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Cruiser
Posts: 205
| Hello,
I posted this in a thread about taking off my trunk, but thought I would share it here.
My dealer recommended an upgrade and demo'd one in the showroom... I liked it as I stood there and compared it to a stock one. It is simple, cheap, and worth it!
The speakers are Alpine 5 1/4" model SPS-500. They sound much better and clearer than stock. You can get them at Best Buy for $93.00 a pair. I also bought the 4 yr warranty for $15.00 (per pair). If they blow up or weather gets them or whatever--I get new ones! I think that is pretty good.
Just thought I would share this nice and relatively cheap upgrade. The stereo does make the ride for me... it is the coolest...
I am looking at amp and bass options. Anyone considered a bazooka bass tube in a saddle bag? I see bazooka has a 6" that has built in amp and crossover..... hmmmmmm.... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 143
Birmingham, AL 08 MC Tour Premium 2012 Bronze Mist | Wonder how they compare to the J&M's. I've got them installed and can't tell a lot of difference between the originals.
I agree that the tunes on this bike make it. I was going to a local biker hang out over the weekend and listening to the 60's channel on XM and as I was entering the parking lot filled with all kinds of bikes, the majority being HD's, a song came on that made me smile big. Johnny Rivers, Secret Agent Man. I guess you'd have to be there...... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 205
| I believe there was a pic of the J&M's and if I recall these Alpine's have a way larger base magnet. I always thought that meant something..
Here is a link and some pics of the Alpine... see if you can compare the magnets and power stuff? I am very happy with the change, but I am not trying to say that it is mind-blowing. As far as plug and play, these make a great difference, but w/o an amp and all that your performance will be limited.
These are really a great upgrade for me. I am very happy!
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8699394&st=alpine+... |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Northeastern Penna. | Unless you hear them side by side, you may not have a fair comparison, that is, the Alpines and J&M's |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | I have the J&Ms all the way around and really like them. I can turn the radio up almost all the way before I get any distortion. My only concern with a car speaker is they 'usually' require a little more juice than our measly radio can put out. But hey, if you are happy, that is all that matters. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 88
Lavon, TX | I installed the Alpine SPS-500 - and am quite happy with the improved sound quality.
These coaxial speakers have a 3/4in tweeter that brings out the high tones nicely. I can now crank the system up to 30 w/o any distortion - however, these speakers do require more push from the radio; thus, full volume is not as loud as it was with the distorted factory speakers. Got them for less than $60 off of eBay. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 273
| Are they weather "PROOF"? |
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Tourer
Posts: 460
Centennial, CO | I too am curious about a power/amp for the bike...any suggestions? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 88
Lavon, TX | Clubford00 states that "Almost everything nowadays is marine grade, everything is made with silicone and polypropoline cones".
Here's a comparison shot of the factory and Alpine SPS-500 speakers, from my source:
(SPS-500.bmp)
Attachments
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 SPS-500.bmp (72KB - 16 downloads)
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | ElroyJ - 2009-08-26 10:01 AM
I too am curious about a power/amp for the bike...any suggestions?
Only one I know of is from Arlen Ness and it is only one amp and two speakers, not four speakers: http://www.arlenness.com/c-190-stereo-upgrade-kit.aspx
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Iron Butt
Posts: 965
New York State | Great tip thanks for the Info |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i seen NOTHING about these alpins being weather resistant? what if you WASH your bike? get caught in a storm? if you have a warranty that is ok, but is it a UNlimited replacement warranty? plus just the shear hassle or removing and replacing IF they are NOT weather proof... |
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Tourer
Posts: 404
San Antonio, TX United States | ScoreBo - 2009-08-26 3:39 PM ElroyJ - 2009-08-26 10:01 AM I too am curious about a power/amp for the bike...any suggestions? Only one I know of is from Arlen Ness and it is only one amp and two speakers, not four speakers: http://www.arlenness.com/c-190-stereo-upgrade-kit.aspx For more detailed information on this set from Arlen, go to http://hawg-wired.com/product_info.php?products_id=77 Hawg Wired makes the system for Arlen |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 10
| The Hawg-Wired amps rule! I have 500W of power in my Road King (saddlebags) and will be looking into a "modest" audio upgrade that will include the Alpines or Infinities as front speakers (talked about on threads) PLUS the 2 channel amp. I am going to use the tour pack only on long rides a few times per year and am looking for a killer 2 channel solution. I don't see how the sound can be decent without an amp to drive the larger magnets. Will let you know how it turns out. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 10
| Interesting... I chatted with the guys over at Hawg-Wired about a week ago, and it seemed like there was no focus on the Vision (not enough market). Now it seems like the 2 channel kit is being promoted as "plug-and-play" for the vision. I will look into this before doing anything. I have 500 miles to see how the stock system performs before doing the upgrade. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 205
| Well, as far as weather proof, I don't really know. I do not intend on riding in the rain, nor will I ever wash my bike with a hose so I hope to avoid that stuff. If water gets them, then I guess I will have to deal with it. I hope the warranty covers that. These are the speakers my local dealer puts in them, I would hope they are road tested enough.... but you have a point.
I guess marine speakers would be a good safe option (maybe those J&M speakers are weather proof?).
