Audio Systems Find answers to all of your stereo, speaker and other audio technology questions here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Soundstream or Arc 2ch Amp

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 22, 2013 | 01:25 AM
  #11  
rcrullamas's Avatar
rcrullamas
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 46
Likes: 10
From: Fremont
Default

I have both the Arc bx2 and SS pn520.4 amps. I commute 25 miles each way to work mostly freeway cruising above 80 with loud pipes and FF helmet. Here's my opinions on the differences based on my experience with both amps. I've had both amps on my bike for atleast 2weeks.

SS produces more bass, ok SQ, cant get radio signal with my amplified hidden antenna and stock HU.

Arc has less bass but SQ is clear, crisp, and loud, no issues with antenna.

I just finished switching out the SS for the Arc cus I miss the SQ. this is coming from someone who likes bass and listens to wrap(2pac)/hiphop music.
 
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2013 | 07:50 AM
  #12  
troop's Avatar
troop
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,870
Likes: 49
From: Stoughton, WI
Default

Interesting post. Thx...
 
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2013 | 11:07 AM
  #13  
rbferg's Avatar
rbferg
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 988
Likes: 1
From: Ashevegas
Default

Originally Posted by rcrullamas
I have both the Arc bx2 and SS pn520.4 amps. I commute 25 miles each way to work mostly freeway cruising above 80 with loud pipes and FF helmet. Here's my opinions on the differences based on my experience with both amps. I've had both amps on my bike for atleast 2weeks.

SS produces more bass, ok SQ, cant get radio signal with my amplified hidden antenna and stock HU.

Arc has less bass but SQ is clear, crisp, and loud, no issues with antenna.

I just finished switching out the SS for the Arc cus I miss the SQ. this is coming from someone who likes bass and listens to wrap(2pac)/hiphop music.
This is the first poor review of the SS amp that I've seen. I assume you're just running 2ch's? I have the hidden Flexpower antenna, witch works great for me, so the SS could be a problem. Anyone else have similar issues with it?
 

Last edited by rbferg; Mar 22, 2013 at 11:31 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2013 | 12:03 AM
  #14  
mtgriz's Avatar
mtgriz
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 224
From: Coeur d'Alene
Default

Originally Posted by rcrullamas
I have both the Arc bx2 and SS pn520.4 amps. I commute 25 miles each way to work mostly freeway cruising above 80 with loud pipes and FF helmet. Here's my opinions on the differences based on my experience with both amps. I've had both amps on my bike for atleast 2weeks.

SS produces more bass, ok SQ, cant get radio signal with my amplified hidden antenna and stock HU.

Arc has less bass but SQ is clear, crisp, and loud, no issues with antenna.

I just finished switching out the SS for the Arc cus I miss the SQ. this is coming from someone who likes bass and listens to wrap(2pac)/hiphop music.
What is SQ?
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2013 | 04:54 AM
  #15  
GLACIERPEARL's Avatar
GLACIERPEARL
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,930
Likes: 4
From: OHIO......UGH !!
Default

Sound Quality...........
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2013 | 07:42 AM
  #16  
mtgriz's Avatar
mtgriz
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 224
From: Coeur d'Alene
Default

Suspected that....just surprising to hear a just OK sound with that amp.
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2013 | 07:56 AM
  #17  
UltraNutZ's Avatar
UltraNutZ
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Default

I'm not sure what the basis of this test was other than personal preference..

BX is a 2 channel amp
PN4 is a 4 channel amp

Not exactly an apples/apples comparison when you're only using 2 channels of a 4 channel amp though would you say? Now if you had the PN4 in bridged mode then I'd be more interested in the results.
 

Last edited by UltraNutZ; Mar 23, 2013 at 10:14 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2013 | 09:47 AM
  #18  
troop's Avatar
troop
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,870
Likes: 49
From: Stoughton, WI
Default

I don't look at it as a negative review of the SS, but more of an approval of the Arc. The Arc is not a low ball amp ....
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 23, 2013 | 09:50 AM
  #19  
UltraNutZ's Avatar
UltraNutZ
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Default

No doubt about that aspect. Point was not comparing apples to apples. modified post to say what I really meant. :-)
 

Last edited by UltraNutZ; Mar 23, 2013 at 10:15 AM.
Reply
Old May 2, 2013 | 07:43 PM
  #20  
marvincbr's Avatar
marvincbr
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 12
From: Shorewood IL
Default

Was the PN2.350D released yet?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:41 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE