Audio quality drop while bike is running

[NoMoreMetric]

As the title says

I’m new to HD so this may be a common deal; but I noticed a distinct difference in the quality of audio from the radio while the bike is running and when the engine is off. It goes from “ok” quality while running to actually pretty good when the engine is off.

Flash issue? Faulty part? Setting? Or just the way it is?

Bike has 200 miles on it, no mods. Boom 6.5 system, fairing speakers only.

Thx.

 

[Hlgsn]

2014 mine does the same thing. Just thought it was normal.

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[Lovetouch1]

it’s just the faulty boom system , there’s much better after market options out there.


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[NoMoreMetric]

Well. Crap. One of the main reasons I wanted the bike was the stereo/navigation. Wasn’t planning on paying for it twice so I suppose I’ll make do.

You’d think there’s a software setting somewhere that could turn that off. Any Harley techs out there that can chime in on this?

 

[luvtoride]

That's the way it was designed. Welcome to Harley Davidson (The marketing experts). It sounds great in the dealership showroom but on the highway you won't hear your tunes. I think they do it to protect the speakers from blowing.
I put an aftermarket amp and speakers in. You need to get a Line Leveler to flatten out the signal, recomended to also get the bike flashed to zero from your dealer. Also you will not be able to use AVC (automatic volume control). But I can hear my tunes fine at any speed on the highway.
I'm not dissing Harley Davidson, I own one and will probably always have one in my garage, buy it's not my only bike.

 

[Hurricane]

All I did was upgrade my fairing speakers to the Boom II I think and mine sounds pretty good and loud, even on the highway. I have noticed that when you Bluetooth from your phone the volume is cut in half and sound quality suffers. I have sense just downloaded my music from my iPhone to a USB thumb drive and just leave it plugged in all the time on shuffle. I'm pretty happy with mine.

 

[trublupsu94]

If one did go down the route to add an amp and new speakers, who has a good system that is almost plug and play? I don't want to get into a bunch of soldering and hacks. Also prefer not to flash if I can help it. I do worry about standard car audio stuff as I do get caught in the rain from time to time. Moisture concerns me.

I did see that JM Audio sponsors this site sometimes. Their system runs upwards of $1050 for the amp and two speakers. Is this a good 'kit'? Claims to need no flash.

I don't think changing just speakers or adding just an amp will do much. I think we need both to work the best. Soundz Customz was my first choice when I looked at this a few years ago. But they seem to have their own system much like JM Audio. Not sure but I recall them being even more expensive.

 

[Hurricane]

I don't think changing just speakers or adding just an amp will do much. I think we need both to work the best. Soundz Customz was my first choice when I looked at this a few years ago. But they seem to have their own system much like JM Audio. Not sure but I recall them being even more expensive.

My dealer had board set up where you could listen to the difference from stock all the way up to adding everything. The stock speakers cannot handle the output of the stereo and just upgrading the speakers using the stock head unit is very noticeable but then again I wasn't looking for car stereo quality.

 

[BluesBelly]

All I did was upgrade my fairing speakers to the Boom I. I think and mine sounds pretty good and loud, even on the highway. I have noticed that when you Bluetooth from your phone the volume is cut in half and sound quality suffers. I have sense just downloaded my music from my iPhone to a USB thumb drive and just leave it plugged in all the time on shuffle. I'm pretty happy with mine.

Hurricane,
I have done the very same thing; adding Boom II speakers, and a USB thumb drive containing my music library on shuffle. I scored the speakers and grills for $100 as CVO take offs. I'd say the sound quality at volume is at least 30-40 % better and I'm satisfied with that.

Blues

 

[Erilflynn]

I must be one of the few who are happy with the stock audio. To me the speakers sound fine and I can hear it loud up to about 70 MPH. Never even pushed the volume passed around 60%. I've seen the upgraded speakers in the dealership and Harley claims you don't need to upgrade the amp but I wonder about that.

 

[BluesBelly]

I must be one of the few who are happy with the stock audio. To me the speakers sound fine and I can hear it loud up to about 70 MPH. Never even pushed the volume passed around 60%. I've seen the upgraded speakers in the dealership and Harley claims you don't need to upgrade the amp but I wonder about that.

Erilflynn,
It is not necessary to upgrade to an amp. The stock HD stereo system does a fair job of putting out 25 watts per channel which at normal volumes is acceptable. The stock batwing fairing speakers are 5-1/4" single cone with no tweeter and a restrictive outer grill. The Boom I speaker upgrade is a two way 6-1/2" speaker with much bigger heavier magnet as well as a separate bridge mounted soft dome 1" tweeter. The outer grill appears to be less sound restrictive as well. This speaker supports 75 watts and as I stated above I do believe the Boom I speaker upgrade makes an appreciable upgrade. (I have the Boom I and not the Boom II
As I stated above.)
Blues

 

[Erilflynn]

Erilflynn,
It is not necessary to upgrade to an amp. The stock HD stereo system does a fair job of putting out 25 watts per channel which at normal volumes is acceptable. The stock batwing fairing speakers are 5-1/4" single cone with no tweeter and a restrictive outer grill. The Boom I speaker upgrade is a two way 6-1/2" speaker with much bigger heavier magnet as well as a separate bridge mounted soft dome 1" tweeter. The outer grill appears to be less sound restrictive as well. This speaker supports 75 watts and as I stated above I do believe the Boom I speaker upgrade makes an appreciable upgrade. (I have the Boom I and not the Boom II
As I stated above.)
Blues

I have no doubt they sound better but I just questioned whether an amp upgrade was necessary.

 

[bnbutler]

I have stage 2 speakers in both the fairing and saddlebags. The saddle bag speakers do have their own amp and each speaker is pushing 75 vs 25.
With the fairing it is much more clear and the additional tweeters really help.
The saddlebag speakers produce the bass.


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