Any thoughts on DSPs? are they worth the $?

[OnionTou]

Hey guys,
As some of you know (or might remember), I got a kenwood radio, (Here's the review ). and I'm not too pleased with it. Considering this car is not my daily driver I think I can live up with the kenwood's faults in terms of usability. But one thing I absolutely HATE about the radio is the EQ, only 3 band. Not too far from the stock radio EQ we get around these parts.

I listen to classical music, 80-90's music. I'm not a death metal enthusiast or a bass junkie. But I do like a good bass kick.

So I've been thinking on getting an amp, and a few speakers for the car.

Amp: is currently undecided, but a 5 channel one.

My speaker choices are:
Front: Kappa Perfect 6.1 Link to inifity website or the Kappa 60.9cs Link to website
Back: JBL GTO428 Link to JBL Site or the JBL GTO328 Link to JBL Site (not sure which size fits in the back)
Subwoofer: JL Audio CS110TG-TW3 Crutchfield website link

Some people have suggested I go for 3 way components up front and forget about the sub at the back. This is also something I'm taking in consideration.

The audio store guys were telling me to get a sound processor like the JBL MS-8 JBL Site, or a JBL MS-A1004 Link to JBL site or get a product from the Audiocontrol Brand.

The thing is, I don't see many people putting DSPs on their cars, but reviews on those items make them seem like they really do improve the experience.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

[cruzinbill]

A dsp is the best money spent on car audio. That then deadner.

[OnionTou]

Originally Posted by cruzinbill

A dsp is the best money spent on car audio. That then deadner.

any thoughts on the particular JBL models I inquired? or any other suggestions on brands?

[wheelhaus]

DSP can do a lot for how an audio system sounds. i used to install corporate board room AV systems and DSP programming for the more advanced multi-mic array systems can be daunting, but can make or break the entire system. If you are going to keep your head unit, DSP is the only way to make a genuine improvement. I have not used standalone car audio DSP, but I have used home receivers and car audio head units that employ the most important DSP processing elements, which are time alignment, self baseline EQ via calibrated microphone, user EQ, and user crossovers for each driver. Unless you're going with a high end audiophile head unit that has these features built-in, a standalone DSP should get it done.

[cruzinbill]

Originally Posted by OnionTou

any thoughts on the particular JBL models I inquired? or any other suggestions on brands?

Sub choice is fine if you want to stay compact.

inifinty has BS tweeters, Id get these http://www.jbl.com/estore/jbl/us/pro...larProductOnly best speakers under 600$ in my opinion.

I wont give input on the rear as dont think they should be used.

[Sbeezy]

Ms8 sucks... if I were to run a dsp it would be a rf360.3 or a arc audio ps8 or a mosconi 6to8, zapco also has a nice DSP.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

[Sbeezy]

Or sell the Kenwood and buy a pioneer p99rs

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

[wheelhaus]

The 99 is one hell of a head unit; unfortunately it was a bit out of my budget,. The 80prs was more affordable and had a few features I could definitely use that the 99 lacked (bluetooth, more USB, etc).

OP, if you're willing to drop the touch screen, the 80prs or p99rs would negate the need for a separate DSP as the head unit will do everything and sound fantastic.

[GaDgeT]

As mentioned, best money spent is on a DSP, takes all the hassle out of tuning.

MS-8 are awful, had 2 die on me, never could get the tuning right.

Go for an Alpine PXA H800 with RUX controller or Audison Bit one

[Skippman]

Another vote for the Audison BitOne or it's baby brother the Bit10. It really depends on how many channels you're trying to push actively.

[mid_life_crisis]

Just looked up the Bit processors. There is a Bit10D. So does anyone know of a decent, more or less affordable H/U with a digital output?

[michaelahess]

The Alpine pxe-h660 is a "cheap" solution that works very good if you can learn it and spend the time tweaking it.

I have no issues with the quality I've gotten out of it with a PDX-V9.

It's not close to as configurable as the others listed in this thread, but it's more than most folks would need, and you can't beat the cost!

[cruzinbill]

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

Just looked up the Bit processors. There is a Bit10D. So does anyone know of a decent, more or less affordable H/U with a digital output?

JVC, cant remember the damn model number tho. Thats the only one that is still in production that I know of. Older alpines do, but new ones dropped AI net.

[Skippman]

Not anymore unfortunately. TOS/LINK never seemed to really catch on in car audio for reasons I've never quite understood. The Bit10D is really intended to be used with Audison's line of Voce amps. It has a digital output via RJ-45 into a special module for their amps, the Bit10 is basically the same device minus this functionality and with the controller module an optional accessory.

Knowing your budget and goals would be very helpful.

The big players in the DPS field right now are Audison, Rockford Fosgate, JBL, JL Audio, and to a very lesser extent Alpine. I've heard the Audison in person and it's a phenominal unit. I've also heard good things about the new generation of Rockfords 3sixty line. The JL Audio CleanSweep seems to very VERY hit or miss.