Is The Difference Between These Amps REALLY worth $530
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Albuquerque
Is The Difference Between These Amps REALLY worth $530
Entering phase 2 of my stereo install purchase and I am looking for an amp to run 4 Pioneer TS-D6902R(s) (2 in each saddlebag lid)...I am trying to find the best 'bang for the buck' and it was suggested to look into the Power Acoustik
RZ4-2000D but I am just curious why the big difference in
price for these to amps:
http://poweracoustik.com/store/rz4-2000d.html (4 x 250w @ 2ohm) $120 (4.75"
x 1.62" x 11.125")
http://www.biketronics.com/bt4180/ (4 x 230w @ 2ohm) $650* (7" x 5" x 1.8")
I hear many rave reviews about the Biketronics 4180 but on paper the Power Acoustik has better numbers and is $530 cheaper... still new to motorcycle audio but I have been around car audio since Pyramid Speakers and Pull Out
Car Stereos and have done MANY car stereo installs...so not having any experience with either of these amps, the only thing I could come up with is it's like comparing a JL Audio or Focal Amp with a Pyle or Boss Amp- numbers may be same on the box but when installed there is no competition... Anyone have experience with the Power Acoustik RZ4-2000
and does it truly put out 250w x 4 @ 2 ohms (or close)? Any other thoughts?
Thanks In Advance!!!**
RZ4-2000D but I am just curious why the big difference in
price for these to amps:
http://poweracoustik.com/store/rz4-2000d.html (4 x 250w @ 2ohm) $120 (4.75"
x 1.62" x 11.125")
http://www.biketronics.com/bt4180/ (4 x 230w @ 2ohm) $650* (7" x 5" x 1.8")
I hear many rave reviews about the Biketronics 4180 but on paper the Power Acoustik has better numbers and is $530 cheaper... still new to motorcycle audio but I have been around car audio since Pyramid Speakers and Pull Out
Car Stereos and have done MANY car stereo installs...so not having any experience with either of these amps, the only thing I could come up with is it's like comparing a JL Audio or Focal Amp with a Pyle or Boss Amp- numbers may be same on the box but when installed there is no competition... Anyone have experience with the Power Acoustik RZ4-2000
and does it truly put out 250w x 4 @ 2 ohms (or close)? Any other thoughts?
Thanks In Advance!!!**
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Entering phase 2 of my stereo install purchase and I am looking for an amp to run 4 Pioneer TS-D6902R(s) (2 in each saddlebag lid)...I am trying to find the best 'bang for the buck' and it was suggested to look into the Power Acoustik
RZ4-2000D but I am just curious why the big difference in
price for these to amps:
http://poweracoustik.com/store/rz4-2000d.html (4 x 250w @ 2ohm) $120 (4.75"
x 1.62" x 11.125")
http://www.biketronics.com/bt4180/ (4 x 230w @ 2ohm) $650* (7" x 5" x 1.8")
I hear many rave reviews about the Biketronics 4180 but on paper the Power Acoustik has better numbers and is $530 cheaper... still new to motorcycle audio but I have been around car audio since Pyramid Speakers and Pull Out
Car Stereos and have done MANY car stereo installs...so not having any experience with either of these amps, the only thing I could come up with is it's like comparing a JL Audio or Focal Amp with a Pyle or Boss Amp- numbers may be same on the box but when installed there is no competition... Anyone have experience with the Power Acoustik RZ4-2000
and does it truly put out 250w x 4 @ 2 ohms (or close)? Any other thoughts?
Thanks In Advance!!!**
RZ4-2000D but I am just curious why the big difference in
price for these to amps:
http://poweracoustik.com/store/rz4-2000d.html (4 x 250w @ 2ohm) $120 (4.75"
x 1.62" x 11.125")
http://www.biketronics.com/bt4180/ (4 x 230w @ 2ohm) $650* (7" x 5" x 1.8")
I hear many rave reviews about the Biketronics 4180 but on paper the Power Acoustik has better numbers and is $530 cheaper... still new to motorcycle audio but I have been around car audio since Pyramid Speakers and Pull Out
Car Stereos and have done MANY car stereo installs...so not having any experience with either of these amps, the only thing I could come up with is it's like comparing a JL Audio or Focal Amp with a Pyle or Boss Amp- numbers may be same on the box but when installed there is no competition... Anyone have experience with the Power Acoustik RZ4-2000
and does it truly put out 250w x 4 @ 2 ohms (or close)? Any other thoughts?
Thanks In Advance!!!**
I can't give exact answers about the actual power output of the Power Acoustik Razor RZ4.2000D (don't have the tools or skills to measure that stuff), but in my short experience with it replacing a Soundstream PN4.520D I have to say it's got to be pushing more power to my speakers than the SS was. The system is louder and I don't notice any lack of clarity or excess noise. Also, the PA's size is pretty close to the SS amp, despite the listed dimensions. It's possibly half-inch longer at each end but the same width, so using the "UltraNutz" installation method (creating "straps" at each end to grab the inner fairing supports) is the same as with an SS PN4.520D.
As far as comparing the two, I have no experience with the Biketronics amp, so I'm not help at all there.
I'm thinking for the money, it's certainly worth it to grab a Razor and give it a shot in your setup. If it works for you, you have that $530 for shiny stuff! If not, I believe Sonic Electronix has a decent return policy, so the trial shouldn't really cost you much at all.
