J&M 7.25 Speaker Review
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Westerville, OH
You beat me to it as I'm also one of the testers. I also live in Tucson so I got to do my install at J&M. Again what was said this is a very easy install. This is on a 2007 Street Glide.
I also own a 2002 Road Glide w/137k miles on her so I think I'm kind of an expert on stereos on bikes. This bike has the biketronics kit w/sony head unit and hogtune speakers. I have also tried MB Quarts, Rockford Fosgate, Sony, and an older set of J&M speakers.
The new J&M speakers on my Street Glide absolutely blow away any of these other combinations I have tried. The bass while not booming does a nice job of giving a nice full sound. The mid range and tweeter give a very bright and crisp sound.
I went down to the dealer and cranked it up in the parking lot and got quite a crowd over to listen. I had several people ask what kind of amp I was running.
The big test was over 500 miles on the super slab averaging 80 mph. As stated music and lyrics were very clear. Also what I have never been able to do in the past which with these speakers was to listen to talk radio doing 80 and being able to hear every word.
The main key to all this is that even at max volume there is no distortion. I would think for the masses that don't have our speed limits and don't approach 80 mph that these would give you all the volume and clarity you would need.
Again, thanks John for the opportunity. Mark.
On a side note. I got to hear John's new Ultra limited with his protype 7.25" in the rear pods along with the new fairing speakers. Wow, just like being in a concert hall. He said these rears should be out in three weeks or so.
I also own a 2002 Road Glide w/137k miles on her so I think I'm kind of an expert on stereos on bikes. This bike has the biketronics kit w/sony head unit and hogtune speakers. I have also tried MB Quarts, Rockford Fosgate, Sony, and an older set of J&M speakers.
The new J&M speakers on my Street Glide absolutely blow away any of these other combinations I have tried. The bass while not booming does a nice job of giving a nice full sound. The mid range and tweeter give a very bright and crisp sound.
I went down to the dealer and cranked it up in the parking lot and got quite a crowd over to listen. I had several people ask what kind of amp I was running.
The big test was over 500 miles on the super slab averaging 80 mph. As stated music and lyrics were very clear. Also what I have never been able to do in the past which with these speakers was to listen to talk radio doing 80 and being able to hear every word.
The main key to all this is that even at max volume there is no distortion. I would think for the masses that don't have our speed limits and don't approach 80 mph that these would give you all the volume and clarity you would need.
Again, thanks John for the opportunity. Mark.
On a side note. I got to hear John's new Ultra limited with his protype 7.25" in the rear pods along with the new fairing speakers. Wow, just like being in a concert hall. He said these rears should be out in three weeks or so.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Texas
theres no way this new speaker from jm will outperform a 6.5" with an amplifier set-up. by simply changing speakers, yes the speakers will sound better than the stock set-up of course, hell anything really sounds better than stock. ive never heard these yet, but they look cool... probably even sound good too, but from a performance stand point, its impossible for them to outperform a set of 6.5 with a amp running them, especially with half of the grill area covered by tweets, so now your trying to get even more sound from an even larger speaker through a smaller hole in the fairings, thats 50% obstructed by tweeters! And if you think well lets just put an amp to them and see how they perform,go ahead,if they perform anything like jms other speakers they will prolly only play for a couple of minutes. These speakers are a high efficency design, not designed to handle power,in another words designed to play better with low power input. But they should be great for the guys that just want new speakers.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 1
From: Tucson
No, I'm not running an amp. I asked John if he had one or was planning on having one at some point as I knew the nay sayers would be doubters. As of our last conversation J&M didn't have an amp yet.
I havn't heard the Arc setup but for me these put out more volume then my bad hearing needs. I just don't need to make my ears bleed by adding an amp. But to each his own.
I havn't heard the Arc setup but for me these put out more volume then my bad hearing needs. I just don't need to make my ears bleed by adding an amp. But to each his own.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Hartland, WI
Nobody is telling you that you have to buy them. I was just giving an honest review. By the way, what is the price on an amp and 6.5 speakers? I haven't been able to find a package for anywhere close to $279.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Hartland, WI
As far as the crossover, I would have to assume it is internal but I better let John chime in on that one if he reads this.
