Anyone using a JL Fix 86 with their factory stereo?

Run into a bit of an issue in my system and trying to pin point if its the stereo, the fix or my install on my 3rd Gen Tacoma with entune.

I attached a screenshot of the TuN app connected to my FiX after calibration. As you can see the output signal on the right speaker is about 5-6db higher across all frequencies. No clue why. Support from JL is saying some stock stereos have an "all-pass filter that helps provide a 2 seat image for factory systems" but I can't find any evidence that Tacomas or any Toyotas have this on the stock entune system. I'm only using the front speakers for inputs as per JL's recommendation.

Is anyone else using the FiX? I'd love to hear from you or see a screenshot of TuN connected to your JL FiX.

 

What does it looks like without any correction? What signal are you getting straight from the radio? Does it appear to have that same 5-6db boost?

 

The red line is the input signal, it's actually a little stronger on the left speaker. The orange line is the "correct" output signal. The way I understand it from the support guy at JL, either that factory stereo has an all-pass filter or there's a bad connection somewhere in my wiring account for that difference and the JL Fix, overcompensates poorly for it?

 

Well that red line definitely is not the input signs for that radio lol. That looks like a DSP-corrected curve

here are other measurements taken from the 3rd gen radio. Post 5

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-entune-audio-curve-graph.608790/#post-20577882

 

I'm not 100% that input signal is correct, however I think there's a few explanations as to why it might not match his signal.

1) The test tone from JL's calibration CD is not pink noise. You can listen to it here (warning turn your volume wayyyy down, and signal comes in 20 seconds) https://www.dropbox.com/s/3gs3321br93podb/FiX Calibration Track.wav?dl=0

2) His steps are 3db where mine are 10db, so peaks and valleys look significantly larger compared to mine

3) He has premium entune vs my basic. And I don't know what inputs he's using. I'm just using the front inputs.

But thats what I'm hoping to achieve, find someone else's calibration graphs to compare. Maybe its a problem with the Fix, the software or just my install...

 

It almost looks like the balance is not centered in the head unit.

 

I am currently using a Fix86 with my entune radio premium non-JBL though (I have the front and rears for the inputs for the fader option) and I also noticed the same thing when I was calibrating it, no matter what volume it was calibrated at and with all outputs set to 1v. I had a very lengthy email conversation with Eric Cole at JL and after trying many different possible solutions, he came up with the same conclusions that the entune radio possibly has an all pass filter which cannot be bypassed and the Fix86 could be overcompensating.

It was very easy to tell that the passenger's side speakers had way more output than the driver's side as the imaging was way off. While tuning the eq, I had to really bring down the db's on the passenger side and had to bring the driver's side up some. I don't have my laptop with me so I don't have a picture on me of the calibration screen, but it looks exactly like yours. I do have a picture of what my eq settings looked like as I was achieving center imaging right under the rear view mirror, (it wasn't the finally tune so it may look funky, but you'll get an idea of how much I had to mess with the db's). I'll get a picture of the final tune when I get my laptop if you want.



*Note* My tweeters are in my sail panels pointing at opposite headrest so tuning may be different for you. Calibration volume is at 45 on the entune. I am using the DRC205 as the master volume.

My system sounds amazing now with nice center imaging, but man what a headache it was trying to figure out the problem/solution.

 

This is useful for me as I have a DSP on order (different brand) and the same stock radio. Did you use a microphone in the tuning process?

 

I used a mic that was for my home theater equalization and a RTA app on my phone. Not the best options but it's been working decently for my needs.

 

Apologies for dredging up an old thread but after days of scouring the boards..you seem to have found the most success beating Toyotas all pass filters.
I've been in touch with Eric Cole JL Audio as well because I have a Fix and Twk that I'm thinking of installing.
You mentioned the fade feature..is that the only reason you use front and rear signal inputs? With how flat the rear signal looks in your image, I wonder if using rear only for input might make life easier?

2. Might you have an image of your final tune?
3. Would you do things differently if you were starting from scratch?
I'm truck shopping currently and it's between the new gen Tacoma and Tundra. Likely base radio for easier stereo tuning. Seems JBL equipped makes life even more difficult for aftermarket sound in the new generation Toyota trucks.

Thanks for your time and assistance!