Motorcycle Audio

Where once the domain of only a few specialty brands, motorcycle audio speakers are now available from dozens of brands. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean all the offerings sound good and play loudly. This Product Spotlight will examine the Rockford Fosgate TMS69 6×9-inch bag lid speaker set to explain what differentiates them from the other offerings in this category.

Rockford Fosgate TMS69 Specifications

The TMS69 set includes a pair of motorcycle-specific 6×9-inch speakers and hex-head mounting screws. Rockford Fosgate rates the speakers as capable of handling 100 watts continuously with peaks up of 200 watts. The speakers have a nominal impedance of four ohms and an impressive 1W/1M efficiency of 89 dB SPL.

For those into analyzing and understanding Thiele-Small parameters, the TMS69 woofers have a resonant frequency (Fs) of 75 Hz, an equivalent compliance (Vas) of 16.8 liters, and a total Q (Qts) of 1.63. The Xmax specification, which is measured at 10% THD using Klippel transducer evaluation equipment, is 3mm. Unless you know another manufacturer used 10% THD, you can’t compare this number with their maximum linear excursion specification.

Designing a speaker for an outdoor application, as you’d find on a motorcycle, is no easy feat. The Rockford Fosgate team spent countless hours cruising Arizona highways to audition dozens of samples of the TMS69 during the development process. The goal was to tailor the frequency response to what enthusiasts would enjoy while compensating for exhaust, wind, and tire noise. While most speakers in this market are marinized car audio speakers, the effort put into making the TMS69 truly unique is impressive. If you are looking for a speaker that sounds good at 75mph, you’re in the right place.

TMS69 Bag Lid Speaker Features

Motorcycle speakers differ from typical car audio speakers in several ways. First, they are designed with efficiency in mind. Getting more output for a given amount of power dramatically reduces how much current the amplifier driving the speakers consumes. This is crucial on a motorcycle where power is limited. Rockford Fosgate uses a low-mass polypropylene woofer cone with a high-Q suspension design. This will maximize output through the midbass region to ensure the drivers pack a punch; no pun intended.

Thermal power handling is also crucial, as the speakers are typically installed in airtight Harley-Davidson saddlebags. This means they can get quite warm. TMS69 speakers feature a huge 1.4-inch diameter voice coil to help dissipate heat efficiently.

These speakers have a shallow design, so they don’t take up valuable room in the saddlebag. Mounting depth is specified as being only 2.8 inches deep. The compact size is achieved thanks to a high-efficiency neodymium magnet structure. A second benefit to speakers that use Neodymium magnets is weight reduction. Each TMS69 weighs about a pound. Ceramic-magnet speakers, albeit cheaper, can be five times as heavy. Rockford Fosgate chose the Neodymium route because it’s much lighter than a traditional speaker with a large ceramic magnet, while still producing the same output. Added weight, especially at the top of the saddlebag, can affect the handling and stability of the motorcycle.

Materials and Design

When you look at the top of the TMS69, you’ll first notice the low-profile 25mm dome tweeter with a phase disc integrated into the grille. The disc helps ensure even sound dispersion at extreme frequencies. The small vertical waveguide around the sides of the tweeter help direct the output towards the driver.

To ensure the speakers are 100% water resistant, Rockford Fosgate has implemented a synthetic rubber surround between the tweeter post and the polypropylene woofer cone. This ensures water can’t get into the motor assembly should you get caught in the rain.

The last feature worth noticing is the massive amount of cone area afforded by the Vertical Attach Surround Technique surround. The way the surround attaches to the vertical sides of the basket allows the radiating surface to be much larger than competing products. In short, you get way more effective cone area and output for your money compared to other offerings.

Element Ready Design

While other products may claim water resistance, Rockford Fosgate takes building speakers for outdoor applications seriously. They use the term “Element Ready,” which means the speakers are water resistant and UV resistant. This means they won’t dry out and crack after prolonged sun exposure. The speakers are also subjected to vibration and impact testing to ensure all components remain secure. A solid design is crucial for a motorcycle, which experiences intense vibrations from the lumpy camshafts. The ultra-rigid glass-fiber reinforced polymer plastic frame is an example of putting durability at the forefront of the design.

Harley-Davidson Installations

The TMS69 speakers are available as stand-alone options. However, they are the heart of the popular and often imitated bag lid speaker kits; the TMS69BL14 for 2014-2023 Harley-Davidson® touring motorcycles, and TMS69BL9813 for 1998-2013 H-D® touring models. The kits feature a cutting template that allows your installer to modify the existing bag lids to accept the 6×9 speakers using the provided mounting brackets and grilles. This eliminates the need to try to paint-match aftermarket lids. If you want to bring the sound system on your Harley-Davidson Street Glide, Road Glide, Electra Glide, or Road King to life, these kits are a perfect upgrade.

