Enough power?
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Massachusetts
Enough power?
I currently have a Soundstream PN4.50D amp powering 4 polk MM651's, the gains are set at about %40. Due to the FM reception issues I have and reading other threads, John from J&M garauntees no reception issues with his amps and I was thinking of trying it. He recommended the JMAA-3600 after I sent an email explaining my current set up. Will the J&M amp power be comparable to the SS power with my current gain settings on the SS being what they are? Not even sure if the gains have to do with power output. Thanks again guys!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Well, the gains are really there to match input of the amp to output of the headunit. It's not a volume control. Output of the amp is directly proportionate to the voltage input.
The amps John has are rebranded ARC Audio amps (i think these new amps are as well, not 100% sure) so they're good quality products. Whether these new Class D amps they just released interfere with FM reception, I haven't been able to determine as I quit buying products to test. :-) If John wants to send me one, be happy to test, report back, and return the amp to him.
What would concern me is the 90x4 @2ohm spec vs 130x4 @2ohm with the SS. So IMO (and based strictly on specs), no it's not capable of producing the the output power you're accustomed to hearing with the SS amp.
If you decide to go that route, let me know.. I might take the SS off your hands..
The amps John has are rebranded ARC Audio amps (i think these new amps are as well, not 100% sure) so they're good quality products. Whether these new Class D amps they just released interfere with FM reception, I haven't been able to determine as I quit buying products to test. :-) If John wants to send me one, be happy to test, report back, and return the amp to him.
What would concern me is the 90x4 @2ohm spec vs 130x4 @2ohm with the SS. So IMO (and based strictly on specs), no it's not capable of producing the the output power you're accustomed to hearing with the SS amp.
If you decide to go that route, let me know.. I might take the SS off your hands..
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
I use the Arc Audio KS 125-4 pushing four 2 ohm speakers with no FM receive issues at all.
I purchased the amp and all components individually and custom installed the amp in the tour pak front wall. So the amp is right there near the FM antenna and there is absolutely no interference within the FM band.
So as long as you provide a proper install of the amplifier, i.e., run all supply lines and speaker feed wires properly, use appropriately sized wire, have good grounds, get cool air to the amp, etc., I think you will have a positive outcome. I would not recommend mounting this amp in the faring. But thats my opinion.
I purchased the amp and all components individually and custom installed the amp in the tour pak front wall. So the amp is right there near the FM antenna and there is absolutely no interference within the FM band.
So as long as you provide a proper install of the amplifier, i.e., run all supply lines and speaker feed wires properly, use appropriately sized wire, have good grounds, get cool air to the amp, etc., I think you will have a positive outcome. I would not recommend mounting this amp in the faring. But thats my opinion.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
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From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
I use the Arc Audio KS 125-4 pushing four 2 ohm speakers with no FM receive issues at all.
I purchased the amp and all components individually and custom installed the amp in the tour pak front wall. So the amp is right there near the FM antenna and there is absolutely no interference within the FM band.
So as long as you provide a proper install of the amplifier, i.e., run all supply lines and speaker feed wires properly, use appropriately sized wire, have good grounds, get cool air to the amp, etc., I think you will have a positive outcome. I would not recommend mounting this amp in the faring. But thats my opinion.
I purchased the amp and all components individually and custom installed the amp in the tour pak front wall. So the amp is right there near the FM antenna and there is absolutely no interference within the FM band.
So as long as you provide a proper install of the amplifier, i.e., run all supply lines and speaker feed wires properly, use appropriately sized wire, have good grounds, get cool air to the amp, etc., I think you will have a positive outcome. I would not recommend mounting this amp in the faring. But thats my opinion.
Those ARC amps are really good amps, but pricey. These guys have been around for a very long time and build very good quality competition grade amps for autos.
The reason the ARC amps don't interfere with FM reception is the technology being a Class H amp. Only Class D amps have these issues.
As for mounting it inside the fairing, here's a couple of links to ARC 125.4 installs.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...t-at-80mp.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...a-batwing.html
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
my insight is simply this..
The ARC/J&M are one in the same so whether you get it from John or ARC is up to you but would think patronizing a sponsor would be a better deal financially for you.
As for power, 90w of clean power is MORE than sufficient to drive those Polks. They like power and in my testing, anything over 75w is very good. Bottom line is after gains are set properly, you'll probably wind up having to turn your volume up maybe 1 or 2 more bars to achieve the same result you're getting now with the SS at it's current settings. Power wise, you can't go wrong with either product.
The ARC/J&M are one in the same so whether you get it from John or ARC is up to you but would think patronizing a sponsor would be a better deal financially for you.
As for power, 90w of clean power is MORE than sufficient to drive those Polks. They like power and in my testing, anything over 75w is very good. Bottom line is after gains are set properly, you'll probably wind up having to turn your volume up maybe 1 or 2 more bars to achieve the same result you're getting now with the SS at it's current settings. Power wise, you can't go wrong with either product.
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Tourer
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From: Massachusetts
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
The relay you ask? It's an 80 amp automotive style relay. I am old school, so I don't trust semiconductors to completely shut off power to the amp...so I do it with the relay. The coil of the relay is energized from the 12V line feeding the aux cig lighter plug in the tour pak when the ig switch is either in the ON or ACC position.
Here is a pic of the power feed for the amp (right side of photo, #6 AWG w/50 amp fuse) and on the left side of the photo the low-level speaker inputs and 12 ga speaker wire entering/exiting the tour pak...
Here is Iron Cross's handywork providing pre-amp outputs for all 4 channels on the HK plus the Aux in plug...BTw very fast turn-around at IC..good people.
Very happy with the results of this install. J&M Rokkers on the front and J&M 5.25" in the pods.
I'll try other speakers at some point just to compare. But for now, I have very good audio at 85 mph (that speed for testing purposes only on a deserted road). So on to the next bike project.
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Stage I
Joined: Jul 2010
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Arc 125.4 settings
Just changed my amp from SoundStream picaso 4.520D to Arc Ks 125.4 mini in my Tsukayu Batwing. Using pair Polk MM691 and pair mm651's with crossovers that came with speakers. I based my Sound Stream amp installation on UltraNutz's post in this forum about 3ys ago. Now changed to the Arc 125.4 with Alpine UTE-62BT. Using RCA from hu to amp. I really need help with amp settings because I'ts such a hassle to pull fairing off the bike to do adjustments. Thank you for any help you can send my way.
Last edited by marsat; May 1, 2017 at 07:36 PM.