My Headunitless Audio System Design - Input / Criticism / Advice Welcome!!

[StereoInstaller1]

IIRC, the Cache does not have an AUX volume control, adn I can't find the manual online quickly. I know it was way noisier than the LC8i.

What kind of prices are you seeing on the LC8i?

[robo_trigger]

Any opinions on the cache coe8 vs the audiocontrol lc8i? it's about 60% the price so I was curious. Unless the OP can share his lc8i hookup ;].

[agent]

I have the PA in Klaus and I am very happy with it. I will be buying another one for my next E30 (along with another Lukebox).

[StereoInstaller1]

Anyone have an opinion on the Planet Audio vs. Kenwood Excelon vs. any other? The Planet Audio can be had for about $140 while the Kenwood would be closer to $215. Strictly based on the numbers, the planet audio seems like the obvious choice, but not having much experience with various amps, I'm not sure if there's more to it than that.

I have installed both. If the prices were reversed, I would opt for the Planet Audio. It has enough more grunt to make it worth it.

[bubbajan21]

Anyone have an opinion on the Planet Audio vs. Kenwood Excelon vs. any other? The Planet Audio can be had for about $140 while the Kenwood would be closer to $215. Strictly based on the numbers, the planet audio seems like the obvious choice, but not having much experience with various amps, I'm not sure if there's more to it than that.

[bubbajan21]

Okay maybe I was confused. I thought you were advocating a set up with just the stock deck instead of the lc8.

Not instead of, in addition to.

[robo_trigger]

Okay maybe I was confused. I thought you were advocating a set up with just the stock deck instead of the lc8.

[StereoInstaller1]

Duh. You are right. See? Old man disease right there!

[bubbajan21]

Here is the weird part...that knob functions as a global volume control AND a Subwoofer Level Control.

When you are in "deck mode", using the 4 channel inputs, the knob is a typical SLC. Tap the knob to put it in "AUX Mode" and now that is the global volume for the system. Thus, the only poopie part is that you have to jump back to deck mode to change the sub level.

I have honestly never used the LC8i so I don't doubt what you are saying since you have experience with it, but based on the owner's manual for the unit, it says that to change sub level you have to be in aux (iPod) mode. I was thinking this would be perfect for my setup but might be a bother for more standard set-ups, but from what you're saying it might be the other way around. Either way, it'll work, I'm just hoping for the sake of my install that it is as it says it is in the owner's manual. If not, SLC control for me will kinda be a guess-and-check kind of procedure haha.

[StereoInstaller1]

Hold the phone, I've been trying to design an ipod friendly interface around the stock deck and I've been encountering alot of limitations (personal knowledge base mostly). Could you elaborate? I'd love to basically have something similar to this setup but using the principles of your 500 dollar system (amplified stock premium speakers).

OK, so here it is: the Audiocontrol LC8i. All it really is is a knob and an LED on the dash that plugs into a box. There are 2 sets of inputs, one RCA, the other "speaker level". When you push the knob it changes inputs. Simple, right?

Here is the weird part...that knob functions as a global volume control AND a Subwoofer Level Control.

When you are in "deck mode", using the 4 channel inputs, the knob is a typical SLC. Tap the knob to put it in "AUX Mode" and now that is the global volume for the system. Thus, the only poopie part is that you have to jump back to deck mode to change the sub level.

What you do get is electronics that are incredible, far better than most high-end home audio stuff. The output from that single RCA input is stunning, you get 3 sets of completely adjustable 9.5VRMS, 13V peak line level outputs. Your amp will not want to see anywhere near that much input, so the thing never gets into distortion, only has super clean output. Basically, "idling".


There is no deck on the market today that has as good a performance through its AUX stage, period. You would not be out of line plugging in a nice "full 24 bit" pro level deck if there were something like that on the market (hint hint). Even using a cheap amp, the difference in transient response ("Punch") and dynamics is astounding. Ask James Crivellone what he said when he first heard my old E30 with 3 $100 amps and a 6XS..."OK, tell me every bit about this stereo. This is the best sounding car stereo I have ever heard, I want this"

So, there are now a few other devices on the market that do the same thing. The JL Cleansweep, the Fosgate 360, the JBL thingie, all of them are fantastic. I personally prefer the Audiocontrol, but most likely from familiarity.