Enhance Your Motorcycle Audio System with Rockford Fosgate Speakers

If the stereo system on your Harley-Davidson motorcycle doesn’t put a smile on your face when you crank the volume, drop by a local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer and ask about an upgrade that includes the TMS65 fairing speakers, TMS69 bag lid speakers and their impressive amplifiers. You can find a local authorized retailer using the dealer locator at on the Rockford Fosgate website. Be sure to follow the gang from Tempe, AZ, on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to learn about the products they offer and the incredible events they attend.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

There are a lot of companies offering speakers designed as upgrades for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Picking the best speaker for your situation can be a daunting task. That said, knowing you’re dealing with a manufacturer that has more than 50 years of experience creating products for music fanatics makes that choice easier. Let’s take a close look at the Rockford Fosgate TMS65 6.5-inch speaker for Harley bikes and trikes.

Features of the Rockford Fosgate TMS65

The TMS65 is a coaxial full-range speaker designed as a direct drop-in replacement for 2014 and newer Harley-Davidson upper fairing, non-cooled lower fairing, and TourPak locations.

The TMS65 is built on a Glass Reinforced Polymer frame, with mounting provisions that match the original locations. Your installer can drop this speaker in without cutting or drilling. Even the factory wire harness will plug in without an adapter or modifications to it or the speaker.

The speaker features a low-mass carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene woofer cone, offering a balance of efficiency, thermal stability, and accuracy. The primary spider at the outer edge of the cone is made of a synthetic rubber called Santoprene. The surround attaches to the basket using Rockford Fosgate’s Vertical Attach Surround Technique (VAST) to optimize the cone area. The beauty of this balanced design is the frequency response specifically tuned for what Rockford Fosgate calls “open air” acoustics. Typical “flat response” or car audio speakers sound great in cars, where there are reflective surfaces like glass and door panels, but on a motorcycle, there are few reflective surfaces. This specially tuned response allows riders to hear their music while riding on the highway, overcoming wind, tire, and engine noise.

Element Ready™ Reliability

Unlike many coaxial designs, there is a second surround at the base of the woofer cone to keep water and debris out of the voice coil gap. This second surround is crucial to the driver’s Element Ready™ Design. Element Ready refers to Rockford Fosgate’s suite of features that help their products perform reliably in motorcycle, motorsport, and marine applications. Aside from being dust, dirt, and water-resistant, the TMS65 speakers are constructed using materials that won’t dry out, fade, chalk, or crack due to prolonged UV exposure.

A final consideration that many competitors overlook is vibration and impact testing. The TMS65 is subjected to what can only be described as violent physical abuse to ensure the product remains intact. The result of all this is a speaker solution that will perform reliably for years on your motorcycle.

Premium Power Handling

Returning to the design features, you’ll find a 35 mm voice coil wrapped around an anodized aluminum former at the base of the cone. The anodized former helps wick heat away from the copper winding, allowing the speaker to reach its 75-watt continuous, 150-watt maximum power handling rating.

The speaker’s center features a 25 mm proprietary film dome tweeter. The grille integrated into the speaker above the tweeter includes a phase plug to improve accuracy and off-axis performance, which is critical when the speakers are installed in lower enclosures on either side of the engine.

The speaker is powered by a compact neodymium ring magnet motor with integrated cooling. This is vastly different from competitors in the market that use large, heavy ferrite magnets. The neodymium motor allows the speaker to drop into upper fairing locations without cutting or heat-molding the inner pods. Further, neodymium weighs significantly less than ferrite for a given magnetic strength. As such, you can add great sound without added weight that might affect the bike’s balance.

TMS65 Speaker Specifications

The TMS65 has a nominal impedance of four ohms and a sensitivity of 94 dB SPL measured at 2.83 volts at a distance of one meter from the cone. The frequency response is specified as 56 Hz to 20 kHz. As always, Rockford Fosgate’s specifications for its speakers comply with the CTA-2031 standard.

When purchased independently and not as part of a vehicle-specific audio upgrade kit, the TMS65 speakers include grilles for 2015 and up Road Glide front fairings, 2014 and up Street Glide front fairings, and 2014 and newer TourPak applications. The speakers also work with Ultra Classic, Electra Glide, Tri Glide, and Road Glide Ultra applications. Your Rockford Fosgate retailer can confirm if the speakers fit your specific situation.

