Wayne's Ultra Audio Overhaul: Harley-Davidson Touring Sound Upgrade with SoundStream V2

Custom Build · Wayne's 2022 Ultra Limited

A 2022 Ultra Limited that finally sounds as good at highway speed as it does around town. Wayne rode up from Sydney to have the factory Boom! GTS system replaced properly in one complete upgrade: a new head unit, dedicated amplification, and a matched Precision Power speaker package across the fairing, Tour-Pak and saddlebags.

You don't make that trip for a speaker swap. You make it when you have decided the audio on your bike is not keeping up with how you actually ride, and you want it sorted properly the first time. This upgrade focused on three things: integration with the bike's systems, reliable performance under real road conditions, and clean sound that holds up where touring bikes actually spend their time.

The Starting Point

Wayne's 2022 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited was running the factory Boom! GTS system: four speakers driven at roughly 25W per channel by the radio itself. Around town it was functional enough. On a proper highway run, the kind of riding a touring Ultra is built for, it was a different story. Clarity dropped off as speed increased, tuning options were limited, and after a few hours in the saddle with wind and road noise building, the audio stopped being enjoyable and became background noise.

The Head Unit: SoundStream HDHU.V2

The factory head unit was replaced with the SoundStream HDHU.V2, an 8.3-inch plug-and-play head unit built specifically for 2014 to 2023 Harley Touring. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto bring modern connectivity without cable clutter. With the Australian iGo maps installed, the built-in GPS operates independently of mobile coverage, which matters on long runs through regional New South Wales and Queensland. Rally Mode lets Wayne broadcast music to other riders using compatible Rally Mode-equipped receivers on group rides, and the IPX5-rated faceplate handles weather without complaint. To tie it into the bike, a preconfigured iDatalink Maestro RR retains the factory handlebar controls and integrates the head unit with the motorcycle's vehicle-data system. For a rider covering serious highway kilometres, this is a functional upgrade, not a gadget one.

Amplification: Precision Power MAA4.400

Rather than relying on the head unit's internal amplifier, the system uses a dedicated Precision Power MAA4.400, installed on a dedicated bracket with a plug-and-play wiring kit. The compact four-channel Class-D amplifier is rated 150W×4 at 2Ω and 100W×4 at 4Ω. On this build the left and right fairing and Tour-Pak speakers are paired on the first two channels, presenting a 2Ω load and sharing about 150W per side (roughly 75W to each MAS.654), while the two 4Ω saddlebag speakers each get their own channel and up to 100W. That gives all six speakers clean, appropriately matched power from a single compact amplifier, about 500W RMS across the system, without taking up excessive space or requiring a separate auxiliary battery for this installation.

Front and Tour-Pak Speakers: Precision Power MAS.654

Four Precision Power MAS.654 6.5-inch coaxials (75W RMS, 4Ω) went into the fairing and the Tour-Pak, two in each. Using the same speaker model front and rear helps maintain a consistent tonal character from front to back, rather than noticeably different voicing from each location. The MAS.654 is strong through the midrange, where much of the vocal and instrument definition sits, helping the system stay intelligible against engine, road and wind noise.

Saddlebag Speakers: Precision Power MAS.694

The saddlebags were fitted with two Precision Power MAS.694 6×9 coaxials (100W RMS, 4Ω) using a saddlebag cut-in lid kit for clean, securely mounted fitment. The larger cone area supports stronger mid-bass output with less excursion than a 6.5-inch speaker would need for the same output, adding lower-frequency weight and restoring some of the body that highway noise masks. Precision Power grilles finish the installation, giving a clean factory-style appearance while protecting the speakers from luggage contact and weather.

Sound Deadening

Sound deadening was applied to the front speaker pods and the saddlebag lids, targeted in the areas that matter most. It helps reduce panel resonance, improves perceived mid-bass control, and limits unwanted vibration as playback level rises, a detail that contributes more to long-ride listening comfort than most riders expect.

Comfort Touches

While the bike was in, Wayne also sorted a few touring comfort details: front and rear cup holders, and a set of rider floorboards, shift peg, brake pedal and passenger footrests for long days in the saddle.

System at a Glance

Component Power / role
SoundStream HDHU.V2 head unit 8.3-inch source: wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, offline-capable iGo GPS, Rally Mode, IPX5 faceplate
iDatalink Maestro RR Factory handlebar controls and vehicle-data integration
Precision Power MAA4.400 Four-channel amp, about 500W RMS in this config: paired fairing/Tour-Pak speakers on 2Ω channels, one 4Ω saddlebag speaker per rear channel
4× MAS.654 (fairing + Tour-Pak) 6.5-inch, 4Ω, 75W RMS coaxials
2× MAS.694 (saddlebags) 6×9, 4Ω, 100W RMS coaxials
Sound deadening Fairing pods and saddlebag lids
Result Six-speaker amplified touring system for improved highway clarity

The Result

Wayne's immediate reaction was simple: "Oh, that's good." The 2022 Ultra Limited now has modern connectivity and a six-speaker amplified system that stays clear and balanced from the first turn of the wheels to the end of a long day's riding: GPS that works where mobile coverage does not, and audio that holds up at the speeds a touring Harley is built for. Wayne made the trip from Sydney once; the system has delivered on every ride since.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this suit my Touring model?

The HDHU.V2 is a direct-fit head-unit upgrade for compatible 2014 to 2023 Harley Touring models. The MAA4.400 installs with the appropriate model-specific bracket and wiring kit, and speaker and saddlebag-lid fitment varies by model, so contact us with your exact year and model before ordering.

Do I keep wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

Yes. The HDHU.V2 runs both wirelessly. With the Australian iGo maps installed it also gives you built-in GPS that keeps working when mobile coverage drops out, plus Rally Mode for broadcasting music to riders on compatible receivers during group rides.

Why replace the amplifier, not just the speakers?

The amplifier is what keeps the sound clean and controlled as road and wind noise rise and you turn the volume up. Better speakers on the factory radio power still run out of clean output at highway speed. The MAA4.400 gives the new speakers the headroom to stay composed where a touring bike actually spends its time.

Do all the speakers need to match?

They do not have to, but running the same MAS.654 in the fairing and Tour-Pak keeps the tonal character consistent from front to back rather than mismatched between locations. The 6×9 MAS.694 in the saddlebags then adds the lower-frequency weight the smaller speakers cannot.

Want Your Touring Bike to Sound Like This?

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More reading: our guide to Stage 1 to 3 upgrades, and more completed customer systems in Custom Builds.

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