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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 10
Southern California | Hi all, first-timer here, just bought a 2011 Vision (new) from the dealer, and it is loaded except for the Kicker speaker option. I'm not thrilled with the sound quality, but need some advice for upgrades. I've read some posts on the subject but not necessarily regarding the 2011 models.
I'd like some strong sound but no need to drop $1k for it, any ideas for a modest upgrade?
Thanks! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i dont think the speakers are going to be a Night and day difference all by themselves.. the 2011 speakers are much better than the 2008s.. and that isnt even a night an day difference. Im not saying the kickers wont help. Just dont expect mircles for the price... |
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Tourer
Posts: 430
| You might look at speakers made for the 'marine' environment - they will also be waterproof in addition to possibly better sound.
have you listened to any speakers on your buddies bikes that you like? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
| You can get the kicker PS5250s cheaper on line but the Vision stock head unit leaves these speakers really under driven. To realize these speakers full potential, you should also consider installing an amp. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| You'll need an amp and some decent speakers. I have an alpine amp and pioneer speakers on all four corners. I put the amp in because the speakers alone weren't enough.
Edited by kris1956 2012-07-05 3:44 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
| kris1956 - 2012-07-05 1:42 PM
You'll need an amp and some decent speakers. I have an alpine amp and pioneer speakers on all four corners. I put the amp in because the speakers alone weren't enough.
If you end up getting the Kicker Speakers, the Alpine Amp doesn't have the power to drive the kickers appropriately. The Alpine amp does work well with other speakers that have a lower power demand. |
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Tourer
Posts: 323
Troy, NY | You can do a search on this site to get some detailed info already posted about speakers. I at first upgraded to J&M and now have the kickers. The JMs were better than stock but not as good as the kickers. I can play any music without distortion on the kickers. They aren't louder than the JMs. However, they sound way better! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| I can't say whether or not an alpine will drive kickers or not. Victory didn't offer them when I upgraded my speakers and alpine has come out with better amps since I put mine in. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| check this guy out
http://www.thevog.net/forum/victory-vision-35/look-what-i-can-do/ |
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
| kris1956 - 2012-07-05 2:15 PM
I can't say whether or not an alpine will drive kickers or not. Victory didn't offer them when I upgraded my speakers and alpine has come out with better amps since I put mine in.
I can, my first go around with Vision Audio was the Kicker PS5250 speakers and the Alpine KTP445 Amp. Replace the Alpine with the RF PBR300x4, cooked it, now I have the ARC KS125.4. So far the Arc is not only up to the job in the power, and clarity department, but also in durability.
Been through this a couple of times. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| johnnyvision - 2012-07-05 4:17 PM check this guy out http://www.thevog.net/forum/victory-vision-35/look-what-i-can-do/[/... That's a sweet sound system, a little more than I want to spend but very nice. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 10
Southern California | Thanks for the advice guys, looks like I should spend a few months with the stock ones, roast them, and then install an amp and some kickers. Sounds like any speakers lose the desired impact at speed in any case, maybe I should get some speakers in my helmet instead... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
| My limited experience with in helmet speakers hasn't been all that positive. Most I have found, sound like crap. You're better off with a good set of noise isolating ear buds.
I am pretty happy with how my Vision Audio has turned out, but I do wish I spent a little more on the speakers. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 216
Danville, CA | Hawg Wired Set Amp works great with their speakers. Not cheap, but work great. On my 3rd set on 3rd bike. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 144
| I have had this on this site for a long time and have been in the sound bus. for a long time. And unlike others that have had theirs fail and burn up mine is still kicking. I also won loud stereo contests beating out many Hawg wired systems with theirs at almost 3 times the cost. You must follow the instructions except use Infinity's all the way around. This set up will cost around $350 and you will never worry about your music again. Hope this helps you out. Dain
http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=6938&pos...
Edited by Dain 2012-07-07 3:29 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 499
Chattanooga, TN | Not bad at all, Dain! I ended up using the Polk Audio db525/Rockford PBR300x4 combo like in the other write-up. It does pretty good, but did cost a bit more than your setup. No complaints. |
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Tourer
Posts: 348
Sturbridge, Mass | Dain - 2012-07-07 4:28 PM
I have had this on this site for a long time and have been in the sound bus. for a long time. And unlike others that have had theirs fail and burn up mine is still kicking. I also won loud stereo contests beating out many Hawg wired systems with theirs at almost 3 times the cost. You must follow the instructions except use Infinity's all the way around. This set up will cost around $350 and you will never worry about your music again. Hope this helps you out. Dain
http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=6938&pos...
I have this setup in my bike- VERY LOUD !!!
I did the Infinity's in all 4 speakers
Not cyrstal clear, but very loud.
Had one bad relay that was replaced since install.
