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[bobaroni]

I must say that I am extremely dissappointed with the FM radio sound quality on this bike. Is the factory radio and speaker set up that poor? It sounds like a cheap, crappy radio.My biggest  complaint is that there's hardly any bass regardless of the audio settings. There's plenty of volume and it doesn't sound too bad at highway speed. But at that point I've got it cranked a bit and I'm sure I'm not hearing that accompanying distortion. I realize sound quality is subjective but would appreciate your input regarding satisfaction with YOUR factory sound system. For the record, the only audio I've tried is the FM radio and only 1100 miles on the bike.

[Coyote.]

I agree. HK has used the radio's DSPs to completely remove the low end frequency response. No doubt they did it to prevent distortion at higher volumes. The bummer is, even adding better speakers, even an amp, you can't recover that bass. It would be nice if the offered a software fix to allow us to tailor the cut off of the lows so those will after market speakers an/or amps could enjoy better sound.

[Chief]

I must say that I am extremely dissappointed with the FM radio sound quality on this bike. Is the factory radio and speaker set up that poor? It sounds like a cheap, crappy radio.My biggest  complaint is that there's hardly any bass regardless of the audio settings. There's plenty of volume and it doesn't sound too bad at highway speed. But at that point I've got it cranked a bit and I'm sure I'm not hearing that accompanying distortion. I realize sound quality is subjective but would appreciate your input regarding satisfaction with YOUR factory sound system. For the record, the only audio I've tried is the FM radio and only 1100 miles on the bike.

I agree there isn't much bass, but you really can't expect much bass in an open environment with 5 1/4" speakers. Bass takes big speakers or tuned ports, and we don't have either of those. Have you ever listened to the radio on a Wing? It's not good either.

[Midnight Rider]

Or a Beemer either...

You lose bass in an open air, bike going down the road, environment anyway, no matter what you've got for speakers.  Certainly, there are better speakers out there, but what you get from them is better midrange and up.

FM is not the best comparision.  Have you tried a high quality CD to see if that's any better?

[bobaroni]

Or a Beemer either...

You lose bass in an open air, bike going down the road, environment anyway, no matter what you've got for speakers.  Certainly, there are better speakers out there, but what you get from them is better midrange and up.

FM is not the best comparision.  Have you tried a high quality CD to see if that's any better?

It's good to hear that the sound quality isn't out of whack. I will try some CDs. They should definitely sound better than the radio. 

Thanks to the always helpful members. As Red Green says "We're all in this together."   

[Chief]

It's good to hear that the sound quality isn't out of whack. I will try some CDs. They should definitely sound better than the radio. 

Thanks to the always helpful members. As Red Green says "We're all in this together."   

Yeah, it's like listening to the radio in a convertible. There's a big difference top up vs top down.

[Midnight Rider]

It's good to hear that the sound quality isn't out of whack. I will try some CDs. They should definitely sound better than the radio. 

Thanks to the always helpful members. As Red Green says "We're all in this together."   

B...since I wear a Nolan N102 helmet, as does my passenger, and installed the J&M headsets in the helmets, I rarely ever listen to the stereo through the speakers anymore, 'cept when I'm cleaning the bike.  I like it better through the headsets...still not great bass response, but the entire listening experience is better for me.  Wish I could figure out a way to mount Bose Headsets in the helmets!!

[iski]

If you sing along with the AM/FM radio/CD/XM etc. REALLY LOUD, you won't notice the HK radio sounding like a bunch of kittens tied up in a sack about to be flung over a bridge.  Instead, it will be YOU that sounds like a screeching, caterwauling, out of tune sack of felines.  Plus, if any other bikes, cars with tops down, girls with tops down, etc. are nearby, they might find that entertaining.  If they are deaf. 

Try singing along to Paul Harvey & just see what happens.......

[bobaroni]

If you sing along with the AM/FM radio/CD/XM etc. REALLY LOUD, you won't notice the HK radio sounding like a bunch of kittens tied up in a sack about to be flung over a bridge.  Instead, it will be YOU that sounds like a screeching, caterwauling, out of tune sack of felines.  Plus, if any other bikes, cars with tops down, girls with tops down, etc. are nearby, they might find that entertaining.  If they are deaf. 

Try singing along to Paul Harvey & just see what happens.......

One thing I've noticed about singing along with the radio blasting is that I am a GREAT singer! Only if BLASTING mind you.
 
And now page 2......

Bad invention- headphones allowing people to sing along mindlessly AND horribly with no music to drown out the sounds iski mentions above. Good invention- automobile air conditioning. The A/C keeps the "cage" windows up so we riders don't have to endure all the opera and rock star  wannabes "belting it out" along with the mandatory interior drum solo!

[Midnight Rider]

One thing I've noticed about singing along with the radio blasting is that I am a GREAT singer! Only if BLASTING mind you.
 
And now page 2......

Bad invention- headphones allowing people to sing along mindlessly AND horribly with no music to drown out the sounds iski mentions above. Good invention- automobile air conditioning. The A/C keeps the "cage" windows up so we riders don't have to endure all the opera and rock star  wannabes "belting it out" along with the mandatory interior drum solo!

That's what's nice about the full face helmets with the headsets....you can sing along inside the confines of your own head without offending those around you.  Might get knocked in the head by your BSR though...

[iski]

One thing I've noticed about singing along with the radio blasting is that I am a GREAT singer! Only if BLASTING mind you.
 
And now page 2......

Bad invention- headphones allowing people to sing along mindlessly AND horribly with no music to drown out the sounds iski mentions above. Good invention- automobile air conditioning. The A/C keeps the "cage" windows up so we riders don't have to endure all the opera and rock star  wannabes "belting it out" along with the mandatory interior drum solo!

Of course I meant none of the posters here are bad singers, Bob.  All who post here are GREAT singers.  Except for the ones who are not.  Terry referred to that in his post...... wonder why I know that as well....


Pulling up beside a cage with the driver mouthing the words with great feeling is one of the little past times I enjoy.

If you stare long enough for them to see you, they either look down, act embarrassed, or belt it out with more feeling.    Thankfully as you posted, we don't hear it. 

[arcticdude]

That's what's nice about the full face helmets with the headsets....you can sing along inside the confines of your own head without offending those around you.  Might get knocked in the head by your BSR though...

Who says we can't hear you-- most of us at MV last year heard you belting out Barry Manilow for the better part of one day and then Englebert Humperdink for the second!!!!

[Twolanerider]

Who says we can't hear you-- most of us at MV last year heard you belting out Barry Manilow for the better part of one day and then Englebert Humperdink for the second!!!!

shhhhh, John, remember, we promised Diva we wouldnt' tell anyone

[Midnight Rider]

Who says we can't hear you-- most of us at MV last year heard you belting out Barry Manilow for the better part of one day and then Englebert Humperdink for the second!!!!

    If you ever hear either of those artists, and I use that term loosely, coming out of any speakers on my bike, take my temperature....anally.  I'll deserve it...And Barry would want it that way....

[skyglide]

I get real awesome bass with the 300 watt 4-channel Hawg Wired system in the faring and speakers in the lowers. But there was a small fee to get it