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[GregKhougaz]

I'm enjoying the sound /music on the '15 RGU, though I am very ear /hearing conscious.  When I ride with a half helmet, I have found the "No Noise Motorsport"  ear plugs allow me to hear music coming from the speakers quite well while quieting road and wind noise.  These plugs do not seem to work well with enclosed helmets, however.  For longer trips, I use a 3/4 or full face helmet and foam plugs but then don't hear the music through the headset that well.  On phone calls, I have been told people can't tell I'm on the bike.

So, has anyone upgraded your H-D premium headsets /speakers?  I see the J&M  HS-EHI787-LDC-XHO for $229 but would that give me better music quality and volume?  Are they worth it?  Any other alternatives?   Thanks in advance for all replies.   

[TNCarters]

I ride with the J&M Premium in a half helment which I understand from them is not as good a speaker as their 3/4 and full face speakers.  I find the music to be roughly equivalent to the boom speakers but fit the half helment much better than boom.  Not exactly what you asked but just provided for input.

[Flatvalley]

I am very pleased with the sound quality and sound volume capability of a product called edsets.  Not inexpensive but they work very well in my opinion.  The headsets that came with the bike are stored in their original containers they came in

[GregKhougaz]

I am very pleased with the sound quality and sound volume capability of a product called edsets.  Not inexpensive but they work very well in my opinion.  The headsets that came with the bike are stored in their original containers they came in

Thanks.  So,  in addition to J&M, above we have EdSets for $284,I think and Air Rider  for about $200.  Has anybody tried more than one of these and have an opinion as to which is best?

[GregKhougaz]

So, there is simply no substitute for for voice communication.  I just spent nearly an hour talking to Ed Davis,  owner of EdSets in Warner Robins, GA.  He seemed like a good and knowledgeable guy. He dissuaded me from ordering a complete headset.  Rather, he persuaded me to order a set of his Thunderclap Speakers.  Ed claims the speakers are state-of-the-art and will give me both better volume and clarity due to their efficiency. I have agreed to be a guinea pig.  If they work, I have saved about a hundred fifty bucks. If they don't, I can return them.   

[FLSTFI Dave]

So, there is simply no substitute for for voice communication.  I just spent nearly an hour talking to Ed Davis,  owner of EdSets in Warner Robins, GA.  He seemed like a good and knowledgeable guy. He dissuaded me from ordering a complete headset.  Rather, he persuaded me to order a set of his Thunderclap Speakers.  Ed claims the speakers are state-of-the-art and will give me both better volume and clarity due to their efficiency. I have agreed to be a guinea pig.  If they work, I have saved about a hundred fifty bucks. If they don't, I can return them.

Ok, so how do you use them?  They look interesting but I see plugs on the end of each speaker, what do they plug into?  Are they used with your existing head set by replacing the speakers? 

[GregKhougaz]

Yes. Those are male Molex connectors.  I will cut the H-D speaker wires and crimp or solder on female connectors.  That way if a speaker ever fails, I can replace it.

[Jock]

So, there is simply no substitute for for voice communication.  I just spent nearly an hour talking to Ed Davis,  owner of EdSets in Warner Robins, GA.  He seemed like a good and knowledgeable guy. He dissuaded me from ordering a complete headset.  Rather, he persuaded me to order a set of his Thunderclap Speakers.  Ed claims the speakers are state-of-the-art and will give me both better volume and clarity due to their efficiency. I have agreed to be a guinea pig.  If they work, I have saved about a hundred fifty bucks. If they don't, I can return them.

Geez!  I may need to look this guy up!  I am in Warner Robins as I type this message.

[GregKhougaz]

Geez!  I may need to look this guy up!  I am in Warner Robins as I type this message.

Let us know what you find out! Thanks.

[ultrafxr]

Yes. Those are male Molex connectors.  I will cut the H-D speaker wires and crimp or solder on female connectors.  That way if a speaker ever fails, I can replace it.

After reading your post I emailed Ed about retrofitting these speakers to a J&M Elite headset which has a defective speaker.  He told me I'd have to solder a connector.  But the wires on the J&M are TINY and I've got reservations about even attempting that.  Don't know about the H-D headset as I sold mine when I got the bike.  Please keep us updated on your install.   

[greglyon]

I am not a fan of the J&M premium head set speakers. I don't think they are worth the money given the sound they produce.

[TNCarters]

I've looked at the EdSets before and they are a very modular system where mic or speakers can be easily replaced.  Hear the Goldwing  riders like them.  Thought about trying to splice the EdSet speakers into my J&M headset but have not looked at wire sizes or connectors needed.  I was concerned the electronics might not be compatable as J&M give out very little info on their specs.

[CVODON]

I was given a set of J&M Premium headsets, friend who gave them to me said they sucked, compared to his new '15 HD units. I tried them and he is right, They are not as good as the Harley's that came with my bike, Not sure why they are so highly rated by the foreign bike guys. Maybe the GW factory parts really suck and the J&M units are an improvement over them. I actually like the Harley units, they clamp on securely, mike is flexible but substantial, not sure why everybody thinks other stuff is better, and the Harleys are free (came with bike).

[GregKhougaz]

FWIW:  Received my "EdSets"  speakers yesterday and was able to install them in 1.5 hours.  Took a while as the HD wiring is difficult to work with, to say the least.  They are definitely heavier and better quality than the HDs with better sound quality, esp. bass.  Test ride today and no additional volume but it might be because I did not match the polarity of the two speakers. 

I'll talk to Ed tomorrow and get his thoughts before I change the connections.  Not sure whether I can take apart the tiny molex connector or just cut and re solder the Edsets wires.   

[FLSTFI Dave]

FWIW:  Received my "EdSets"  speakers yesterday and was able to install them in 1.5 hours.  Took a while as the HD wiring is difficult to work with, to say the least.  They are definitely heavier and better quality than the HDs with better sound quality, esp. bass.  Test ride today and no additional volume but it might be because I did not match the polarity of the two speakers. 

I'll talk to Ed tomorrow and get his thoughts before I change the connections.  Not sure whether I can take apart the tiny molex connector or just cut and re solder the Edsets wires.   

Still following this.  If you get it sorted to your satisfaction, I will be getting some.  Heck the better base alone, and sound quality may be enough even if they do not get louder.

Please keep us posted.