some guidance needed

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Jun 7, 2021 | 09:51 AM

zigyblu

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From: north tonawanda, new york

some guidance needed

good morning, I have been reading and reading and trying to make up my mind in which way to go as it is nerve wracking process for me when it comes to Audio equipment of any kind. I have a 2009 HD FLHTC and I have replaced the factory stereo with an Aquatic Aq-MP-5BTH because while my bike was getting some over the winter service I heard this Aquatic unit in another customers bike and it sounded really good in the shop on the table and thought to myself that's pretty good as it is Bluetooth also and that means no more wires hanging from my IPOD to the handlebars, clean looking and powerful to boot. Now that was with Hogtunes speakers and I have Infinity Kappa's six and a half inch in the fairing, thinking that should be pretty good. Not so. For some reason the audio output of the IPOD is like half of what it used to be with the old head unit and that's with me running the volume to just about full volume before distortion is ruining my day. Yet if I were to listen to Fm radio it is plenty loud but really has no soul and no joy listening to that. I enjoy Jazz, Album oriented rock like pink floyd, the stones, supertramp and the like. No country but like Willie Nelson. Blues is good and I'm cool with that. Now here is where I need to ask who is running the Kappa's with what Amps and do you think that would be a good way to go as I am thinking of picking up the Aquatic AV 300 watt 2 ohm Amp or should I look elsewhere? Has there been any problems out there with what I am running at the moment? Sorry this is so long but that is the only way to get my thoughts out.

Jun 7, 2021 | 10:33 AM

teedoff65

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From: High Point, NC.

Which kappas do you have? 62i? or 62ix? or another model.

Jun 7, 2021 | 12:53 PM

zigyblu

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From: north tonawanda, new york

Hello, I have the 62ix

Jun 7, 2021 | 01:02 PM

teedoff65

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From: High Point, NC.

I had those speakers in my last bike for a time.

I don't know anything about that amp, but looks a little high for a 2 channel amp. I think I'd opt for the

nvx vad amp

if it were me if you're only going with 2 speakers.

Those speakers sound decent and get loud enough, just dont have much warmth to them.

Jun 7, 2021 | 01:25 PM

zigyblu

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From: north tonawanda, new york

I agree with the lack of warmth but that was my first attempt at bringing Hi-Fi to the bike and from reading what I was reading at the time I went with a proven name as Infinity is what is in my Sebring Limited Convertible and they sound good there as it's a factory installed system with multiple speakers and amp under the seat. I have a few good audio systems at home but the bike never was a place for music but now I am 75 and I want to enjoy music when out and about. We do about 3 to 4 hundred miles on our weekly rides down into Pa. and the tunes make it kind of nice. I don't want to go crazy on the bike and that's why I want to stay with a good sounding two channel set up. I am open for suggestions to good sounding speakers for the fairing. To give you an idea of my taste in home audio I have Kef Reference 105.4 floor standing speakers for main speakers in the home theater with Kef C20 surrounds and B&W center channel and in the two channel room I have B&W Nautilus 804 with Counterpoint tube gear. So I like natural with warmth and accurate sound. I do not need big base. So what do you think of this dilemma that I have?

Jun 7, 2021 | 02:17 PM

teedoff65

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From: High Point, NC.

Like I said. those kappas are decent and for the money are a good enough upgrade. I had them but they were a bit too high and screechy for my ears.

For just a few bucks more, the mmats 601cx are a MUCH better sounding speaker with much better EQ and some bit of bass. They would run fine off that nvx 2 channel amp I suggested. All for around 400 bucks. But if you already have the kappas then try them out. I still wouldn't pay almost 400 for that aquatic amp though.

Dont forget, can audio and home audio are NOT the same as bike. You're basicially sitting in a wind tunnel on your bike. What sounds good in your closed up car just doesn't always cut it on a bike.

Last edited by teedoff65; Jun 7, 2021 at 02:42 PM.

Jun 7, 2021 | 02:30 PM

zigyblu

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From: north tonawanda, new york

Mr. Off, I do know of what you speak about car vs. bike and I just figured with the improvements being made in Bike Audio I just might get to enjoy some tunes while out and about as I'm the only one with the older bike as all the mods have been made to it for my shorter legs and I would hate to do that all over again for the third time as there is nothing wrong with mine that an amp or speakers won't fix. I will definitely looking into the MMats and the amp just as soon as the wife gets done having me do all these chores around the house. I do thank you. One other thing, about the amp and it's hook up, will it need a special mount or mounting hardware so as not to be sitting right on top of the head unit with heat being a concern. That was one of the reasons that I was looking at the Aquatic, it has a neat mount shelf available for purchase.