Explain digital sound processors to me? JBL MS-8, Rockford 3sixty.3, audison bit one

[chefzane]

Learning to tune manually will make you better appreciate what MS-8 can do. I think it's silly to say a Mini-DSP with a laptop RTA setup can be superior when you haven't spent hours and hours in the car trying to figure out WTF to do as your ears get tired and your car still doesn't sound how you want it to.

I only say superior based on u can't manually adjust some parameters on a ms-8 and I want to be able to play with everything so I CAN gain a better knowledge and understanding of my system as a whole, and I have spent hours with what I currently have to learn every aspect that my limited understanding of sound theory and physics allows me too so its not like I am talking out my azz ask those who have an ms-8 they love them but the only downside ever noticed about it is that it isn't fully adjustable where as the right model mini can do all the same things and more, I am not hating on it if I could afford one I would but for the price new I can have a better more integrated product in my opinion, I have read a bunch of review etc on both and just wanted to know KHA's opinion since I value his input immensely before I pull the trigger on it

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

I have been trying to justify adding the Alpine H800 but I cant. My amps run 3 way active, the 117 has Burr-Brown which I love, TA, and enough EQ to get as flat as I would ever need.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

I only say superior based on u can't manually adjust some parameters on a ms-8 and I want to be able to play with everything so I CAN gain a better knowledge and understanding of my system as a whole, and I have spent hours with what I currently have to learn every aspect that my limited understanding of sound theory and physics allows me too so its not like I am talking out my azz ask those who have an ms-8 they love them but the only downside ever noticed about it is that it isn't fully adjustable where as the right model mini can do all the same things and more, I am not hating on it if I could afford one I would but for the price new I can have a better more integrated product in my opinion, I have read a bunch of review etc on both and just wanted to know KHA's opinion since I value his input immensely before I pull the trigger on it

What I'm about to say is not meant to be argumentative. Anyone who says a different DSP can do all the same things as an MS-8 is wrong. It completely overlooks the power of the signal steering from Logic 7. It's the best way to get great sound for multiple seats without going to great lengths to equalize speaker path lengths. It does require a center channel, and for a vehicle that doesn't offer that originally that can be a major hurdle. It also overlooks the resolution of the equalization MS-8 does vs the typical 1/3 octave graphic EQ of many DSPs. I'm not certain of this but I think MS-8 works at 1/6 octave resolution. Trying to match this with manual tuning is exponentially more difficult than 1/3 octave tuning. It's not just about looking at an RTA graph on a screen, it's also knowing what to do that that information and knowing how to handle the mic.

Other DSPs can do "high resolution" tuning, and the PS-8 comes to mind as the most powerful 12V DSP out today. However, you have to be a world class tuner to be able to fully utilize the PS-8 on Expert mode.

I respect anyone who takes on the challenge of learning to tune with an RTA. It's a real handful and most DIYers won't do it.

 

[chefzane]

I have been trying to justify adding the Alpine H800 but I cant. My amps run 3 way active, the 117 has Burr-Brown which I love, TA, and enough EQ to get as flat as I would ever need.

Would love to go all alpine but dont have the cash

 

[chefzane]

My tablet is a double post in beotch today

And @trumpet no argument here on the logic 7 from what I have read its the ****, and the reasoning behind my choice is I want to learn how to tune with an RTA and other ways too just because I like the challenge and learning it takes to do, that's the fun of car audio, build, listen fix problems rebuild etc, not just set and forget and never touch , its all the challenge for me keeps me from idle hands leading to addictions in the past, ie I don't want to go drink when I am busy with this, alcoholic FML

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

The forum has been acting up for since this morning for me. I understand the need for productive busy-work, and car audio definitely can address that need. Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

 

[jockhater2 10+ year member]

The forum has been acting up for since this morning for me. I understand the need for productive busy-work, and car audio definitely can address that need. Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

So back to my question earlier.

How does a high end head unit. Like an Alpine 9887 or Pioneer P99RS compare to a a lower end HU like an Pioneer 80PRS equipped with a DSP?

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

So back to my question earlier.How does a high end head unit. Like an Alpine 9887 or Pioneer P99RS compare to a a lower end HU like an Pioneer 80PRS equipped with a DSP?

I've used high end Alpine head units with and without a DSP. I had a 7998 and then I added the PXA-H700. Adding a fully featured DSP makes a very big difference. Coming from a P99RS, the difference may not be as large and easily noticed, but it will depend on how the system is configured. I've had the MS-8 on the Clarion CZ702, the CX501, and now the PPI P-771NX. All 3 of them sounded virtually identical. The MS-8 makes it.

 

[jockhater2 10+ year member]

I've used high end Alpine head units with and without a DSP. I had a 7998 and then I added the PXA-H700. Adding a fully featured DSP makes a very big difference. Coming from a P99RS, the difference may not be as large and easily noticed, but it will depend on how the system is configured. I've had the MS-8 on the Clarion CZ702, the CX501, and now the PPI P-771NX. All 3 of them sounded virtually identical. The MS-8 makes it.

This might be a good route for my brother. How come I hear so much praise over the JBL MS-8 when it is the cheapest?

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

This might be a good route for my brother. How come I hear so much praise over the JBL MS-8 when it is the cheapest?

It's $799 from authorized dealers. Like so many brands it has made its way through the gray market to the discounters. I can't speak on behalf of JBL as to why this is happening, but I don't like it.

 

[jockhater2 10+ year member]

It's $799 from authorized dealers. Like so many brands it has made its way through the gray market to the discounters. I can't speak on behalf of JBL as to why this is happening, but I don't like it.

Oh ok. There is one used on caco for 350 shipped. I didn't actually check prices on it new. But I thought it was one of the cheaper ones.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

The MS-8 is easily available which drives the grey market price down