Best Harley Stereo Upgrades Reviewed
It’s pretty rare to find a stock motorcycle that will come with a built-in stereo sound system as standard since it’s pretty impractical and complex to install one. But some of the higher-end motorcycles from Harley Davidson like the Electra Glide has a built-in stereo system, and it does not satisfy most of the time as you’re battling with noises from road, wind, and engine. To help you have a more satisfying experience, here are the best upgrades to improve your Harley Stereo system.
Want more features and connectivity options for your stereo system? Then the Rockford Fosgate PMX-HD9813 could be the one upgrade to improve your stereo experience, but first, let’s talk about the features this thing has.
The stock Harley stereo systems are mostly outdated and have limited functionalities for our modern devices. Getting this stereo head unit will allow you to access updated connectivity features like Bluetooth, USB, Pandora, and Satellite radio. A 3-inch TFT display will also help you quickly seek songs and change system settings.
The best parts about this head unit are that it still has the essentials like the AUX connector, a USB input capable of charging your phone. And if you like tweaking your audio, you can easily do so with the dedicated volume knob, subwoofer volume control, and a 7-band EQ for fine-tuning.
What’s best about this head unit is the support provided by Rockford Fosgate, not only do you get an excellent build quality in the first place, but you’ll also have a full two-year warranty in case something goes wrong. No system always have room for improvement, and to implement those, Rockford Fosgate frequently updates the software on each stereo head unit through the USB port.
Overall, it would be acceptable to save this head unit for last, but either way, this is a great Harley Stereo Upgrade.
- IPX6 Water resistance
- Has four 50W built-in amps
- Audio can be easily tweaked with an EQ, Subwoofer volume
- Provides updated connectivity options like Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, and Pandora
- Not supported by the stock wiring harness
Maybe your new or stock stereo system isn’t loud enough to battle all those noises you’ll get on the road, then one solution for that is to install a new amplifier between your head unit and speaker.
The Kenwood KAC-M3004 is one of the most recommended amplifiers to be installed on ATVs and Motorcycles, and this is due to its tough and durable build quality. Other than that, it’ll also resist some water splashes which wouldn’t be much of a problem for Harleys as this amp can fit on the stock shelf beside the factory stereo system found on Harleys like the Street Glide and Electra Glide. The components are also sealed up inside to prevent any development of corrosion from moisture.
Connectivity is pretty simple, you’ll have two pairs of RCA inputs, and power lines are easily screwed on the back without needing any proprietary plugs. However, the speaker output needs a dedicated port easily found on most car stereo speakers.
To easily fine-tune the sound and help battle road noises, this amp also has an LP and HP filter for both input lines, and you can also adjust the input sensitivity otherwise known as volume pretty quickly.
In the end, this is a much-needed addition for these motorcycle speaker systems whether you’re using a stock stereo system or an aftermarket one, not hearing your music will always be a problem, that’s why this is one of the best upgrades especially for stock systems.
- The design looks good while also delivering clear and crisp sound
- Has a peak power capacity of 600W
- Can automatically turn on with the head unit
- Cuts out at higher volumes if your motorcycle isn’t producing enough power
Sometimes, no matter what power upgrades you make, it won’t make much of a difference, if you’re at that phase, then maybe a new pair of speakers capable of handling more power is all that you need.
The Hogtunes 5.25″ Front Speakers is an excellent upgrade from the stock speakers that you have on your motorcycle, and aside from handling tons of power, these speakers also deliver a clear and defined audio quality.
You don’t need to worry about fitment issues with these speakers as these has the same size as with the stock speakers found on Harley Davidsons. However, you have to watch out as these have larger magnets on the rear, and it can disrupt other components, especially if you have additional aftermarket parts near the speakers.
Installation is quick and easy, a screwdriver is all you need, and soldering won’t be required as the stock wiring uses clips and these speakers also connect via those clips.
You’ll hear more and feel more with these speakers even at highway speeds, which is made possible with the great combination of the 5.25-inch full-range speaker and a 1-inch titanium tweeter producing precise and detailed treble tones.
Although while it sounds great, it looks too plain and generic in looks, but, to quickly solve that, you can pretty much still use this with the factory speaker mesh so you can always hide the looks if you want to.
Overall, these speakers are a no brainer upgrade once you hear them, and you can’t go wrong with the price.
- Can handle 100W of power
- Sounds full and detailed
- Plug and play installation
- Looks plain
- Only works best if you have an upgraded amplifier
While the parts and components we mentioned on this list have better counterparts, we chose these since it’ll work with pretty much everyone’s taste. Feel free to take a look on these parts by clicking the links above try them for yourselves. Stay safe!
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