Just ordered The new JBL MS-8 MS Series Digital Processor

Aloha all,

As many of you know, I have JBL with Entune in my truck. I am planning on doing a full system in it, however this will be the first part I change out. I am going to install everything in stages. People say this thing is amazing vs stock so i am going to give it a shot, I am still going to do all of my gear, but I want to see what the difference is with this...

Will post more info when I start the install...

 

Good luck...

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/diyma-sq-forum-technical-advanced/8257-jbls-ms-8-processor.html

 

I wasted so much time on that unit it makes me want to throw up. I think I have a full page rant written on that somewhere...

 

Can you explain some? Did you have the JBL ? if the thing is crap i will cancel my order, I haven't found much bad things about this unit...

If it didn't work for you, what did you end up doing?

 

Both of us ended up with a Audison Bitone.1. I bought mine for a different vehicle, and ended up selling the car to get the Tacoma. I then did some more research (after the unit had been out for a while) and decided to get out while it was NIB, and get back into a fully user tuned item. I was coming from Zapco DSP6/Zapco DC amplifiers.

Not to take away from Stevens experience, many that buy them are happy. People that like some control, or to change things out and want the item to give them repeatable results usually sell them off.

You get very little of your own controls, many have complained about lack of bass response, and you can run the same "auto tune" on the same day, back to back, in the same position, and get different results.

Then there are some that have problems with the unit, and JBL is sometimes slow to help.

 

I would have gone with the BIT one, but i have no access to a RTA and didn't want to chance not being able to get the system flat....

I needed something with some kind of auto config, and then i can go from there..

 

If you have a ton of time on your hands, and know what your doing then have at it! If you kinda new to the whole thing then you might be in over your head. I would never use a MS-8 Personally.

 

The unit is a witchcraft mindfuck. It does some things VERY well and some stuff just awful.

Consider this, I had a system in my truck that I was running with passive crossovers to protect the tweeters. I was running the midbass drivers from 80hz ALL THE WAY UP...seriously. And the subs were 80hz and down. No EQ, no time alignment. I really liked the sound of the system. It had soul, bottom end, clarity...just no imaging because I didn't have time alignment.

Then I installed the MS8 and let it do it's thing. Before we get anywhere with this conversation, yes I know how to work the unit and yes I'm a very skilled installer. So I know I was absolutely doing things right.

After the auto tune it sucked the life out of the music. It took what was a good sounding EQ curve and shit all over it. I believe (correct me if I'm wrong Matt) I described it as "clock radio-esque". The imaging was very good but the SOUND of the music was terrible.

I screwed with that thing for WEEKS and never got it right. It was 100+ degrees outside and I was sitting in the truck, engine off, with those stupid binural microphones on my head trying to get things right. I tried absolutely everything. Sometimes I would think I had got it right and then I'd realize I was missing some part of the music completely.

And before anyone says, "You got a bad unit" I already thought of that. I sent it back under warranty and got a replacement. Plugged that one in and no dice. I exchanged countless emails with Andy Wehmeyer, chief of design for the MS8 and we couldn't get it right.

I find that the results with the MS8 are either LOVE it or HATE it. I think you know where I'm at. You could try an MS8 for sure. If it doesn't work out just return it and throw a bit.1 in it's place. The hookups are exactly the same.

 

A couple things come to mind. First very few people like a flat curve on an RTA. I myself dont, but thats up to you. If you are competing, and need that - well, buy one and get a real processor you have control of.

Next, you can get an RTA pretty cheap. I want to say well under $100 bucks, with a free program. Check out this: http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum...embers/38290-how-make-your-rta-$100-dlls.html

I assume, if you are getting one to install yourself, that you have some experience with this sort of thing, and have had some time to decide what sound you like. If the MS8 works, and you like it, GREAT!

If not, dont you think that you can use a processor, and some time, to get some results you like? May not be as good as an RTA, and some trained ears/experience, but you should be able to get close...

 

MY first proccessor i had was made by audio control:



I hated it! Hated!! It never sounded correct. I replaced it with a JL audio clean sweap for about 1/2 of the price and everything was good

I am used to very high end gear, and I am very picky, tho living in hawaii, we dont have audio shops, so everything has to be ordered online :/



This setup i had sounded better then stock, but didnt sound like a 2 - 3k system...

 

do you guys have the JBL System or aftermarket decks?

 

I think i just found a harness so i don't have to cut the factory one apart.
I hate cutting factory wires :/

 

Steven is using an Eclipse DD nav unit I think. I bought it for the factory BMW stereo, but it has a stereo with full rang outputs going to the factory amp, and I had tapped into the outputs before the amp, so I have full range low level outputs to go to whatever my choice was - was running Zapco at the time.

 

Yes I was using an Eclipse AVN726e

 

ok so i have been reading over the directions for the bit one. I guess it really does do a ton, but its like a grand....

 

Yes, the Bit One is a miracle worker. Singlemost impressive addition to my sound system, at least.

 

IS 600 a good deal for the bitone?

 

It seems average from what I have seen on DIYMA. I think you can find em new (on a hook up) for around 650-700. Used seems to go $550-650 depending on condition.

 

ok I took your advise, I picked up a open box one from the dealer I got it out the door for 600 + shipping. He didn't have the CD's so he was going to track them down.

Other then that one is on its way, never used...

JBL order has been canceled..

 

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/bikinpunks-product-review-forum/83066-jbls-ms-8-a.html


Havent been on in awhile..realize you already went in the direction of the Bit-one.

While there are a few members here who are STRONGLY against the MS-8, its important to remember there are plenty who would HIGHLY recommend it.

Everyone is allowed their opinion..and experiences, systems, and tastes vary...different strokes for different folks...

For others in the future who may find this thread, I would suggest auditioning the MS-8 in person if possible, or at the very least research for yourself. There is an endless supply of threads on even more sites devoted to this topic alone...the provided link being just 1.

I, having used both the Bit one and MS-8, prefer the MS-8. The MS-8, in my system, did as much for my system as 6 months of tuning the Bit-one...and thats without the center channel which is where the MS-8 shines.

Sure, the bit one is an amazing processor...but for those of us who would rather enjoy their music rather then spend a year tuning, tweaking, and pulling out RTA's every weekend...well, the MS-8 is in a league of its own...imho.

And regarding sound quality, I would put my system up against anyones on this forum (in a Tacoma or otherwise) and not be embarrased.