Amplifier suggestions
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: New York
Amplifier suggestions
Hi everyone,
I've been looking into adding an amplifier to my bike recently. It's a 2012 Ultra Limited with the stock head unit and Polk MM651's up front and Polk MM521's rear with the Polk crossovers on F & R. I'd like to have some more volume on the highway, and better sound overall. I listen to CDs, Pandora / iHeart via Bluetooth from my phone (esinkin BT adapter into the AUX input) and the FM radio. I looked into adding an amp a few years ago but never got around to doing it. In researching it recently, I've found that a lot of the popular/recommended names have changed, effectively putting me back to square one.
My question is, what is recommended for a good amp that won't give a lot of FM radio interference? Is interference even an issue anymore with the current crop of class D amps? If I remember correctly, the Polk's are good for 100W continuous with 200W peak. I'm not looking at expanding the system any further, but I might swap the speakers out if it'll help a lot.
Thanks!
I've been looking into adding an amplifier to my bike recently. It's a 2012 Ultra Limited with the stock head unit and Polk MM651's up front and Polk MM521's rear with the Polk crossovers on F & R. I'd like to have some more volume on the highway, and better sound overall. I listen to CDs, Pandora / iHeart via Bluetooth from my phone (esinkin BT adapter into the AUX input) and the FM radio. I looked into adding an amp a few years ago but never got around to doing it. In researching it recently, I've found that a lot of the popular/recommended names have changed, effectively putting me back to square one.
My question is, what is recommended for a good amp that won't give a lot of FM radio interference? Is interference even an issue anymore with the current crop of class D amps? If I remember correctly, the Polk's are good for 100W continuous with 200W peak. I'm not looking at expanding the system any further, but I might swap the speakers out if it'll help a lot.
Thanks!
Last edited by Bugsy; Jun 29, 2018 at 09:21 AM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: New York
Thanks Mike! From what I've read about the Focal FDP Sport everyone likes it a lot. There's a great review at http://www.pasmag.com/car-audio/test...plifier-review. I'm concerned that it's too powerful for my speakers. At 250 watts per channel 2 ohm, I think it'll blow out my speakers in a short time. Are you using any kind of signal processor or crossover?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: New York
I'm not totally stuck on keeping the speakers, but they sound pretty good and I'd rather not spend the cash on new ones if I don't have to. As for my budget, I wasn't looking to spend thousands, but I do realize decent equipment costs money. I was hoping to keep an amp purchase & install under $500, but I'm flexible on that. If I need to upgrade my speakers, I 'll do so, the Polks I've got are four (or maybe five) years old by now 
. I'll do my own install, so labor is cheap... "Buy once, cry once" is a good motto I've seen here before and I'm not averse to spending a bit more money now to get a product that will last me a while and will sound good. I'd like to get some better sound at highway speeds, not interested in being the center of attention at the Wednesday bike nights...
I've been looking at the RF TM400X4ad & JL XD400/4v2 because they've gotten good reviews here, have decent power, accept speaker level inputs, and there's very little chatter (if any at all) about FM radio interference, which is a concern for me.
Thanks!
. I'll do my own install, so labor is cheap... "Buy once, cry once" is a good motto I've seen here before and I'm not averse to spending a bit more money now to get a product that will last me a while and will sound good. I'd like to get some better sound at highway speeds, not interested in being the center of attention at the Wednesday bike nights...I've been looking at the RF TM400X4ad & JL XD400/4v2 because they've gotten good reviews here, have decent power, accept speaker level inputs, and there's very little chatter (if any at all) about FM radio interference, which is a concern for me.
Thanks!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 6,446
Likes: 873
From: TEXAS
Originally Posted by Bugsy
I'm not totally stuck on keeping the speakers, but they sound pretty good and I'd rather not spend the cash on new ones if I don't have to. As for my budget, I wasn't looking to spend thousands, but I do realize decent equipment costs money. I was hoping to keep an amp purchase & install under $500, but I'm flexible on that. If I need to upgrade my speakers, I 'll do so, the Polks I've got are four (or maybe five) years old by now . I'll do my own install, so labor is cheap... "Buy once, cry once" is a good motto I've seen here before and I'm not averse to spending a bit more money now to get a product that will last me a while and will sound good. I'd like to get some better sound at highway speeds, not interested in being the center of attention at the Wednesday bike nights...
I've been looking at the RF TM400X4ad & JL XD400/4v2 because they've gotten good reviews here, have decent power, accept speaker level inputs, and there's very little chatter (if any at all) about FM radio interference, which is a concern for me.
Thanks!
. I'll do my own install, so labor is cheap... "Buy once, cry once" is a good motto I've seen here before and I'm not averse to spending a bit more money now to get a product that will last me a while and will sound good. I'd like to get some better sound at highway speeds, not interested in being the center of attention at the Wednesday bike nights...I've been looking at the RF TM400X4ad & JL XD400/4v2 because they've gotten good reviews here, have decent power, accept speaker level inputs, and there's very little chatter (if any at all) about FM radio interference, which is a concern for me.
Thanks!
If ur in cash saving mode, there is nothing wrong with the budget amps like the 1000d.
T
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 303
Likes: 21
From: Ravenna, OH
Another option, but cant comment on FM reception, since i dont listen to FM.
The Polk 652's sounded good with the Stinger amp i had.
Stinger SPX4x700 amp (4x100 rms @4 ohm) $260 (ebay)
Polk Mm1 652 2sets $240 total (Amazon or Crutchfield $119 a set)
$500
The Polk 652's sounded good with the Stinger amp i had.
Stinger SPX4x700 amp (4x100 rms @4 ohm) $260 (ebay)
Polk Mm1 652 2sets $240 total (Amazon or Crutchfield $119 a set)
$500
Last edited by GLW Mike; Jun 30, 2018 at 12:40 PM.
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Stinger is good on fm.
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