Harley-Davidson Premium Audio System To Perform In Harsh Environments

1Boom!-Audio2Boom!-Audio3Boom!-AudioThe wind. The rain. The blistering heat and constant vibration. Creating a premium audio system capable of performing in harsh motorcycle environments is a consuming task of testing and testing again. Riders may push a button and take that sound quality for granted, but turning a motorcycle into a (almost) rolling concert hall is a complex challenge. To ensure that the Harley-Davidson Boom! audio products will function well in harsh motorcycle environments, all components are subjected to the same test criteria as Harley-Davidson motorcycles. This means they are water resistant, UV resistant and vibration tested to meet the Motor Company’s strict quality standards. “Our goal is to deliver exceptional products that create a deep emotional connection between music and riding,” said Tom Strunsee, Senior Project Engineer. “We delve into areas like how to optimize bass while keeping distortion low. Our audio engineers work hand in hand with our vehicle engineers and designers to optimize speaker enclosures and locations for both the standard and Boom! Audio speakers.”

Boom! Audio systems are designed to be loud enough to cut through road noise without sacrificing the basic qualities of high fidelity – accurate reproduction of the complete frequency range of music, smooth musical balance and clarity. Each configuration of speakers and amps offered by Harley-Davidson, including the new Boom! Audio Stage II Speakers and Boom! Audio amplifier has a unique EQ [equalization] curve to maximize the speaker’s performance in each location on the motorcycle, from fairing to Tour-Pak® to saddlebag lids, a clear advantage for the Boom! Audio systems.”

Another area where Boom! Audio excels is in the design of lightweight speaker systems. A common misconception is that heavier speakers equal better quality and better sound. “The motor of the speaker consists of two parts: the magnet and a coil of wire called a voice coil,” said Strunsee. “The voice coil is attached to the speaker cone, and the magnet is attached to the frame. When the current from the amplifier flows through the voice coil, it creates a magnetic field that reacts with the fixed magnet, causing the cone to vibrate and produce sound. With regard to speakers, a stronger magnetic field is the equivalent of more torque from the engine, and, in both cases, we know more is better.

Motorcycle audio isn’t just about volume. It also can be about eliminating unwanted sounds. Boom! Audio kits include all the necessary sound-sealing technology to ensure unwelcome noises are damped or eliminated. “The small details matter,” said Strunsee. “That’s why we correct what is known as BSR (buzz, squeak and rattle). BSR may not be a big issue on the road, but it has an impact when the rider is stationary.” All Boom! Audio components are designed to be recognized by the vehicle controller area network bus (CAN-BUS) so integration issues should never arise, which may not be the case with aftermarket systems. Harley-Davidson audio wiring harnesses are made with the highest-quality connectors that are fully sealed and tested per the Motor Company’s stringent requirements.

10 Responses to “Harley-Davidson Premium Audio System To Perform In Harsh Environments”


  1. 1 Matt W. Sep 22nd, 2015 at 9:59 am

    Thank you HD for making premium stereos that are safe to take outdoors. I can’t count how many times my stock speakers have stopped working due to moisture, sunlight, or dust! 😉

  2. 2 Seymour Sep 22nd, 2015 at 10:57 pm

    3999 msrp

  3. 3 CWGLIDE Sep 23rd, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    Hawg Wired, much better

  4. 4 A 1 CYCLES Sep 23rd, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    SO YOU BUY THE BIKE AND THE STOCK STEREO CANT BE HEARD..SO BUCK UP…HD IS GENIUS AND ITS CUSTOMERS ARE FOOLS

  5. 5 John Sep 23rd, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    So tired of the bait and switch by Harley, spend too much for a bike then needing to drop another couple grand trying to get it right, what a bunch of bullshit.
    I can’t wait until Indian gets it’s dealer network up and seriously challenges H-D.
    It’s past time to make H-D earn your business.

  6. 6 richards Sep 23rd, 2015 at 5:56 pm

    a1 cycles…your characterization is ridiculous. These speakers represent an IMPROVEMENT over the stock speakers. NOBODY the stock ones “can’t be heard”. You’ve never heard of UPGRADES?

  7. 7 richards Sep 23rd, 2015 at 5:58 pm

    seymour….$3999. Where did you get that?

  8. 8 John Sep 24th, 2015 at 11:31 am

    richards
    I know your post wasn’t aimed at me but…….
    I have heard of putting barely acquit equipment on a product then hitting up the customer for a overpriced upgrade.
    The boom audio and suspension packages are exactly that.

  9. 9 Blackmax Sep 24th, 2015 at 4:02 pm

    Yes, over priced & not as good as most of the aftermarket
    if the stock sound system is not good enough for ya’
    (and it rarely is…)
    Lots of choices with Hawg Wired being just one
    Hogtunes, Cycle Sounds, J & M Rokker, just to name a few.
    Plenty of flavors to suit the palette.
    Equal or lesser cost for a better product

  10. 10 Batterycap Sep 28th, 2015 at 10:20 am

    And the question remains, why would one want a multi-thousand dollar entertainment system that produces sound in an environment where with most helmets, your ears are covered, and if not, the wind noise is so great as to nearly mandate earplugs (having lost 1/2 my hearing – know that to be true). With so much to concentrate on while riding, the level of bass response in my speakers is the least of my worries. Ok, yeah – it looks cool. That’s usually a good enough reason. Working against that is the repair costs of this puppy when the warranty has expired. I don’t know what it would cost, but I am sure it will be ugly.

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Cyril Huze