Homemade Sound System

[GrmRpr]

Ok guys I'd like to put some speakers on my bars but ain't payin 300-500 bucks to do it. Anyone made their own setup? Or have any suggestion to build their own? Nothing fancy just want to be able to plug a cheap mp3 player into them. I like music while riding but don't like wearing the earbuds with the mp3 player because I can't hear things going on around me enough to feel comfortable and safe. I think the prices for the speaker systems are insane. If anyone out there is good with this sort of thing and have an idea/suggestion I'd love to hear it.

Thanks!

[Bassdude404]

I've been contemplating the same thing...I've decided to get myself a used Harley "Batwing" fairing setup and modify it to fit my X...I just want a stereo that I can hook up my XM sattelite radio to, and for the $$$ it costs for those speaker-in-a-can setups, I can just buy a used fairing and build a custom system to suit my needs....I'm also pretty picky about sound quality, and those can speakers couldn't possibly sound good enough to satisfy me...I've got a huge home surround system, and an incredible system in my hearse...As much time as I'm gonna spend on my bike, it'll have to be better than some bolt-on speaker-in-a-can setup....When I start getting the parts and pieces in my possesion, I'll post my progress...

[Pug]

THEY ARE CALLED "EAR BUDS" Grim! :bleh: And no, ya can't drink 'em...

[thundrhd]

If you wear a helmet try some helmet speakers from www.aerostich.com (http://www.aerostich.com) part#3967 for $57.00 these are their top dollar speakers. They are detachable w/velcro.

[Fondo]

Hey GrmRpr,

Read what your asking and I have been thinking the same thing, sucks someone can't come up with a rather nifty idea with out spending huge amount of dollars jsut to get good tunes while riding but I have found four ideas that I am considering. Two are on ebay links follows and the third is at J&P. Here they are..........

this is an Ebay item
Motorcycle Stereo Radio, JVC MP3/CD Receiver System Item number: 250200503464

Ron's Radio System's Item number: 280185966707
and a web page.....http://www.ronsmotorcycleradiosystems.com/index.html

Here the J&P item called "radio caddy"
http://www.jpcycles.com/productdetail.aspx?PID=701-527&cs=metric&source=friend (http://www.jpcycles.com/productdetail.aspx?PID=701-527&cs=metric&source=friend)

and one more but I passed on this one. lol
http://www.mc-tunes.com/ (http://www.mc-tunes.com/)


Hope this helps you some. Ride Hard man And let me know what your thinking on and maybe I can get some good info from a buyer of one of these items. lol

[BubbaJePH]

The state of Virginia law says I cannot have both ears covered or earbud in any moving vehicle, bicycle, motorcycle, cage. So I did spend the extra money and bought 2 Wheel Tunes. I have my iPod connected to it and can hear it up to 70 mph.

[GrmRpr]

See we're back up in the $500 range again... I'm looking for a $100 solution... impossible maybe for something pre-packaged. Heck all you need are two small speakers, a bracket of some sort and a small amp... gotta be something out there I could rig up... I'll have to do some searching and see if I can come up with something. If I do I'll post it back here. Waterproof isn't that big of an issue with me because I don't intentionally ride in the rain and if I can rig some sort of quick-release clamp I could just toss them in my bags if I get caught in the rain.

[Stoo]

I like to listen to my Sideburners when I'm riding:icon_peac. I tried a mp3 and earbuds once but it was too damn distracting. Ya might look at marine style speakers.

[Bassdude404]

Ya might look at marine style speakers.
Check out www.crutchfield.com (http://www.crutchfield.com) They have all kinds of stuff there, including marine stereo equipment...

[bmcgc]

Im going with helmet speakers and an mp3. May try it with just one speaker, Im concerned with being able to hear traffic noise as well.

Not into hanging a bunch of extra stuff on the bike, so thats not an option for me.

[GrmRpr]

Might have found a solution... what do you guys think? I saw this in Walmart this morning... if I could come up with a quick release type mount for it I could toss it in my bags if it rains... plus I have rechargable batteries so I wouldn't need wires ran...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5839322

[djdano]

cheap enough......what's the sound qualiy?

[GrmRpr]

The reviews say they sound pretty good... can't imagine they'd have any bass to them but it has a standard mic jack that would plug into my mp3 player. Now to just figure out a way to mount them to the center of my handle bars.

