I just realized it's been a while since we've brought together our local Audio gurus for a round table discussion to talk about the new products out there relevant to the HK era radios.
I've currently got the J&M 125.2 amp, with the Rokker 7.25" in the fairing and the lowers in my 2006 SEUC. Per TIF2's advice a while back, I have these front speakers running in series, and the rear J&M Rokkers in the rear pods running off the stock amp. It all sounds OK, certainly better than stock and it was a modest improvement, but always looking for more.
I know the J&M speakers certainly aren't the cats ass, and I wish I would have known about the Focals back then, but I will be changing those out in the future. I think first, I want to upgrade the amp as a first step. My plan is to get the best, most powerful 4 channel amp I can get that will fit above the HK, and I think it's really between the Arc 125.4 and the BT4180. My plan is to run the fairing and lower speakers on their own channels, and continue to leave the rears on the stock amp. The spec's give the BT4180 a solid edge, but I know there were some negatives.
The last time there was an amp discussion the BT4180 had just came out and the glaring issue was there was no gains controls. It was mentioned that this would be a new feature coming, but 2 years later, I can't see they've ever made the change? I just checked their site and I'm still not seeing it. I do however think it's a little smaller than the Arc 125.4, which might avoid having to trim the guages.
So anyway, with winter coming, I think this is going to be on my winter project list. I'm really interested in hearing some opinions, and whether there are any other amps to consider too. I heard HW came out with something, but I don't know much about it. I also heard on another forum about a Soundstream TN4.900D but know nothing about that either. I know Pete at CS is pretty much exclusively using the Arc's, so that says something I guess. Thanks for any input you guys care to share about what's new out there, and what you think is the best route. I know in the past there was some talk of a new class of D amps coming, that would be smaller and more powerful, but I don't know if I've seen anything yet?
BTW - As a side note, this summer I installed that Harley Tourpak port kit, and gosh what a mistake. Killed the little bass I was getting from them. Sounds great when you're sitting and you open the tourpak, but when closed, it sure made things worse. The mesh grills and ports do look nice, but I think the crappy J&M speakers and low power really dilutes what benefit there might have been. I guess I'll have to plug them somehow. Bummer.