Luke

[bubbajan21]

To luke and everyone else, thank you so much for all of the input and help, I very much appreciate it. The install of this system will happen in mid-April, I'm preparing for an M-tech 2 kit and a respray at the moment so that will happen at the end of march and this is the next thing on my list. I will post back here with tons of pictures, feedback, and documentation when it's complete!

[bubbajan21]

Hold the phone, I've been trying to design an ipod friendly interface around the stock deck and I've been encountering alot of limitations (personal knowledge base mostly). Could you elaborate? I'd love to basically have something similar to this setup but using the principles of your 500 dollar system (amplified stock premium speakers).

The audio control LC8i will take the outputs from the stock deck and also has an aux input and then the audio control unit will connect to your amp. Through the included knob, you can switch between the aux input (iPod) and your main input (stock head unit) and you will be able to control volume as well as separate sub level. It's a very clean solution, but a bit pricy.


So I guess the final question I have is which amp I should get considering the kenwood will cost me $75 more than the planet audio.

[robo_trigger]

you really should get a stock deck in the dash, BTW...and they have never caused me grief. It will blow your mind for SQ.

Hold the phone, I've been trying to design an ipod friendly interface around the stock deck and I've been encountering alot of limitations (personal knowledge base mostly). Could you elaborate? I'd love to basically have something similar to this setup but using the principles of your 500 dollar system (amplified stock premium speakers).

[StereoInstaller1]

I actually already picked up the lc8i so I'm planning on running that. I got a great deal on it, I paid under $100 for it brand new so I'm happy with that. Any input on the 5.25" infinity components front and rear?

Score! That is cheaper than I can get them, and I am a dealer!

Anyway, you should not have any noise issues with that setup. I have done several of those exact same pieces...you really should get a stock deck in the dash, BTW...and they have never caused me grief. It will blow your mind for SQ.

The Infinitys are actually pretty nice. The big fat surround means a little more cone area, but it also means they are a pain to install properly. You have to make sure you are leaving room for cone movement, so a couple of nuts under the head of the mounting screws to push the trim panel out like 5mm or so is fine. The only hassle is getting the "4th screw" to have a spacer, and that one MUST be spaced off the speaker or I promise shit sound and very quickly blown speaker.

Set the high pass on the amp to about 120Hz or so and if you are gonna use only the one pair, bridge the 4 channels to 2. If you have questions, R3v will answer them, ya?

However, my official stance is this: if you are gonna run front only, the stock location is inadequate. I have knocked myself out on this for many many years...think how many systems I have done in these stupid cars since 1984...the stock location could be made adequate (built out) IF the glovebox were on sliders...but that is a whole 'nother story.

If you are not gonna do something crazy in one way or another, run 4 speakers. The E30 needs cone area more than anything, and that stupid little cubby makes for shitty midbass, it is just too small.

Fortunately, the boxes I build make up for a lot of this "tinniness" with solid punch. Most everyone loves the midbass when set up as I describe below:

Set your high pass to roughly 120Hz, maybe 100Hz in the rear. Set the front to half way up, the rear about 20% less...if half is noon, call it 10:30. Set the sub level to about 90%, turn the subsonic filter all the way down, turn the bass boost completely off and set your low pass to roughly 80Hz.

The audiocontrol piece should be set about halfway to start with, right on the detents. You may wish a bit more gain, use the gains on the audiocontrol.

Let me know if I can help.

Luke

Oh, for everyone following this...I do have boxes in stock, hint hint

[bubbajan21]

Just watch that iPod cable...I have one with charging capabilities and it introduced a ton of noise on the audio input (mine is a different brand though). Had to disconnect the charging function to make the noise go away.

Good to know, thanks! If I set everything up and I have noise I'll know where to start looking!