Audio Update, Bad News

[matttheazn]

If you want to keep all functions on the oem radio, tap to the output of the Bose amp, which is in the right passenger kick panel. The outputs to a dsp to clean up the signal. I have a dsp/amp with a subwoofer output, which is easier but you could go with just a dsp into an external amp(s).

Make sure you tag each output to the dsp, that way you dont overpower the tweeters.

after my 48 hours of research, it seems as though it is impossible to get a clean factory through the OEM headunit uncompressed. To play music unfiltered music through my phone I would need a sperate input to the dsp. So to properly tap all 12 Bose channels and resum them I would need at least 12 channels of high level inputs + phone. I am now looking at the Helix V12 or v18. fml lol.

Did you tap all 12 channels? How is the user friendliness of the Audison? How much was your dsp? Do you think a Helix is worth it?

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[Snmtazz70]

Front tweete, front doors mid/tweet separate and rear doors which are one output for both.

 

[Snmtazz70]

Audison is great but the Helix software is more user friendly and great also. Both clean up the inputs from the bose amp.

 

[matttheazn]

Front tweete, front doors mid/tweet separate and rear doors which are one output for both.

so are you using all inputs on your audison? 8 max? Or did you just tap the speakers that you replaced? I am trying to figure out if I actually need a 12 input dsp to replace all the speakers.

 

[evolution46and2]

For those of you who are saying you've used a DSP that's cleaned up the Bose factory EQ, can you confirm your bass output as your volume increases? I've installed Focal Utopias up front, added Utopia center, and an Alpine Type R sub. I used high level inputs from the front doors, front tweeters, center, and sub fed into an Alpine PXE-C80-88 amp/DSP and then RCAs to Kicker LX1250.1 amp to power the sub. It sounds good, but when I turn the volume up, the bass doesn't turn up with it. It rolls off as I turn it up. I've run the Alpine AutoEQ and it sounded much better after I did, but the bass response when I turn the volume up still is disappointing.

 

[matttheazn]

For those of you who are saying you've used a DSP that's cleaned up the Bose factory EQ, can you confirm your bass output as your volume increases? I've installed Focal Utopias up front, added Utopia center, and an Alpine Type R sub. I used high level inputs from the front doors, front tweeters, center, and sub fed into an Alpine PXE-C80-88 amp/DSP and then RCAs to Kicker LX1250.1 amp to power the sub. It sounds good, but when I turn the volume up, the bass doesn't turn up with it. It rolls off as I turn it up. I've run the Alpine AutoEQ and it sounded much better after I did, but the bass response when I turn the volume up still is disappointing.

Yeah you are stuck with the Bose DSP still. EQing the factory signal back to unfiltered will never be as good as a direct unfiltered source. I have resigned to the fact that I will need 1 music player direct into the dsp and my phone connected to the OEM radio for phone and maps.

A better DSP might do a better job, but probably splitting hairs. Bose sucks if you want to upgrade it. For most people its just fine tho. With certain DSPs like Helix, you can have gain adjustments based on volume, so at low volumes you can boost the subwoofer, or vise versa.

How do you like the utopias? LOL did the speakers cost 2x as much as the rest of the build? I am looking at the k2ms or Morels, or Audiofrogs. Did you also do the tweeters? Did the center fit no problem, or any other issues installing the focals?

 

[evolution46and2]

Yeah you are stuck with the Bose DSP still. EQing the factory signal back to unfiltered will never be as good as a direct unfiltered source. I have resigned to the fact that I will need 1 music player direct into the dsp and my phone connected to the OEM radio for phone and maps.

A better DSP might do a better job, but probably splitting hairs. Bose sucks if you want to upgrade it. For most people its just fine tho. With certain DSPs like Helix, you can have gain adjustments based on volume, so at low volumes you can boost the subwoofer, or vise versa.

How do you like the utopias? LOL did the speakers cost 2x as much as the rest of the build? I am looking at the k2ms or Morels, or Audiofrogs. Did you also do the tweeters? Did the center fit no problem, or any other issues installing the focals?

I wish I would've listened to my gut when it told me I wouldn't get a quality signal going to new quality equipment. My audio shop assured me I could use the DSP to correct any wonky EQ from the factory. I'm a little disappointed in the amount of money I spent on my build vs the final product because of the Bose EQ that exists. I wish it wasn't so clunky to play from a music player straight to the DSP because it sounds infinitely better.

The speakers were a good chunk of the total cost, yeah. I got a little bit of a deal on em, but they were spends for sure. I have the K2 Powers in my old car (with the yellow aramid fiber dome, not the Frak), and I like those speakers too. When I was listening to them side by side, the Utopias were noticeably better in every regard-better bass response, warmer more controlled midbass, and more transparent, airy highs. I really really like em. I find myself listening to more acoustic stuff because I just love listening to the musicians pluck strings and listening to fingers on fretboards. Truthfully, if I would have known I would be this disappointed in the bass rolloff with the sub, I might have skipped it and just gone with these Utopias-their response is pretty good. My installer worked magic in getting this stuff to fit in the car. He got everything to fit in factory locations, and it looks perfect. They did some serious work to get the tweeters to fit, but they're there. He didn't say anything about difficulty getting the center to fit.

 

[matttheazn]

I wish I would've listened to my gut when it told me I wouldn't get a quality signal going to new quality equipment. My audio shop assured me I could use the DSP to correct any wonky EQ from the factory. I'm a little disappointed in the amount of money I spent on my build vs the final product because of the Bose EQ that exists. I wish it wasn't so clunky to play from a music player straight to the DSP because it sounds infinitely better.

The speakers were a good chunk of the total cost, yeah. I got a little bit of a deal on em, but they were spends for sure. I have the K2 Powers in my old car (with the yellow aramid fiber dome, not the Frak), and I like those speakers too. When I was listening to them side by side, the Utopias were noticeably better in every regard-better bass response, warmer more controlled midbass, and more transparent, airy highs. I really really like em. I find myself listening to more acoustic stuff because I just love listening to the musicians pluck strings and listening to fingers on fretboards. Truthfully, if I would have known I would be this disappointed in the bass rolloff with the sub, I might have skipped it and just gone with these Utopias-their response is pretty good. My installer worked magic in getting this stuff to fit in the car. He got everything to fit in factory locations, and it looks perfect. They did some serious work to get the tweeters to fit, but they're there. He didn't say anything about difficulty getting the center to fit.

damn if the utopia 1" tweeters are difficult to fit. I am going to have some issues trying to fit the Audiofrog GB15s I am looking at. :/

 

[evolution46and2]

damn if the utopia 1" tweeters are difficult to fit. I am going to have some issues trying to fit the Audiofrog GB15s I am looking at. :/

I hope you can figure out how to make it work, man. I wasn't the one physically doing the install, but the guy that did mine said that if the tweeter would've been any bigger at all, he wouldn't have been able to make it work. As it stands right now, there is the very slightest bulge in my A pillars if you stare really hard. I wouldn't have noticed it myself until my installer pointed it out.

 

[evolution46and2]

I hope you can figure out how to make it work, man. I wasn't the one physically doing the install, but the guy that did mine said that if the tweeter would've been any bigger at all, he wouldn't have been able to make it work. As it stands right now, there is the very slightest bulge in my A pillars if you stare really hard. I wouldn't have noticed it myself until my installer pointed it out.

Well, damn. Since I posted my last message, that ever so slight bulge caused a crack in my a-pillar. I'm not real happy right now. Ugh

 

[ashmostro]

FYI. I have hacked the Honda/Acura digital protocols that permit installing a full digital aftermarket system.

Details in this link.

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