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As it happens, tonight j was researching upgrades to my motorcycle’s audio system and learning things about frequency response, crossover, headroom, etc. Here a

As it happens, tonight j was researching upgrades to my motorcycle’s audio system and learning things about frequency response, crossover, headroom, etc. Here are the questions I have yet to answer: 1. Will using a higher power amp with higher power and somewhat higher quality speakers give me more clarity of sound? I don’t care for loud as much as being able to hear the music. 2. Is there any point in installing a subwoofer on a motorcycle? The reason I ask is that it seems as though in order to properly install and integrate a sub you need a housing for it that won’t resonate with it or make any sounds of movement, creaking, etc. That seems rather impossible where you might normally install it: fiberglass saddlebags or the trunk/tour pack. Also, won’t the engine and exhaust noise simply drown out the bass? 3. If no sub, then how long should frequencies on a 2 component speaker go? I have a choice of 60-80Hz as the lower limit. 4. Can non-marine grade speakers be made waterproof on the output side? 5. The amp I have says it strongly prefers RCA/line input over speaker level high input. Why is that? Also, my stock radio doesn’t have line level output. Should I get an external high level to line level adapter or try the one built into the amp? Will any of this compare to my Bose QC35s?

chucksta 5y ago
1) it will give you clarity at a louder level 2) thats kinda personal, I would say no. Subs also benefit from the enclosed car. I guess anything is possible though. Plus your on a motorcycle, its going to travel a lot more. 3) you're overthinking it, you're on a motorcycle 4) not that i'm aware of, but I don't really know, i'm sure it's possible. 5) Hi level is more prone to pick up interference. I don't quite understand the second part, hi level is radio output to the speaker. Don't really understand that part either 6?) sound quality? No you're on a motorcycle. Wearing them instead? I feel like there are other reasons you shouldn't
- IgorPartola 5y ago
  Thanks! What I meant in 5: my receiver can output to speakers only. My amp can accept line level or speaker level input, but says it prefers line level. Would I get better results by connecting the speaker level receiver output directly to the amp or is it better to instead get a separate preamp to bring receiver output to line level then connect that to the amp. I think I will try the former first.
  - chucksta 5y ago
    Oh no, its only worth converting if you are picking up interference. If you avoid runs near power sources you should be ok. Its also worth checking your grounds first if you do pick some up
JohnBooty 5y ago
Will using a higher power amp with higher power and somewhat higher quality speakers give me more clarity of sound? Vast simplification, but: amplifiers sound more or less equally good until pushed to their limits, at which point they distort and sound bad. A 3W amp played at low volumes won't sound any better or worse than a 3,000W amp at equally low levels. Small differences in wattage between amplifiers can be ignored. To sound twice as loud to the human ear, you need 10x the amplifier power. Literally. Like a lot of our sensory organs the ears function on a more or less logarithmic scale. Or, you can use more sensitive speakers. This is for indoor use, but you can play around with the numbers here to get an idea of the difference that amplifier output and speaker sensitivity make when it comes to actual sound pressure levels: http://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html http://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html Perhaps even more importantly, manufacturers lie liberally about the power produced by their amplifiers. Car audio is especially bad about this. They advertise a "3,000W" amp -- but it generally only produces this power for a millisecond and it does so at ridiculously high distortion levels. This guy tests audio amps, typically car audio amps, and can tell you their actual output: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGW-qPM8-xJE4-uSLA5BAGQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGW-qPM8-xJE4-uSLA5BAGQ Is there any point in installing a subwoofer on a motorcycle? I don't have any experience with motorcycle audio whatsoever, but it takes a LOT of power and BIG speakers to produce bass in open spaces. A 12" subwoofer that is deafening in a car or living room won't sound loud in an open field. I suspect a motorcycle would be closer to the latter. But, I guess just research what others have done with their bikes. If no sub, then how long should frequencies on a 2 component speaker go? I have a choice of 60-80Hz as the lower limit. Neither is very deep. It's just hard to make bass in open spaces. The lowest string on a bass guitar with standard tuning is about 40hz, though most music is mastered to sound good on speakers that don't go that deep. Can non-marine grade speakers be made waterproof on the output side? That sounds impossible to me. To be waterproof you need a completely sealed enclosure and that rules out most speakers. Most non-weather proof speakers have ports (air holes) because it's the only way they can produce bass from a small size. But some sealed speakers have passive radiators instead of ports which accomplish the same thing. Will any of this compare to my Bose QC35s? Not even close.
- IgorPartola 5y ago
jrace 5y ago
Your best audio on a motorcyle will be with "In Ear Monitors" and a personal audio player (like a phone or ipod). These will have the benefit of also reducing wind and engine noises. But will come with a safety issue.

