Your Raptors Audio System

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Spyders03

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I wanted to add... can you just install a DSP with no other upgrades to change the sound of the oem speakers?

Or what if you included some decent sounding speakers as well with a DSP?

I'm simply trying to get some perspective from a cost prohibitive factor, given not everyone may have the budget for additional amps, with profession installation of new speaker wiring & power cables.

If you add a DSP, you have to add an amplifier (unless you go with the Helix PSIX DSP, a great unit, but you'll still likely want a sub amp). And you can get good speakers so cheap there's no reason not to upgrade them.
 

NYBlues

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Hey Spyders... so the Helix DSP basically has an amp built into it?

I agree, a separate amp, if it's affordable is preferred and new speakers a simply and cheap upgrade especially over the $8-10 oem factory junk Ford/Sony gives us!
 

Spyders03

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Hey Spyders... so the Helix DSP basically has an amp built into it?

I agree, a separate amp, if it's affordable is preferred and new speakers a simply and cheap upgrade especially over the $8-10 oem factory junk Ford/Sony gives us!

The Helix PSIX http://www.audiotec-fischer.de/lng/en/p-six-dsp-mk2.html is the one with an amp in it, 6 channels of amplification. I've used and tuned with just about every processor on the market and the Helix, line to me, is the best one out it hands down. I personally use the Helix Pro.

It never ceases to amaze me how much they charge for the premium sound system, and how terrible they are.
 

JBH

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If I've upgraded to the Kicker VSS powered sub and now want to add a processor and all new speakers can I still use the Kicker as my sub?
 
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If I've upgraded to the Kicker VSS powered sub and now want to add a processor and all new speakers can I still use the Kicker as my sub?
to a certain extent. the powered sub has the amp built in. if the amp can accept low level signal (rca) then you can. however tuning it is a different story. the amp is built in to th sub box and therefore it is the final adjustment before the sub. on most processors, the signal is adjusted at the processor and the amp is there to only amplify the signal. you would now have 2 adjustments and the powered sub creates its own filters that can only be adjusted minimally compared to the processor
 

Spyders03

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to a certain extent. the powered sub has the amp built in. if the amp can accept low level signal (rca) then you can. however tuning it is a different story. the amp is built in to th sub box and therefore it is the final adjustment before the sub. on most processors, the signal is adjusted at the processor and the amp is there to only amplify the signal. you would now have 2 adjustments and the powered sub creates its own filters that can only be adjusted minimally compared to the processor

If the amp has low level input, and he gets a processor, then why not leave the Low Pass Filter at it's highest setting (assuming it can not be bypassed), leave all the amp settings at 0 (which you would do with a stand alone amp anyways) and treat it like any other sub with the processor. I'm not a huge fan of prefab sub/box/amp combos, but it's no different to a processor than any other sub, box, and stand alone amp. The processor has no idea where the amp is mounted.
 
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If the amp has low level input, and he gets a processor, then why not leave the Low Pass Filter at it's highest setting (assuming it can not be bypassed), leave all the amp settings at 0 (which you would do with a stand alone amp anyways) and treat it like any other sub with the processor. I'm not a huge fan of prefab sub/box/amp combos, but it's no different to a processor than any other sub, box, and stand alone amp. The processor has no idea where the amp is mounted.
because the sub amp in most of these situations already have a low pass filter in place and cant be adjusted except frequency. since the processor has more frequecy adjustments as well as slope, its best to have the amp as a full range signal and let the processor do the adjustments.
 

billj214

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Looking to see who is using the PAC AP4-FD21 which replaces the Sony amplifier with its own data bus control and includes 6 channels + optical output option. FYI I found this unit on Amazon for $213 compared to $299 elsewhere. I find this solution more capable then manipulating ACM codes with Forscan and has more functionality/options.

Pac-Audio.com Product Details | iPod Integration for your car and More by Pac-Audio - Connecting you to the future

Im following the updates via DIYMA here and will post my own updates after it's installed.
 
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