For those with a fairing and stereo

[nighthawk11]

I read a post somewhere, can't remember where, that the quality of sound is better if some foam material is placed inside the fairing. I hadn't heard this before and was wondering if anyone here has. I'm replacing my stereo head unit with a higher watt output one, and since I was going to take the fairing apart, wanted to know if it's worth my while to add some foam in there.

Thanks, Mark...

[ringadingh]

I don't have any foam in my fairing but it would be easy enough to try and see if it helps. I think a powerful radio and good speakers are the main things to look for. Most radios work well at lower speeds but at highway speeds things get distorted with all the wind and engine noise around you.

[hammer]

I have the WideOpenCustom fairing. It came with an insulation material that is really the foil over foam used for water pipe wraps and such. I found the stuff at Home Depot and experimented with using more of the material behind the speakers when I went to the new PolkAudio db521's and it did seem to make a difference with it.

This insulation comes in a roll with a sticky back so it is easy to use.

[nighthawk11]

Very cool info. I may give that a shot this weekend.

Thanks, Mark...

[cactusjack]

The stuff Hammer was talking about is called "Dynamat" it's available from Crutchfield.com, and it isn't inexpensive. http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

http://www.crutchfield.com/g_181250/Dynamat.html?tp=3558

[hammer]

Nope, CJ. I have used Dynamat in cars and on one computer build. It's great stuff but expensive

The stuff I am talking about comes in a roll about 6" high and applies like tape. Some folks use it to wrap hot water tanks and protect areas behind hot water pipes. Most recently, I used it above and beside my father's dishwasher as extra sound and heat shielding.

[hammer]

CJ, here is a pic of the insulating material I use. This is the 2" version. The 6" version is thicker. I have also used this stuff for sound insulation around my car's GPS CD in the trunk and the rear speakers. It also works well to shield and insulate appliances. It works well because you can use high density foam and use this stuff like tape and it secures very well. Hope this helps.

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab99/CrocHammer/KawaNowForum/FoamInsulatingTape.jpg

[dragon57]

You can also use speaker buckets, or whatever they're called. They are insulated and cover the rear of the speakers, and direct the sound out the front. Anyplace like radio shack, crutchfield, maybe even best buy would have them.
I'm not sure of the name, but, just tell the sales rep what you mean, and, they'll probably know....
I have an HD fairing on mine with 4 speakers, no enclosures inside, but it sounds good till I get up around 75 mph, then the wind drowns out everything anyway.

[dragon57]

Nighthawk, here is an example of what I'm talking about. They call these speaker baffles. not the correct size, but, you get the idea.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_20702_The+Install+Bay+VXT60.html

[gman47]

nighthawk, what wattage head unit do you have now and what are you going to replace it with? I'm thinking about a fairing and believe I can get a better set up doing it myself. Anyone else that feels like chiming in, please do!!!!!!!!!!!

[hammer]

Yes Dragon, I looked at those at Crutchfield when I bought the PolkAudio speakers but I was not sure if I had the depth in the fairing for those. The WOC is 1 piece so it sortof forms a speaker box itself. All I know is with an iPod and the Polks it sounds awesome. They look good too. Her is a pic of the final install.
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab99/CrocHammer/KawaNowForum/PolkAudiodb521SpeakersJMCB.jpg

[nighthawk11]

I'm currently pumping 160w with a pioneer system. I'm going with a 200w Pyle system, same as my speakers. I know it doesn't seem like much of change, but the Pyle head was dirt cheap, doesn't have a CD player I won't use, and has both USB and SD card ports. It's lighter than the pioneer. Best part.....I didn't pay much for it so if it takes a crap, I won't mind so much.

[hammer]

That looks like a good choice nighthawk. I would appreciate the USB and the SD slot too and have never used the CD player in the Jensen unit. But it does drive the speakers fine and has a good iPod and Aux connection. I don't think you can expect high fidelity on 2 wheels at speed anyway. Enjoy the tunes!!

[skiman]

Hammer
those polks look good on the black I better have my fairing back Friday it's been 3 weeks
now got my head unit this week a kenwood hd545 22wats rms at less then 1% distortion sounded great on the work bench can't wait to hear it in the fairing

[hammer]

I came so very close to getting those same Kenwoods but Crutchfield had the PolkAudios on sale. I will also admit that I liked the funky speaker covers and that they are fully marine rated speakers. BUT, you are going to love those Kenwoods.

Rock on!!

[skiman]

I have the same polk speakers the db521's the kenwood hd545 is the stereo head unit I got.

[dnlaw57]

I'm currently pumping 160w with a pioneer system. I'm going with a 200w Pyle system, same as my speakers. I know it doesn't seem like much of change, but the Pyle head was dirt cheap, doesn't have a CD player I won't use, and has both USB and SD card ports. It's lighter than the pioneer. Best part.....I didn't pay much for it so if it takes a crap, I won't mind so much.

Nighthawk11, I just installed a Pyle PLCD3MR system but I don't have any Amp system were did you install your amp?

[cactusjack]

I don't have a fairing (yet), but will soon. I am already looking at sound systems to install in it.

