Agreed man Bose is way over hyped and if your using Bose as a reference for good sound I don't need your advice no offense I would say for the money they are ok at best as long as you don't listen to them louder than maybe 10 watts at a time they use paper cones which are ancient technology actually like 100 years or so.But sadly with good marketing you can always fool the wannabes.Just like those who but sporsters they don't know jack. Again no offense just my opinion.

 

If you don't wanna be loud why did you buy a Harley?

 

I also have the 6½" Hertz speakers (Biketronics branded) and they work very well with a 250w/ch. @ 2Ω Elf amp and Hogtunes Hog Pod. The Hertz are 3Ω and Hogpods 6Ω, so I connected in parallel for a final output of 2Ω. I also have DynaXorb mats behind the speakers, attached inside the outer fairing. I'm very happy with the result, but it doesn't sound like the home-theater system in my den and never will, not even close.

I second your comment about comparing to an auto environment, as like Hypurr said very well I don't think it is possible to realize true bass response from a batwing fairing regardless of amp power or speaker size. It's just a lousy open environment, almost as bad as tying the bare speakers to the handlebars. I've also thought about the earbud concept, but I don't like wires and trials reveal that the buds become dislodged from my ears easily and are impossible to replace while riding. I keep looking for a good internal-speaker solution for my 3/4 helmet, preferably one sourced by Bluetooth. I could then use my phone as the source, which has hundreds of MP3's stored on it.

 

+1 kazillion on the Hertz speakers. If you replace your HU along the way make sure you are able to see the display in bright sunlight.