Upgrade to stereo

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Dec 22, 2016 | 04:31 PM

canible

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Joined: Nov 2013

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From: MICHIGAN

Upgrade to stereo

Looking to upgrade my 2007 ultra sound system. When i bought it I had a factory installed amp put in it. I beleive its a 140 watt amp. Any way ive been thinking about putting some arc 602 speakers in and wondering if I need to replace the amp. Any input would be appreciated

Dec 22, 2016 | 04:41 PM

mkguitar

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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins

what speakers do you have now?

very basically the specs on speakers count for alot-

the most important is sensitivity- usually expressed as a number like 92dB 1watt/1meter- that is a good spec, but 95dB would be almost twice as loud for the same volume settings...88 dB would almost be 1/2 the apparent volume.

so the specs on the ARC602 are 88 dB per watt at 1 meter.

other speakers rate higher sound output- the polk MM651* are at 92dB, the Kappas are at 95 dB.

this tells us that the kappas would be way more than twice as loud as the ARC at the exact same volume setting

so it's the way you use the power your amp is putting out- a "watts" rating on a speaker tells us how much power they can accept- not how they turn that electricity to sound
( and that can lead to "the ARC;s are great and you need a bigger amp"- a $100 project turns in to a $400 project)

2nd, frequency response; some speakers are all midrange and tinny- you want a speaker which reproduces frequencies evenly...lows, mods and highs.

I've been involved in concert sound systems for 40 years- most of my riding is done with pro earbuds wired into the stereo ( noise out, music in), but I have been 'sperimentin' with my stereo- i have tried the J&M and have a set of kappas going in tonight or tomorrow

I do my own tests with ear and also tone generators to check the sensitivity and frequency response..I am also trying to treat the inside of the fairing cavity

Mike

I have another thread detailing fit issues with polk MM651UM vs MM651

Last edited by mkguitar; Dec 22, 2016 at 06:48 PM.

Dec 22, 2016 | 04:42 PM

Little Mike

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Joined: May 2008

Posts: 997

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From: Channahon, IL.

You're going to get much more information if you report this over in the audio section. A lot of helpful and knowledgeable guys over there who are very willing to help. Quick assessment though. ARCs are good speaker but you are definitely going to want to upgrade your amp.

Dec 22, 2016 | 07:14 PM

bigdumbnoitall00

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amp ratings can also be deceiving, 140 watts peak or rms, also have to look at ohms.

Dec 22, 2016 | 07:15 PM

0ldhippie

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Joined: Mar 2012

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From: Santa Cruz

I forget what amps went with what years but ya really need to know what ohm speakers the amp will work with if you plan on keeping your amp. There may be smoke waiting to escape in there. The audio section is your friend...

Dec 22, 2016 | 07:22 PM

Uncle Larry

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From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0ldhippie

There may be smoke waiting to escape in there ...and it's extremely difficult to put the smoke back in, trust me!

Dec 23, 2016 | 07:01 AM

sbeast

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Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 1,036

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From: Texas

the "factory" amps are garbage. toss it out and invest in a decent aftermarket one (Rockford fosgate PBR300, Arc mini, etc) along with some good speakers (folks on here tend to prefer infinity kappas)