[rodent042]

The reviews say they sound pretty good... can't imagine they'd have any bass to them but it has a standard mic jack that would plug into my mp3 player. Now to just figure out a way to mount them to the center of my handle bars.

Duct tape :D

I don't know if that setup is gonna do it for you, man. My daughter has something similar. Its only 4 watts RMS and definitely ain't made for bouncing and vibrating. I'd be scared to death of the ipod bouncing out of the caddy and skipping like a rock on a smooth lake too.

I found this tho. Its $220 but its weatherproof and has a real amplifier that can be hidden away. Looks like it wouldn't be much work (a couple of longer bolts, spacers, wingnuts and bullet connectors) to make it easily removable too.

http://cycleaccessorystore.com/pro1287796.html

[djdano]

i'm just thinking to myself that maybe could make a 2-pc double clip system from some heavy duty (schedule 80) pvc pipe,

would need the diameters of each :handle bar size & speaker size,then saw each piece of pipes about, maybe 1-2 in. long then saw a split about 1/2 inch wide so it would spread open & snap over the handle bars easily,but a snug fit after it's clipped onto the bars,could glue some type of soft rubber on the ID of the pipe so it doesn't slip up or down....according to the weight of speakers though....then attach (POP-RIVET) ? each piece of pipe back to back, .........well, you get the idea of what i'm trying to say,,,NO?

JUST CLAMP ON,,,,CLAMP OFF..... LOL

or maybe use modified conduit clamps,(could clamp down tighter),but protect the bars with some rubber r' sumpin' to protect from scratching the bars

[Bassdude404]

Duct tape :D

I don't know if that setup is gonna do it for you, man. My daughter has something similar. Its only 4 watts RMS and definitely ain't made for bouncing and vibrating. I'd be scared to death of the ipod bouncing out of the caddy and skipping like a rock on a smooth lake too.
If it's only putting out 4 watts, you won't be happy with it...A factory 1980 something average cassette car stereo put out about 10-12 watts peak...Driving down the highway at 65 mph with the windows down, turned up to be able to actually hear it, the sound is really distorted.....4 watts is about the same as a clock radio....I'd check it out in a store before spending any $$ on one...Maybe find one in a Best Buy, or Circuit City to try out first...

[mthill]

I've been looking at different systems and this one hits around what you are looking at, http://www.motorcycletunes.com/ .

The biggest thing that you want to look at is how weather proof it is. Hate to put the money into it and have a freak rain cell ruin the setup.

[djdano]

that's what i'm talkin' bout.........good find mthill

[Bassdude404]

that's what i'm talkin' bout.........good find mthill
Yeah man!!!!...That's more like it...JVC speakers, a 200 watt amp, and plug in your favorite music source for $150....Best setup for the $$ I've seen yet....

[GrmRpr]

Awesome! EXACTLY like I was looking for... and not too expensive. Thanks!
*** oh just noticed it says ***
High quality weater-resistant chrome speakers will compliment ANY motorcycle

whatever weater is... lol... a combination between water and weather maybe??? Well it's not water proof but resistant.

[Bassdude404]

.Well it's not water proof but resistant.
With the speakers mounted up behind the windshield, that'll help keep water out of them during the occasional rainstorm...Then when washing, just keep in mind to avoid spraying water directly at them....If you go this route, post how it goes...I might ditch the fairing idea, and go this route instead....

[mthill]

Please post if you go this way. Comparing the price to others (as you've found), it quite a bit cheaper. I would be very interested to know how they work.

[GrmRpr]

I'll keep ya all posted... trying to "stagger" some of my mods so it doesn't seem like I'm buying something online every day. Thank goodness I get the credit card statement out of the mailbox before she does lol.

[tejasvtx]

I bought the 50 watt version of this one on ebay, paid 99.00 for the speakers and the amp, wish I had bought the 100 watt, which is all they sell now. The 100's usually sell for 100-120. I have been very pleased with the quality of them. Then I bought the RAM system to hold my MP3.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Black-Amplified-Waterproof-Motorcycle-Speakers-100Watt_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35557QQihZ005QQ itemZ150201047818QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[clongf]

Just ordered the 200 watt package w/inline volume control. Also 2 150 watt amps for a boom box I am building around an HD car radio. I will post my opinion later.

