Again getting some mixed information and hoping for a bit of advice. Got the V&H big shots and when I bought them a mate suggested to get a set of quiet baffles thrown in as I might prefer a slightly quieter note on longer rides (still sounds nice). Just got the SE stage 3 done and happy with it but smashing out the km's as fast as possible so I can cover the 1000km run in, get a proper tune, remove the rev limiter and start enjoying its full potential. Have spoke to 3 Harley Mechanics. 2 HD dealers and 1 Independent at various times when researching the stage 3 option. Both the dealers said to leave the quiet baffles in as the back pressure will do it some good. The Indy mechanic without hesitation said "f*#k those things off it restricts the flow and will effect the performance". Will have the km's finished soon. Booking in for a service and a tune. Only thing left is do I put the standard baffles back in or leave the quiet ones?? 

Your probably only talking 2h/p to 3h/p difference if that between the two. Each time you change the baffles your bike requires a tune. So it's your personnel choice then.

I run V&H Side Shots. After doing the Stage 3 with the normal open baffles there was a big flat spot in the torque curve in the lower revs. Also, it was even more obnoxiously loud than previously, with a very harsh crackle. Fitted the "quiet" baffles and the torque curve smoothed out and the sound became deeper and in my opinion, better. Still loud enough to give old ladies on street corners heart attacks, but less offensive when not on the throttle.

Cheers Pete. Agree they are a nicer sound than standard and not really what you would call quiet. Just wanted to make sure i wasnt going to rob myself of any performance. Going to leave them in for the tune. Big ride tomorrow and then be very close to the 1000km run in. Cant wait to get it running properly..!

If you happy with sound of standard baffles maybe stick with that as the bike setup for higher rév range, 3500rpms+ up

Take the loud baffles in with the bike , and have them do a run or two with both.
Get them to call you, and you can make the choice, then they can finish the tune.
Perfect time to do it, and that way you wont be guessing.
Just make sure the baffles are easy enough to remove before you go .

Doing a test with each baffle will not be totally exact as one needs to tune each set up to tell the real difference. From my experience the quiet baffles will knock off about 5hp on a stage 3. Mostly above 4800rpm.

Cheers Lushy, appreciate the advice. At the dealer now getting a service and tune. Good workshop but no dyno so will sort out the baffles when i book in for a dyno.