Hi guys,

After a lot of indeciveness I've decided i want to keep my stock head unit for looks, functionality etc (and also upgrading to the factory sat nav unit with 30gb HDD soon).

As per the other thread got my gear installed by NF who did a very nice job consisting of:

SVEN2 LOC
Dynaudio 342
ID v3 8" sub stealthed &
PDX 4.150

It sounds a lot better, just not amazing considering the potential of the speakers etc. So i think i need to add a sound processor. Main features i want is the equalizer, sub gain control and cleaner sound obviously.

I dont need to adjust these on the fly, but a gain control up front in the ash tray/glovebox on a lead would be neat.

Wanted to get opinions - AudioControl DQL-8, PXE-H650 etc..? I don't feel i need the RUX-C701 and want to keep the setup stealth without installing a 1din unit somewhere.

thanks in advance,

Edit: forgot to say, the treble is fairly rolled off, mid range is a bit piercing and could be warmer/more detail and the sub is probably a bit heavy but can get lost with road noise, so it's probably good to crank it up a bit more than what's 'balanced'. Perhaps Time alignment would bring it out a bit more..

Rockford 360 is about the best thing around at the moment

JBL, Audison and a few more have some in the near future.

The PXE-650 i believe is not yet avaliable

Cheers, i thought it was out as one of the NF stores said they could get me one (about $700).

Will look into the others

i would look at the Rockford 3Sixty.2 or if you can wait the Audison BIT ONE

I also want to mostly set and forget, and not use remotes etc to the processor, just head unit vol adjust (plus sub gain).

This 3Sixty.2 sounds good.

wouldnt even consider the h650

either the 3sixty.2, or wait for audison bit-one

Heya,

Just a couple of notes on the 3sixty, firstly I'm pleased as with mine currently. BUT there are some things to consider from reading up on them.

Firstly, they have been known to add noise to the system in some cases (a slight hiss). I currently have this issue but I have not traced it to the 3sixty as yet (could be my old RCA's).

Secondly, there have been reports of an issue with the bluetooth modules failing. There is a service bulletin on the rockford website regarding this issue.

I'm using a laptop with a USB bluetooth dongle and it is working well software wise but obviously the 3sixty.2 offers a much wider range of tuning ability when compared to the .1 version that I am running.

Jono

In addition, there is also the JL Audio CleanSweep.

(I didnt read the whole thread so dont know if the JL will do what you want, but its another option! ).

Hrm dont really want any additional engine noise or hiss.. and dont want blue tooth interferred with either.

The 3sixty.2 is probably a bit expensive too.

I got the opinion the H650 is better than the H701?

Is a processor going to sound as good as an Alpine 9887 with imprint? That was my initial idea, just depends how it would treat the AUX input of my speaker out from bluetooth kit. Whether it would switch inputs properly etc, otherwise keen to keep factory HU.

I probably can wait for the Audison, as my head unit is 4 weeks away. When is it available here? Assume installers will thave the mic etc to calibrate the EQ.

The hissing issue is a problem with the RF's as far as what i've just read today.

this is the review i remember reading...based on this, i wasnt overly excited by the h650
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/showth...hlight=pxe-h650

Audison's BitOne was supposed to be here in July I think, however I'd imagine we won't see anything until about september. However, send an email to RMA Phil, he should be able to give you a heads up.

I wasn't aware that the BitOne came with an auto calibration mic though?

Don't even dream about the JBL. Its the best of the lot but given it was supposed to be out 2 years ago it might not even see the shelves.

BitOne gets my vote on specs for the moment..

[edit: oopsy. my bad. it does come with autoeq. http://blog.sounddomain.com/gadget/2008/04...dison.html#more]

Probably of little value to you but it seems any noise created by the RF 3sixty is from using it as a LOC, if you use an LOC (such as an Audiocontrol LC6) then use the RCA inputs apparently it works perfectly fine.


Just an FYI

Jono

A processor isn't going to fix these issues. Its only going to mask them and you might still be left with good but not amazing sound. The gear you have is all quality, it should sound great, hence I would research about tuning and more tuning first (ie playing with gains, phasing, crossover points, paning etc) before going to a sound processor.
Its also cheaper to get it tuned than to start buying more bits and it means you keep it simple (KIS principle)...
The other reason could be limits from your OEM heaunit. Borrow a half decent aftermarket head unit & temporary wire it into the car, straigh in to amp and listen, let your ears decide what sounds better.
thats my 2c advice.

You're not the first one to suggest that. I think i should definitely hook up an 9887 or something for a listen as i'm not sure how much better a processer will be. To be honest it still doesn't have the detail that my old a4 Audi had (Audiovox HU, Blaupunkt CD changer and Bose 6x9 setup). That's why i'm a bit disappointed VW have skimped on this setup - most of the problem can be fixed with replacing the amp and crossovers but i suspect the HU is definitely the problem. Shame it doesn't have a proper line out.

I think i should rethink this and go for sound quality first. All the OEM integration is nice but no point if it doesn't sound good. As you said , it's good gear so should be amazing..

I went down this path with my VE. I learnt that you can have the highest qualitly electronics and components in the world, but they are only going to sound as good as the OEM HU - which wasn't that good. Shame really. I had a 3Sixty.2 and had a lot of problems with alternator noise as well, although that my be my lack of installing skills as others have installed them without the issues I had with mine. When I connected my old CDA-9815 to the system it just came alive! That was when I decided to pull everything out and accept that I'm not going to get great SQ from the OEM HU, no matter how much processing I had.

That's why i can't decide, as the HU is holding back the speakers from coming alive. An Alpine HU with imprint would still be better than these processers i think.. without knowing heaps about it, they may able to tune the frequencies but not sure if they can add detail.

Will wait and see what NF suggest. I'll have to decide between OEM functionality and better sound quality with aftermarket HU.

We, as the distributor for the 3Sixty, have quite a few installed in our demo cars and daily drivers. One of these cars is a Commodore VE SS, all our dealers said we would get noise in a VE but it is whisper quiet. Maybe it is in the install location.... which is behind and above the glovebox.

We have had a few problems with 3Sixty's losing Bluetooth connection here but they have had more Bluetooth problems in the USA. This caused a halt on production in the US and new revised Bluetooth units arrive on our shores early August.

Thanks for the info/confirmation. Not to stray to far off topic, can you tell me if the VE has a fuse box or similar close to the glove box? (My 3sixty is in the same location above behind the glovebox in the XR4 but has the accssory fuses panel behind it)


Jono

any system that converts an analogue signal to digital, processes it, then converts back to analogue will most likely degrade the sound, rather than improving it.

my advice for ultimate SQ is to either go direct digital to a good processor, or stick with analog-only.
if the installation is good, then any processing required is minimal and can be performed by a simple high-quality unit.

on the processor side of things, the ones which measure time in milliseconds and have at least 31-band EQ per channel are the only ones worth considering.

That is ideal, but not many HU with digital out, and i've decided to keep functionality and integration by using my factory HU. is the Processing stage digital within these devices? I assume speaker line out- >processor -> rca out to amp..



Which ones would you suggest? I dont need competition stuff, just something for ~$1k or less to clean up the sound a bit.

Cheers,

Went in and tried another HU with my setup and think is probably worth it since i've come this far. Wasn't miles better but then again was a cheap 350$ HU, and i'd appreciate it more over time. Definitely noticed a better/higher soundstage, more detail etc.. I just didn't want to add a processor then find out i should have got a HU.

Decided to go for an Alpine 502 2din and PXA-H701.. NOt sure about the digital conversions and back to analogue etc, assume the 502 doesn't have digital out which is the only shame as to not keep digital all the way. Anyway analogue should be ok, and main thing is all the steering wheel controls will work nicely.

Cheers,

I'm under the impression that the 502 has digital out (Someone from Alpine want to confirm this??)

in which case, you just purchase the alpine optical fiber (normal 'JB HiFi' ones won't fit into the 502 connector [ if it has one])

should be awesome

I think it does have optical out (or certainly should). Although it has a 24bit DAC i'm sure would be ok. Depends if the H701's DAC is better, and use the better of the two. Pretty new to it all, but does it go digital again for the tuning/processing part? dont really want to go analogue-digital-analogue as you pointed out.

Only thing bad is alpine hit you up for all the extras, when some single din units have bluetooth etc..

will have to look into it.
Cheers,

The 502 does have Optical out but the cables aren't available for a while apparently. Don't think i'd worry about one anyway.

