Audio quality bike started vs not started?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 574
From: Lockport Illinois
When engine is off electrical system is only getting battery voltage.
When the engine is running the electrical system is approximately 14.5 volts because of the charging system give or take a little.
This is why it is recommended to set amp output while engine is running
Being a former manager for a Moco dealership I had a chance to sit with the service manager and a laptop to experiment on the rushmore bikes last season. Basically we ran through all the available flashes, checked the .BIN files on and off for hours. This was before the BT line leveler came out of course (not even considering the 'magic box'). The ultimate goal was finding the flash that would have both on and off .BIN files that had the flattest eq curve and kept the sound processing to a minimum. On several flashes the bike sounded great, then we fired it up...different story. We were watching the head unit switch files as soon as we started the bike, very frustrating. Some say HD did it to optimize the sound system, I'm convinced it was a way for them to try and handcuff us to their crappy, overpriced audio equipment. To this day I love swinging by the service department jamming knowing my setup can eat the Boom stuff for lunch.
Ultimately I opted out and sold my Boom infotainment system to a customer...had enough messing with it.
Ultimately I opted out and sold my Boom infotainment system to a customer...had enough messing with it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 278
From: USA
Being a former manager for a Moco dealership I had a chance to sit with the service manager and a laptop to experiment on the rushmore bikes last season. Basically we ran through all the available flashes, checked the .BIN files on and off for hours. This was before the BT line leveler came out of course (not even considering the 'magic box'). The ultimate goal was finding the flash that would have both on and off .BIN files that had the flattest eq curve and kept the sound processing to a minimum. On several flashes the bike sounded great, then we fired it up...different story. We were watching the head unit switch files as soon as we started the bike, very frustrating. Some say HD did it to optimize the sound system, I'm convinced it was a way for them to try and handcuff us to their crappy, overpriced audio equipment. To this day I love swinging by the service department jamming knowing my setup can eat the Boom stuff for lunch.
Ultimately I opted out and sold my Boom infotainment system to a customer...had enough messing with it.
Ultimately I opted out and sold my Boom infotainment system to a customer...had enough messing with it.
Sums it up right there.
I'll admit, the BT leveler makes a HUGE difference now over the former stock HD radio flash-a-palooza...just wanted rid of the whole dang mess!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 51
From: Northwest Arkansas
At first I kind of balked at the price differential between the BT355 and a plain old Line Out Converter. But after hearing from Bill and everyone around here, I decided to bite the bullet and buy one.
I'm glad that I did. Good purchase for sure.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 26
From: Fort Worth, Texas
I am going through setup now that I installed the equipment. I've always noticed a difference in sound with the bike off, much more noticeable since the amp and speaker install. Reading through numerous threads and setting the gains with the bike running sounds good while running down the road, what I see is if you happen to pull up somewhere with system "cranked up" and use the kill switch the radio gets louder causing distortion (more bass). If this is the way it has to be then so be it, I will just have to turn the volume down a few clicks before turning the bike off.
I stopped in at one of my local dealers and the 3 guys at the counter thought I was crazy. I haven't stumbled upon the fix in the forums or I haven't searched enough. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Stock HK nav
Hertz HCX 165
Cerwin Vega B52
Biketronics LL's
Biketronics speaker mounts (removed pods)
Thanks to Haze for helping me get this setup!
The sound is off the chart when riding, friends can hear my radio over their radio and loud exhaust.
I stopped in at one of my local dealers and the 3 guys at the counter thought I was crazy. I haven't stumbled upon the fix in the forums or I haven't searched enough. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Stock HK nav
Hertz HCX 165
Cerwin Vega B52
Biketronics LL's
Biketronics speaker mounts (removed pods)
Thanks to Haze for helping me get this setup!
The sound is off the chart when riding, friends can hear my radio over their radio and loud exhaust.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,788
Likes: 203
From: SW Florida
I am going through setup now that I installed the equipment. I've always noticed a difference in sound with the bike off, much more noticeable since the amp and speaker install. Reading through numerous threads and setting the gains with the bike running sounds good while running down the road, what I see is if you happen to pull up somewhere with system "cranked up" and use the kill switch the radio gets louder causing distortion (more bass). If this is the way it has to be then so be it, I will just have to turn the volume down a few clicks before turning the bike off.
I stopped in at one of my local dealers and the 3 guys at the counter thought I was crazy. I haven't stumbled upon the fix in the forums or I haven't searched enough. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Stock HK nav
Hertz HCX 165
Cerwin Vega B52
Biketronics LL's
Biketronics speaker mounts (removed pods)
I stopped in at one of my local dealers and the 3 guys at the counter thought I was crazy. I haven't stumbled upon the fix in the forums or I haven't searched enough. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Stock HK nav
Hertz HCX 165
Cerwin Vega B52
Biketronics LL's
Biketronics speaker mounts (removed pods)
The gains should always be set with the bike running.
Does the HU have the stock flash?
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 26
From: Fort Worth, Texas
You should always turn the volume down before turning the bike off, because when you start it back up you don't want that sudden surge of power going through the system and to the speakers.
The gains should always be set with the bike running.
Does the HU have the stock flash?
The gains should always be set with the bike running.
Does the HU have the stock flash?
Oh, I do turn it down when I turn the ignition off, I'm talking about the kill switch on the handlebar. Yes gains were set with bike running, DMM and downloaded audio file as instructed in the thread "setting by ear or dmm"
Yep, radio has been untouched since purchase last October.
Very happy with sound I just wish it could be the same running as not running.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,788
Likes: 203
From: SW Florida
Oh, I do turn it down when I turn the ignition off, I'm talking about the kill switch on the handlebar. Yes gains were set with bike running, DMM and downloaded audio file as instructed in the thread "setting by ear or dmm"
Yep, radio has been untouched since purchase last October.
Very happy with sound I just wish it could be the same running as not running.
Yep, radio has been untouched since purchase last October.
Very happy with sound I just wish it could be the same running as not running.
This issue was beat to death before the BT LL's came out.
On another note, I never shut my bike off with the kill switch.
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kyleplusitunes
Touring Models
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Mar 22, 2012 01:47 PM