Thinking hard about upgrading speakers. Adding Amp. Need advice.
#11
12-01-2011, 04:25 PM
the sensitivity spec on those is not very good 88.3 dB
Not very efficient use of amp power,
Many speakers with a "tweeter" use a filter network to keep the lows from destroying the tweeter, the lows are filtered off and bled to ground- as much as 30% of the amp power is consumed and wasted this way.
An efficient speaker with a spec of 98 dB would produce many times more sound from the exact same amp setting
I've written a couple of posts on speakers and sensitivity, how to read specs, what they mean and how to calculate impedance
Mike
Not very efficient use of amp power,
Many speakers with a "tweeter" use a filter network to keep the lows from destroying the tweeter, the lows are filtered off and bled to ground- as much as 30% of the amp power is consumed and wasted this way.
An efficient speaker with a spec of 98 dB would produce many times more sound from the exact same amp setting
I've written a couple of posts on speakers and sensitivity, how to read specs, what they mean and how to calculate impedance
Mike
#12
12-01-2011, 04:27 PM
Depends on how much you are looking to spend also. I heard the JM system with 6 speakers at Biketoberfest, speakers were 2 fairing, 2 lowers, 2 saddlebag, I believe it was a 2 amp set up. At 100% volume there was absolutely no distortion, and it sounded good with the factory head unit, of course it's not cheap. On the other hand you can buy a Rockford amp for around $150, buy two sets of speakers for around the same price, hook it up and have a really nice system for a fraction of the cost. So many ways to go, best if you can listen to a few bikes and see what they have, then you'll be happier and more sure with your decision.
And why 2 amps?? Isn't there such a thing as a 6 ch amp? Why can't you run the dash and lower speaker in series and connect to one channel?
#13
12-01-2011, 04:29 PM
Cool setup you have though.
#15
12-01-2011, 04:46 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
I stand corrected, it's one 500w 4 channel amp mounted in the fairing, the fairing and lower speakers share 2 channels, the other 2 channels go to the saddle bags, I forgot the price but you can go to JM website and everything is listed there, also I believe Dr V Twin is a dealer and his prices are probably a bit less.
#16
12-01-2011, 05:41 PM
Extreme HDF Member
Are you willing to sacrifice bag space for installing an amp or two? Or installing
Are you going to use a 2-ohm impedance amp or 4-ohm impedance amp? The decision to use the 4-ohm amp will mean you can't use 2-ohm impedance speakers unless you wire them in series. A 2-ohm impedance amp can drive both 2 and 4 ohm impedance speakers.
I wasn't willing to give up bag space for installing amps; but, fortunately two Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4 amps can be installed side-by-side on top of the HK head unit (after removing the bracket used to secure CB,XM, etc. modules, and removing material from the speedo and tach cups and gauges. The two amps provide 8 output channels providing a minimum of 75W @ 4 ohms per channel for fairing, fairing lower, saddlebag lid, and tour pak speakers.
Lots of choices and lots of products to choose from.
Good luck with your project.
Carl
Are you going to use a 2-ohm impedance amp or 4-ohm impedance amp? The decision to use the 4-ohm amp will mean you can't use 2-ohm impedance speakers unless you wire them in series. A 2-ohm impedance amp can drive both 2 and 4 ohm impedance speakers.
I wasn't willing to give up bag space for installing amps; but, fortunately two Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4 amps can be installed side-by-side on top of the HK head unit (after removing the bracket used to secure CB,XM, etc. modules, and removing material from the speedo and tach cups and gauges. The two amps provide 8 output channels providing a minimum of 75W @ 4 ohms per channel for fairing, fairing lower, saddlebag lid, and tour pak speakers.
Lots of choices and lots of products to choose from.
Good luck with your project.
Carl
#17
12-01-2011, 07:19 PM
Are you willing to sacrifice bag space for installing an amp or two? Or installing
Are you going to use a 2-ohm impedance amp or 4-ohm impedance amp? The decision to use the 4-ohm amp will mean you can't use 2-ohm impedance speakers unless you wire them in series. A 2-ohm impedance amp can drive both 2 and 4 ohm impedance speakers.
