I have a 2010 FLHTC with no lowers and no tourpak speakers. I installed 2 Boom audio speakers in the fairing and was disappointed. I upgraded to J&M in the fairing but still don't get enough volume at highway speeds. Would like to keep the J&M and add to them. I'm looking for a "plug and play" set-up to add speakers to the saddlebags. I was looking at the pre-painted HogWorkz lids. My budget for audio components (amp, speakers and harnesses) would be about $500 since I have to buy the lids on top of that. Would need waterproof speakers. I'm capable of doing the mechanics of the installation, but have next to no knowledge of electronics and audio systems. I assume I won't have fader control with my stock head unit, but I'm not really worried about it (unless I should be?) Looking for some input, suggestions, etc. Thanks.

 

your not going to gain anything until you add an amplifier, that being said,

amp.....................soundstream pn4-1000d $160
6x9 lid speaker... pioneer pro 6900 or the polk audio 692 $90-$140
new front speakers polk mm1 652 $150
wires, connectors, inline fuze under $50

any questions, just ask

 

What Yoop said, or put your cash just into front speakers and amp. And if you have some leftover, look at upgrading head unit. That's where you will get the majority of your listening pleasure from while riding.
Doing lid speakers can get a little spendy.

 

Just throwing this out there if you got that SS amp it would be cheaper to add lowers and put speakers in them than to get speaker lids. That would put four powerful speakers in front of your face. You'd be able to hear it then with no problem even using the factory head unit.

Iron Cross Audio can add fader control to your stock head unit if you want to keep it. They can also add preamp outputs and bluetooth if you wish. Whenever you go with four speakers in any configuration it is always nice to have the fader control. You can certainly get by without it, but noise conditions can change easily which will change how well you can hear each set of speakers. Even a different helmet can cause a change in how you hear your speakers.

 

Thanks for all of the input. I like the idea of just doing an amp, front speakers and possibly a head unit. I really don't want to sacrifice the bag storage space, so if I can find a good set-up for just the fairing that would be great. I don't want to do lowers as I live in S. Florida and I want (need) the wind on my legs. I've ridden a few bikes with lowers and didn't like the lack of air flow; it's too hot. That being said, recommendations on a head unit, amp and fairing speaker combination? If there are any vendors watching the thread, feel free to chime in; I'm ready to buy the right setup. Not opposed to doing something used either.

 

For a budget system, you can get pretty much everything on Amazon.
--HU:

--Amp:

--Speakers:

--Or speakers:

---Speaker adapter if you don't have them already:

---Wiring:

---Fuse:

---RCA:

 

Glenbo some companies make lowers without the vents that would allow airflow. What I mean is they are just pods up top on the crash bar, there is no lower component to it.

Shoot I even saw a Youtube video where a guy bought JL marine speakers with railing clamps and bolted them to the lowers of his Road King. Didn't look all that great but it sure put out sound.

In the end is is all about what YOU want, just thought I'd throw that idea out there because after having a bike with speakers in the lowers I DO NOT want to ever do without them if possible. That one addition made a bigger difference than anything else I have done to the bike audio wise (amp required of course). To get the most out of lowers though it is helpful to have fader capability.

Good luck.

 

All good stuff here, and i would agree with the strong front stage (spend money there first) before lids

 

Hey I just thought of something, if he got lowers from Fairing Factory or Hogtunes or whoever could he just leave the vents out? I ride with my vents open in the summer but I realize that may not be enough airflow for him. I wonder if he could just assemble them without the vent closures just for speaker mounts.

I have seen just the upper speaker pods without the lowers but I can't remember who made them.

If you go with four speakers up front the wiring is super easy. Shoot even I could do it.

 

I'm not opposed to doing some sort of clamp on pod speakers on the engine guards but I really don't want lowers. There are plenty out there for marine and powersports applications...any recommendations on those? Thanks for the links cshocker, gives me an idea what to look for. Since the general consensus is to upgrade the head unit, is there a unit that will use the stock handlebar controls? I'd like to avoid having to clamp something else onto the handlebars. Thanks again for the help all.