RT-S Speakers

[NancysToy]

Thanks for the welcome. :2thumbs:

Regarding the amps, on the Valkyrie I never had to change anything but the speakers as the Head Unit had enough "umph" to power it all. I think the same should be true on the Spyder's HU as it has power but no clarity in the detail and image of the sound. I know that sounds silly with an "open air" machine, but if I am spending $27k on my rod, I want one that sounds good!

Now that you mention it, it does confuse me greatly. I have yet to figure out how one can get good fidelity when there is wind noise in your helmet, buffeting from the wind, and the sounds of the engine and exhaust. To me, at least after knowing both the joys and the drawbacks of helmet speakers, the external audio system on the Spyder is really quite useless, to my way of thinking. The only way to even hear it at highway speeds is to turn it up loud enough to wake the dead, and even then, it is distorted. Without enough battery power to play when parked...or an "accessory" switch position, the stereo just seems like a waste...no matter how good the speakers are. Maybe you can educate me...or maybe just let me drink from the fountain of youth. :roflblack:

 

[SpyderRider]

As a long time head banger, I guess old habits are hard to break!:yes:
I've got four high end Onkyo systems in the house, a kicking Infinity System in the 2003 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson 100 Year collectible truck, a Polk Speaker System on the 2001 Valkyrie Interstate, so darn-it, I want my newest toy tricked out too! :shocked:
Maybe I am just >:bdh: ROFL!

 

[clueless]

i have heard some good ext speekers on a Harley Street glide in Miami a few months ago even when he left and rode by it sounded solid ... so its possible they def were not stock speakers

 

[IWN2RYD]

I too am a music freak. Even if it is for only those once in a great while slow rydes when I have the chin bar off my helmet... I want t hear the music. As it is the headsets are still a bit on the tweeter side of sound. It is nice to have the larger speaker when we want them.

I think of it like the extra power I would like to have in the RT's... I may not use it all the time but when I want it, I want it... :2thumbs:

 

[mdminc]

These are what I plan to put in with some 400Hz bass blockers: http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/speakers-systems.php#db

DB5251's for the front with some 200Hz bass blockers and DB401's for the rear with some 400Hz bass blockers :2thumbs: Marine grade & waterproof. I think this will give the perfet imaging and focal point! A concert on 3 wheelzhyea:

Hey crtravelnmore, I'd love to put these in mine too. Please let us know how it works out. Thanks!

 

[crtravelnmore]

Hey crtravelnmore, I'd love to put these in mine too. Please let us know how it works out. Thanks!

I will post my result in a few weeks as I'm out of the country right now. I talked to a guy on Ebay and he's gonna make some custom 12db high pass X-overs for these. I think it's going to be a great sounding:spyder2:

 

[canam9]

As a long time head banger, I guess old habits are hard to break!:yes:
I've got four high end Onkyo systems in the house, a kicking Infinity System in the 2003 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson 100 Year collectible truck, a Polk Speaker System on the 2001 Valkyrie Interstate, so darn-it, I want my newest toy tricked out too! :shocked:
Maybe I am just >:bdh: ROFL!

:agree: I'm with you. Keep us posted.:chat: :ani29:

 

[SpyderRider]

Guys,

I should know more Monday as I am going to call BRP for the speaker specs and while I am at it I am going to ask what the wattage is for the stock HU! :thumbup:

 

[clueless]

Guys,

I should know more Monday as I am going to call BRP for the speaker specs and while I am at it I am going to ask what the wattage is for the stock HU! :thumbup:

:clap::2excited:

 

[aka1004]

polk audio is basically THE choice for this application.
their mm521 will be a easy replacement but you will get little more out of the 5 1/4" speakers with db5251. db5251 has much better cross over but you will have to mount the tweeters either by cutting a hole for them next to the woofers or on the dashboard(it comes with a holder to mount them externally). 200 hertz bass blocker would be a bit much thou. 90 hertz at least 12db should block out distortion causing low's.

as far as replacing the amp goes, you probably will not be able to do it as RT's amp will have spyder-specific connectors but you can add a amp with speaker level input to the factory amp but there will be cutting and splicing of factory wiring. alpine and audiocontrol makes factory sound system interface but may or may not work with spyder. if the factory amp has rca input, a line-driver and/or equalizer should do the trick without replacing the amp.
posted wattage in car audio does not mean anything. there is no regulation on how it's measured. unlike home audio, manufacturer can put whatever they want to basically. low priced 300 watt amp may produce only 20 useable watts where mid priced amp like alpine or kenwood will produce true wattage(300 watts amp will do 300watts) and high end amps are under rated. 50 watts amp could produce 400watts or more.

 

[clueless]

anyone confirm size yet?