chucksta 5y ago

1) it will give you clarity at a louder level 2) thats kinda personal, I would say no. Subs also benefit from the enclosed car. I guess anything is possible though. Plus your on a motorcycle, its going to travel a lot more. 3) you're overthinking it, you're on a motorcycle 4) not that i'm aware of, but I don't really know, i'm sure it's possible. 5) Hi level is more prone to pick up interference. I don't quite understand the second part, hi level is radio output to the speaker. Don't really understand that part either 6?) sound quality? No you're on a motorcycle. Wearing them instead? I feel like there are other reasons you shouldn't

IgorPartola 5y ago
Thanks! What I meant in 5: my receiver can output to speakers only. My amp can accept line level or speaker level input, but says it prefers line level. Would I get better results by connecting the speaker level receiver output directly to the amp or is it better to instead get a separate preamp to bring receiver output to line level then connect that to the amp. I think I will try the former first.
- chucksta 5y ago
  Oh no, its only worth converting if you are picking up interference. If you avoid runs near power sources you should be ok. Its also worth checking your grounds first if you do pick some up

JohnBooty 5y ago

Will using a higher power amp with higher power and somewhat higher quality speakers give me more clarity of sound? Vast simplification, but: amplifiers sound more or less equally good until pushed to their limits, at which point they distort and sound bad. A 3W amp played at low volumes won't sound any better or worse than a 3,000W amp at equally low levels. Small differences in wattage between amplifiers can be ignored. To sound twice as loud to the human ear, you need 10x the amplifier power. Literally. Like a lot of our sensory organs the ears function on a more or less logarithmic scale. Or, you can use more sensitive speakers. This is for indoor use, but you can play around with the numbers here to get an idea of the difference that amplifier output and speaker sensitivity make when it comes to actual sound pressure levels: http://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html http://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html Perhaps even more importantly, manufacturers lie liberally about the power produced by their amplifiers. Car audio is especially bad about this. They advertise a "3,000W" amp -- but it generally only produces this power for a millisecond and it does so at ridiculously high distortion levels. This guy tests audio amps, typically car audio amps, and can tell you their actual output: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGW-qPM8-xJE4-uSLA5BAGQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGW-qPM8-xJE4-uSLA5BAGQ Is there any point in installing a subwoofer on a motorcycle? I don't have any experience with motorcycle audio whatsoever, but it takes a LOT of power and BIG speakers to produce bass in open spaces. A 12" subwoofer that is deafening in a car or living room won't sound loud in an open field. I suspect a motorcycle would be closer to the latter. But, I guess just research what others have done with their bikes. If no sub, then how long should frequencies on a 2 component speaker go? I have a choice of 60-80Hz as the lower limit. Neither is very deep. It's just hard to make bass in open spaces. The lowest string on a bass guitar with standard tuning is about 40hz, though most music is mastered to sound good on speakers that don't go that deep. Can non-marine grade speakers be made waterproof on the output side? That sounds impossible to me. To be waterproof you need a completely sealed enclosure and that rules out most speakers. Most non-weather proof speakers have ports (air holes) because it's the only way they can produce bass from a small size. But some sealed speakers have passive radiators instead of ports which accomplish the same thing. Will any of this compare to my Bose QC35s? Not even close.

IgorPartola 5y ago

jrace 5y ago

Your best audio on a motorcyle will be with "In Ear Monitors" and a personal audio player (like a phone or ipod). These will have the benefit of also reducing wind and engine noises. But will come with a safety issue.