dreamrider2009 said:
What mixed reviews? The $795.00 is just for the amp & (2) speakers from Hawg-Wired.
WARNING: Long reply to follow:
A while back, I had looked into the Hawg-Wired Amp/Speaker upgrade (via a Google Search) and read online reviews from some riders who installed them and they didn't notice much of a difference after it was installed. Personally, for that price, I would WANT to notice a huge improvement. I will state that I prefer to do my own reviews, but since I've never personally experienced a before and after situation with this product, I have to rely on others' opinions.
On my 08 Vision, if I wear a 3/4 helmet, the quality of the audio at a reasonable volume level is okay. If I wear a full face helmet, I have to crank it up and it's not that great. Yes, the volume could be higher on the stock audio system and the sound quality could be much better. But, we have to be realistic and realize that we're riding motorcycles, we're not driving cars and we're not in our living rooms. Just having a dependable audio system is a great feature on a bike. Having the iPod incorporated into the system is the icing on the cake.
I think that we can honestly state that Victory/Polaris is not in the electronics business and it's a fair guess they outsource all the audio components and mark them up in the price of the bike. I can only wonder if there's a full time audio specialists handling all the audio/electronics purchases or if it's added duties for someone in the purchasing department. I'd venture to guess that it's added duties as we have to remember that in the big scheme of things, Victory is still a small company. If you think about it, the CB/Intercom most likely falls under the same department and that too could have been designed a bit better...with the needs of the rider in mind.
For example, I find it strange that although the CB is installed under the trunk, that it (or the intercom) cannot be used without the trunk. It would have been nice to see them place the antenna in a different location as well as the passenger intercom connector. (Now, don't get me started about the AM/FM antenna that barely works!).
Personally, for the price of the Vision, a better audio system should have been included...but we are talking bikes, not cars.
It's my understanding that for 09, Victory increased the amp output a bit and used different speakers with what they are calling, improved tweeters.
I know there's some VOG Members who have had both an 08 and an 09 Vision. I'm curious as to their thoughts if the stereo system has been improved from one model year to the next.
and was explaining the big problem with bike stereos is they use marine speakers which in his opinion are crap. He was telling a guy that he should replace the speakers in his HD with a good set of audio speakers and explained that the way some are designed and sealed they would be fine in the outside elements. I'm a stereo novice so I can't say if that statement is true or not.
