Should I Get the Flash NOW?
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 132
From: Baltimore, MD
Should I Get the Flash NOW?
My bike is a 2017 RGS with the stock head unit and speakers. I already have the speakers (PA601CX) for the fairing and a front BT355 line leveler on the way. I still need to get the 4 channel amp, so I'm a couple weeks from actually starting the install. I will ultimately add tour pak pods and speakers back there (probably same speakers, but maybe something with more juice) but the same amp. I'm planning on a 4 channel system.
My bike is heading into the dealer as we speak, for a non-audio-related reason. While it's there, should I go ahead and get the head unit flashed? Is there any harm in getting it flashed now, before I do any upgrades? And is there any harm in getting it flashed for 4 (or more) channels now, even though I'll be running the stock 2 channel system for a little while yet, followed by a time with the amp and just 2 speakers?
What's the flash I should use? It will only ever be 4 channels (fairing and tour pak). Probably powered by either a Stinger SPX700X4 or a SD 800.4 EVOX. Do I get the 4/0 flash? The 8/2 flash? They *are* a Soundz dealer, too, and while I'm not looking at Soundz components, they should be able to do other flashes. So perhaps there's another flash I should have them do? Thoughts?
Several questions here and I appreciate the help!
My bike is heading into the dealer as we speak, for a non-audio-related reason. While it's there, should I go ahead and get the head unit flashed? Is there any harm in getting it flashed now, before I do any upgrades? And is there any harm in getting it flashed for 4 (or more) channels now, even though I'll be running the stock 2 channel system for a little while yet, followed by a time with the amp and just 2 speakers?
What's the flash I should use? It will only ever be 4 channels (fairing and tour pak). Probably powered by either a Stinger SPX700X4 or a SD 800.4 EVOX. Do I get the 4/0 flash? The 8/2 flash? They *are* a Soundz dealer, too, and while I'm not looking at Soundz components, they should be able to do other flashes. So perhaps there's another flash I should have them do? Thoughts?
Several questions here and I appreciate the help!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 5,749
Likes: 1,603
From: High Point, NC.
Not sure if you should get it flashed if your weeks away from install. Im wondering the same thing as Im in the same boat you are. Waiting on parts. But I'll be getting the 8/2 flash. I think its the flattest EQ out there and I dont really need fade. If you want to keep fade, the the RF flash is the one to go with.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 721
Likes: 204
From: Jerseyville, IL
If you're planning on running without a dsp, I would say the Rockford flash is your best bet. It has a good eq curve and will sound good with just fairing and pods.
If you go to that flash, you no longer need the BT355. You can use a regular line output converter instead.
If you go to that flash, you no longer need the BT355. You can use a regular line output converter instead.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 132
From: Baltimore, MD
Not sure if you should get it flashed if your weeks away from install. Im wondering the same thing as Im in the same boat you are. Waiting on parts. But I'll be getting the 8/2 flash. I think its the flattest EQ out there and I dont really need fade. If you want to keep fade, the the RF flash is the one to go with.
I do want the fade, but I'm pretty sure the 4/0 and the 8/2 both give it to me. Otherwise, I'd stick with what I have and just split the output of the BT355.
If you're planning on running without a dsp, I would say the Rockford flash is your best bet. It has a good eq curve and will sound good with just fairing and pods.
If you go to that flash, you no longer need the BT355. You can use a regular line output converter instead.
If you go to that flash, you no longer need the BT355. You can use a regular line output converter instead.
I'm using the BT355 because the amp I'm likely going with (SD 800.4 EVOX) doesn't have the speaker hi inputs. RCA only. So I need something in there. I suppose a line output converter could do the trick. I know AHB has them. Any others you'd recommend?
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 721
Likes: 204
From: Jerseyville, IL
Thanks. I've heard that about the 8/2, but I have no idea why that would be any different than a 4/0.
I do want the fade, but I'm pretty sure the 4/0 and the 8/2 both give it to me. Otherwise, I'd stick with what I have and just split the output of the BT355.