As far as weight goes, the difference has to be minimal. I didn't weigh them but they were much lighter than I had expected. The brackets are ABS plastic and weigh nothing. Most of the weight from speakers are in the magnet and the magnets are far smaller than you would think. You might be able to tell that from the pics but I'm not sure.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 3
From: Plano, TX
I just installed the J&M 7.25's with an existing Wetsounds amp. Had Alpine 6.5" SPR-17C speakers in the fairing until now. The new J&M's have better clarity, and a very well balanced sound. Bass is outstanding, and with the foam pads installed in the fairing, it is even better. I can actually hear some of the lower midrange at highway speeds now. I could not with the Alpines, Infinity's, or a Hogtunes setup on a prior FLHX.
This setup has massive volume, so much that I can not turn it up past 80% without hurting my ears. There is no distortion at these volumes.
Another impressive part of this setup is that I have a light and responsive front end again. With the much heavier Alpines the weight in the fairing would pull hard in low speed, tight manuevers.
These are well worth the price to me. I appreciate good sounding tunes on the highway. I like to be able to hear the music, not just pretend that I am hearing it.
The price of the speakers is expensive, but I think that you are getting what you pay for. I like a good deal as much as the next guy, but I would rather have better performance and quality, and pay more. I have always been disappointed by taking the cheap way out.
The J&M 7.25's supercede the 6.5 Alpines, and the Infinity's I have tried. They improve upon clarity, volume, audibility at speed, and excessive weight issues in the fairing.
This setup has massive volume, so much that I can not turn it up past 80% without hurting my ears. There is no distortion at these volumes.
Another impressive part of this setup is that I have a light and responsive front end again. With the much heavier Alpines the weight in the fairing would pull hard in low speed, tight manuevers.
These are well worth the price to me. I appreciate good sounding tunes on the highway. I like to be able to hear the music, not just pretend that I am hearing it.
The price of the speakers is expensive, but I think that you are getting what you pay for. I like a good deal as much as the next guy, but I would rather have better performance and quality, and pay more. I have always been disappointed by taking the cheap way out.
The J&M 7.25's supercede the 6.5 Alpines, and the Infinity's I have tried. They improve upon clarity, volume, audibility at speed, and excessive weight issues in the fairing.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN (where else?)
theres no way this new speaker from jm will outperform a 6.5" with an amplifier set-up. by simply changing speakers, yes the speakers will sound better than the stock set-up of course, hell anything really sounds better than stock. ive never heard these yet, but they look cool... probably even sound good too, but from a performance stand point, its impossible for them to outperform a set of 6.5 with a amp running them, especially with half of the grill area covered by tweets, so now your trying to get even more sound from an even larger speaker through a smaller hole in the fairings, thats 50% obstructed by tweeters! And if you think well lets just put an amp to them and see how they perform,go ahead,if they perform anything like jms other speakers they will prolly only play for a couple of minutes. These speakers are a high efficency design, not designed to handle power,in another words designed to play better with low power input. But they should be great for the guys that just want new speakers.
The most popular speaker for mixing hit records is the Yamaha NS-10, which is rather ugly sounding, but it approximates what the typical consumer listens on. The addition of a great amp changes everything.
I'd love to hear these speakers, and I'm willing to bet they're an improvement over stock, but I'm also willing to bet that with a really good amp, they'd be better yet.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
We are getting our shipment of the J&M 7.25" speakers this Tuesday and will be installing them right away on our own 2009 Street Glides. We will be running them with an amp, so we will be able to post our evaluation and review with more power added to the speakers.
Can't wait to hear how they sound with the amp.
Shawn
Can't wait to hear how they sound with the amp.
Shawn
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Supporter
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 341
Likes: 22
From: Island on the Pacific.
I ordered mine yesterday; I will let you know my findings. I have a stock 08 SG and the factory sound is not there. I enjoy listening to talk shows and music at cruising speed, so I am banking on the speakers to help clear up the noise I have been enduring till now.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 558
Likes: 2
From: Richardson, Tx
I would have to agree. I am sure they sound great but the price is way out of line. While J&M makes quality products they have missed the price point on this one. They are about $100 too much for what you are getting.