I am considering this receiver: http://www.midwestelectronics.com/blaupunkt-toronto-400-bt-bluetooth-variocolor-usb-front-aux-p-684.html

I'm holding off on ordering until I have the fairing and can verify the speaker opening size.

[skiman]

I'm currently pumping 160w with a pioneer system. I'm going with a 200w Pyle system, same as my speakers. I know it doesn't seem like much of change, but the Pyle head was dirt cheap, doesn't have a CD player I won't use, and has both USB and SD card ports. It's lighter than the pioneer. Best part.....I didn't pay much for it so if it takes a crap, I won't mind so much.

Nighthawk11, I just installed a Pyle PLCD3MR system but I don't have any Amp system were did you install your amp?


I think he means 200watts being 4 channel x 50 watts each
Alpine has a nice 45 watt rms add on amp that is very small and plug right into their head units no wiring it's like 7x3x3/8''

[hammer]

That's a nice unit CJ. I am wondering about the USB connection. Can you connect an iPod/MP3 player to that front USB port so that all the data and control is transferred to the head unit? Most of the iPods use a standard usb not miniA/B to connect unless there is a convertor cable to connect there. Maybe the AUX In will do that but most force you to use the iPod controls instead of the head unit. Maybe the standard usb connector is in the back.

I am going to tap the back of my head unit to allow me to mute the Jensen at the handle bar. It does not happen often but I hate reaching to the stereo to do that while I am riding.

[cactusjack]

That's a nice unit CJ. I am wondering about the USB connection. Can you connect an iPod/MP3 player to that front USB port so that all the data and control is transferred to the head unit? Most of the iPods use a standard usb not miniA/B to connect unless there is a convertor cable to connect there. Maybe the AUX In will do that but most force you to use the iPod controls instead of the head unit. Maybe the standard usb connector is in the back.

I am going to tap the back of my head unit to allow me to mute the Jensen at the handle bar. It does not happen often but I hate reaching to the stereo to do that while I am riding.

I don't have an iPod, so I don't care if it controls it or not. That's a good point, though. I was thinking you could just plug a thumb drive in the USB jack, but they use the standard USB plug. I'll have to research it some more. There's probably a cable you have to buy that interfaces with the unit.

I have a 30GB Zune, and I can plug it into the aux input if I'm outside of radio reception.

[cactusjack]

I just found this heavy duty Jensen stereo. I think this would be great for installation in a motorcycle fairing. It has wx band, no CD player, and is built for rugged conditions.

http://www.heavydutyradios.com/jhd_1510.html

[hammer]

Cool, That's nice too. You will still probably need the flip down marine cover anyway. That unit is probably not impervious to water even though it looks to be tough.

There are so many choices now and lots of good ones.

[cactusjack]

Cool, That's nice too. You will still probably need the flip down marine cover anyway. That unit is probably not impervious to water even though it looks to be tough.

There are so many choices now and lots of good ones.

It is not impervious to water, but it is dust, humidity, and vibration resistant. Dust is a bigger threat to me than water.

[hammer]

I got a magazine from Crutchfield with comparisons of various receivers. There are quite a few now that offer standard usb inputs. For most it means you can plug in a thumb drive, ipod or any other usb connected audio device.

I have a box full of thumb drives in the 1 to 8 gig range that were mostly promotions. They would be great on a bike because you can just stick it in your jeans and they are less likely to get damaged.

Crutchfield offers free support after a purchase so I think I will call them to figure out how to properly drive the 4 front PolkAudios and the J&M 4" or Aquatronics 5" in the two speaker pods on the trunk. I would consider an amp. I can stick it in a pod under the trunk. Maybe I should put it in the trunk and put an 8 inch subwoofer under the trunk???? ::)

[skiman]

I read a post somewhere, can't remember where, that the quality of sound is better if some foam material is placed inside the fairing. I hadn't heard this before and was wondering if anyone here has. I'm replacing my stereo head unit with a higher watt output one, and since I was going to take the fairing apart, wanted to know if it's worth my while to add some foam in there.

Thanks, Mark...

These will help stop phasing problems caused by both channels being in the same enclosure

http://cgi.ebay.com/XTC-5-25-Acoustic-Foam-Speaker-Baffles-1-PAIR-/290414670811?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item439e1033db

[cactusjack]

I read a post somewhere, can't remember where, that the quality of sound is better if some foam material is placed inside the fairing. I hadn't heard this before and was wondering if anyone here has. I'm replacing my stereo head unit with a higher watt output one, and since I was going to take the fairing apart, wanted to know if it's worth my while to add some foam in there.

Thanks, Mark...

These will help stop phasing problems caused by both channels being in the same enclosure

http://cgi.ebay.com/XTC-5-25-Acoustic-Foam-Speaker-Baffles-1-PAIR-/290414670811?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item439e1033db

How do you mount these? Do you place the speaker in them and then slip the whole thing into the speaker opening? Then trim the excess after installing the grill?

[skiman]

Yes you just put a small hole for the wire then the whole deal mounts in the hole trim and your done they help direct the sound out the front instead of it bouncing around in the fairing and causing the channels to fight each other