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From a ss4.520d to a bt4180
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 14
From: chatham il
From a ss4.520d to a bt4180
Ok here we go again....... I currently run a kenwood excelon 898 through a ss4.520d to a set of 7.1 and rear bt 6x9s in hogtunes lids on my sg. The system sounds good and I have no complains really. The question I have is I have read and been told that the ss amp has a significant a mount of clipping at high volume levels, so I can't help but wonder if the upper limit of my stereo is being limited by the speakers or by a dirty signal from the amp? Ultimately I would like to have a bt 4180. So back to the point of this post... Will it make enough difference to be worth the money? Has anyone here went from a ss to the biketronics amp? I can't help but feel that my amp is the weak link in my system now and to be honest I would like to complete my audio and move on to wheels and motor work. 
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 31
From: Las Vegas
cannot speak to BT, but SS in my bench testing 2 weeks ago showed with CLEAN Sine wave on o scope (so clean sound):
4 ohm:
with 4 ohm resistance load: 15.66 Vac (61.xx Watt)
without load: 17.71 Vac (78.5 Watt)
2 ohm:
with 2 ohm resistance load: 14.64 Vac (107.xx Watt)
without load: 16.69 Vac (139.xx Watt)
as speaker impedance is not really the same as resistance, I would use the real clean Watt value somewhere between the 2 values (prob 70W and 115Watt)
BT specs (on paper) are 180W@4 ohm and believe 230W@2 ohm... not sure if it ever has been bench tested the way I did (similar to the PBR300x2 done on you tube).
4 ohm:
with 4 ohm resistance load: 15.66 Vac (61.xx Watt)
without load: 17.71 Vac (78.5 Watt)
2 ohm:
with 2 ohm resistance load: 14.64 Vac (107.xx Watt)
without load: 16.69 Vac (139.xx Watt)
as speaker impedance is not really the same as resistance, I would use the real clean Watt value somewhere between the 2 values (prob 70W and 115Watt)
BT specs (on paper) are 180W@4 ohm and believe 230W@2 ohm... not sure if it ever has been bench tested the way I did (similar to the PBR300x2 done on you tube).
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 412
From: Indianapolis IN.
Ok here we go again....... I currently run a kenwood excelon 898 through a ss4.520d to a set of 7.1 and rear bt 6x9s in hogtunes lids on my sg. The system sounds good and I have no complains really. The question I have is I have read and been told that the ss amp has a significant a mount of clipping at high volume levels, so I can't help but wonder if the upper limit of my stereo is being limited by the speakers or by a dirty signal from the amp? Ultimately I would like to have a bt 4180. So back to the point of this post... Will it make enough difference to be worth the money? Has anyone here went from a ss to the biketronics amp? I can't help but feel that my amp is the weak link in my system now and to be honest I would like to complete my audio and move on to wheels and motor work.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 122
From: Joliet IL.
Pioneer switched his head unit at the same time he switched amps so he said he couldnt really tell, if I remember correctly. I'm sure he'll chime in. I'm thinking of the same upgrade... at least it will have more power. I can hear a little distortion in my system, I have to believe it's the amp because of the quality of the speakers, only one way to find out!
Last edited by Moto Mike; Jun 18, 2014 at 06:29 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Michigan
Correct. I switched my head unit, and also my speakers, at the same time so I can't comment on the sound quality difference.
Soundstream makes a great little amp. Dollar for Dollar probably one of the best amps for a bike. But it couldn't do what the BT does for me. It allows me to run all 4 of my speakers, give me more wattage per speaker than the 4.520, and allow me to keep my tour pack quick detachable while not putting an amp in a saddlebag. And when I go into "Street Glide" mode, the saddlebag speakers get the full 180 watts. All with a lifetime warranty. It's expensive, yes, but to me it was worth it to just be done with it.
And about the FM interference with the 4.520, at least the one I had. AAWAV purchased mine. With the stock HK radio, I lost everything. He has an aftermarket head unit and he says he didn't lose much. So I think that the head unit plays a role if you lose radio reception or not.
Soundstream makes a great little amp. Dollar for Dollar probably one of the best amps for a bike. But it couldn't do what the BT does for me. It allows me to run all 4 of my speakers, give me more wattage per speaker than the 4.520, and allow me to keep my tour pack quick detachable while not putting an amp in a saddlebag. And when I go into "Street Glide" mode, the saddlebag speakers get the full 180 watts. All with a lifetime warranty. It's expensive, yes, but to me it was worth it to just be done with it.
And about the FM interference with the 4.520, at least the one I had. AAWAV purchased mine. With the stock HK radio, I lost everything. He has an aftermarket head unit and he says he didn't lose much. So I think that the head unit plays a role if you lose radio reception or not.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 31
From: Las Vegas
And about the FM interference with the 4.520, at least the one I had. AAWAV purchased mine. With the stock HK radio, I lost everything. He has an aftermarket head unit and he says he didn't lose much. So I think that the head unit plays a role if you lose radio reception or not.
For now I can live with it...
now I am just curious if the SS TN4.900D, or PPI variant for that matter, will fit in the Batwing... sorry - side conversation with Gannicus
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Indianapolis IN.
Pioneer switched his head unit at the same time he switched amps so he said he couldnt really tell, if I remember correctly. I'm sure he'll chime in. I'm thinking of the same upgrade... at least it will have more power. I can hear a little distortion in my system, I have to believe it's the amp because of the quality of the speakers, only one way to find out!
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 14
From: chatham il
I lost all fm reception with my stock head unit and the ss amp. Now that I'm running a kenwood hu a lot of my fm is back. According to ultra the 4.900d will not fit in the batwing fairing. I have had conversations with him exploring my options.