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ARC audio question

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Old Jan 19, 2010 | 05:10 PM
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Default ARC audio question

I'm looking at upgrading my bike's should system, and am probably going to go with one of ARC's kits. Specifically this one http://www.arcaudio.com/productdescr...cle/mpak-1.asp. I don't know much about audio stuff, so which way would be best to wire this, 2 ohms or 4 ohms, and what's the difference? Also, what exactly does "RMS power handling" mean. Shouldn't you have speakers that will be able to take half of the amp's full power?
 
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Old Jan 19, 2010 | 07:15 PM
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Nobody???
 
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Old Jan 19, 2010 | 07:18 PM
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Mine is wired for 4 ohms for 4 4ohm speakers.
 
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Old Jan 19, 2010 | 07:36 PM
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Hey Jeff, I had the ARC and it was a nice amp but took up a ton of space under the faring. I was also concerned about the heat sink that the big unit put out. After a couple of month, I changed the ARC out for a Biketronics set up. I think the sound is cleaner and the unit is much smaller. With the ARC, I had to move my XM module under the radio and had to take out the CB module (well I was taking the CB out anyway because I did not use it) I might have been able to squeeze the CB module in if I tried but not all 3 modules (ARC,XM,CB) I dont know what the price diff is between the ARC your looking at vs. the BT unit but check them out.
 
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Old Jan 19, 2010 | 07:37 PM
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J&M's sound better even without an AMP.
 
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Old Jan 19, 2010 | 08:00 PM
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J&M with a amp, even better!!
 
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Old Jan 19, 2010 | 08:55 PM
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Originally Posted by jeff.georgalas
I'm looking at upgrading my bike's should system, and am probably going to go with one of ARC's kits. Specifically this one http://www.arcaudio.com/productdescr...cle/mpak-1.asp. I don't know much about audio stuff, so which way would be best to wire this, 2 ohms or 4 ohms, and what's the difference? Also, what exactly does "RMS power handling" mean. Shouldn't you have speakers that will be able to take half of the amp's full power?
There's a ton of info out there on the arc amp, as well as others. I did a ton of reading on this and other forums and decided on the Arc KS 125.2

I can only speak for my setup. I have an 09 Street Glide with an ARC KS 125.2 amp and Focals 165 cvx. All I can say the sound is amazing and I would seriously be hard pressed to believe a set of speakers alone could compare to amp and speakers, but I can only speak for my setup.

As for installation, with the MPAK instructions it's pretty much idiot proof. The are several guys on the forums who you can deal with , Firecap, onthello and others.. I dealt with onthello (sean), great guy, fast shipping, great price, and always a call or email away to answer questions. Also , from what I've read Firecap is another great resource.

Whatever way you go if you end up with the arc feel free to pm me and I could send you some photos and installation instructions........
 
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Old Jan 19, 2010 | 09:05 PM
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But 2 ohm or 4 ohm, and why?
 
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Old Jan 19, 2010 | 09:10 PM
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Talk with Firecap he can fix you up. I have the arc mini amp with arc 6.5 speakers and also a Kenwood -X493 stereo. I really do like the sound, and my hearing is not the best in the world. Been a mechanic for 30 years and it has taken its toal on my ears. I don't have any problems hearing the music at any speeds. Talk with Wayne " Firecap " he will be more than happy to answer any of your questions.

Ronnie
 
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Old Jan 19, 2010 | 09:15 PM
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An excellent resource for information of the type you want is crutchfield.com.

As for 2 ohm or 4 ohm, 4 ohm is a virtual standard for automotive type speakers so there is a much, much larger selection of 4 ohm speakers than 2 ohm. Electrically, a 2 ohm will play slightly louder than a 4 ohm given equal amplifer output (watts). I'm no tech or aduio engineer; just read a bit on the subject.

Good luck with your project.
 

Last edited by Harleypingman; Jan 19, 2010 at 09:29 PM. Reason: Ill-tempered comments removed
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