Balanced Sound Profile

Shopping for speakers without hearing them is like buying a paint color for your car without looking at the options. When it comes to motorcycle speakers, the engineer who designed them must balance two criteria: efficiency and midbass performance. The TMS65 speakers are a great combination of both. They play low enough to allow bass guitars and drums to be felt in your chest while minimizing amplifier current draw.

More efficient speakers are on the market, but they lack midbass performance. If screechy midrange and no midbass are your goals, those are a better choice for your situation. One additional thing to remember is that the TMS65 speakers blend perfectly with Rockford Fosgate’s saddlebag subwoofer systems. Those ultra-high-efficiency midrange drivers will leave a frequency response gap to the subwoofers unless you add dedicated midbass drivers.

Upgrade Your Harley-Davidson Motorcycle with Rockford Fosgate

When it’s time for your Harley-Davidson’s stereo system to sound better and play louder, drop by a local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer and ask about the TMS65 speakers, amplifiers, and subwoofers they have available. You can find an authorized retailer by visiting their website and using the locator tool. Be sure to check out their Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube feeds and channel to stay up to date with their latest product releases.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Rockford Fosgate has cemented itself as the undisputed leader in Harley-Davidson motorcycle audio system upgrades in the past few years. They offer dozens of direct bolt-in speaker and amplifier kits for all the popular touring bike models. In this spotlight, we will look at the HD14RGST-STAGE3 aftermarket audio system for 2014 and newer Street Glide and 2015 and up Road Glide touring bikes. This kit also works with the Road Glide Special and Street Glide Special bikes from the same year.

Rockford Fosgate Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Sound Systems

Harley-Davidson has done a good job engineering the Boom! Box infotainment system on the latest touring bikes. Although the source unit is amazing, the first-generation factory-installed sound system falls short in speaker output capability and power delivery. Rockford Fosgate’s HD14RGST-STAGE3 kit is the perfect upgrade to make the audio system crystal clear at 75 mph and even drown out that rowdy exhaust note.

The HD14RGST-STAGE3 includes a set of Power Series 6.5-inch speakers and grilles for the front fairing, a pair of 6×9-inch speakers and grilles for the saddlebags, a Power Series four-channel amplifier and all the wiring, connectors and mounting components your installer will need to complete the installation. Best of all, everything integrates into the wiring on the bike without any modifications so it won’t affect a brand-new motorcycle’s electrical system warranty.

The TMS65 and TMS69 speakers in the kit were designed specifically for motorcycle and powersports applications – meaning they are frequency-response tuned for open-air environments and protected to withstand the harsh outdoors. They include oversized voice coils on the woofers to handle extreme power levels for long periods. The Vertical Attach Surround Technique (VAST) cone and surround design increases the effective radiating area of these drivers to deliver more output than conventional drivers. Grilles are included for both the Road Glide and Street Glide fairings.

The HD14RGST-STAGE3 system includes the TMS69BL14 saddlebag speaker installation kit. Your installer can mount the TMS69 speakers in the bag lid covers quickly and efficiently with these parts. There’s no need to spend money or waste time color-matching new lid covers to get great sound. Finally, these speakers are designed to meet Rockford Fosgate’s strict Element Ready requirements to withstand rain, dust and prolonged UV exposure without failing.

The TM400X4ad four-channel amplifier is rated to simultaneously produce up to 100 watts of power to each of the four speakers. Knowing how Rockford Fosgate rates its amps, actual power is likely 10 to 15% higher. The system includes the RFK-HD14 amplifier mounting bracket with an integrated heatsink that works with Bat Wing and Shark Nose fairings. Power wiring, speaker connectors and signal input harness with OE-grade Harley-specific connectors are also included. The optional DSR1 digital signal processor can easily be added to upgrade the system using the included loop-through harness.

Speaking of the factory-installed Boom! Box radio, an authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer will need to flash the software in the radio to change its built-in equalizer settings before bringing the new amp and speakers to life. You can find a retailer with the tools and training to do this here.

Enjoy Your Favorite Music on the Road

If you’ve ever been frustrated that the audio system on your motorcycle starts to distort and become garbled just before it gets loud enough, the HD14RGST-STAGE3 is the cure. The new speakers are more efficient and sound better than what comes with most motorcycles. The amplifier can deliver clean and clear power to extract every ounce of performance from the new Power Series motorcycle speakers. In short, even if you’re cruising down the interstate with friends, Rockford Fosgate’s motorcycle speaker and amplifier kit will ensure that Clapton, Seger, Cash or Skynyrd will absolutely rock!

To learn more about upgrading the sound system on your Harley-Davidson Road Glide, Street Glide or any of their touring bikes, visit the Rockford Fosgate website. You can keep up with the latest new motorcycle audio system offerings by following our friends from Tempe, Arizona, on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.