Audio Control LC7i or Other LOC with JBL on '21 Off-Road

Hi all. Have lurked over the years and finally felt the need to post.

Has anyone managed to run an LC7i or other LOC with the factory JBL head unit while gutting and replacing all other components? Searches avail to nothing definitive. Apologies in advance if there is something I've missed.

I'm trying to determine what route I want to take given that COVID has logistically fucked all efforts at acquiring the head unit that I'm after (Pioneer DMH-WC6600NEX).

My previous experience with LOC's has never been the greatest, and I've always gone the route of replacing the HU whenever possible. However, my understanding is that I'll also lose some of the factory features such as camera view, clinometer, etc.

It's been a hellaciously slow process of gathering every to make this work and I've honestly just considered selling it all and trying to (not likely) learn to live with the JBL system.

Currently have on hand:

JL Audio TwK-88 DSP
JL Audio HD 600/4
JL Audio XD-PCS 1/0-2B Wiring Kit
JL Audio 13TW-5v2-2
JL Audio HD 750/1
Hertz Cento 165L for front sound stage
Mr Marv Box & Amp Rack, Raptor Lined, Gold Binding Posts
Noico Sound Deadener

Frustrated and learning on y'all for some suggestions/input.

 

So the JBL system operates a bit differently than what you’re used to

the head unit just sends a digital signal back to the JBL amp. This signal doesn’t have EQ, volume control, anything. This digital signal tells the JBL amp what to do. Then all of the audio, EQ, volume, fade, balance, everything is done internally at the amp.

you have 3 options for upgrades
1) add something like an lc8i as a LOC. This is least ideal because you’re limited to the JBL signal and EQ
2)pull the JBL amp and install a DSR1. This is an entry level DSP that can interpret that digital signal from the head unit and will give you a good way to install a new amp. This is a god option if you’re not looking to go too crazy on the install
3) install a Pac AmpPro. This creates 6 channels of perfect pre-amp signal. This is ideal if you want to install a mid to upper level DSP capable of more than the DSR1 is

 

I'm just getting in the middle of this. Unfortunately places like Crutchfield say this AmpPro and the DSR1 don't work on the 21 or 22. I have a 22 sport and need to get a clean signal to my Helix DSP. Anyone conquered this yet on a 22 JBL system?

 

They never update stuff in the first few months. Call PAC or idatalink and ask them directly.

 

I'll call them tomorrow. There was another guy that you replied to earlier, wondering if he got this accomplished. I'll relocate the JBL amp as that thing needs to be out of the way. Wondering if the DSR1 is better at cleaning up the signal than the PAC.

 

Neither of them “clean up” the signal so get that out of your mind. They are both getting a perfect digital signal and both will give you perfectly flat outputs. The DSR1 just has a DSP built in already, but you already have the helix so I would personally get the AmpPro if it works in a ‘22

 

Good grief man, try being less condescending. A clean signal is meant as a full frequency response, with a flat eq curve that has no time alignment. Simply all I meant. Chill.

 

Trying to convey info through text just doesn’t work great. I promise you I didn’t mean anything to be condescending. When most people say “clean up” they think “fix” so that’s where my brain went. A lot of people have a hard time grasping the concept of the clean outputs from something like the AmpPro and they still think they need a LOC or something.

So if it came across as me being a jerk, my bad.

 

No worries. Called PAC and they couldn't make the promise the 22 was the same but Crutchfield apparently has tested it.
Got one on order. I didn't want this damn JBL system but it's the only way to get leather and heated seats.

 

Yeah they force you into it to get any other options. I told myself I would upgrade my own stereo and get heated/cooled Katzkin seat covers.
Did the stereo and never got around to the seats lol. Maybe one day

 

Installed an Amp pro I bought from Crutchfield a little while back in a '21 limited with the JBL system. Have been really happy with it. If you go that route and aren't rewiring to the doors, get the amp harness as well. Makes life really easy once you identify the factory wiring for each speaker location (posted a couple of times in other threads) to be plug and play. I do agree that I'll probably add a DSP to my setup on top of the Amp Pro at some point down the road.

 

so the jbl head unit outputs a coaxial 4 or 5 channel SPDIF signal?

different idea. he's already got a the jl twk-88, that model dsp accepts both optical and coaxial digital signals. can't he use that to pick up the oem spdif signal, thereby replacing the oem amp and everything downstream that he's already planning on replacing? why does he need the rockford fosgate model of something that he's already got?

even better, all the rca's could be ran for the new head unit install, it'd just take reprogramming the twk-88 later once the new hu comes off the 'intergalactic backorder' list.

 

neither. It outputs a data signal and the JBL amp basically has a computer inside that decodes it. This data is all the audio, fade, balance, EQ, everything. So unfortunately it’s not as easy as coax or optical. That’s where the AmpPro or DSR1 come in. They are the computer that does the decoding