I bought the 300x2 RF amp and a pair of 6.5 Kicker speakers to install in my 08 Street Glide. When I pulled the fairing off I was surprised to find an ARC Audio KS 125.2 BX2 Amp and XDi602 speakers! The reason I was upgrading in the first place was for better sound in the hopes that my passenger could hear it better. Honestly I think the bulk of my sound issues is based on the hidden antenna that is on the bike. If I am in town it does well, but get out in the country and the channels don't come in well.

My question is... How does the RF amp/Kicker speaker combo compare to the ARC Audio stuff that is already installed in the bike? Is it worth swapping it out while I have the faring off? I played with the adjustments a bit on the ARC amp but I think I need to do some research on what are the best settings.

Any help/thoughts are appreciated.

 

Can't answer for the speakers, but I just replaced an Arc KS125.2 with a PBR300x2. I can't really hear any difference but the extra power probably drives the speakers more efficiently. I recently sold my Arc on Ebay and got pretty decent $$ for it....

 

if I were you, I'd put the speakers in first and adjust your gains. If you're not happy with it, then change the amp out. That little ARC amp is a good amp.

 

Hmmm that's interesting! IMO you can do a couple things. The ARC KS 125.2 BX Mini is a great amp at 2 ohms and speakers with high sensitivity. . . . Not so much at 4 ohms. (70 watts @ 4 ohms). As it sits the Kickers and the fosgate with blow the present set up away. On the other hand if you go out and simply buy a set of infinity 62.11i speakers and pair them with the mini it will sound just as good but better with the fosgate. . . lol The problem is the speakers. The specs suck at 4 ohms and 86 DB. Interesting dilemma for sure! Before I did anything I would throw the Kickers in and see how they sound with the mini. Just know they are going to sound a hell of a lot better with the fosgate!

 

Sorry Nutz . . We must have been posting at the same time.

 

No worries bud.. all here to help..

 

So then you are saying the ARC speakers are not as good as the Kickers? The speakers are an easy swap, so I can change them for sure. I just hated to take all this out if it was better or at least comparable.

Any thoughts on settings for the ARC amp?

 

Both those speakers are 4 ohm. The Arc amp isn't very powerful at 4 ohm. IMO, you have 2 choices. Use either set of 4 ohm speakers you currently have with the pbr300x2, or get a set of 2 ohm speakers to use with the Arc.

 

Kickers are better speakers for your application. (My opinion may be a little bias due to me being a huge Kicker fan. . lol) UltraNutz has a "Sticky" on the top of the audio forum that will tell you exactly what you need to do to set the gains. Refer to the setting gains by ear section.

 

Well, I don't really want to buy another set of speakers. So I guess my best bet is to change both the amp and the speakers out. I guess I can put the ARC stuff on Ebay then. I know price doesn't mean quality all the time but I thought since the ARC amp was $300 and the RF is $150 that maybe it was a better unit.