As far as comparing the two, I have no experience with the Biketronics amp, so I'm not help at all there.
I'm thinking for the money, it's certainly worth it to grab a Razor and give it a shot in your setup. If it works for you, you have that $530 for shiny stuff! If not, I believe Sonic Electronix has a decent return policy, so the trial shouldn't really cost you much at all.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 31
From: Las Vegas
I can't give exact answers about the actual power output of the Power Acoustik Razor RZ4.2000D (don't have the tools or skills to measure that stuff), but in my short experience with it replacing a Soundstream PN4.520D I have to say it's got to be pushing more power to my speakers than the SS was. The system is louder and I don't notice any lack of clarity or excess noise. Also, the PA's size is pretty close to the SS amp, despite the listed dimensions. It's possibly half-inch longer at each end but the same width, so using the "UltraNutz" installation method (creating "straps" at each end to grab the inner fairing supports) is the same as with an SS PN4.520D.
AAWAV: I haven't lost FM...but I am not sure if I'm in the minority there or not.
Also, below is a description of the mounting: I can't remember the post from UltraNutZ where he had pics of what he did to install the amp in the manner below, but this is the "UltraNutZ" method I speak of:
There's no "bracket" like Scott Ezzell's design: this is simply two strips of aluminum or sheet metal about an inch wide by four inches long (thin stock, like what your garage door opener hangs from) that sandwich the amp's mount points around the horizontal portion of the inner fairing support just above where the supports form the 'box' that the radio sits in. The amp isn't touching the radio (aftermarket); there's about a half inch or so gap...the only parts in contact are the ends of the amp sitting on the fairing brackets.
As far as size: the PA is barely longer on each end than the SS; the biggest hurdle is that damn wire block: the pics on Sonic Electronix show the speakers connecting via a wire harness, but the amp I received has the screw-down terminals for the speakers AND the power/ground/remote-in wires, so that adds some length. However, the mounting holes are the same width as the SS, so the strap method should work the same...the wiring block (and rca plugs on the other end) still clear the inner fairing supports. Your inner fairing should look sorta like this when you're done:
As I recalled (or at least thought I remembered; I rarely use terrestrial radio!!), my FM reception isn't bad at all, even with the PowerAcoustik Razor RZ4.2000D amp in the fairing:
http://youtu.be/Mz1g3YT3XUc
http://youtu.be/Mz1g3YT3XUc
1sweetglide 08, the amp does not fit tight between the fairing brackets. Looking at what Ultranutz did, he put the mounting brackets under the OEM bracket that mounts to the radio and the amp on top of that same bracket. Then he installed screws to "sandwich" the amp and homemade bracket between the OEM bracket that mounts the radio to the upright fairing brackets.
As far as size: the PA is barely longer on each end than the SS; the biggest hurdle is that damn wire block: the pics on Sonic Electronix show the speakers connecting via a wire harness, but the amp I received has the screw-down terminals for the speakers AND the power/ground/remote-in wires, so that adds some length. However, the mounting holes are the same width as the SS, so the strap method should work the same...the wiring block (and rca plugs on the other end) still clear the inner fairing supports. Your inner fairing should look sorta like this when you're done:
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 412
From: Indianapolis IN.
Entering phase 2 of my stereo install purchase and I am looking for an amp to run 4 Pioneer TS-D6902R(s) (2 in each saddlebag lid)...I am trying to find the best 'bang for the buck' and it was suggested to look into the Power Acoustik
RZ4-2000D but I am just curious why the big difference in
price for these to amps:
http://poweracoustik.com/store/rz4-2000d.html (4 x 250w @ 2ohm) $120 (4.75"
x 1.62" x 11.125")
http://www.biketronics.com/bt4180/ (4 x 230w @ 2ohm) $650* (7" x 5" x 1.8")
I hear many rave reviews about the Biketronics 4180 but on paper the Power Acoustik has better numbers and is $530 cheaper... still new to motorcycle audio but I have been around car audio since Pyramid Speakers and Pull Out
Car Stereos and have done MANY car stereo installs...so not having any experience with either of these amps, the only thing I could come up with is it's like comparing a JL Audio or Focal Amp with a Pyle or Boss Amp- numbers may be same on the box but when installed there is no competition... Anyone have experience with the Power Acoustik RZ4-2000
and does it truly put out 250w x 4 @ 2 ohms (or close)? Any other thoughts?
Thanks In Advance!!!**
RZ4-2000D but I am just curious why the big difference in
price for these to amps:
http://poweracoustik.com/store/rz4-2000d.html (4 x 250w @ 2ohm) $120 (4.75"
x 1.62" x 11.125")
http://www.biketronics.com/bt4180/ (4 x 230w @ 2ohm) $650* (7" x 5" x 1.8")
I hear many rave reviews about the Biketronics 4180 but on paper the Power Acoustik has better numbers and is $530 cheaper... still new to motorcycle audio but I have been around car audio since Pyramid Speakers and Pull Out
Car Stereos and have done MANY car stereo installs...so not having any experience with either of these amps, the only thing I could come up with is it's like comparing a JL Audio or Focal Amp with a Pyle or Boss Amp- numbers may be same on the box but when installed there is no competition... Anyone have experience with the Power Acoustik RZ4-2000
and does it truly put out 250w x 4 @ 2 ohms (or close)? Any other thoughts?
Thanks In Advance!!!**
Last edited by Gannicus; May 28, 2014 at 08:16 PM.
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