Help a newbie make a smart audio purchase
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 106
From: Lancaster pa
If I could keep it under $200-$250 I'd be in but I just looked on biketronics and the install kit is more than that
I'm all for the BT2180 and KRC combo! Although if you guys are finding KRC's for 300 they're last years model, the new ones are a bit more (not much at my pricing) but the coaxials are EC165K now. I'd be happy to give a smoking package deal on them, I'm a BT dealer too fellas. As for the head unit price range of 2-250, that's definitely workable for a head unit/install bracket/handlebar interface package.
Buy once, cry once! Be careful as this stuff gets addicting.
Buy once, cry once! Be careful as this stuff gets addicting.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 106
From: Lancaster pa
Well I just finished my install and everything works but it honestly doesn't seem to be as loud as I was hoping. I ended up with the pbr300/ kappa combo on the stock head unit due to budget. I set the gain just under 5 and the amp to ap. Also wrapped 2 layers of polyfill. Any one have any ideas for more volume safely? I also used the speaker inputs and turned the avc off on the head unit. Thanks in advance
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 574
From: Lockport Illinois
Well I just finished my install and everything works but it honestly doesn't seem to be as loud as I was hoping. I ended up with the pbr300/ kappa combo on the stock head unit due to budget. I set the gain just under 5 and the amp to ap. Also wrapped 2 layers of polyfill. Any one have any ideas for more volume safely? I also used the speaker inputs and turned the avc off on the head unit. Thanks in advance
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 106
From: Lancaster pa
Well at half volume it isn't even as loud as stock was maxed out. Is it safe to turn the gain up if I keep the volume at half or below? Will a new head unit make that much of a difference?
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 106
From: Lancaster pa
With some help from babyboy I set the gain using a multimeter. Using a 1k 0db tone I set it at 18v with the bike running. Still very very far from decent it honestly still sounds like a stock setup to me. Not really sure where to go from here. All the forum reviews here said it was a solid step up from stock but not so far for me
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,150
Likes: 459
From: S. FL
With some help from babyboy I set the gain using a multimeter. Using a 1k 0db tone I set it at 18v with the bike running. Still very very far from decent it honestly still sounds like a stock setup to me. Not really sure where to go from here. All the forum reviews here said it was a solid step up from stock but not so far for me
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 106
From: Lancaster pa
Most of the reviews for that set up are likely a few years old when there weren't as many options as there are now. I too was underwhelmed when I tried that set up, but it should be louder than stock. I'd raise the gains to the 5.5 mark and set the HPF to 50-60hz and place two layers of polyfill behind the speakers. Run a search here lots of pics. Yes even the cheapest of aftermarket radios will help tons. Also to confirm you are using high level inputs and not an RCA converter with this? Those speakers will sound better with a better amp. You may lose FM reception though.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 188
From: Manitowoc county
Most of the reviews for that set up are likely a few years old when there weren't as many options as there are now. I too was underwhelmed when I tried that set up, but it should be louder than stock. I'd raise the gains to the 5.5 mark and set the HPF to 50-60hz and place two layers of polyfill behind the speakers. Run a search here lots of pics. Yes even the cheapest of aftermarket radios will help tons. Also to confirm you are using high level inputs and not an RCA converter with this? Those speakers will sound better with a better amp. You may lose FM reception though.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,150
Likes: 459
From: S. FL
With that amp --- yes. Your expectations are too high. I'll be very honest, I'm not a fan of that amp. A Cerwin B2 or B52 would be a huge upgrade in both power and sound quality. I know you are on a tight budget but a HU upgrade can be done for about 150 bucks total. The metra harness is about 25.00, the ASWC is 40.00 = 65.00 and you can get a decent HU for under 100 bucks. Combine that with a B2 or B52 and it would be a new system.