I don't know if the HD dealer will do the RF flash or not. I'm not sure if they are a RF dealer. I know they do Soundz, but not sure about RF.
I'm using the BT355 because the amp I'm likely going with (SD 800.4 EVOX) doesn't have the speaker hi inputs. RCA only. So I need something in there. I suppose a line output converter could do the trick. I know AHB has them. Any others you'd recommend?
I do want the fade, but I'm pretty sure the 4/0 and the 8/2 both give it to me. Otherwise, I'd stick with what I have and just split the output of the BT355.
I don't know if the HD dealer will do the RF flash or not. I'm not sure if they are a RF dealer. I know they do Soundz, but not sure about RF.
I'm using the BT355 because the amp I'm likely going with (SD 800.4 EVOX) doesn't have the speaker hi inputs. RCA only. So I need something in there. I suppose a line output converter could do the trick. I know AHB has them. Any others you'd recommend?
Look up my post called "Boom Flash RTA" on the forum. It'll give a lot of info on the different flashes. 8/2 does not provide fade. The Soundz flash is a renamed 8/2 and also does not have fade.
The difference between the BT355 and a regular line output converter is that the BT355 has filters in it that tame the stock harley eq boost around 100 hz. If using it, you do not need a flash at all. Just plug it in and let it roll. If a flash and further upgrades are in the pipeline (more speakers, dsp), then I would go with 8/2 from the beginning and use a PAC SNI15 or SNI35 to convert high to low level signals.
Best case scenario in my opinion would be if you're sticking with 2-4 speakers and one amp, get the RF flash, use a PAC SNI, and roll down the road happy.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 132
From: Baltimore, MD
Look up my post called "Boom Flash RTA" on the forum. It'll give a lot of info on the different flashes. 8/2 does not provide fade. The Soundz flash is a renamed 8/2 and also does not have fade.
The difference between the BT355 and a regular line output converter is that the BT355 has filters in it that tame the stock harley eq boost around 100 hz. If using it, you do not need a flash at all. Just plug it in and let it roll. If a flash and further upgrades are in the pipeline (more speakers, dsp), then I would go with 8/2 from the beginning and use a PAC SNI15 or SNI35 to convert high to low level signals.
Best case scenario in my opinion would be if you're sticking with 2-4 speakers and one amp, get the RF flash, use a PAC SNI, and roll down the road happy.
The difference between the BT355 and a regular line output converter is that the BT355 has filters in it that tame the stock harley eq boost around 100 hz. If using it, you do not need a flash at all. Just plug it in and let it roll. If a flash and further upgrades are in the pipeline (more speakers, dsp), then I would go with 8/2 from the beginning and use a PAC SNI15 or SNI35 to convert high to low level signals.
Best case scenario in my opinion would be if you're sticking with 2-4 speakers and one amp, get the RF flash, use a PAC SNI, and roll down the road happy.
And yes, that is the plan for my system (2-4 speakers and an amp). So I'll take a look at the PAC SNI's too. I've heard good things about them. I have a BT355 on order. I wonder if I can return it if I decide to go the PAC direction. If not, I know where I can re-sell it...
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 683
Likes: 85
From: Ohio
The pac is approx 12 bucks. BT355 is around 80 I think. I know which way I went. But, then I went further and did dsp, more speakers, bigger speakers, horns, etc. It's a bug. I'd buy for the future if it was me. Now I'm looking at some subs!
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 486
From: Nor Cal
I still have the 4/0 flash, as it was about it a few years ago, I did ditch the BT355's in favor of the AHB adaptors, and feel it sounds much better now, I won't be trying any other flash as i think it sounds awesome as is. no DSP either. and i see no reason why you can't just get it flashed now.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 132
From: Baltimore, MD
I still have the 4/0 flash, as it was about it a few years ago, I did ditch the BT355's in favor of the AHB adaptors, and feel it sounds much better now, I won't be trying any other flash as i think it sounds awesome as is. no DSP either. and i see no reason why you can't just get it flashed now.