Just installed a set of Infinity Reference Series 5022i speakers. I decided on the Reference over the Kappa series because they were a little cheaper, sounded just as good if not a little better, are only 1db less sensitive than the Kappas and they don't have an external crossover to worry about.

Install was a snap. Three screws out. Remove the stock speakers and their housing. Fit new speakers in the housing and reinstall. Only thing I ran into was the positive terminal fit loose. Just squeezed it a little with needle nose and problem solved.

My initial thoughts:
These speakers do sound better than the stock speakers. They handle hard rock better. They are not as harsh as the stock speakers and do not distort at the same volume levels. There is no more bass response than the stock speakers but you can't really expect much bass from a 5 1/4 driver. Midbass is a bit better. Imaging is also better as I can her distinct sounds now out of each speaker that I could not hear before with the same songs.

Is this a drastic upgrade??? No. Face it you are on a bike with 60mph+ wind rushing around you. No speaker is gonna have audiophile sound quality. Music on a bike is just sound. If I want great sound I will listen at home. It is a minimal upgrade at best. Would I do it again??? Probably not. If I had a chance to hear aftermarket speakers in the fairing and on the road before I bought them I probably would have stayed with the stock speakers.

I am sure there are gonna be a few that chime in talking about their $600 amp and speaker set-ups. I was into high-end car audio for several years. I know what sounds good and what it takes to sound good. And I am pretty sure I could do it on my Glide. I just do not feel the need. Music is a secondary thing when I am riding.

This was more of an experiment to see if sound quality could be improved with a speaker upgrade. I got my results.

 

I am also planning a speaker upgrade, but with a pair of JBL 527's rated at 2 ohm's. When I pull off the outer fairing to install the HD oil temp gauge kit in place of the stupid ambient temp gauge, I will also install the new speakers. I will post my results on the JBL's as soon as I get them in.

 

I feel the same way. At home I went all out on sound equ. years ago but I am still
ejoying top end sound from it and will be for years to come. I even went a little
nuts in my GMC . My stock 2007 RG stereo isn't bad as I can listen to music or
talk radio at 70mph+ just fine.

 

Monstermile I can relate brotha. 30 something yrs ago(showing my age)I was all into installing car stereo's and 2 channel amps custom 6x9 Jensen speaker cabs etc. With these sleds the environment we're listening to music in blows so specs of head units, speakers & amps I believe is much less relevant. I just picked up a used aftermarket fairing and I am presently building a stereo system and I feel like a kid in the candy store !

 

If anybody figures out how to get a sub woofer into RG faring, please post it! It's all I lack now after ugrading to the J&M HP Fairing Speakers.
They are nice with separate mid-woofs and tweeters.
Spec’d at 8 ohms impedance and 140+ watts power

 

How much to upgrade just the fairing speakers (uppers)?

 

Depends on what ya want. I got those Infinitys for less than $60 shipped. You can go cheaper or more expensive. But in all honesty I doubt buying a more expensive speaker is going to make that much of a difference. Best thing to do is listen and figure out what you like. I personally like the sound of Infinity car speakers.

 

How about a write up on small amps that dont cost $200?

 

I agree! There are lot's of "mini-amps" out there for $20-$50... Has anyone installled one of those and if so, what was the outcome?
MT

 

Any issues with aftermarket speakers getting wet, If you get caught in the rain, especially a good soaking rain.