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| I have to ask why if I turn up volume on ipod the stock speakers sound great. Why does the ipod make the sound better?
Second any one find a good antenna. I have a dakota digital antenna that hooks to power but sixty miles out of town it doesn't pick up nothing. So is there a better one out there.
http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=results/Category_... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | Speaker upgrades help, but more power is needed than what the Vision's wimpy head unit can supply. Even at modest volume the head unit does not deliver enough power which causes distortion.
I have a 4-channel Hawg Wired system. The HW system is not as powerful as some I have read about in this forum. And, it is a bit pricey. However, the small package is what turned me on to it. It takes up no space in the saddle bags or trunk. Everything is neatly tucked away out of sight under the front aluminum cowling. The sound quality and volume are greatly improved.
The Kicker speakers where not available when I upgraded my system. When they did hit the market, I assumed they would sound better than HW because they were spec'd for the Vision. I got a set with the intention of selling the HW speakers on ebay. I only installed one in the front and turned the fader to the front for a side by side comparison. I pulled the terminals off the HW front speaker. I then connected (played) one speaker at a time so I could hear them back to back. To my surprise the HW sounded better overall. The Kickers had a bit more bass response while sitting in the garage, but that disappeared as soon as I hit the road. The lower frequency output of the Kickers could not be distinguished from the HW at all on the road. The HW speakers were a bit louder and clearer at highway speed. I then installed the other Kicker in the front, connected all 4 speakers, and went for another ride. I used the fader to change between the Kickers up front and the HW in the rear. Still the same result. I removed the Kickers and reinstalled my HW speakers.
The Kickers are not bad speakers for the Vision. They are much better than stock. The difference between the Kickers and HW is not huge. The Kickers sound a little better in the garage without the motor running because of their lower frequency response. Like I said, however, the lower frequency cannot be heard on the road so the crisp clear high notes coming from the HW speakers made them the better choice for me. If you are choosing on price alone, go with the Kickers. If sound is more important to you than price, go Hawg Wired.
I have posted photos of my installation of the Hawg Wired system before. For those who have not seen it:
https://picasaweb.google.com/105510930734514474102/2008VictoryVision...
The trunk plastic had to be reshaped as shown in the above link. I believe the new model of HW speakers have a new smaller magnet and will drop in without modification.
Whatever speaker you choose, an amp is highly recommended.
Edited by victoryvisiontour 2012-07-16 4:23 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | johnnyvision - 2012-07-16 4:42 PM
I have to ask why if I turn up volume on ipod the stock speakers sound great. Why does the ipod make the sound better?
Second any one find a good antenna. I have a dakota digital antenna that hooks to power but sixty miles out of town it doesn't pick up nothing. So is there a better one out there.
http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=results/Category_ID=517/home_id=-1/mode=cat/cat517.htm
Any time you are using a device with its own volume, turn it all the way up. Then use the main receiver (Vision head unit in this case) as the volume control.
I tried a hidden powered antenna. Better than stock, but still not much good. Here is my write up of using a cellular antenna which gave me much better results. http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=10584&posts=1&start=1?
Edited by victoryvisiontour 2012-07-16 4:57 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 19
california | Just did my research and contacted Arc audio they make kits for HD baggers.
They told me that victory turned down the bass in the deck and that speakers and amp will make it louder, that it still would not perform like it should. Im going with the Arc mini ks125, and the Alpine PSR-50 front and rear. You can find these products in amazon and ebay...... about$550 booya
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
| armyron - 2012-07-17 8:42 AM
Just did my research and contacted Arc audio they make kits for HD baggers.
They told me that victory turned down the bass in the deck and that speakers and amp will make it louder, that it still would not perform like it should. Im going with the Arc mini ks125, and the Alpine PSR-50 front and rear. You can find these products in amazon and ebay...... about$550 booya
I have the ARC KS125.4 with Kicker Speakers and I love the setup, I went through a series of amps, started with the Alpine, then burned up a Rockford, finally installed the Arc. So far the Arc is up the the challenge, and seems the be unaffected by the heat.
I installed the Arc in the trunk on the back wall where the trunk latches closed, despite the size of the amp it takes up little room, you can still fit two full face helmets in the trunk. It usually doesn't get too warm in the PNW but recently rode in 100+ degree weather for several hours, with the volume maxed out and never had a problem. Another Vision on that same ride with the Rockford Amp, had the amp burn up.
For the money, I think the Arc is the way to go... Lots of power, good heat management, not too big, and designed in the US... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 25
Tyler Texas | How did the new baffles work for the bass read some reviews they starve the speaker of air and rob it of bass. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 19
california | +1 kelvinin on the Arc Audio amps! I have been running Arc products in my F-250 and love it. They really make a rock solid amp that will jam all day long and take some heat. |
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