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Old 02-27-2019, 07:09 PM
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Default Getting the most from old audio.

I have a 1988 Ultra. I have replaced the old factory HU ( Kenwood KMR-D372BT . Hear is a link to it..https://www.crutchfield.com/S-r69gGu...b&awnw=o&awat=) and speakers. Then I added a amp and new speakers. Then lowers and speakers in them.

I had 4" DS18 EXL-SQ4.0 in the fairing and a set of cheap Polk 6.5's in the lowers powered by a SS PN4.520. The highs just seamed to be overwhelming.

My attempt at a solution was..............
Replace the lowers with PRV 6MB200-4 (4 ohm 100W RMS, 200W peak)...Replaced the fairing speakers with PRV 4MR60-4 (4ohm 30WRMS, 60W peak) and added DS18 TX1S tweeters (4ohm 100W RMS, 200W Peak). I put the tweeters in the grills of the lower fairing speakers hoping that that would not make them so "in your face".
I have the 4"PRV's and the DS18 tweeters ran in parallel on the front channel of the PN4.520 and the 6"PRV's run of the rear channel.

I have everything installed and it is much better than before but feel like there is more. What I'm wondering is if I upgrade to a better amp or 2 will I get better SQ or will it not matter because I can only get so much from my speaker selection?

I know that this is not a very common bike to work on. Any info or suggestions would be great. Or if I need to add more info let me know.

Thanks Chad
 
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Old 03-07-2019, 03:58 PM
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I'll try and help, I have an older (2years) Pioneer DEH 8800 head unit, SS PN 4.520 amp with 6.5 Hertz speakers in the fairing and my Wife got me a set of Polk 6.5 DXI coax for the lowers (they have no bottom end). It was ok but not what I wanted, so I got the Biketronics 7.1" speakers for the fairing and Polk 6.5 MM speakers for the lowers and man what a difference! It's not high end like most of the set ups you see on here but it definitely holds it's own. On a '03 Electraglide, hope this helps.
 
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Old 03-07-2019, 05:28 PM
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while yes you can only get so much from your speaker selection, a better quality amp will always help. more power and better quality usually equal better sound. while i'm also not familiar with the performance of the 4 inch Prv's, i do know that there are better 6.5's for your lowers and that will also help.
m
 
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Old 03-07-2019, 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by marcodarq
while yes you can only get so much from your speaker selection, a better quality amp will always help. more power and better quality usually equal better sound. while i'm also not familiar with the performance of the 4 inch Prv's, i do know that there are better 6.5's for your lowers and that will also help.
m
I get the same response from almost everyone about the 4" speakers. My selection is very limited. Tossed around the idea of replacing the 4" PRV's with some DS18 PRO-X4's in 4ohm or 8ohm depending on what my amp upgrade is.

What speakers would you recommend for the lowers?

Was thinking about upgrading the amp with a SPX700x4 or a MM MD4110. But that may change depending on possibly changing speakers again.
 
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Old 03-07-2019, 08:57 PM
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the matts PA 601.4 is a very good and versatile speaker that usually fits with little or no mods and sounds very nice, will sound good with either of the amps you mentioned, both good choices for your application. i've been experimenting with the Mmats PA 601cx, which actually might suit your build do to the nature of the beast. you also might think about getting a dsp in order to gain better tuning control of the speakers that you have. Another speaker choice for the lowers might be the Hertz SV165. The PRV 6MR500 neo would blend well, but they are a square frame and need to be rounded off in order to install in the lowers, and while it can be done, it does require effort and tools.
m
 
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Old 03-08-2019, 11:38 AM
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Would a DSP help with the amp I have now or would I just be polishing a turd? Would a better quality amp be a better first step?
 
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Old 03-08-2019, 05:31 PM
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i would say a better amp, but a dsp will always help, no matter what you have. you have to make the call whether or not the money is worth it, to me it almost always is.
m
 
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  #8  
Old 03-08-2019, 05:38 PM
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Thanks for the info. I'll start with a amp upgrade and see how that works. I'm sure I'll end up with a DSP at some point.
 
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Old 03-09-2019, 06:57 AM
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Another idea to think about is maybe fitting ot seeing if i can be done, would be to fit an inner faing from a new bike, say2001 or so, thatnway you can fit 6.5's in the fairing.......i'll look into it some.
M
 
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Old 03-09-2019, 07:34 AM
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Originally Posted by marcodarq
Another idea to think about is maybe fitting ot seeing if i can be done, would be to fit an inner faing from a new bike, say2001 or so, thatnway you can fit 6.5's in the fairing.......i'll look into it some.
M
I've thought about that. The inner and outer fairings are different. I'd have to put a new inner and outer on. The gauges wouldn't swap over either and I'm sure there's some other stuff that I havent figured out yet. Just seems like a lot of work and money just to get 6.5 speakers. I'd rather spemd it on quality components and find out I can only get so much out of this bike. Besides I have a 09 Road King that I'm thinking about trading in on something with a fairing so I can start this chase all over again
 
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