Looking to get a JBL MS8

[butterMilk 10+ year member]

Jbl website has them for 799$, sonicelectronics has them for 699$. The sonic website says they are authorized dealers, can anyone confirm that?

I found some for about 450$ (new) on amazon, but im worried about not getting a warranty. Should I get the much cheeper amazon deal? What would you do?

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[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

My professional advice is to stay away from Amazon.com if you care about warranty coverage, unless you can confirm with the manufacturer that the seller is authorized to sell on Amazon. Some manufacturers allow online sales but exclude certain sites, especially eBay. It's very easy for someone to sell online from home and have no inventory, no overhead and offer 0 technical support. I suspect at least 3 of the sellers of the MS-8 on Amazon are doing exactly that.

 

[Hoodlum007 10+ year member]

I would get it from who ever is the cheapest yet a reputable place that will offer a warranty even if not authorized.

 

[mahc 10+ year member]

I would contact mylows10. I'm sure he can get you a PS8 from Arc. Much better value imo.

http://www.arcaudio.com/product-pages/processors/dsp/ps8.asp

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Woofersect

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

I would contact mylows10. I'm sure he can get you a PS8 from Arc. Much better value imo.
PS8

The MS-8 really doesn't compare to almost any other processor as it can't be matched feature-for-feature. If you're getting a PS-8 you should at least have the expertise to use the mid-level mode of operation to really take advantage of what you can do with it. It doesn't even have a manual published yet. MS-8 does some amazing things with it's automatic equalization, plus the Logic 7 signal steering is unmatched for multiple seat imaging.

 

[butterMilk 10+ year member]

The MS-8 really doesn't compare to almost any other processor as it can't be matched feature-for-feature. If you're getting a PS-8 you should at least have the expertise to use the mid-level mode of operation to really take advantage of what you can do with it. It doesn't even have a manual published yet. MS-8 does some amazing things with it's automatic equalization, plus the Logic 7 signal steering is unmatched for multiple seat imaging.

Yeah I've looked at the Ps8 and I like what I see. But I dont think I have what it takes to tune it.

The ms8 just looks like anyone is capable of installing and tuning, which I like.

If a local audio shop could tune a Ps8 for about 100-150$ I would be all for it. But I think it would be a lot more than that. Thats just for tuning not install.

 

[Beerdrnkr 5,000+ posts]

I'm currently running the MS-8 but I've ran almost all of the other processors / active headunits out there except some of the newer stuff (masconi 6to8, helix, and PS8). The MS-8 is a great processor for a beginner or someone that doesn't know much about tuning. For me, there was still quite a bit of tweaking I had to do to it before I got the sound I wanted but it only goes so far without all the bells and whistles that the other processors have.

They seem to be readily available for $400-$450 used quite often. Diymobileaudio.com usually has a couple in the classifieds, I'd recommend picking them up there. JBL also sells them on ebay or their website refurbished w/ warranty for around $450. I think it's a great unit to have up to a certain point. Definitely a must if you have a center channel!

I'm one of those guys that's never happy and needs to constantly be tuning so I'll be running an Alpine H-800 for that.

 

[Imtjnotu 5,000+ posts]

I'm currently running the MS-8 but I've ran almost all of the other processors / active headunits out there except some of the newer stuff (masconi 6to8, helix, and PS8). The MS-8 is a great processor for a beginner or someone that doesn't know much about tuning. For me, there was still quite a bit of tweaking I had to do to it before I got the sound I wanted but it only goes so far without all the bells and whistles that the other processors have.
They seem to be readily available for $400-$450 used quite often. Diymobileaudio.com usually has a couple in the classifieds, I'd recommend picking them up there. JBL also sells them on ebay or their website refurbished w/ warranty for around $450. I think it's a great unit to have up to a certain point. Definitely a must if you have a center channel!

I'm one of those guys that's never happy and needs to constantly be tuning so I'll be running an Alpine H-800 for that.

what this guy said

 

[Julian 10+ year member]

The only issue with the MS8 that I really don't like about it.. if you use the Autotune feature you cannot adjust the tune.. You have to go back and do it all over again

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

To answer your question about sonic being authorized, yes.

Sounds like you'll benefit more from the MS8 than any other type of processor. You still get a crazy 31-band eq to play around with and I think the auto-cal will impress you with what it can pull off. Just don't expect it to be easy as pie. It does require the basic knowledge of crossover points and such.

 

[d77543020 10+ year member]

i would say keep a eye on ebay the last one i saw sold for 250

 

[butterMilk 10+ year member]

To answer your question about sonic being authorized, yes.
Sounds like you'll benefit more from the MS8 than any other type of processor. You still get a crazy 31-band eq to play around with and I think the auto-cal will impress you with what it can pull off. Just don't expect it to be easy as pie. It does require the basic knowledge of crossover points and such.

When you say it requires a basic understanding of crossover points, is this what you mean?

Im using HAT imagine speakers. frequency response 55hz-22,000hz. mid bass response 55hz-11,000hz- minimum crossover point 60hz( 4th order)

For example,

subs, 35hz-80hz

mids, 65hz-5000hz

tweets, 5000hz -21 000hz

Do I know enough to set one up, or is it way out of my league?

 

[Ge_off_me 5,000+ posts]

I personally would suggest looking into the Mosconi 6to8, Arc PS8, or the Rockford Threesixty.3. All of these units are much better than the Ms8.

 

---------- Post added at 03:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:46 PM ----------

 

The ms8 is not exceptionally sonically accurate, hence why no competitor will use them.

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

I personally would suggest looking into the Mosconi 6to8, Arc PS8, or the Rockford Threesixty.3. All of these units are much better than the Ms8. 

---------- Post added at 03:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:46 PM ----------

 

The ms8 is not exceptionally sonically accurate, hence why no competitor will use them.

Careful with the blanket statements, there. The OP is just asking about ease of use and, at his price point, the MS8 happens to offer the closest match to what he wants. I'm sure he'd rather let the L7 processing take care of his TA and phasing since he's just kinda getting started into all this.

OP, the MS8 is not the simplest piece of equipment to understand, but IMO only it and the Alpine Imprint offer such ease of use without having to spend significantly more. For now, use those frequencies you listed and play around with bringing the bands up and down as you feel works better. Just please, please RTFM. If you don't understand what you're doing going in, you're going to hate your purchase.