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[Hound Dawg]

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

[bigchuck]

If it were me I'd go to the Volunteer Audio website and check out 2hat they have to offer. I have no experience with the newer bikes but I'm not a fan of HD audio.

[Dan_Lockwood]

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

[Cvostu]

I went with the volunteer audio package system on my 24 CVO Road Glide. 1000 W amp and it’s so much better than anything you can get from Harley Davidso. So much better than any of that Rockford
stuff.   if you go with volunteer audio with their hertz system you won’t be sorry. I love mine. Fantastic amp and speakers.  He has the best videos that will make the install a breeze.  I did mine in one afternoon.  Couldn’t be happier. 

[Hondo2doc]

I went with the volunteer audio package system on my 24 CVO Road Glide. 1000 W amp and it’s so much better than anything you can get from Harley Davidso. So much better than any of that Rockford
stuff.   if you go with volunteer audio with their hertz system you won’t be sorry. I love mine. Fantastic amp and speakers.  He has the best videos that will make the install a breeze.  I did mine in one afternoon.  Couldn’t be happier.

I did the exact same thing for my 2021 SESG and my wife's 2023.5 SESG. Volunteer also carries Cicada amps and speakers now as well.


Sent from my SM-X210 using Tapatalk

[Cvostu]

I saw that.   Jay is now on the cicada bandwagon.  Funny.   I really do enjoy the system he sold me. 

[SIKBIRD]

Like others have said, you’re not going to be happy with any sound upgrades from the MoCo.  The difference in stage 2 vs stage 3 is negligible when riding down the road.  A quality aftermarket set up will blow away the stock system at a fraction of the price.

[Hound Dawg]

Thanx everyone.....very helpful.   

I have confirmed, Dan, that the from amp, indeed is 500watts and the rear 600, like you pointed out.   This means that there is no need to change amps for the stage III's given that the MoCo doesn't offer bigger amps at this time.   My Stage II's sound pretty good and I don't need more volume, but they do sound a bit "thin" and I think the Stage III's should solve that.   I have pulled the trigger on these 3's and they get installed in the morning.   I will report back.   Maybe I will regret not going after market like most others say, but I usually support the MoCo....blindly albeit.   Thanx again everyone.    I've attached a pic of my two bikes.   

HD

[Hound Dawg]

Well.....contrary to some input I have received about the upgrade from stage 2 to stage 3 Fosgate Harley speakers.....I couldn't be more happy.   While the stage 2 were pretty loud, they do not compare to these stage 3's for bass note and overall clarity.   Much fuller sound and much better bass response.    The improvement comes from the significant increase in magnet size I believe.   

Overall....relative to this upgrade only.....(didn't try any after market stuff) ....the stage 3's are definitely worth it if your looking for an improvement in overall sound.   I also trust the endurance and durability testing that the MoCo would have done on these.   They have much more to lose than after-market reputations.   

Just my two cents.   Thanx for responding either way.   

Peace...

HD

[SIKBIRD]

That’s awesome!  Glad they worked for you!  Your bike pics look really cool with the red and blue lights against the smoke or fog.

[Dan_Lockwood]

Well.....contrary to some input I have received about the upgrade from stage 2 to stage 3 Fosgate Harley speakers.....I couldn't be more happy.   While the stage 2 were pretty loud, they do not compare to these stage 3's for bass note and overall clarity.   Much fuller sound and much better bass response.    The improvement comes from the significant increase in magnet size I believe.   

Overall....relative to this upgrade only.....(didn't try any after market stuff) ....the stage 3's are definitely worth it if your looking for an improvement in overall sound.   I also trust the endurance and durability testing that the MoCo would have done on these.   They have much more to lose than after-market reputations.   

Just my two cents.   Thanx for responding either way.   

Peace...

HD

Hound Dog,

Thanks for the update on the Stage II to the Stage III audio upgrade.

Volunteer Audio did say that there "may" be some clarity improvements with the Stage III speakers.  He also pointed out the larger magnets too.  Makes sense.

I think I'm going to listen to the Stage II on the new CVO trike when it arrives and just see what it sounds like.  I would be able to upgrade money wise, but if I can live with the Stage II, $1,700 would just stay in my pocket.  I'm still on the fence and I may very well end up with the upgrade anyway.

I greatly appreciate your firsthand review!  Sounds like you got a BIG BANG for the upgrade money.  I still have well over a month until mine hits the dealer's floor.

How do you like the CVO trike for performance and handling?  Have you done any upgrades, handlebars etc.?  I have purchased L.A. Choppers 12" bars already, new add-on mirrors and passenger arm rests.

Thanks again for your reply.

Dan