UTV Sound Bar Review: What Matters on a Working Machine

A sound bar is one of the most popular add-ons for a side-by-side, but on a working ranch it has to survive washboard roads, dust, rain, pressure washing and long days with the key on. This review looks at what matters for a working rig and how the sound bars we carry compare.

The sound bars we compared

• KEMIMOTO Midnight 40, 16-inch: the compact option. It is listed for roll cages from 1 to 2 inches and also fits ATVs, golf carts and boats.

• KEMIMOTO Midnight 60, 26-inch: a full-width bar with RGB lighting. It is listed for 1- to 2-inch cages and must be mounted along a horizontal section of tube.

• KEMIMOTO Midnight SL60 Gen 1.5, 26-inch: the same 26-inch size with a metal housing, at about 16 lb.

• Six-Speaker Bluetooth Sound Bar: clamps fit 1.56- to 2.25-inch bars. It is the heaviest of the group at about 18 lb. It does not fit Pro-Fit cages.

1. Measure the bar before anything else

Clamp fit causes more returns than anything else. Factory cages are not all the same size, and aftermarket cages differ even more. Measure the tube where the bar will mount, not at a bend or gusset:

1. Wrap a strip of paper around the tube and mark where it overlaps.

2. Measure that length (the circumference) and divide by 3.14 to get the outside diameter.

3. Compare the result with the clamp range on the product page.

A tube near the top or bottom of a clamp's range needs the right shims installed. Do not rely on overtightening to make up the gap. Check that the mounting spot is straight and level. The Midnight 60, for example, requires a horizontal run of tube.

2. Size and weight on rough ground

On washboard roads, a heavy bar puts more stress on its clamps. The 18 lb six-speaker bar has the most speakers, but it also puts the most load on its mounts. The 16-inch Midnight 40 weighs much less and leaves room above the seats, which helps in a two-seat cab or when you climb in and out at every gate.

What we suggest:

• Two-seat ranch cab, mostly work: a 16-inch bar is plenty for voice, radio and music at working speed.

• Crew cab, or long highway and trail runs: a 26-inch bar spreads sound across both rows.

• Lots of rough roads: check clamp bolts after the first 10 hours and then at each service.

3. Wiring: key-switched, fused and protected

Most UTV batteries are small. A sound bar that stays on all night at a gate can leave you stranded. Good practice:

• Wire it through a key-switched circuit or a relay so the bar turns off with the machine.

• Fuse the positive lead close to the battery with the size the manufacturer specifies.

• Run the wire along the cage and frame with loom and zip ties every 8 to 12 inches. Keep it away from exhaust, steering and suspension parts that move.

• Put dielectric grease on the connectors and use a drip loop so water runs away from the plug.

4. Water and dust

These bars are made for outdoor use, but "water resistant" does not mean you can aim a pressure washer at it. Wash the cab with low pressure around the speakers. Do not point the spray at the grilles or charging ports. In dusty country, a soft brush clears the grilles better than compressed air, which can push grit into the speaker cones.

5. Controls you can use with gloves on

On a ranch, you are often wearing gloves, bouncing over rough ground, or holding a gate chain with one hand. Large physical buttons and a remote that mounts on the dash or bar are worth more than extra lighting modes. The RGB lights on the Midnight models are fun for evening rides. Turn them off on working nights to save battery and avoid spooking livestock.

Bottom line

Pick based on how you use the rig. Choose by the clamp size you measured, then by cab size. Wire the bar so it shuts off with the key, protect it from water and dust, and check the clamps after the first few rides. Then any of these bars will hold up on a working machine.

Looking for more cab upgrades? See our UTV setup guides by vehicle and our windshield review.