Advice on Current Equipment Upgrade

[FALaholic]

So this is what I have from previous vehicle:

Pair of Diamond Audio HEX component speakers
Alpine F250 4 channel Amp

Elemental Designs nine-one bass amp
2- Elemental Designs 10" subs

I have to keep the factory RBZ head unit.

Is it worth trying to integrate any of this into the current system? To give you an idea I was seriously considering the Kicker powered sub, and maybe some speaker swaps then call it a day. I don't need an urban artillery sound system...just after good loud clean sound. The factory system is decent but sounds a bit muddy. would just a speaker swap clean this up?

 

[Etroze86]

Throw it in you have some great gear there use it.

 

[kkreit01]

Use it, but you'll also need a DSP, or at minimum, the AudioControl LC6i with input summing. That's the only way to get a full-range signal to your Diamond speakers.

 

[FALaholic]

Thanks for the responses so far. So I posted in the DIY Car Audio forum with what I actually was planning:

I am looking for advice/guidance on a decent hitting SQ system.

This is what I am anticipating doing to my 2011 Crew Cab:

I have the stock RBZ HU. I have to keep it for various reasons. I already have on hand the following:

-Elemental Designs Nine.2 2-channel Amp, Alpine MFP-F250 4-channel Amp.

-Elemental Designs 11KV 10" sub (actually have two but only employing the one for this build...need the storage)

-Diamond Audio D660 6.5 Compnents

-I would like to run off the HU into an LC2i with Accubass
-From the LC2i to the ED Nine.2 to the sub
-From the LC2i to the Alpine F250 to the Diamonds in the front
-Possibly pick up either decent component set or 6x9 for the rear also ran off the Alpine
-Install Sub in driver side under seat box
-Mount everything behind the rear seat on a mounting board.

So that said do you guys see any holes in this logic, or plan?

Everyone keeps advising to go with a better external processor, but man those things are high...almost cost prhibitive! Is the LC6 (which is within budget) give me anything further than the LC2 other than channels?

 

[baum]

Unless you are planning on running 2 lc2i's (one for each amp) an LC6 will be a better option. Reason being in you will loose all your balance/fadding, your going to want to be able to adjust the sub independently from the fronts.

a quick google search you can find an LC6 for about 110. only about 30 more than a lc2 (unless you own them already)

 

[kkreit01]

LC2i will not work well. It does not have summing capabilities. If you want AcuBass, get the LC7i. If you grab the signal off the HU (instead of amp), you lose Bass/Treble/Mid control at your HU. All the sound processing is done in the OE Alpine amp via the canbus. Thus, you need to grab the signal after the amp if you still want to somewhat control it. That's why LC6i should be used at a minimum. Watch ebay. I think I grabbed mine for slightly over $100 ($102?). I'm summing the front doors, rear doors, and rear sub. This provided the best sound for me. I tried all combinations. The LC8i may even be better -- because you could add the 8th channel in for summing. However, my highs are still plenty. I really wish I went with LCQ-1 -- which is the same -- with built-in EQ. The OE signal still could use some EQing -- after being summed. I really want the JBL MS-8, but no funds for that.

Yeah -- it's not fun upgrading these systems. It takes a lot of time + money to make a significant difference.

 

[FALaholic]

I really want to be able to control from the HU. MAN I really didnt want to spend that much on this upgrade!

There looks to be some (what I would consider) serious limitations with the LC7i...no head unit control??

Considering the Rockford Fosgate 3sixty.2 or 3sixty.3

 

[FALaholic]

LC2i will not work well. It does not have summing capabilities. If you want AcuBass, get the LC7i. If you grab the signal off the HU (instead of amp), you lose Bass/Treble/Mid control at your HU. All the sound processing is done in the OE Alpine amp via the canbus. Thus, you need to grab the signal after the amp if you still want to somewhat control it. That's why LC6i should be used at a minimum. Watch ebay. I think I grabbed mine for slightly over $100 ($102?). I'm summing the front doors, rear doors, and rear sub. This provided the best sound for me. I tried all combinations. The LC8i may even be better -- because you could add the 8th channel in for summing. However, my highs are still plenty. I really wish I went with LCQ-1 -- which is the same -- with built-in EQ. The OE signal still could use some EQing -- after being summed. I really want the JBL MS-8, but no funds for that.

Yeah -- it's not fun upgrading these systems. It takes a lot of time + money to make a significant difference.

Wait I just re-read what you had posted. Since I have the non-alpine system I should be able to grab the signal at the HU and still have tunability at the HU correct?

 

[BIGBLACKHEMI]

Non alpine RBZ???

 

[kkreit01]

Correct. Even if you have Alpine, you can still control the sound at the OE stereo -- as long as you grab the high-level signals after the OE Alpine amp (output of the OE amp). Not all LOCs can accept this signal, but the AudioControl devices work nicely.

If you don't have Alpine, you might be able to get away with LC2i, and use splitters/built-in filters on your amps.

 

[Etroze86]

If you want best of best sounding out of what you have the DSP is for sure the way to go. If you aren't trying to get home theater SQ in your truck the Audio Control LC's will be prefect. Get the one you can EQ and you will be happy. One more option if you are willing to replace the HU is the Pioneer DEH80PRS. You won't find anything brand new on the market that has tuning like that HU.

 

[kkreit01]

Non alpine RBZ???

I think it's possible to have the Media Center 430 source unit w/o the crappy OE Alpine amp + speakers. This is the way I wish mine came. The RBZ/430 itself is not made by Alpine.


(and I agree with Etroze86)

 

[FALaholic]

Non alpine RBZ???

Yes...an eBay score.