Factory integration Help

[PhillySportsFan]

Hello all, I'm currently putting a plan together to upgrade my factory sound system. the factory system consist of 3.5" in dash and 6x9's in front doors and rear deck where there is also a factory 8" sub opening. i want to keep my factory radio and integrate better equipment while also improving sound quality. I listen to all genres of music and love bass but don't want to sacrifice SQ For thump, if that makes sense. From what i gathered in the first couple of hours of research is that i will need a sound processes to successfully integrate amps/ HU. Is the best option out for my goal the Audio control DQ-61? or should i look elsewhere?

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[C1500martin 10+ year member]

jbl ms8

 

[Chipmunk2k3 10+ year member]

I prefer the DQ61 over the rockford 360 or JL audio. Never tried the ms-8.

Bluetooth tuning with the rockford Was cool.

 

[big scott]

r.f. 360 ..

thats what im getting.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_5753SIXTY3/Rockford-Fosgate-3Sixty-3.html?tp=61658

 

[PhillySportsFan]

i also want simplicity, i really cant stand all those screens and gadgets, pc software and what not. can i just set it and for get it with a sound processor?

 

[C1500martin 10+ year member]

i also want simplicity, i really cant stand all those screens and gadgets, pc software and what not. can i just set it and for get it with a sound processor?

jbl ms8 is it for you then. look how easy it is to use.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILEvpvrH57Q

 

[PhillySportsFan]

wow i really like the ms8. is the on board amp useful for any thing other than factory speakers?

 

[C1500martin 10+ year member]

wow i really like the ms8. is the on board amp useful for any thing other than factory speakers?

well its only 18rms but clean crisp beautiful 18w rms lol. try it out and add a sub you might end up being happy with just that.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

If you want it simple then go with DQ61. I feel it's too simple in a market full of far more powerful DSPs that don't cost a whole lot more, but I understand not everyone wants to have to study and take notes before getting their system to sound right. It's true that MS-8 can be set and then never adjusted, but I adjust the subwoofer level on a nearly daily basis in my car. When I speak with others who are considering MS-8 I tell them the same thing, which is to at least keep the display tucked in the glove box for occasional use.

 

[PhillySportsFan]

when people refer to sound quality and say the installation is the most important part of a install what are they referring to?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Sealing doors. Controlling vibration, placement.

 

[PhillySportsFan]

hey trumpet, why do you say that the dq-61 would be simple / more simple then others?

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

Sealing doors. Controlling vibration, placement.

when people refer to sound quality and say the installation is the most important part of a install what are they referring to?

correct. install methods are what counts. for an "SQ" system i put no less than 100 hours into the install - front doors/speakers get around 20 hours per side. that's before another 100 hours of tweaking/tuning before you've optimized the setup.

the JBL MS-8 is easy to setup and performs very well. the built-in amp is a nice feature for people wanting an easy upgrade from stock. it also means you can build the system in stages, letting the MS-8 power the stock speakers initially - and you'll notice an improvement with just that. It takes me about 15 minutes to get the MS-8 set-up. You can experiment with other mic locations and compare.

I haven't worked with the AudioControl DQ61 so i cannot comment on it's ease but Trumpet is a good guy and knows his stuff. i have owned and installed other Audio Control products and the DQ61 follows the path of others.

the DQ61 doesn't have an "auto" function so it does require you know what you're doing when adjusting it's settings. the delay is set by the user by adjusting the dial until you're happy. the EQ's are best used with an RTA for visual feedback and frequency selection.

 

[mclerico83 5,000+ posts]

i would go ms-8, change those front to 6.5's to give you more options and rears can stay 6x9's for rear fill.

installation is very important in speakers. you can blow 500 dollars on a set and still sound like ***

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

hey trumpet, why do you say that the dq-61 would be simple / more simple then others?

You get a handful of fixed equalizer adjustments for front, rear, and sub. There is time alignment, but it's adjusted with a knob and the accuracy is lower than many other DSPs. It does not offer crossovers. You will have to rely on a separate AudioControl crossover or the crossovers built into your amplifiers. For those installers and hobbyists who like to get into the fine details of tuning for sound quality this tool is like a hammer when you want a scalpel. That may be a poor analogy, but there you have it.