I also raised the crossover point on the sub so it has more punch and lets the speakers above work a little less for a given output.
– Mike Hatt
Robin jumped in and asked why we settled on the particular head unit we chose. This sent Mike down a rabbit hole of questioning what our true source input requirements are. Our hope is that we can tie multiple Bike Party systems together sonically and based on the limited affordable tech available (Skaa.com), we settled on trying FM transmitters/receivers. Mike wanted to tune the system using EQ but the head unit equalization is controlled visually which makes it useless for him because he can not see the screen. What Mike would REALLY like is analog EQ…
And then it hit him; “Why not use a parametric equalizer for our input source?”
After a quick internet search we ended up with a Planet Audio PEQ15 5-band parametric EQ for $45.
Sweet.
As an added bonus, the EQ has both front and rear outputs allowing us to send the front signal to the amp and the rear signal to an external connection on the Bike Party box that will enable use to create a wired connection to extra boxes when desired. Show up with a long RCA cable and, Bam!, we can sync your box to our source. [We can, alternatively, connect a FM transceiver and broadcast if desired.]
The EQ has a gain of +/-18db and the amp has +/-12db. This allows for a ton of tuning. We plan to set the amp gains and crossovers conservatively to ensure we do not blow anything if someone peeks the EQ (DJs I’m looking at you).
And speaking of DJs, each Bike Party box will come with wired RCS input option along with a Bluetooth receiver for wireless source input. You can easily stream wirelessly from your phone or, once you are no longer moving around, plug a wire in and hook up your entire DJ system and go to town. You can even use them as a mobile monitor that will last without shore power for over 4 hours.
How exciting!
PS: An added bonus, by switching out the head unit for the more compact equalizer, the mechanical cabinet can decrease in height by an inch. Smaller is better as it gives us more empty space inside the box which allows the bass to go deeper. Deeper bass frequencies are what we want. Always deeper. That’s why we are called Little Bass Heads!