Opinions on using sound processors or line output converters when upgrading stereo?

[Rylewa]

Hello everyone. I'm fairly new to Audi. Got myself an 06 A4 and love everything about it but the stereo. I think it's pretty typical with the stock Bose stereos that both the lows and the highs are lacking and very muddy sounding. I intend to add new front speakers, amps and a subwoofer. I'm thinking high quality stuff like Image Dynamics but by no means competition level, heard from blocks away type of a set up. My question is about keeping the stock head unit, symphony II if I am not mistaken. I'd like to keep it in place to preserve the stock look if possible. I worry about how a dash kit will look with the rest of the interior. Is it necessary to use a sound processor like the JL clean sweep or Alpine Imprint or something like an AudioControl line output converter? Does anyone know if they really make a difference in the sound quality? I've heard that the Bose system is very hard to work with so I'm prepared to scrap the whole think and go completely aftermarket if need be. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[naiku]

It's not necessary to use a sound processor, but you will notice a difference if you use one. I used to have an Alpine PXE-H650, Symphony II head unit, upgraded front speakers and a single sub. The H650 made an incredible difference to how good it sounded. I sold it to upgrade to a JBL MS8, which is now sort of on hold due to finances. The first day I drove without the H650 I wished I had never sold it, or at least held onto it until I had the MS8.

If you are just going with front speakers and a sub, the H650 / H660 will work great for you, the main reason I want an MS8 is because I plan to use Logic 7.

[earthtodan]

Welcome. You don't need a processor in order for better speakers to improve your sound, but you do need one to get the most out of them. The Symphony II head unit has two pairs (four channels) of RCA level outputs, so you can actually integrate them into an aftermarket system fairly easily. By easily I mean in terms of their compatibility with any piece of car audio equipment; physically running new wires through the car can be a huge pain. Fortunately your Bose wiring harness goes from behind the head unit to the back of the car, so you can tap into those wires where the Bose amp is, instead of behind the head unit.

The JL clean sweep, and I believe the equivalent Audiocontrol product, is meant to take signals crossed over in the head unit (like with BMW) and put them back together to give you a full signal in one output. That is more than you need, since the Symphony HU already gives you a clean RCA level output. You can go with one of those, or with a digital signal processor (DSP) that doesn't have that functionality, or you could just use an old fashioned 30-band equalizer mounted in the trunk. The catch with these units is that you have to know how to work an EQ, and that takes days of tuning, at a minimum.

There are a couple of units that will do the work for you. Alpine Imprint is an older system that gets mixed reviews these days. The JBL MS8 is the newest and most advanced unit and gets rave reviews even among discriminating car audiophiles. It also has internal amps that can power your speakers better than the Symphony HU. If you want great sound and you just want it to work, I would suggest going that route.

[Rylewa]

Thanks for the responses guys. Based on this information, if I choose to go this way rather than an aftermarket HU I think I will go without the processor at first and add it later if I feel I really need it. I'm also going to look into the EQ option as well. Thanks again.

[earthtodan]

This should work for you. http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...octive-eq.html

It only has one pair of channels, but in a passive system that's all you really need.

[CKYmike]

The new helix p-dsp has been getting great reviews lately, i have one and can get more....just thinking if I should use it now that I got rid of my pioneer...hmm. If anyone is interested in one let me know.

[Rylewa]

Just an update of my progress. Nothing installed yet as it is too damn cold in the garage. I have bought all my components though.
-Polk 6 1/2 components for the front.
-SSA 10" DCONN subwoofer.
-Precision power 4 ch. amp. 145 watts to the front speakers and 450 bridged to the rear.
-Precision power EQ/line driver/subwoofer remote/aux. input.
-Dension Ipod/Bluetooth adapter from Enfig.
Can't wait to get it all installed. If I'm still not happy with the sound, then I'll get a processor. Thanks for all the input.