I wasn't willing to give up bag space for installing amps; but, fortunately two Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4 amps can be installed side-by-side on top of the HK head unit (after removing the bracket used to secure CB,XM, etc. modules, and removing material from the speedo and tach cups and gauges. The two amps provide 8 output channels providing a minimum of 75W @ 4 ohms per channel for fairing, fairing lower, saddlebag lid, and tour pak speakers.
Lots of choices and lots of products to choose from.
Good luck with your project.
Carl
Are you going to use a 2-ohm impedance amp or 4-ohm impedance amp? The decision to use the 4-ohm amp will mean you can't use 2-ohm impedance speakers unless you wire them in series. A 2-ohm impedance amp can drive both 2 and 4 ohm impedance speakers.
I wasn't willing to give up bag space for installing amps; but, fortunately two Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4 amps can be installed side-by-side on top of the HK head unit (after removing the bracket used to secure CB,XM, etc. modules, and removing material from the speedo and tach cups and gauges. The two amps provide 8 output channels providing a minimum of 75W @ 4 ohms per channel for fairing, fairing lower, saddlebag lid, and tour pak speakers.
Lots of choices and lots of products to choose from.
Good luck with your project.
Carl
Hi Carl,
I don't want to loose bag space, everything has to fit under the fairing. I don't mind loosing a little space in the bags to accomodate the speaker lids though.
I don't know the pros and cons of 4 ohm vs 2 ohm. What are the JM 7.5's?
Your idea with the dual Rockford Fosgate 's is a good one. I still don't get why you can't simply wire the two front speakers together. I think 75w otta be plenty of power. I mean, how much volume do you need? They're only 3 feet away from my face.
So If I got a 4 ohm amp, 2 channels to the rear. Wire 2 2 ohm speakers together for the front.
Hey, how do you control the fade from front to rear if eveything is behind the fairing?
#18
12-01-2011, 08:24 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
If you wanna give up bag space and spend big money,..................you to can have KICK ***. However,..it's not for everyone.
If you don't wanna give up bag space, and spend big money,...............you can still build a decent system.
Your imaginations & wallet are your only limits !!
Good luck with your decisions !!!
#19
12-01-2011, 09:15 PM
Did you say " KICK *** " ????
If you wanna give up bag space and spend big money,..................you to can have KICK ***. However,..it's not for everyone.
If you don't wanna give up bag space, and spend big money,...............you can still build a decent system.
Your imaginations & wallet are your only limits !!
Good luck with your decisions !!!
If you wanna give up bag space and spend big money,..................you to can have KICK ***. However,..it's not for everyone.
If you don't wanna give up bag space, and spend big money,...............you can still build a decent system.
Your imaginations & wallet are your only limits !!
Good luck with your decisions !!!
WOW. Talk about kick ***. I followed your link to see your setup. Nice. Real nice. I think it's a bit more than what I had in mind, haha.
What is that retro thingy that you were talking about in your thread??
#20
12-01-2011, 09:36 PM
Zeus,
I am very pleased with my J&M Rokkers and Bazooka 200.4 amp. I can't imagine what the sytem would sound like with J&M's 500.4 amp. As far being able to hear the rear speakers, maybe you can't with a stock stereo, but I certainly can on my bike. Even at highway speeds.
Don't forget that at highway speeds no system, no matter how high end will sound like a concert hall. Yes some will sound better than others, but the difference narrows way down when your moving...
Thats my 2 cents.
I am very pleased with my J&M Rokkers and Bazooka 200.4 amp. I can't imagine what the sytem would sound like with J&M's 500.4 amp. As far being able to hear the rear speakers, maybe you can't with a stock stereo, but I certainly can on my bike. Even at highway speeds.
Don't forget that at highway speeds no system, no matter how high end will sound like a concert hall. Yes some will sound better than others, but the difference narrows way down when your moving...
Thats my 2 cents.