Speaker upgrade other than polk?

[Ultra-J]

Anybody ever tried any other speakers other than polk db525s? I know that J&M makes one but they seem a little expensive.
If you did how did they sound and what kind of speaker did you use.

Thanks John

[aztriker]

Originally Posted by Ultra-J

Anybody ever tried any other speakers other than polk db525s? I know that J&M makes one but they seem a little expensive.
If you did how did they sound and what kind of speaker did you use.

Thanks John

I use the J&M. They are made for the specific bike, are water proof and if you replace the rear ones with the ones they make for that they fit the cavity. Front and rear are different. Maybe a tad bit pricey but they work great.

[Antonio Pendejo]

I put a couple of 5.25 Pioneer speakers in the fairing of my Ultra. Got them at Wallyworld for $30. Compared to stock they are LOUD. I think there may be a bit of impedence mismatch between them and the stockers tho, they seem to suck the life out of the stock rear speakers. They fit perfect, just remember to use some nylon spacers between the speaker and fairing mounting surface.

[Cster888]

Originally Posted by Antonio Pendejo

I put a couple of 5.25 Pioneer speakers in the fairing of my Ultra. Got them at Wallyworld for $30. Compared to stock they are LOUD. I think there may be a bit of impedence mismatch between them and the stockers tho, they seem to suck the life out of the stock rear speakers. They fit perfect, just remember to use some nylon spacers between the speaker and fairing mounting surface.

Antonio... yes there is a 4 to 8 ohm mis match over time the amp for the audio will prolly burn out do a search for speakers in this forum and read up on it

[goingsking]

I put in the polks and then took them out because of the mismatch of the speaker rating. I went with the J&M speakers, they sound good and I never have to worry. As far as price difference, polks are about $80 a pair and J&Ms are just a little more.

[Richard H-D]

Originally Posted by aztriker

I use the J&M. They are made for the specific bike, are water proof and if you replace the rear ones with the ones they make for that they fit the cavity. Front and rear are different. Maybe a tad bit pricey but they work great.

I have been thinking of upgrading all four speakers to the J&Ms; do they fit without any modifications, including the speaker wire fittings?

[aztriker]

Originally Posted by Richard H-D

I have been thinking of upgrading all four speakers to the J&Ms; do they fit without any modifications, including the speaker wire fittings?

Plug and play. Be certain to order the proper ones for the Ultra and they're made for it. Some of the other brands do not fit into the cavity of the rear speakers without forcing them. The J&M are made for it and slip right in, in place of the stock ones. And there is NO impedence problem. Again, they ARE made for the Harley system. I wouldn't even consider buying something for $30 that may take out the amp. When I bought mine the J&M's were $98 a pair, I believe. I'd sure rather pay the extra $68 and know they're right than save $68 and take a chance on blowing the amp.

Good luck on whatever you decide.

[LAF]

My question?

Do the JM's sound way better than stock?

[Richard H-D]

aztriker;

"Plug and play."

Thanks for the reply; looks like exactly the ones I want. Checked out their web site and sure looks like a good product. I don't mind spending more for a quality product that fits and doesn't look like a cheesy after-market item.

One of my winter projects and after reading all about the Polks, just didn't seem to be the way I wanted to go.

[aztriker]

Originally Posted by Richard H-D

aztriker;

"Plug and play."

Thanks for the reply; looks like exactly the ones I want. Checked out their web site and sure looks like a good product. I don't mind spending more for a quality product that fits and doesn't look like a cheesy after-market item.

One of my winter projects and after reading all about the Polks, just didn't seem to be the way I wanted to go.

In answer to LAF, yes they sound much better than stock in my opinion. When you see the difference in the size of the magnet, they can't help but be much better. Plus they last longer. I put a set on my '87 EG and they were still great when I sold it 75K miles later.

As for a winter project, very easy to change out. Think I did front and rear in less than an hour and that includes removing the fairing and putting it back on.

[srb8267]

I had one speaker go out on my ElectraGlide Classic, and at the H-D shop I found a High performance speaker kit. Two speakers for $76 (H-D Part number 77181-01).
After replacing both original speakers I think they are better than the originals. I didn't check around to see if the price was in line. I have one good original speaker that I'll give to any one who wants it.

[VMAN]

Anybody have a link to J&M's website? Where are you guys buying J&M speakers? Vic

[Seahag]

If you're not afraid of working with electronics, just keep in mind you can use any speaker and solder a resistor in line to match the impedance with the deck. The J&M speakers are 6 ohm to push the deck a little harder but within a safe limit. Stock speakers are 8 ohm. Go to Radio Shack buy a couple 2 or 4 ohm resistors (very cheap), solder them to the speaker + wire lead then solder a female spade adapter to the other end of the resistor (being carefull to use a heat sink between solder joint and resistor body so as not to burn it out)...plug and play whatever you want. I bought my speakers at http://www.etronics.com I've done business with them several times before and got an excellent pair of speakers with high power rating, waterproof poly cones, and a rubber encased magnet...for $27.00/pr. I've been into car stereo pretty much my whole life and this stuff is really easy for me but if you're afraid to mess with stock wiring at all, you're better off to spend the extra money on the J&M's. This is just another way Harley sticks it to you though. There is no reason to have that deck rated for 8 ohm speakers...even factory car stereos have been 4 ohm for as long as I can remember. Another option though would be to find a store like radio shack where you can buy "home stereo" speakers individually. All home stereo speakers usually run 8 ohm resistance and if you find a good 5.25" speaker just plug it in....the downside is usually home speakers are not made to withstand the weathering effects. Just a couple more options for you all...good luck.

[aztriker]

Originally Posted by VMAN

Anybody have a link to J&M's website? Where are you guys buying J&M speakers? Vic

http://www.jmcorp.com/index.html

[rmk800can]

tried a set of j&m`s in my 04 scgezzerglide,when i was at rapid city this year. i heard about how good thet were and was looking for a little more.so i change them in the parking lot and of i went down town.first thing i noticed is i lost volume on my stereo and i was on the fm and it was know where near as loud as before so i threw in a cd and turned it up and to my surprise it sounded bad so i let my friends listen to it and they said the same.so out they came and the stock ones back in and they worked good. took them back and tryed to explain,they did not want to talk to me just gave me money back . go figure