Alex, I think the biggest reason it was recommended from the start was BT saying it worked well with the BT355. From there, most wanted or asked to have fade. As you well know, that flash was the only one that offered fade.

Fast forward to recent and you can get 8/2 with fade on an aftermarket flash. When I only had 4 speakers in the stock locations, I wanted fade to help balance. Fade is clearly not as important now.

I know you haven't used 4/0 in a very long time, but you also do very little without a dsp. So there is that.

 

So are you saying if there’s a dsp in play then it doesn’t matter what flash is being used?

 

No I'm saying that 8/2 is what I use every time and it's silly to use 4/0 to retain fade and then try to EQ and correct a messed up signal. Starting with the cleanest signal is most important.

 

Got ya my set up needs to have the fade for control of my horns.

 

I get that the 4/0 and BT LL is an easy plug and play solution but the 8/2 provides you with a cleaner signal. I used to have guys ship me their radios to get them flashed with or without a DSP...it's cleaner signal.

There are so many other ways to achieve fade, or balance that I just never understood why it was so important for folks. Just thinking that Frenchie has a 4/0 flash, and the other post about Soundz where the OP posted that he read here that when you have a DSP you don't need a flash that 4/0 works, that just means these guys are trying to correct a bad signal with a DSP. It's hard enough to tune a bike with flat signal as is....even harder when it's not flat. My recommendation is always start with the best signal possible.

 

No it doesn't NEED fade to control your horns.

What you need is a WAY of controlling your horns, and there are TONS of ways of doing that (and your bike would sound better).

 

ok I’m listening what are some other ways. I have a loc running from the rear channels now. What are my other options? I obviously like everyone else want it to sound better.

 

To elaborate on what Haze is saying, 4/0 isnt great for a build. 8/2 is the way to go for the flattest signal that can be achieved out of a stock boom HU. American Hard Bag has some good articles on what they did to the DSR-1 to achieve a "Flat" signal. The EQ looks amazingly horrible. The signal correction to get flat is ridiculous. So why not skip the fade which isn't a deal breaker for 99% of us and try to start flat. Understanding it's not as easy as going to your local HD dealer and getting the 8/2 flash, but you can go to any independent shop with the Techno Research tool and get it done. Most I've seen charge $40-$60 and honestly it takes about 10 minutes total.

This is what AHB did to the DSR to correct the signal


This is what the end result looked like on an RTA




So needless to say, a lot of EQ'ing just to start flat. ARC did the same thing with their PSM to correct the HD EQ and match up to their original Moto 602 speakers.

The purpose of this post isn't to say there's a right way or a wrong way, but to prove the fact that if you want the best sounding system that will allow you to EQ properly, starting flat is your best option, hence the reason so many folks are going the aftermarket HU route.
With the addition of so many different DSP options that fit in our fairings that now have 8 channel outputs, guys can get creative with mono and stereo to achieve balance of every system on their sled and keep things under control, from their tweeters to their bag bass. Time aligment, output gain control, and EQ all play a huge part in balancing a system, whether it's a daily rider, ground pounder, or all out competition system.

Now on to 4/0 with a BT355. This is a very viable and proven option to get good sound on a budget. If you're a set it and forget it, 4 speaker rider with some 6.5's, then let it ride. But once you're going down the DSP route, just flash it and go forward with you're EQ.

Here is the link to the Techno Research dealer page where you can find a dealer in your area to get the flash done.

http://technoresearch.info/tuning-centers-map/

Hope this helps clear some things up.

 

Exactly where I was coming from Andy.

The stock Arc PSM tune was crazy looking on a graph and a world of difference compared to guys running the 8/2 flash. I think once you get to a dsp, having fade becomes less of an issue or need. The tunability at that point makes up for it.

I'm still running the 4/0 flash but am changing that with the upcoming upgrades. Last season I didn't change enough to warrant going over everything.

Did I ever tell you, Des Moines is beautiful this time of year?

 

Hey AD, Looks like we will be getting together for a 8/2 flash and retune, although keeping my fade, would allow me to be a 1% er!