• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Westminster Speed

Westminster Speed & Sound

(410) 857-5300 | CONTACT US | FINANCING AVAILABLE
  • Audio
    • BMW Upgrades
    • Car Audio
    • Marine Audio
    • Motorcycle Audio
    • Powersports Audio and Accessories
    • Satellite Radio
    • Car Audio Repair
  • Convenience
    • Bluetooth Technology
    • Navigation Systems
    • Radar Detectors
    • Rear Seat Video
    • Heated Seats
    • Remote Car Starters
      • Remote Starter Estimate Request
    • Security Systems
    • Smartphone Integration
  • Accessories
    • Lighting
    • Truck Accessories
    • Truck Bed Covers
    • Truck Steps
  • Driver Safety
    • Backup Sensors
    • Backup Cameras
    • Blind Spot Systems
    • Collision Avoidance
  • Tint & Films
    • Paint Protection Film
    • Window Tint
      • Window Tint Estimate Request
  • About
    • About WSS
    • Why Choose WSS?
    • Customer Reviews
    • Directions
    • Install Bay
    • Showroom
    • Demo Sound Room
    • Contact Us
  • Our Work
    • Client Vehicles
    • Videos
  • Facebook

What to Know About 2014 and Newer Harley-Davidson Radio Upgrades

December 13, 2020 By BestCarAudio.com Leave a Comment

Harley-Davidson Stereo

If you own a 2014 or newer Harley-Davison touring bike, then there are a few things you need to know before you decide to upgrade your stereo system. We know that the Boom! Box radio has a reasonable set of features with navigation, an AM/FM tuner, a USB port for digital audio files, and support for phone calls with a compatible helmet headset. Where the system falls short is in the speakers they have chosen, the power of the amplifier in the radio, and the way the system is tuned. Luckily, many companies offer amazing upgrades. Let’s talk about upgrading the stereo on your Road Glide, Street Glide or Electra Glide.

Harley-Davidson Boom! Box Radio Tuning

For reasons that escape us, Harley has chosen some unique tuning parameters for the equalizer built into the radio on their cruisers. The specific tuning depends on the option level on the bike and varies depending on the number of speakers installed. While the tuning may sort of work with the factory-installed speakers and the limited power from the amplifier, once your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer starts to upgrade things, those equalization settings make your new speakers sound terrible.

Harley-Davidson Stereo
ne of the many EQ curves built into the Harley Boom! Box radio. That giant peak at 80 Hz, combined with the dip at 4 kHz, sounds terrible. Thanks to Extreme Audio in Virginia for this photograph.

If you’re going to upgrade the audio system on your Harley, your installer will need to deal with this tuning.

Add a DSP to Your Harley-Davidson

One of the best options for dealing with the tuning built into your Harley radio is to add a digital signal processor to the audio system. There are two reasons why this is the best choice if you want truly amazing sound on your bike. When used with a calibrated microphone, your installer can tune the audio system to sound great with any high-quality speaker solution. You aren’t left at the mercy of the radio and the response curve of the speakers. Second, the front and rear speakers can be tuned to deliver the same response. Ensuring that each speaker on the bike sounds the same will make your music sound more realistic.

Harley-Davidson Stereo
The ARC Audio PSM is a compact six-input, six-output DSP that was designed for use with motorcycle audio system upgrades. It ships with an EQ curve that compensates for the factory radio tuning.

A second and very important benefit of implementing a DSP on your bike is to enable the person tuning the system to accurately limit the bass information sent to your speakers. Face it; you aren’t going to hear the 40 Hz fundamental of a kick drum on any motorcycle audio system when you’re cruising down the freeway. Since it takes a lot of power to produce bass frequencies, a high-pass filter can go a long way toward making the rest of the system play much louder and last a lot longer.

Motorcycle Radio Reflashing

Another very common solution is to reflash the factory radio to a different, flatter equalization curve. Many shops have invested in hardware from companies like TechnoResearch to perform this task. Harley radio reflashing is a simple process that doesn’t take much time. While the output of the radio isn’t perfectly flat in terms of frequency response, it’s a lot better than leaving things untouched.

Image Caption: Radio Flashing Options.jpg

Harley-Davidson Stereo
Car audio retailers that own reflashing hardware can choose from a variety of configurations.

Which Upgrade is Right for You?

If you want a simple radio upgrade that offers good performance, then having the radio on your Harley reflashed in combination with the installation of new speakers and an amplifier is a great starting point. Just as with a car audio upgrade, proper tuning is crucial to delivering smooth and natural performance. The only way to achieve this is with the use of a multi-band equalizer. Concert venues, night clubs, movie theatres and even something as simple as a smart speaker include powerful digital signal processing components that, when configured properly, ensure that your music sounds as good as it can. Your motorcycle audio system should, of course, be the same.

Drop by your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer to find out about the options available to upgrade the performance of the audio system on your motorcycle.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Motorcycle Audio, RESOURCE LIBRARY

About BestCarAudio.com

BestCarAudio.com is a showcase for the very best mobile electronics retailers in the world and a place to educate and inform interested consumers about existing and emerging technologies.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

OTHER RECENT POSTS

Sound Deadening Technology and Terminology

Sound Deadening Technology and Terminology

There’s no denying that sound deadening is one of the easiest ways to enhance the comfort of your … [Read More...]

Are Smaller Subwoofers Faster than Large Ones

Are Smaller Subwoofers Faster than Large Ones?

When choosing a subwoofer system for your car or truck, picking the right products can be the … [Read More...]

Upgrade the Radio on Your Motorcycle

Upgrade the Radio on Your Motorcycle for Performance and Features

Most touring motorcycles and trikes come with some form of radio and entertainment system. With the … [Read More...]

What is Car Audio Amplifier Bridging?

What is Car Audio Amplifier Bridging?

For decades, stereo and multichannel amplifiers have offered the option of bridging to deliver … [Read More...]

2020 Honda Ridgeline

Trail-FX Side Steps Provide Easy Access to 2020 Honda Ridgeline Truck

A repeat client from Hampstead stopped in at Westminster Speed and Sound with his 2020 Honda … [Read More...]

Five Upgrades to Make Your Motorcycle’s Audio Sound Better

Five Upgrades to Make Your Motorcycle’s Audio Sound Better

If you’re a fan of a little “wind therapy,” then having some great music to listen to while you … [Read More...]

Subscribe to Our Website via Email

Enter your email address and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Search our site with any combination of CATEGORIES, TAGS, or KEYWORDS

  • Category

  • Tags

  • Sort Order

  • Keyword

  • » Reset

Contact Us

Address

WSS Drive Easy
202 Pennsylvania Ave
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: (410) 857-5300

SundayClosed
Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 5:00 AM
SaturdayClosed

Location


Get Directions to Westminster Speed and Sound

Copyright © 2021 Westminster Speed and Sound · Privacy Policy · Website by 1sixty8 Media · Log in · !