 

[crtravelnmore]

I looked yesterday. the front oem speakers are 5 1/4's. The tweeter pods will fit near the corners under the grill. They rotate so you can get good imaging for those who like a "brite" tweeter. I didn't get to the backs as the grill is tough and I'm going to call BRP. I think 90hz will hinder the cleanest and be non effective with the volume 3/4's + at highway speeds. This is why I choose 200hz. Not sure I will do 12db or 18db. My goal is to use the oem amp setup with great clarity at highway speeds. I just have to find factory plugs to tie my xovers in so I don't void my extended/factory warranty. :thumbup:

 

[SpyderRider]

Sorry guys as I have been after BRP on this since Monday. :yikes:

I called and after holding quite some time got through to Jonathan in Customer Service. After an hour or so asking him for the information (he really had no clue) he could only tell me the mounting holes in the rear speakers were @118.97mm which is the SAE equivalent of 4.68" of which still doesn't answer what are the REARS? He suggested I contact my dealer whom could call BRP's Tech support folk. I did this yesterday and still not a return call to dealer today over 24 hours later...frustrating!
:bdh:

I cannot believe the Owners and Service Manual say nothing about the size nor wattage of the stockers. I also asked about the Spyders HU Wattage output and got nothing back here as well. Jonathan suggested I take apart the rear console to get to the speakers to measure them. I told him I did not want to do that twice as I would not want my bike apart while I ordered and waited for the replacements to come in. You would think with an excellent product such as the Spyder RT-S, they would be able to tell us some basic information! :dontknow:

 

[sinkhole]

false info...

BRP needs to educate their tech operators. Before I purchased the RT I called to find out the overall width at the front wheels. I wanted to make sure that the Rt would fit in an alocated spot in my garage.The brochure had one dimension, and the website had another. The info I received from tech support turned out to be false... close to a foot wider than the RT actually is.

 

[SpyderRider]

OK some information at last, though not what I want totally. The dealer called me to tell me the technical guy called and said the Spyder Head Unit puts out 20 Watts RMS. I guess that's a start and they said they are still checking on the speaker sizes.

I hate to say this but this is a little funny/serious :cus: if these guys don't have a clue regarding the accessories they place on their own manufactured machines. The tech guy said he would call my dealer back as soon as he could verify the front and rear speaker sizes. I might have to just breakdown the rear to get the measurements myself! :gaah:

 

[garganos]

Hey Gang,

Anyone changed out those "premium" speakers on the RT-S yet? I've had my Spyder for a week now and ready to chuck the stock units as they sound horrible. Tinny and can't handle any bass...YUCK! :yikes: Any thought or recommendations? :chat:

I am looking at Polk Audio units but have not tore into unit yet. Does anyone know their sizes...I guess either 3 1/2" or 4"?

Thanks in advance. :helpsmilie:

That's odd I have yet to have anyone complain about the quality of the sound. Have you checked your audio settings? I have had people who own GoldWings say the sound quality coming from the Spyder is far Superior.

 

[SpyderRider]

That's odd I have yet to have anyone complain about the quality of the sound. Have you checked your audio settings? I have had people who own GoldWings say the sound quality coming from the Spyder is far Superior.

I have a 2001 Honda Valkyrie Interstate (a Gold Wing with lots of chrome) and upgraded the stockers with the Polk's as you could not hear any clarity at highway speeds. The results are fabulous. Now I also have an RT-S and same thing...the stockers sound good sitting still and you can hear them OK up to about 40 mph but beyond that no clarity unless you drive the volume way up, subsequently you have trash distortion.

Regarding my settings, yes I have "dialed" them in numerous times using various levels of bass/treble/fader settings trying to get to the "sweet spot"! I have a church audio/visual business and have been an audiophile for 40 years so I know good "sound" when I hear it. In most cases manufacturers do not put in the "best" speaker as stockers, thereby the huge aftermarket speaker/audio business. The Spyders units are good, but can be improved on greatly putting the Polk's in. They are also certified for marine use. hyea:

 

[dave01]

This really helped the front sound out.

 

[MouthPiece]

That's odd I have yet to have anyone complain about the quality of the sound. Have you checked your audio settings? I have had people who own GoldWings say the sound quality coming from the Spyder is far Superior.

I agree 100% :2thumbs:

 

[SpyderRider]

I guess "Once a Head-banger, :banghead: Always a Head-banger"! :dontknow:

Need my tunes just right :yes: or I can't ryde straight! :roflblack:

Seriously, enough other members have expressed an interest in changing out their speakers as well so there must be something hear (pardon the pun) for them as well. As in everything, everyone has personal preferences and sound reproduction is one of my pet peeves. I simply cannot abide by the high rates of volume needed to drive the stocker speakers, subsequently resulting in high volumes of distortion.

I recently trashed out the stock Ford F-150 "premium" sound system in my 2003 "Collectible" 100th. Anniversary Harley-Davidson edition as I thought the system lacked depth and clarity (Stockers were paper speakers with "whizzer cones" for tweeters). I replaced all speakers with truly high-end Infinity Kappas speakers along with an Infinity Bass Link Sub-woofer driving the bottom end...Ahh - nirvana finally. I know many don't even have this type of system in their homes (I won't detail you with this item). The Polk's should fit nicely into the Spyder configuration and sound great across all ryding situations (if I can ever find out the rear speaker sizes)!

Alright, I'll stop :bdh:
I appreciate everyone tolerating my rants and tirades! :shocked: