Speakers on the Norge

[canuguzzi]

AH, couldn't find the related post I started so here is a new one.

I was going to go the route of making up some panels to mount speakers toward the sides of the fairing , left and right of the gauge cluster. Didn't go as planned. So I though about simply mounting speakers above the gauges but it took a while to find some that were light enough, thin enough and loud enough to do the job.

I made up a mount that goes on top of the gauge cluster but still provided unobstructed view of the gauges and all the info lights above them.

The mounting panel is made of thin ABS and is held on top of the gauge cluster housing via 3M VHB. I've used this stuff to hold all kinds of equipment and materials to each other and it has proven to be 100% reliable.

The speakers are bluetooth or connect via jack to a smartphone or tablet. It also has a SD Card slot so you can load music on the memory card and play it directly from that. It works really nice.

The sound is amazing and even on medium low settings you can hear it just fine. Crank it up and at freeway speeds it works great.

I use my 8" tablet (search for Gizmo Dash) to send music over and the tunes are interrupted for GPS directions. The speaker can also work as a speaker and mic for your phone if that is something you want.

It comes off the mount easily and goes into your pocket, it is that thin. If you hotel it when riding, you can use this with your smartphone or tablet if you play movies or watch bike cam video replays and things like that.

Here is the result.

[fotoguzzi]

BTDT, I prefer form fitted ear buds, kills outside (wind) noise and gets the music right into your ear canal..plus an Ipod is even smaller, keep it in a breast pocket. I sometimes use my tiny ipod with FM radio and strap on my wrist for access..

[kingoffleece]

Such a small speaker.  Where's the bottom end?

[canuguzzi]

Such a small speaker.  Where's the bottom end?

That is the entire thing. It seems thin dual speakers are getting some attention as more people find the speakers on their tablets and phones don't cut it.

I tried the ear buds but sometimes they can come out or get tugged when put your helmet on or off so I stopped using them. They also rely on a cord, something to dangle down into a pocket or something, just not for me.

With an external speaker you can still hear the engine and there is no plugged up feeling.

Anyway, this works, it is easy to make and the price of entry is low. It has a lot if versatility and if there is a day when tunes aren't wanted just leave it off.

The sound is really good though and so far it runs for around 6 hours before needing a charge. By keeping it plugged in USB power, it can probably run much longer.

[canuguzzi]

I forgot. If you want to make the base plate yourself it doesn't take long. It could alsobbe used to hold other things like maybe a GPS, aux gauges or your smartphone.

In used a piece of ABS 4.75"*4" and .125 thick. Drill a hole centered on the 4.75" using the screw on the gauge cover as a locator. Then heat the last 2.25" until it becomes easily bendable.

Set the plate down and holding it so that it bends to the contour of the gauge cover, bend up the portion overhanging the gauges upward to the desire angle.

If you heated the ABS enough the plate will contour to the gauge cover but the portion you lift up will remain flat.

Using thin gloves helps as the ABS does retain heat for a while and you need to let it cool in place for about 30 seconds.

If you need a step by step pic of the plate forming process let me know and I'll post it here.

[PJPR01]

What brand speaker is that...a little hard to read the name...Thecoo perhaps?

How's the bass production on it...many of these smaller speakers, other than B&W or Bose lack much bass.

[canuguzzi]

Keedox. The case is aluminum and very sturdy. The bass is OK, better than many smaller speaker sets. I do notice that external speakers on a bike need less bass as it gets washed out  from engine sounds and such.

It does not sound tinny, it is decently rich. Its a pretty inexpensive speaker but for the money very well made with good features. I really like the aluminum housing as compared to the usual plastics.

[PJPR01]

Cool...thanks!