This can be done by listening to various samples and/or asking for recommendations from trusted friends or colleagues. It’s also useful to know the type of music that you’ll be listening to most often. Floor speakers are great for rock, country, or any other genre, while fairing speakers cater better to those who enjoy blues, dance, and pop.
Amplified or Not
Depending on your bike model and existing sound system, some models come with factory-installed amplified speakers. Suppose you prefer to add a pair of non-amplified aftermarket speakers. It’s vital to consider what amplifier model your existing system uses to easily hook up the new speaker.
Performance and Installation
Floor or fairing speakers rule when it comes to performance because they produce a louder and fuller sound. Because they’re also larger, the installation process might be a bit more challenging. In this case, you must purchase a floor or fairing speaker kit with mounting hardware and amplifier harnesses.
Design
When looking for aftermarket speakers to match your Harley-Davidson motorcycle, there are two options: the first is the replacement speakers, which usually feature a similar design to the factory model. The second option, often preferred by enthusiasts who wish to make a bold statement about them, is custom-designed speakers. These one-of-a-kind speakers typically include LEDs (not headlight or turn signal) to produce awesome lighting effects that perfectly match your motorcycle’s overall look.
Price
The last, but indeed not the least important aspect to consider when shopping for new speakers is price. Often considered separately from quality and performance, price mainly depends on how much money you’re willing to invest in a better sound experience while driving your motorcycle. If you have an unlimited budget for this particular purchase, then getting custom-designed speakers with the highest quality sound performance might be a good idea.
How Many Watts are Harley Davidson Stereo Systems?
Harley Davidson stereo systems are remarkably powerful, which means greater wattage. Higher wattage means that the system is capable of pumping out a lot more sound. The most powerful amp will be in the rear speakers, and it’s essential to make sure your speakers match with this power if you want to achieve complete satisfaction. A Harley upgrade stereo system should have speakers with at least 300W.
Are Harley Davidson Speakers Waterproof?
Some of the speakers are waterproof, while others are not. This will depend on what type of motorcycle you have and the components, but it is important to determine this before buying your new Harley Davidson speakers.
The last thing you want is for your stereo speakers to be damaged by water. So, if this is a concern before making a purchase, it is helpful to determine which speakers are waterproof and which ones aren’t.
Concluding Remarks
Harley Davidson motorcycle owners always search for ways to make their favorite pastime even more enjoyable. One way to achieve this is by upgrading the stereo system. But, as with any major purchase, it’s essential to do your research and test a variety of samples before buying. Wish you get the best Harley speaker upgrade for your needs.
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