Amp Install colossal waste of time.

[Ken Vega]

Man I spent hours planning, plotting and executing an amp install on my Vaq. Had it all wired fused and wrapped nice and neat.. In the garage the system sounded loud, but a little scratchy. Tuned it the best I could and went for a ride. The system sounded like SHITE. Kept getting static and as best I can describe a clipping sound at any high volume.
I used Infinity Reference 5032cf 5.25" speakers and a Sound Storm EV2.200. 200 watt amp 50 watts rms. That amp is a piece of crap. When I heard it in SoFloVaq's bike, it sounded pretty good. But in my case I guess I got what I paid for with. A $35 amp.
I can tell you though, I am now a fairing removal expert. I replaced the system back to stock and I am happy again. I left the power and ground I ran from the battery, minus the fuse for any future installs that require direct battery power. I am very disappointed

[paul]

I'm going to assume that you probably know more than I do about this kind of thing. My knowledge is limited. But, I noticed that your speakers, while rated for 135 peak watts, were only 45 continuous watts. Your amp at 50rms may be the problem. My understanding of these things is that if your amp is 50 then the speakers should have a continuous rating higher than that by 10 to 25, but no more than 25 %. Do I have bad info, or maybe you could try again with higher rated speakers. I have 5.25 inch speakers and it's hard to get all the sound available out of such a small speaker, but look at sensitivity and rating. I have the Polk DB525's without an amp right now. They carry the same wattage rating as the infinities, but I'm only driving them at 23watts rms. As it stands they sound great and can go loud to the point of that's enough without distortion. I like infinity, in my Dodge it's the best system I've every had. Motorcycles are , I am learning a different animal. Good luck.

[Ken Vega]

I had the gain just a bump over minimum. The speakers should dealt with the power just fine. I have installed many systems in cars, much more complicated than this one. I believe the Amp is the culprit. Its cheap and crappy.

[cactusjack]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I checked online and that amp is $29.99? Is that right?

This is probably a case of "you get what you pay for". I'd buy a decent amp and try it again.

[Ken Vega]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I checked online and that amp is $29.99? Is that right?

This is probably a case of "you get what you pay for". I'd buy a decent amp and try it again.

Something like that. I ran into SoFloVaq at a Harley dealer and he let me hear his setup. Sounded pretty darn good. He was running Polk DB521s. I figured what tye hell. Its my fault for buying cheap chitt. You would think I learned my lesson by now. Anyway, F it, I can hear the stock radio fine up to about 85mph even with the exhaust, since I put the taller windshield. So I am going to leave it alone for now.

[Teachme]

You seem to know what u are talking about. I know amps put out different power according to the ohms they are running at. Like in my car my ppi amps at 8 ohm sucked but at 2 ohm would take your breath away. I've also noted that cheaper amps are rated at 14.4volts not 12 I dont know how high our bike batteries get when running.

[captj3]

Ken I did the same thing as you, except I installed a fosgate amp. I went through all the speakers I could find polk,kicker,JL audio, Infinity. I have the gain turned up just past the minimum. They all sounded the same with the stock speakers sounding the best (go figure). It is more about the size of the speakers than anything else. So now I have a amp with stock speakers because I don't want to go through the hassle of removal. I'd rather spend the time riding...lol

[Ken Vega]

Originally Posted by captj3

Ken I did the same thing as you, except I installed a fosgate amp. I went through all the speakers I could find polk,kicker,JL audio, Infinity. I have the gain turned up just past the minimum. They all sounded the same with the stock speakers sounding the best (go figure). It is more about the size of the speakers than anything else. So now I have a amp with stock speakers because I don't want to go through the hassle of removal. I'd rather spend the time riding...lol

Agreed. I gave up. I can hear the system fine with the higher windshield.

[RACNRAY]

Originally Posted by captj3

I'd rather spend the time riding...lol

SO...are you sayin that you actually ride that Vaq? HMMM, I was beginning to wonder!! LOL
When we gonna get together and do some ridin?

I'm the weird guy here, I work on Saturday which is when a lot of you guys ride. So to help out a poor workin stiff lets try a Sunday ride...PRETTY PLEASE.

Includes you too Ken!!

RACNRAY

[Ken Vega]

Originally Posted by RACNRAY

SO...are you sayin that you actually ride that Vaq? HMMM, I was beginning to wonder!! LOL
When we gonna get together and do some ridin?

I'm the weird guy here, I work on Saturday which is when a lot of you guys ride. So to help out a poor workin stiff lets try a Sunday ride...PRETTY PLEASE.

Includes you too Ken!!

RACNRAY

I prefer to ride on Sundays. Its my friends that aleays want to go out on Saturdays. I usually keep it local on Sundays Ray. Maybe US 27 to Dade Corners or Clewiston. You let me know. Like next weekend, also a Saturday we are riding in a group to the Seafood Festival in Everglades city. Next time I ride solo on a Saturday I will stop at the shop Ray and say hello.

[captj3]

Originally Posted by RACNRAY

SO...are you sayin that you actually ride that Vaq? HMMM, I was beginning to wonder!! LOL
When we gonna get together and do some ridin?

I'm the weird guy here, I work on Saturday which is when a lot of you guys ride. So to help out a poor workin stiff lets try a Sunday ride...PRETTY PLEASE.

Includes you too Ken!!

RACNRAY

Very funny Ray. I'm not stuck on Saturdays. Heck with my non-work schedule I can ride any day and do. That being said a Sunday ride sounds like a great idea.

[RACNRAY]

Originally Posted by Ken Vega

I prefer to ride on Sundays. Its my friends that aleays want to go out on Saturdays. I usually keep it local on Sundays Ray. Maybe US 27 to Dade Corners or Clewiston. You let me know. Like next weekend, also a Saturday we are riding in a group to the Seafood Festival in Everglades city. Next time I ride solo on a Saturday I will stop at the shop Ray and say hello.

Originally Posted by captj3

Very funny Ray. I'm not stuck on Saturdays. Heck with my non-work schedule I can ride any day and do. That being said a Sunday ride sounds like a great idea.

GLAD to hear u'all are open to Sunday rides...it'll be good to see u guys and ride.

RACNRAY

[blowndodge]

Ill never understand why bikers want crisp loud tunes blasting out in public when a bluetoothed helmet with speakers inside (Sena) will always sound better. My system sounds like im at a concert and I'm the only one hearing it.

[HwyRider]

Because we prefer not to wear full face or ¾ helmets.

[Ken Vega]

Originally Posted by blowndodge

Ill never understand why bikers want crisp loud tunes blasting out in public when a bluetoothed helmet with speakers inside (Sena) will always sound better. My system sounds like im at a concert and I'm the only one hearing it.

I have open face helmets. Hot as hell in S. Florida. Never cared for full helmets after I stopped riding rice rockets. I look like the Great Gazoo with a full or 3/4 helmet.