Biketronics Line Leveler - BT355 - What to Expect?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 6,446
Likes: 873
From: TEXAS
U guys r overthinking these LLs. If u have an amp with dials/*****, there is no reason at all to move the LLs from their default position and if u do make sure that BT Mike is on the phone w u if u do.
T
T
Mine was at default but I had to turn the gain on the amp up to over 7 to get the volume that I needed. Since that is apparently taboo, I adjusted the gains on the BT355 to max and put the amp at 5 which was perfect, so I turned it to 6 and bolted it all back together. It's loud as fark now and clean up to almost max volume.
BTW, if you have gains on the LL and the AMP why would you use both?
I noticed a little blue light kind of flashing with the bass so checked it out and apparently that is just the boosted rail technology light which is a good thing.
Will i blow speakers....maybe, will I fry and amp, probably not. Either way, my stuff is clean and loud now and that is what I was going for. I tried to measure voltage at the speaker ourput but there wasn't room to get the tool into the holes and I really don't know what to look for anyway so just used the old ears to judge.
Songs used to test, Turn Down for What, Shots and Crystalized. Normal music plays even better but these seem to push the limits of the speakers so used for adjustments.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 6,446
Likes: 873
From: TEXAS
Originally Posted by Rocket67
BTW, if you have gains on the LL and the AMP why would you use both?
.
.
This kind of gets back to what SBates was saying in that if u have to run the amp gains up to 7,8,9..... there might be an underlying issue that is causing the inefficiency.
It's awesome ur digging ur sound!!!! Run the hell out of it but just keep a good ear open for any potential degradation. If u can get a DMM on it, that would be huge and it will not only give u the watts u r pushing put provide a baseline for any random changes that may occur as u roll on down the road.
T
The gains on the LL were intended to be used in conjunction with the BT4180 and BT2180 amps that do not have gain controls. So u are correct that if u have gains on the amp there really should be no reason to jack w the gains on the LL. Set those LL gains at 12 o'clock and use the amp as the tuning platform.
This kind of gets back to what SBates was saying in that if u have to run the amp gains up to 7,8,9..... there might be an underlying issue that is causing the inefficiency.
It's awesome ur digging ur sound!!!! Run the hell out of it but just keep a good ear open for any potential degradation. If u can get a DMM on it, that would be huge and it will not only give u the watts u r pushing put provide a baseline for any random changes that may occur as u roll on down the road.
T
This kind of gets back to what SBates was saying in that if u have to run the amp gains up to 7,8,9..... there might be an underlying issue that is causing the inefficiency.
It's awesome ur digging ur sound!!!! Run the hell out of it but just keep a good ear open for any potential degradation. If u can get a DMM on it, that would be huge and it will not only give u the watts u r pushing put provide a baseline for any random changes that may occur as u roll on down the road.
T
So, just curious...what is the difference in...
LL Gain at 12 o'clock and amp at 7
and
LL Gain at 5 o'clock (max) and amp at 5
To me the sound is about identical so by ear I have no way to know. The BRT light flashes about the same either way telling me that the amp is kicking in the boosted rail technology (BRT) the same either way.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 6,446
Likes: 873
From: TEXAS
Originally Posted by Rocket67
So, just curious...what is the difference in...
LL Gain at 12 o'clock and amp at 7
and
LL Gain at 5 o'clock (max) and amp at 5.
LL Gain at 12 o'clock and amp at 7
and
LL Gain at 5 o'clock (max) and amp at 5.
Here goes. The default BT355 settings for the gain and HPF are in a direct relationship with each other at such settings. For the most optimum performance, if u move the gains then u should also be adjusting the HPF so that they are working in conjunction to deliver an optimum signal. In a nutshell, by jamming those BT gains up to max without considering the relationship to the HPF dial, you have absolutely hammered the intended frequency response of the LL.
Set the LL to the default settings for optimum performance.
If it takes gains of 7 or 8 on your amp (that in general already has a reputation of running hot) then u might start evaluating the health of said amp.
T
I'm done. I don't have the equipment or the technical knowhow to start looking at frequencies and voltages. Not to mention, I can barely see those adjusters without glasses....been using a magnifying glass. Plus, I have had my fairing cover off way too many times and eventually there is going to be a scratch or ding on the fender so I need to quit while I am ahead.
If this blows something I'll replace it. It sounds much better than it did.
Thanks everyone for your input.
If this blows something I'll replace it. It sounds much better than it did.
Thanks everyone for your input.
Last edited by TexasMotorcycleRider; Dec 13, 2016 at 02:38 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 6,446
Likes: 873
From: TEXAS
Originally Posted by Rocket67
I'm done. I don't have the equipment or the technical knowhow to start looking at frequencies and voltages. Not to mention, I can barely see those adjusters without glasses....been using a magnifying glass. Plus, I have had my fairing cover off way too many times and eventually there is going to be a scratch or ding on the fender so I need to quit while I am ahead.
If this blows something I'll replace it. It sounds much better than it did.
Thanks everyone for your input.
If this blows something I'll replace it. It sounds much better than it did.
Thanks everyone for your input.
Get a budget amp and stop by the house and we will get it all dialed in. Beer fridge is always full.
T
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Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
Originally Posted by Tailwind
Rehab is for quitters bro!!!! Not audio!!! Get that damn fairing off and get it right!!!
Get a budget amp and stop by the house and we will get it all dialed in. Beer fridge is always full.
T
Get a budget amp and stop by the house and we will get it all dialed in. Beer fridge is always full.
T
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 917
Likes: 95
From: Nashville, TN
Most of the LL's I've installed for others AND myself I've had to adjust to get a "fuller" sound from the setup.
Did they need to be, not really. Were they originally set the best way for the sound each individual wanted, no. Were they set the best way for most buyers, yes. Mike, from BT, knows his business with these things. They are great for most people but again, all setups differ.
Basically they are adjustable to allow the end user to adjust for best sound for their particular setup. The big BUT in this is, don't adjust them if you don't know what to adjust them to. I can 100% assure you that it's easy to fry a speaker with an incorrect adjustment. A simple call to biketronics and talk to mike will get you where you need on adjusting them.
This is just my .02
Did they need to be, not really. Were they originally set the best way for the sound each individual wanted, no. Were they set the best way for most buyers, yes. Mike, from BT, knows his business with these things. They are great for most people but again, all setups differ.
Basically they are adjustable to allow the end user to adjust for best sound for their particular setup. The big BUT in this is, don't adjust them if you don't know what to adjust them to. I can 100% assure you that it's easy to fry a speaker with an incorrect adjustment. A simple call to biketronics and talk to mike will get you where you need on adjusting them.
This is just my .02