Audio enhancement perma-grin style

[AnthonyGen]

All-
I am in complete envy of the sound systems you created on your F6B! I just have a couple of quick questions and hoping some of you "Experts" can chime in.

I'm looking to install a simple amplified budget system and wondering if this will be a simple hook up.

Amp: Rockford Fosgate PBR300x2 - Should I be able to use my existing front speaker wiring and posi-tap wires to feed the amp with a high level input signal? I know the F6B has separate mids and tweeters, but I think the stock system output signal is full range left and right. Am I correct on this part?

Speakers: I'm thinking of using the JL Audio convertible 2-Way 5.25" and just leaving my factory tweeters in the grill unplugged while using the JL tweeters on the mid driver if there is no fitment issues with the stock grill.

I don't need a sub and just looking for louder mids and highs so that I can hear my system on the highway. I had this same amp with Hertz speakers on my Harley Street Glide and it was extremely loud and crystal clear. Rockford made a simple plug and play wire harness for Harley Davidson but I can tell the F6B is going to take a little more creativity and work.

appreciate any input or guidance if what I'm thinking will work.

[Jimmytee]

All-
I am in complete envy of the sound systems you created on your F6B! I just have a couple of quick questions and hoping some of you "Experts" can chime in.

I'm looking to install a simple amplified budget system and wondering if this will be a simple hook up.

Amp: Rockford Fosgate PBR300x2 - Should I be able to use my existing front speaker wiring and posi-tap wires to feed the amp with a high level input signal? I know the F6B has separate mids and tweeters, but I think the stock system output signal is full range left and right. Am I correct on this part?

Speakers: I'm thinking of using the JL Audio convertible 2-Way 5.25" and just leaving my factory tweeters in the grill unplugged while using the JL tweeters on the mid driver if there is no fitment issues with the stock grill.

I don't need a sub and just looking for louder mids and highs so that I can hear my system on the highway. I had this same amp with Hertz speakers on my Harley Street Glide and it was extremely loud and crystal clear. Rockford made a simple plug and play wire harness for Harley Davidson but I can tell the F6B is going to take a little more creativity and work.

appreciate any input or guidance if what I'm thinking will work.

Unfortunately, there is no plug and play. Wish the market was such that someone had come out with one. My experience ultimately had me seeking out the pre amp signal between the "Audio Unit" and the amp. I could not get satisfactory results from trying to adapt the amplifier output to use as signal for another amp. Not saying it can't be done, but my results were less than ideal. In the end , I chose to eliminate the factory system all together. As far as the factory speaker wiring, that too needs to be discarded or not used. Instead, running decent speaker wire of 14 or 12 awg.

[CoCoKola]

All-
Amp: Rockford Fosgate PBR300x2 - Should I be able to use my existing front speaker wiring and posi-tap wires to feed the amp with a high level input signal? I know the F6B has separate mids and tweeters, but I think the stock system output signal is full range left and right. Am I correct on this part?

Speakers: I'm thinking of using the JL Audio convertible 2-Way 5.25" and just leaving my factory tweeters in the grill unplugged while using the JL tweeters on the mid driver if there is no fitment issues with the stock grill.

I don't need a sub and just looking for louder mids and highs so that I can hear my system on the highway. I had this same amp with Hertz speakers on my Harley Street Glide and it was extremely loud and crystal clear. Rockford made a simple plug and play wire harness for Harley Davidson but I can tell the F6B is going to take a little more creativity and work.

appreciate any input or guidance if what I'm thinking will work.

Hey AnthonyGen, welcome to my thread! If I understand correctly, you want to use the existing speaker output from the OEM amp for an input into your Rockford Fosgate? Yes, you can, but you may not get the results you expect. I found the line-level output is out-of-spec (impedance is non-standard and/or the output voltage is below spec) which is why I recommend using a decent line driver or a DSP that can handle it.

The OEM tweeter has a cap to filter lower frequencies, so as long as you tap prior, it would work as inputs for your amp. I would highly recommend that you test this setup before doing a full install. Several folks have tried this common approach, but it resulted in a distorted output from the amp to new speakers. Others have tried using an inexpensive speaker level to line level, but it didn't result in much improvement for them. I was successful using a line-driver to get a better result, but I opted to go with the high-end ($$) solution of an amp with DSP instead. The Rockford's high-level input MAY work for you, but results may vary so test it first and if it doesn't sound like you would expect, try adding a line-driver to see if that improves your results, especially one that has a bass boost to make up for frequencies below 100Hz that are cut by the head unit.

The F6B's speaker gauge can't handle the output of an after-market amp, so make sure you run your own. Ideally 12 gauge, but 14 may work for short runs.

If anyone knows a manufacturer who will return a phone call, let me know. I'd love to get a harness designed for us! I hope this helps, and best of luck.

Cheers!
-Robert

[AnthonyGen]

Appreciate the quick replies.
So, from what I gather it's best to tap the signal from the head unit before the factory amp? I think the head unit it at the rear of the bike? I'll try to wire the amp off of the speaker leads in the fairing first, but going into this thinking it won't give the desired results.

I haven't purchased the Rockford amp yet, so maybe I look at some other compact amplifier options. I've installed some pretty decent systems in cars and even did a system on my prior Street Glide, but I'm finding this Wing is a bit of a different animal. Once I can figure out a clean audio signal from the factory system, I'll be able to figure the rest out of the install. I definitely agree on the wiring upgrade and I'm now thinking either Focal or Hertz speakers (5.25").

Again, not looking for a competition quality system, but something that has crystal clear mids and highs that I can hear at 80mph. I'm sure I'll get the fever later to add rear speakers and maybe a sub in one of the saddlebags. My other main focus is to retain my factory system controls.

[CoCoKola]

Appreciate the quick replies.
So, from what I gather it's best to tap the signal from the head unit before the factory amp? I think the head unit it at the rear of the bike? I'll try to wire the amp off of the speaker leads in the fairing first, but going into this thinking it won't give the desired results.

I haven't purchased the Rockford amp yet, so maybe I look at some other compact amplifier options. I've installed some pretty decent systems in cars and even did a system on my prior Street Glide, but I'm finding this Wing is a bit of a different animal. Once I can figure out a clean audio signal from the factory system, I'll be able to figure the rest out of the install. I definitely agree on the wiring upgrade and I'm now thinking either Focal or Hertz speakers (5.25").

Again, not looking for a competition quality system, but something that has crystal clear mids and highs that I can hear at 80mph. I'm sure I'll get the fever later to add rear speakers and maybe a sub in one of the saddlebags. My other main focus is to retain my factory system controls.

Even with this higher end solution, you need some sort of subwoofer before anyone would say damn that sounds amazing. The Hertz speakers with the audison will give you exactly that crystal clear mids and highs you are wanting as long as you don't mind spending the money it takes to get there. Solutions on the other threads will get you a decent sounding system if you want to spend less. Frankly, I would never do anything less than the ARC amp with the Hertz speakers, but that is just my opinion. The Audison, or the less expensive other DSP amps I listed before is WELL worth it IMHO.

I can't get over how so many folks will spend coin on upgraded suspension or exhaust, but won't spend the coin to get a killer sound system. Now, this is coming from someone who has been out of work for a long time. If you can't afford it, that's a whole other discussion, and I am very much in that position now!
Cheers!

[AnthonyGen]

Robert,
I agree with you. IMHO a great touring motorcycle should have a great sound system and why so many neglect this part is just crazy to me. I'm looking to spend anywhere from $750 to $1000 and with doing the work myself I'm hoping to get a decent start. I wish I was closer to you or Jimmytee because I would gladly pay you to do my install if that were an option. My bike is still clean with only 16 miles on it. It's always more fun doing work on a new bike vs dealing with dirty pieces after a few thousand miles. Unfortunately, my schedule is 50-60 hours a week so I don't get as much time to do the fun stereo stuff.

Thanks again for a great thread here on sound systems.

Best!
Anthony

[CoCoKola]

Robert,
I agree with you. IMHO a great touring motorcycle should have a great sound system and why so many neglect this part is just crazy to me. I'm looking to spend anywhere from $750 to $1000 and with doing the work myself I'm hoping to get a decent start. I wish I was closer to you or Jimmytee because I would gladly pay you to do my install if that were an option. My bike is still clean with only 16 miles on it. It's always more fun doing work on a new bike vs dealing with dirty pieces after a few thousand miles. Unfortunately, my schedule is 50-60 hours a week so I don't get as much time to do the fun stereo stuff.

Thanks again for a great thread here on sound systems.

Best!
Anthony

Thanks AnthonyGen! Several hundred hours went into getting this sound setup trying different parts/configurations and learning "how to be a mechanic." I've been a professional sound engineer for over thirty years, I've had the pleasure of working on over a hundred different house systems 20,000watt to line array systems in the largest venues in St.Louis, I've had the pleasure of mixing A-list bands/artists such as Blues Traveler, Joan Baez, Beastie Boys and thousands of local/national touring acts. I know sound, have an ear for tuning and doing installs. This was my first mobile audio experience, short of a few car installs when I was a teenager.

If anyone is in St.Louis, MO, or will be in town, let me know and we can meet up to hear for yourself. It is NOT my final result. The subwoofer setup is decent but not as good as it could be. Due to my financial situation, it will have to remain for now.

If anyone is interested in my doing the install, let's talk. I need income badly perhaps we could work something out. Otherwise, if anyone wants help or has questions during their install, send me a PM with their Phone # and let's talk.

cheers!
-Robert