My adventures in F6B Audio Upgrade

[Dirtstiff's F6B]

Thanks Jimmie.
This new site is useless for searching old facts.
Do you remember what the polarity is of the rear speaker wires?
Left channel -
Blue / Red
Orange


Right channel
White
Blue

[Jimmytee]

Thanks Jimmie.
This new site is useless for searching old facts.
Do you remember what the polarity is of the rear speaker wires?
Left channel -
Blue / Red
Orange


Right channel
White
Blue

I don't remember off the top of my head. WOuld have to look at the schematic again. You could use a digital multimeter and play source material, noting which lead is attached to what wire. If the meter measures your DC voltage output as positive, you know ,by your meter leads , which one is positive and negative. I no longer us any of the factory wiring as my system is totally aftermarket now. The only thing stock is the handlebar controls.

As far as the crossover , I lefet mine normal. I can adjust individual frequecies through the head unit.

[Dirtstiff's F6B]

Jimmie
I pulled my seat to refresh my memory.

Thanks for the input.

Thank you also, Pilot for your Hertz help.

Jim

[velvethammer]

Any chance Jimmy can repost the attachments in an active format. ...This is a very important thread and I would love to see your process with pictures.

thanks

[Dirtstiff's F6B]

I've since added the new Polk DB652 6.5" speakers to the front, a new Polk PAD 4000.4 Amp and Infinity 3 way 6x9s in the saddle bags.
I think I can finally say I've found a combination I like.
20180520_170944_resized.jpg
20180407_104503_resized.jpg

[F6Pilot]

Hey Jim, how are those 6x9 working in the bags? Did you cut any ports in the bags?

[Dirtstiff's F6B]

I added boom mats to the 6x9's which holds them in place and works as a speaker box for resonance.

With the bags open, the system sounds incredible.
Very clear at high volume - 15 is crazy loud and clear.
20-22 is deafening, yet still clean and clear.

Both the Polk and Infinity are designed for 125 -150 watts RMS each, so they love the amp.
And the 6x9 add a bit more bass and low frequency to balance the system.
They are also a 3 way with mid and high frequency tweeters, +/- 3 db.

I wired them so they can be un plugged and easily removed if we need the room.

To your question Pilot; no vents - ports cut yet.

I'm a little undecided about cutting into the bags.
I know that's what needs to happen to really hear the 6x9's going down the road.

I'm sleeping on port location, size, covers or if I mount them face against the wheel, face down on the floor.

A custom lid like Harley would be the ticket but I don't have that fab time right now.

For now, its fun to park at the local.. open up the bags and let em blast.
Jim

[cdtessmer]

Here is more detail. I spent a fair amount of time deciding on which components to upgrade my stereo system on the F6B. My Valkyrie rocks and I wanted as good or better on the F6B. The sound system on the F6B is not actually all that bad stock. After 2006, Honda upgraded the audio in the Gold Wing line with more power and larger component speakers. Getting on my F6B after riding my Valkyrie though, it was pretty obvious where some upgrades were going to come. My reasons for upgrading the audio have as much to do with pure fun as it does with necessity .

The speaker in the F6B and Gold Wing line are an odd size. I wanted to put 6.5" speaker in, but didn't think they would fit so I chose a set of 5.25" component speakers. Since then, others have been successful in installing 6.5" speakers by trimming down the frame on the speakers to make them fit. I may or may not upgrade to 6.5" in the future, but I'm pretty content at the moment. Well, my wallet is pretty content. After reading reviews, and scanning many specifications , I chose the Polk Audio MM series 5.25" components. http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...io-MM5251.html
We got them for $189 on Amazon. Birthday present. There is a theme here. Wait for it.

Here are the speakers.
I chose these speakers for their low frequency extension. They are rated down to 50 hz. I also chose them because of their reviews and their 2.7 ohm impedance.
Attachment 10644Attachment 10645

Here is a comparison of the woofers.
Stock speaker on the right.

Attachment 10643
The 5.25" speakers are not a bolt on fit. They required some adaptation. I accomplished this with the use of some flat pieces of ABS plastic that I cut into shape as adapter plates.

Here is one of the speakers mounted.

Attachment 10646

I have to split this up as there is a limit on photos per post.

Hey Jimmy, I’ve followed your posts and decided to dive in head first. I bought a Nemesis Audio micro 500w 4 channel amp, Polk Audio 5.25” component speakers for the lower dash and replaced the factory tweeters with the Polks by hot gluing them into the stock locations. I bought a set of 6.5” Sony 140w coaxial marine speakers which I trimmed the outside rim off of to fit in the dash. Had to use self tapping screws but it works. Fit right in. They look cool because they’re white like my bike but I just bought a set of Polk 652’s to replace them. I also dove in further and bought the same JLAudio sub enclosure you did and a different amp. It’s a Power Acoustik 2500w 5 channel amp. I got the Frogzskins and im all ready to add the thump, just really hot here right now. Anyway, between you and others, I’ve learned a lot. Thanks man.

[Jimmytee]

Hey Jimmy, I’ve followed your posts and decided to dive in head first. I bought a Nemesis Audio micro 500w 4 channel amp, Polk Audio 5.25” component speakers for the lower dash and replaced the factory tweeters with the Polks by hot gluing them into the stock locations. I bought a set of 6.5” Sony 140w coaxial marine speakers which I trimmed the outside rim off of to fit in the dash. Had to use self tapping screws but it works. Fit right in. They look cool because they’re white like my bike but I just bought a set of Polk 652’s to replace them. I also dove in further and bought the same JLAudio sub enclosure you did and a different amp. It’s a Power Acoustik 2500w 5 channel amp. I got the Frogzskins and im all ready to add the thump, just really hot here right now. Anyway, between you and others, I’ve learned a lot. Thanks man.

i have not been on here very frequently as of late. My summers are extremely busy. I originally tapped the pre outs from the OEM "Audio Unit". That , of course , is before the factory amp. I got good volume and it sounded pretty darn good. I could never get any satisfactory result trying to use the speaker level outputs of the factory amplifier.

All was good , and then one day my Audio Unit just quit. Don't know, One day ot was fine, the next day just a slight static noise if you turned it up. My whole system is aftermarket now, with Rockford Fosgate filling in the head unit/processor duties, a JL Audio 5 channel amplifier, Hertz 5.25 component speakers in the factory location and Hertz 6.5" coaxials in the lowers. And of course a JL Audio sub. I'm pretty happy with my system. It rocks and is way louder than I need it to be while riding 80 plus mph . Plus I have usable bass that I can feel and hear. I'm at 50 k miles. Will probably be riding this bike for awhile yet. Actually was seriously in the market for a new bike a coupe months ago, with the new Wing orBMW K1600 in my crosshairs. Before I got the chance to ride the DCT, I decided I'd ride mine for while longer and bought a new truck instead. Couple weeks ago, I got a chance to ride the DCT and had that happened a couple months ago, I'd probably be riding one now. Game changer. but I digress.