I too just finished installing the BT4180, 2 front Focal 165 KRC's and 2 Polk MM571's in rear saddle bag in my 2014 SGS.

After installing everything, I turn up music to see how it sounded and got to less than 1/2 way and blew a crossover going to Focal. (There are no Gain setting with a BT4180. Only Transformers supplied by Biketronics to install between HU and Amp.) This was before I had radio reprogrammed. It sounded awful. Way too distorted. I took bike into Harley and had it reprogrammed for 2 Speakers Front, 4 Speakers Rear, 2 Amps. I was trying to get Fade Front to Back. (There was no such program call 4 Speakers-2Amps) HU sounds great now while listening to anything other than FM signal. I still have no Fade front to back. We tried all the options to no avail.

Re: FM reception. I tried taping up edges on Amp with aluminum tape this didn't help. I then found that holding onto the Black wire that goes from the Antenna harness over to antenna, signal cleared up. I cut the black wire and attached it to a ground. This didn't help any. Still bad reception. I disconnected wire from ground, and again while holding wire, reception improved. I then just tried relocating the wire in different locations, and eventually I found a place that had great reception without having to hold wire. I tied it down, and now reception is not bad. It went from 5 shitty stations to 10 pretty good. Pretty pissed off about the reception after installing this Amp but was able to improve it a bit playing around.

Definitely, you have to get the HU reprogrammed, or the sound coming out of Amp is distorted terribly. At least with the BT4180.

Cheers,
Chris

PS
After having radio reprogrammed and turning HU up to 3/4's, I am only seeing about 19vAC coming out speaker outputs of Amp. I can only guess that after reprogramming HU, the lowered output of HU along with the 10-1 reducing Transformer supplied by Biketronics, that there isn't much of a signal left for the Amp to amplify. I doubt that I am seeing 180 watts per channel. But it is quite loud.

I am still waiting for replacement Crossover to arrive. SUCKS!!

 

Has anyone been able to get the Arc 125.4 mounted inside the fairing, without any problems?

 

Bill wasn't sure of the problem. To his defense, He told me they didn't have a system ready for the 2014 bikes yet! I wanted a system in my bike for the Laughlin river run. I was going to spend 5 days on my bike.

Bill sold me the BT4180 and the PAC transformers with 2 titan II, I bought some Alpine type R for the rear pods. Once installed the sound was off and would distort over 1/2 volume? I ended up blowing both the tweeters and one of the voice coils on the titans. Bill rushed out more with a new PAC adjustable transformer. His thinking was my outputs from the HU was "too hot" and this would let me turn it down some. I think one of the problems is the BT4180 has no gain adjustments or Crossover adjustments. I also think the PAC transformers are on the low end. The Focal FD 2.350 amp comes with its own " high-level inputs with auto-detection (external transformer) and RCA low-level inputs" I reinstalled and went on my trip. Still not happy with sound. The fronts were now not as loud as cheaper Alpines in rear.

When I got to Laughlin I had an Audio guy take a look and he agreed something was wrong. I called Bill and explained, Bill spent about 45 minutes on the phone with the audio guy and had him run some tests with his equipment. The output from the amp was only 2.67 - 3.85 volts the HU was putting out over 4.5 I would think it should the opposite. This is all over my head, but the bottom line is I was on a trip and wanted a stereo. I think I just got a bad amp? I'm going to send it back and I'm curios as to what Bill will find out.

An amp is not just an amp! There are all kinds of differences in quality and technology. I had a chance to listen to a lot of stereo systems while in Laughlin. Both from some of the vendors and just some of the bikes. This Focal 4 speaker system I now have sounds awesome! Better, louder, cleaner than most I've heard and with only 4 speakers! Much better sounding then what I heard in the 8 speaker J&M bike!!

IMO- Biketronics has great customer service. From what I've read on this forum they have a great product too. Everything I read on the HAT speakers is top-notch as well. So I'm going to say Murphy's Law was in charge of this one. I think I just got a bad amp? I don't think they are a company that only wants to sell their Junk & Mislead. I think they really try to have the best product and told me many times they didnt have a system ready to sell for my bike, so it's tough to blame this on them.

 

ah.. wasn't looking to blame.. usually I'll call Bill and talk to him about stuff like this but I've been so damned busy lately, haven't had time.

Was just curious what he said is all.

 

Talked to John at BikeTronics and still no time frame for the 14 setup and from my impression not gonna be anytime soon (bummer).May have to go with Fosgate PBR 300/2 with infinity speakers to get me through.This stock stereo SUCKS! Just hate to spend hard earned money twice.

 

You can still get the amp from them then run some other speakers. If you were so inclined. I just prejudiced because I really like that amp.

 

I've been reading all the posts here, some quite interesting, and yes I agree with most here that JMJohn posts way too much! Like reading a spam ad every few posts. I just did the polk mm651s and arc 125. Sounds good now but gonna get the flash tmw cuz after half volume the highs sound like ****. I took the stock grilles out and actually like how they look without grilles! Marine grade too. Can't see $95 for two pieces of metal. Here's the pics

 

Didn't think so. Just wanted to be as clear and honest as I could. BT has been great and very understanding.

I can't wait to see what they come out with for the 14's. I'm sure it will be top shelf.

 

Hey brother, you may already know all about this stuff but I thought I might ask. If your highs are sounding rough are you sure you have all your amp adjustments set up right?

 

Can anyone with personal experience with Infinity's answer this?

I purchased these with the PBR300x2 after reading good reviews. Waiting for the back ordered Boom grills.

Thanks.