I am waiting to gear how the amp issues work out. I am going to look into an amp and those tweeter options! I see how the high's would add the presence that I want.... so far so good, but the better I make the stereo, the better the ride gets for me... it is soooo nice to have the tunes.. It is like a music video as I cruise around.
By the way... will any audio amp work? Does it have to be something special for bike? Thanks.
Edited by Mfoster 2009-08-27 12:11 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 810
| I heard the Alpine speakers on a Vision my dealer had. They sounded nice, but I didn't play with them enough to know if the stock radio could drive them to very loud volumes (e.g. over loud non-stock pipes).
I installed a Biketronics 180 WPC UcD amp in the tour pack. It is supposed to be stable down to 1 Ohm. I am running 2 sets of 4 Ohm speakers off of it so it is pulling a 2 Ohm load. At 2 Ohms, it should be putting out over 300 WPC. If I don't watch it, I can easily overrun the Vision's 50 Amp charging system. I put the amp's enable line on a switch so I can shut off the amp if necessary. I can year the fronts and my wife can easily hear the rears at 90+ MPH. Before, she said she could never hear the rear speakers.
I also installed the Hertz High Energy speakers that BikeTronics sells. They can put out a lot of clear sound, but you need to cut off the low end so you do not distort the 5.25" drivers. The BikeTronics amps put out full range and do not have a built in high-pass filter like the Arc amp does. Being such, you need to make sure you are able to block the low signals going to the drivers. Too bad Victory didn't design the bike for 6.5" speakers. You would get a lot better bass, and have 150+% more cone area for better power handling and better upgrade options.
Sincerely, Tim
Edited by TimS 2009-08-27 1:04 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 205
| Can you please explain the "50 watt charging system" of the vision. If I go to a local car stereo shop, what do I need to know so I buy the right amp? Sounds like there is a limit or exception I need to look for? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 88
Lavon, TX | The Vision has a 50amp alternator - all of the on-board electronics and lighting utilize much of this power. An analog amplifier will tax the charging system too much to perform properly. You need to get a Class-T digital amplifier with comformal coated boards (this is similar to covering the amp's circuit boards with epoxy to seal them from the weather). The amp should have weather-proof connections for the stereo input as well as the speaker output, and be listed as "marine grade". From the hog-wired.com website: DCS SERIES AMPLIFIER SYSTEMS INCORPORATE THE FOLLOWING KEY DESIGN FEATURES: ?? CLASS-T® DIGITAL DESIGN MAKES FOR EFFICIENT POWER USAGE AND LOW HEAT DISSIPATION ?? CREATES CLEAN, RAW POWER WITHOUT TAXING THE BATTERY OR CHARGING SYSTEM ?? INDUSTRY STANDARD INTERFACES MAKE FOR ACROSS-THE-BOARD COMPATIBILITY ?? BUILT-IN CROSSOVER CIRCUITRY FOR OPTIMAL LOUDSPEAKER PERFORMANCE ?? COMPACT DESIGN ALLOWS FOR INSTALLATION AND MOUNTING IN TIGHT SPACES ?? CONFORMAL COATED WEATHERPROOF PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS IN EVERY COMPONENT ?? DIRECT CONNECT HARNESS MAKES FOR A PROFESSIONAL, CLEAN, AND EASY INSTALLATION |
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Cruiser
Posts: 205
| Wow. I guess that wraps it up! Thanks. If I don't get a clear answer and competent advice/help at a local radio shop, then I will go with the hog-wired stuff. I just wanted to look at options...
I have the Alpine speakers now, and would like to add small tweeters and an amp. ANy advice on either? Is hog-tune the clear leader or am I paying for the name? If a simple amp and tweeters will work I may be able to have other options...? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | I would buy that Hawg-Wired system in a heartbeat if it were a 4-channel 4-speaker setup. There is no way in hell I am paying $750 for an amp and 2 speakers.
Edited by ScoreBo 2009-08-27 12:10 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
| Mine has an Audiosystems amp in the cd changer area in the trunk....I also have 4 Focal's that replaced the stock junk. Each speaker port has been enclosed using mostly dynomat. My bike stereo will rip your head off. But there is very little bass. There is no way to get bass from the exisitng Vision speaker ports. You would have to have a sub woofer somewhere on the bike, or build out from the existing ports and have a totally custom box. My speakers are warranteed for parts and labor for 5 years. 3 years on the amp....The stock system was simply a piece of dung... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 810
| Read this link. A member added a pair of Infinity Kappa 10.9t tweeters (2 ohm) and the associated crossovers to his J&M speakers. http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4163&posts=13&mid=42152&highlight=infinity&highlightmode=1&action=search#M42152 Also, if you get a stable 2-channel amp, you could run 4 speakers off of it, but you would lose the front-back balance. I am running that way and both rider and passenger are satisifed with the balance setting. You could always put a resistor in line to attenuate the front or back if you like. HTH, Tim |
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Cruiser
Posts: 205
| Thanks, I did read that a few days ago. That is the concept I am following too for my tweeter/amp adventure. |
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Tourer
Posts: 308
Vineland, NJ United States | do they mount in OEM holes? What sort of gerrymandering was required for mounting? |
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Good speaker upgrade option:
