Difficult Car Audio Experience

Man, I'm sorry to hear (read) about your frustrations! I wonder why your amp isn't splitting off the signal to go to the sub from the head unit. That's what the issue is (as far as I can tell). So weird.

Our headunits are different, so I can only speak to what I am using. In fact, I just wrote up what I did last night.

 

The built in DSP in the Sony amp is supposed to do what the LC7 or equivalent accomplishes. Either the built in DSP isn't sufficient to clean up the signals from the HU or the installers don't know how to adjust it properly. It is possible the EntunePlus headunit is harder to clean up than the EntunePremium headunit. I only have experience with the latter. No doubt though replacing the headunit entirely will fix everything if you want to just do that.

 

How are they splitting/summing the signal here for your sub input?

 

I am running my stock head unit with Memphis Audio in the doors pushed by a 1000w amp and 2 Memphis audio 10’s pushed by a 1700w amp and it sounds amazing.

Are you counting on the head unit to push subs without any extra power? I hope not.

 

That's the word I was looking for!!!!

 

Yeah, I was wondering the same -- like are they only sending the rear speaker signal into the amp or something.

 

My sub subs off of the front signal (

$720 Arc Audio XDi 850.5 - Arc Audio 5-Channel 850W RMS XDi V2 Amplifier

Arc Audio XDi 850.5). My inputs are speaker level. The amp came with RCA plugs you solder on to plug into the amp.

 

I kept my stock HU (not JBL). I ran speedwire from the HU to a line out converter (AudioControl LC6i 6-Channel Factory Integration Unit), which in turn then runs to a 5 channel amp (JBL GTR-7535 75W x 4 + 350W x 1 Car Amplifier). New speaker wires from the amp to new door speakers (Focal ISS 165 6-1/2" 2-Way Component Speakers in front, Focal RCX-165 6-1/2" 2-way Speakers in back). Also added a custom built box with 10" Kicker sub and Amazon knock-off Dynamat.

The system sounds great, plenty of control on gain, crossovers, etc and I'm in for < $1000 total (did all the work myself). Zero need for a new HU.

 

The manual isn't exactly easy to use.... Seriously.

 

Yeah, I agree. It looks like to use DSP mode, you have to set it to 2ch mode and connect only the front HU speaker outputs to the amp. Otherwise the DSP is bypassed. Sounds like it might be one of 2 things: 1) They used the rear speaker outputs from the HU, and they are tuned funky and the DSP cannot compensate or 2) it's not set up in DSP mode.

If either of those cases are true, I would try correcting it and seeing what it does. That said, getting a new head unit should certainly fix it.

 

I really hate that amp and I don't even own it.

From the spade connectors to the nearly nonsensical manual....ya stunk it up Sony.