Been quite awhile since I've been on here. I hope everyone is doing well.
I can't seem to get a good, solid, verified straight answer to the following question:
Do I need to install new amps when upgrading my 2026 CVO SG Limited Stage II speakers to Stage III speakers? It has six total speakers.
Anyone have a verified answer?
Thanx in advance....
HD
Hound Dawg,
I'm looking at doing the same thing on my soon to arrive CVO Street Glide 3 Limited. As like yours, it comes with the Stage II already installed. I've not heard one of the new Stage II sound systems, but thought the Stage III would be a nice upgrade.
Amps???
According to my parts department, the front, or main amp is 500 watts and is mounted up front in front of the Infotainment system. The 6-speaker systems like ours, has two amps. Again, according to my parts guy at HD, the front is 500 watts and the aux is 650 watts.
We could not determine if the main 500 is only powering the front two fairing speakers and the aux amp is then powering the lowers and the rear pods. But either way, our bikes will hav4e 1,150 watts for amps.
If you go back to HD's website and look under, say
"2025" Tri-Glide, you'll see that it comes with no stage at all, just normal speakers/amp etc. Under the BUILD/PRICE tab, look at the options for the Tri-Glide. It lists Stage II audio upgrade. In the list of parts, it lists front and rear speakers AND an amp. No specs are given, but I'm guessing it's the 500 watt amp. If you go to the 2026 CVO Street Glide Limited BUILD/PRICE tab, you will also find the audio upgrades. For your bike, not the SG3L like mine, you have an 8-speaker option including saddle bag kits. NONE of your audio upgrades list an amp as part of the upgrade list of parts.
I think the Stage II speakers are rated at 125 watts and the Stage III are rated at 250 watts. At Volunteer Audio, the owner does a Stage II to Stage III upgrade with HD parts and records all the specs via computer etc. After installing the Stage III speakers, he only saw a .7 db increase in sound pressure levels. But he did say that the clarity it a bit better with the Stage III.
Not sure if $1,700 for .7 db is a good ROI...
Hope some of this has helped.
I'm still on the fence though about the Stage III upgrade. I'll have to listen to the Stage II on the road to see if I need more. I know my new trike will be quieter than my old '09 SERG with Fullsac 2.5" baffles...
May not need the Stage III after all.
Dan
Author
Topic: Upgrading a 2026 CVO Street Glide Limited Stage 2 speakers to stage 3. (Read 1003 times)