[Smokey27]

My problem is my pipes are loud and I'm not sure I'll be able to hear the speakers at 80 mph. I don't want to spend big bucks on something I can't hear. So for now I wear thin headphones under my helmet, But after about 20 or 30 minutes they really start to hurt.

[mthill]

I have $10 earphones (Phillips brand I think) that I bought from my local Kmart. They wrap around the ear instead of sticking out and I can't tell that they are on with a helmet on.

[GrmRpr]

Ordered my 200 Watt Amp and JVC speakers from http://www.motorcycletunes.com/ (http://www.motorcycletunes.com/) today... I'll keep you posted on how they sound.

[Fatman Photos]

I just bought the 200 watt amp and JVc Speaker set up from www.motorcycle (http://www.motorcycle) tunes.com but have now decided not to install it. I can make someone a great deal on it. It is still new in the box. I have taken one speaker out to look at how they were mounted. If interested, shoot me a pm and I can send pics if you want.

[Bassdude404]

I just bought the 200 watt amp and JVc Speaker set up from www.motorcycle (http://www.motorcycle) tunes.com but have now decided not to install it. I can make someone a great deal on it. It is still new in the box. I have taken one speaker out to look at how they were mounted. If interested, shoot me a pm and I can send pics if you want.
So.....How's come you changed your mind????..I'm still thinking about this setup, but you changing your mind has me wondering...:hmm2:

[Fatman Photos]

Changing my mind has nothing to do with the product. Everything looks awesome. The main reason I changed my mind is NOW MY DA#N IPOD quit working. I am not in to position right now to go out and purchase another one so I am going to sell the system and then at a later date get another one. This system has some serious speakers. It has good heavy magnets. The amp is small and should not be a problem to mount almost anywhere. I was looking at putting it in the side just outsige the tool box under the side cover. I will sell the system for $150 shipped to the lower 48.

[clongf]

I received my order for the 200w system today. The speakers look good and sound ok. Can't get much bass with a 5" speaker. I connected everything and powered it with a 12v bench supply.
Beafy mounts and nice shiny chrome...... The order was incorrectly shipped. I ordered the inline volume control - not in the box. I ordered 2 150w amps on closeout but only got 1. So, two mistakes in one order. Called and told the person my problem and the rest of the order will be shipped tomorrow.

[clongf]

A followup to the above post. MotorcycleTunes.com shipped the missing items priority and all is well. They also knocked off $10 for a missing box for the amplifier that was not originally shipped. So, as soon as the weather warms a little, I will install the amp and speakers.
NOTE: This company will no longer sell directly to the public after March 1. They will be a wholesale distributor only. So order soon if you are thinking about buying from them.

[GrmRpr]

to put your mind at ease these speakers sound great I think... you have to remember what you're working with here and know upfront that there isn't any bass to speak of but still they sound good... not as good as my mp3 player with earphones but I HATE having sounds of my surroundings blocked out... with these I can still hear whats going on around me and have my music too.

[robertamorris]

Hey we have all replaced our risers and still have the old ones. Use you old risers as speaker mount brackets. Fasten the speakers to the bolt end of the risers and then reatach the risers to the handle bars in the desired speaker location.

[starr56]

OK sounds good to me.email me.Just what I needed.

[vtxcandyred]

I have the motorcycletunes with the one hundred watt amp and the four and a half inch Blaupunkt speakers and can hear them at speed, no problem. I've had them for a few years now and am glad I did. No more listening to myself singing!!!!!!! YUK!!!!!!! This is a picture of the amp inside the tool bag on the back of the windshield. http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/178Amp_in_the_bag1-med.JPGThis is a view with the mp-3 on the front of the tool bag and the speakers. This is not the final resting place for all this. As soon as I get back on shift I plan on working on things!!!!!!!!!!!! http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/178New_MP-31-med.JPG

[coffeemade]

yeah I am looking into a audio setup but I want it to be something that people can't walk by and steal in 2 seconds.

[vtxcandyred]

yeah I am looking into a audio setup but I want it to be something that people can't walk by and steal in 2 seconds.The MP-3 slides off and on in seconds and the rest is pretty well bolted and or screwed down. If some one wants some thing bad enough they'll get it, you can only do your best!