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[Mr John DEUFF]

Hi guys, I have installed on my Ultra the saddlebag speaker lids of Kuryakyn with Kicker speakers (ref:873) and the Biketronics amplifier BT4180.
I have a Pioneer head unit. The front speakers are connected and they rock!
The problem is that for the moment I have to choose which rear speakers I want to connect, the saddlebag ones or the ones from the tour pack.
I would like to know how I could connect all of them and if so it would sound better. All the speakers, amp and head unit are 4 ohms. Can I connect each side separately in serial or could it damage the amp?
If someone have allready made similar installation could he give me advises?

[Mr John DEUFF]

So am I the only one who have installed speakers in the saddlebags on an ultra ? 

[Cvostu]

I'm sure you are not the only one.  You may want to send a pm to tif2 on here.   He is great with audio. And a very helpful person too.  His name is rich.   

[Jerry/MD]

Like cvostu said...Rich would be the best to ask.

You could wire the speakers on each side in series. The problem is volume would be split between the two. Many on here have already mentioned the lack of volume from saddlebag speakers. Just something to think about. Another thing to consider is your speakers. Two of your 4 ohm speakers in series is 8 ohms. Will your amp support that and/or is it stable with different impedance's on the rear vs. the front? My gut feeling is another 4 channel amp or two 2 channel amps for the saddlebag and rear speakers would be the best option. That would give you the most flexibility.

Hopefully Rich will chime in and share his thoughts.

Jerry

[Mr John DEUFF]

  thanks guys for your answers, for the moment I just use the saddlebags speakers for the rear. Maybe I gonna install an other amp to transform the tour pack in a subwoofer.
I must admit that I'm a little bit disappointed by my sound system because I have allready put a lot of money and I am not totally satisfied yet, still some money to add...

[TIF2]

All the speakers, amp and head unit are 4 ohms. Can I connect each side separately in serial or could it damage the amp?

Cheers ...
Are you using the stock H-D speakers in the rear pods?
If you are using the stock rear pod speakers, they are 2-ohm nominal impedance. They can be hooked in series with the saddlebag speakers for a nominal load on the BT-4180 rear amp of 6 ohms. The 4180 should have no issues driving the slight increase in impedance on the rear amp, although the power output may suffer. As far as I am aware, there are no gain adjustments on the 4180 amp so the only ability to balance the amp output rests on processing capabilities of the head unit.

An option for you would be to add a 2 ohm stable amp in the Tour Pak to drive the rear pods, but in all honesty, the stock speakers will always be the weak point. They just aren't very good. Not to add insult to injury, but there also aren't any high quality speakers on the market that will replace the stock rear pod drivers without some sginificant work.

You could drop a set of Polk Audio DXi-650 in the pods (will require new holes drilled) - then wire the Kicker saddlebag speakers in parallel with the new DXi-650 pods. This would drop total load on the rear amp to 2-ohm (the 4180 is 2ohm stable) and provide a slight increase in power output. Again, balancing the system would rest on capability of the head unit.

I wouldn't recommend trying to do a sub setup in the TP. Might sound great while parked but most of the low frequency will be lost at speed. Not worth the cost of $$ and space in my opinion.

Hope this helps ...

[Mr John DEUFF]

Thanks for your answer Rich.
The speakers in the pods are Focal Polyglass 130 CVX and the front speakers Kicker KS 650. In the saddlebag it's also some Kicker.
The problem is that for the moment is the lack of power. I have install the amp and it's not more powerfull than before with the small Alpine KTP 445 amp (4x45W). The BT4180 is supposed to be 4x180W and there is not a real difference? Maybe the speakers are not powerfull enough?

[TIF2]

Hook the rear pods and the rear saddlebags together in parallel.
Then look at the settings in the head unit for cross-over frequency, rear fade level, etc.

The 4180 should have MORE than ample output to drive the speakers at pretty loud volume.

[Mr John DEUFF]

In parallel, that means to split each wires from the amp to plug the speakers. That wont create a loss of power?

[TIF2]

I think you are on the right track with "split".
I am used to the term "tap", but I believe we are talking the same.

It will actually increase the power that the amp will produce (on the rear section), because it will be driving a 2ohm load versus a 4ohm load. Whether or not that equates to an increase in volume is dependent on many other factors.

Good luck with your project ...

[Mr John DEUFF]

The problem is that apparently, I need equal luck and money, and I'm starting to miss all of them!
For the term of "split" Rich, I am a french guy (nobody's perfect) and my English is just what I have learnt in school so sometimes it may be inappropriate!
I have to put 2 + wires and 2 - in each holes of the amp to connect the speakers. 

[Twolanerider]

The problem is that apparently, I need equal luck and money, and I'm starting to miss all of them!
For the term of "split" Rich, I am a french guy (nobody's perfect) and my English is just what I have learnt in school so sometimes it may be inappropriate!
I have to put 2 + wires and 2 - in each holes of the amp to connect the speakers. 

Sometimes a picture is worth a few extra words.  See if the image below helps.  Also some bearded fellow with an easy to follow youtube video is here:

[TIF2]

I have to put 2 + wires and 2 - in each holes of the amp to connect the speakers. 

Yes ... you have it correct. It doesn't matter where the 2 (+) and 2 (-) wires are tied together.
They do not need to be run all the way to the amplifier.

And complete info can be found here:
http://www.bcae1.com/spkrmlti.htm

Let me know how it sounds when done.

[Mr John DEUFF]

Thank you for every things!
Here is a picture of my current speakers:
http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=223&u=15308652
I will let you know the evolution of my sound system!

[TIF2]

Thank you for every things!
Here is a picture of my current speakers:
http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=223&u=15308652
I will let you know the evolution of my sound system!

Nice!!
Did you require fitment of spacer rings to install the 130 CVX drivers in the pods?