Just wondering how different the sound would be with a processor, ie the PXA-H701? The main thing i wanted was sub gain control and will probably set and forget it.

The HU should make the most difference in better detail and a quality source compared to the OEM one.

Cheers,

Bump.. Just curious how the PXA-H100 goes, as the 701 is really an overkill for me. Is the 300$ imprint much better than only a HU. I would have thought a 7 band EQ would be enough to get good results.

My orig idea was to tune the factory HU and DQL-8, but may still be lacking detail, however maintaining OEM & functionality.

Next step up was to replace the HU with an ALpine 2din, giving me gain (sub) control. I though this would be a step up in sound.

Don't really want to buy and after market HU & processor, unless it was an imprint under $300.

Keen for your thoughts - perhaps the speakers are pretty laid back and will sound similar in any setup. I dont mind balanced sound, but could have some more impact etc.

Given that cars & road noise aren't the perfect listening environment, i was aiming to keep it pretty simple and do any intentive listening at home .

Regards,

The PXE-H701 and W502E combo does sound really good. i shouldn't have underestimated the processor as it got rid of some frequencies i wasn't liking in the speakers, so was worried about nothing.. Quite versatile, and happy with the sound now after NF hooked up an audiocontrol real time spectrum analyzer to get the EQ to my liking.

360.2 would be my choice if you can't wait for Bit One, but from what I've been reading about the Bit One from an American source who happens to be deal with Electromedia over there, I'd be waiting for it and saving pennies. It will be well worth the wait if it does all its suppose to for OEM upgrades...

Out of interest is it the first processer from Audison? Without knowing anything about it may be a bit early to speculate..

its always fun doing the trial and error while waiting for the right product to come around... or you could just change the head unit and be done with it

oh I got an alpine 502 and H701 so sound is much better!
Not sure if I mentioned it in this thread.

You probably did, but I didnt bother reading every post

Audison is a good brand and hopefully the BitOne is as good as everyone says. I just couldn't really wait that long .

The H701 is an excellent processor in itself. I wasn't aware it worked with the 502 though.

Sure does, and the 2din screen is a pretty good interface to control it. Not sure when the alpine optical cable is out, but i may fit one keeping digital all the way to the processor. It's pretty clean through the Ai-net cable anyway..

we believe that the optical cable is called KWE-610A

not sure when its available, ive emailed alpine 4times about it with no reply. Ive also pre-ordered this cable from my local car audio store.

Thanks, as long as they aren't too $$ (< $100) may add one. Hopefully they arent too many months away.

Btw my audio store advised not to use the Panasonic cable some people are as it doesn't fit properly and Alpine dont advise it either.

Cheers,

I bought the 360.2, and I'm extremly happy with it's results...

At the moment until I upgrade, I'm only using the factory speakers running off low power from a four channel amp as well as I simply sub setup, and it's keeping more than happy...

When I looked at buying the 360 it offered all the adjustments that i would want out of a high end head unit, only i can install this into any car without a worry. I would love to buy a good headunit but with the way cars maunifactors are integrating all there systems together it approaching impossible... (Well almost)

However this is just my opinion

surprised there arent more of this sorta thread... people ripping out factory integrated system putting in after HU's looks so ugly sorry to say.
Ill be getting an alpine pxeh650 soon and integrating it with my car, hopefully the results are good, and you'd be none the wiser to look at it

Good luck with that, its certainly worth trying the OEM head unit out first. Then you may realize you can't polish a turd and should start with a decent source. Not to mention if you want ipod &/or USB connectivity, plus bluetooth the factory options are pretty damn expensive and maynot work that well. What brand head unit - some prob still dont have mp3, and you have to like the head unit to start with.

At least with the 2din alpines it may be after market but one of the neater looking ones.

BIT ONE will not be using a microphone, full details as and when they are released.

Meant to say depends if you're doing an upgrade on the cheap or not. how good is your factory head unit anyway, most are crap. No amount of processing will make it sound as good as a simple after market head unit. But for better sound you have to buy more stuff from the shop..

I HAVE A 3SIXTY , GREAT PIECE OF KIT FOR OEM

Sweet, how is the interferance?

RSKIKR how is your setup going?