Thinking of moving to DSP Amp

[23OBX2.7]

Makes sense

The AP8.9 is like 130W bridged, which is about the same as the OEM sub amp.

Yeah as a newbie with Mustang system I was experimenting with different stuff but the first thing I did was buy Hertz MP 3", tweets and 6.5 plus sound deadening. Never used the C165F for rear fill on classifieds now.

Then did the Kicker 200.4 till it failed six weeks later, upgraded to AP8.9, added Kenwood XR1001.1 and JL sub in sound deadened OE enclosure.....by which time sounded great.

Spent a lot of time tuning.....

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[Squatch]

Virtually the same dilemma for the past couple of years.

I chose 37s for my illogical tax refund purchase, but I still have to upgrade the amp, add a sub, and want to adjust the dash and kick panel speaks separately.

 

[404]

I put in a Audison c8.14 and mounted it under the cup holders. I wanted to put it somewhere hidden and dry. I ran a usb cable toward the glove box and tucked it up there so I could tune it.
I have been very impressed with that amp. I’m using it to power the front dash and rear pods, and bridged to the kick panel locations. It packs a decent punch all on its own. I do have a gear shade sub box that has an alpine 10 powered by a kicker key500.1.
The reason I picked the Audison over the musway is it had more power for less space, also I was familiar with Audison name although never used their stuff. But I didn’t know anything about the musway, and their website didn’t have as much info.

 

[EOD98]

Didn’t realize there was space under the console. I will have to check it out.

 

[404]

I have a manual. It’s tight but works.

 

[EOD98]

Thanks for the photo! I have an automatic. Hopefully I will have a bit more space. I will update the thread with a pic once I get in there

 

[Agrod]

I would do the Musway M6Pro active with the DRC1 remote and keep the Kenwood for sub only for now while you get to know the DSP well. You will probably get an itch for more bass down the road... but adding moar bass is so easy compared to the DSP.

 

[Brian_B]

So last week I went to the local Audison dealer/installer and showed them my Bronco.

For what I was looking for, they agreed the M8.14 was almost a drop in replacement - existing power cables and everything are good to re-use, just need to make up a new Sync harness for the new amp cable adapters (I soldered my connections on existing harness adapter for existing amp so I could cut it and gut it, but cleaner to just get a new one). They could have been saying that just because they had thought I already made up my mind - and I admit, I mostly had, but was looking for someone to talk me out of it - but it checks all the boxes.

Installation I think I'll do myself, just so I keep my own hands on the Bronco (and I did the first one, so I know where all the bodies are buried), but they quoted about 2 hours at $150/hr (which for this area, seemed mostly reasonable). I asked about tuning - they wanted $600 per tuning profile. That seems ... steep. But I have no idea how hard it is to tune these things. I guess I'm about to find out.

I went ahead and put one on order with my tax refund burning a hole in my pocket. Prices were pretty much the same anywhere I looked, and would rather go local so if I do have issues, I can go look them in the eye. The amp doesn't come in for a few more days.

 

[EOD98]

Dang, $600 for a tune! I was planning to have that done as well. Might not if I get quoted the same. It will motivate me to learn I guess.

 

[23OBX2.7]

Dang, $600 for a tune! I was planning to have that done as well. Might not if I get quoted the same. It will motivate me to learn I guess.

The amp is close to $2K plus need mono amp another $1.2K and $2K in speakers, plus sound deadening and absorbing, and a proper sub thats $1K so $600 for tune is very reasoable in the big picture. Plus, the tune will have to be adjusted at about 80-100 hrs when all the drivers are broken in thats another $200-300.

Alternately, can DIY and maybe after 60 hrs will get a decent tune.

 

[Budro DC]

Hi Guys. Nice input in the systems. MoBridge techs told me they are coming out in April with a system that will support the 2025+ models with the B&O systems. What are your thoughts on them? Also, did you ever look at the Morel Speaker Bronco Kits? They have speaker kits of 6, 7, and 8 (which includes a ported sub box).

 

[23OBX2.7]

Hi Guys. Nice input in the systems. MoBridge techs told me they are coming out in April with a system that will support the 2025+ models with the B&O systems. What are your thoughts on them? Also, did you ever look at the Morel Speaker Bronco Kits? They have speaker kits of 6, 7, and 8 (which includes a ported sub box).

IMO no need even pre '25 B&O is very good with about $3K in decent speaker upgrades, addition of sub amp w integrated LOC, and good tailgate sub.

'25+ is even better and should be exceptional with same approach.

 

[Brian_B]

Took... 7 weeks, but finally got the Audison M8.14 in hand yesterday. Spent most of yesterday afternoon watching tutorials.

Got the old amp out this morning, a couple of hours making a new harness for the new amp, and got it installed this afternoon. All good there. The amp was just a tiny bit smaller than my old Kenwood, so it fit in the same spot in the glovebox. Took the opportunity to clean up some wiring under the dash while I was at it.

Got it fired up around 2pm or so, and dove into BitDrive.

Holy crap. Talk about a rabbit hole. @23OBX2.7 is right, it may very well be worth it to pay someone to calibrate, and you could lose hours or days just tweaking at it trying to get it just a little bit better. But I proceeded on anyway.

After a few hours of having no idea what I was doing, going back to tutorials often - I was able to get the input signal calibrated, and eventually, get some decent noise out of my speakers. It's already much better than the old system, so not sure how much more I'll fool with it. The software isn't too difficult, but it isn't exactly intuitive to a person coming into audio tuning cold. The tutorial videos on YouTube are very helpful at walking you through it, but be prepared to watch them multiple times and do a lot of back and forth.

 

[404]

Do you have a microphone to do the accordo auto tune? That will help you get it sounding pretty good. Just make sure you select a target curve. If you want I can send you a backup of one of my configurations. Just so you can compare.

 

[Brian_B]

Do you have a microphone to do the accordo auto tune? That will help you get it sounding pretty good. Just make sure you select a target curve. If you want I can send you a backup of one of my configurations. Just so you can compare.

I do have the Mik1 - haven't tried Accordo yet though. I was kinda going through the tutorials in order and that is the last one.

Yeah if you have a file I’d love to compare.

I wasn't really shocked that the raw input required a lot of calibration, but seeing what also came out of the speakers for eq tuning was eye opening.

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