SkierMan

I added some more info. The sony system is,,, ok,, at best. The MS8 will really surprise you. I removed all the factory speakers. The center has a larger 4 inch wide-band driver under the factory panel. Doors have 6.5 inch drivers. A pillars changed out the tweeters. Rear doors have a coax set, and 2 flat 12's under the back seat. The MS8 powers the rear doors, and a aftermarket amp powers everything else.

It's capable of powering all the factory stuff, the subwoofer too, but since the factory sub is a DVC, you'll have to wire both the coils in to one channel.

sllydderrr

I love my MS-8! I am frankly surprised at how well it works and the soundstage it can produce especially given the source unit.

I didn't have to use a turn on pop eliminator. I wired the remote turn on lead to an accessory connection in the fuse box and then used the remote out of the MS-8 to feed the remote connection of the external amplifier. The system stays on with the key off until I open the door, just like factory.

There is never a turn on pop or any other weird noises, unless I turn the head unit OFF. Then I get a pop. I just hit pause rather than off to avoid that.
Does the turn on pop eliminator prevent turn OFF pops too? If so it would be worthwhile for peace of mind, when I take it in for service and such.

What did you use for a center channel? I ran wire for it when I had my truck apart but have not installed a driver. Thanks in advance.

SkierMan

Do you must not have the factory nav?

You won't be able to eliminate the turn off pop when you turn on or off the factory head unit. If you had the sony nav, the amp stays on no matter if the stereo is on or off. It needs a turn on delay only.

If you put a turn off delay on yours, the MS8 would stay on longer after the RAP power is cut. You'd get a pop just like you do turning on or off the factory head unit.

I use a Hybrid Audio L4SE for the center channel

DJacobs

Good info man! I along with car toys have not been able to fix the pop after we installed the ms-8. Now I have a plan!

nuthingoesrite

Skierman, I am having problems finding a flat response out of the Sony Amp. I am using an Alpine Imprint, not the MS8, but that shouldn't matter for the response. I am now using the outputs that went to the rear doors and front doors. I didn't use the tweeter outputs. My next step is to try using just the tweets and the front doors and going to my Imprint. I was just curious how flat the response is coming out of your aftermarket amp. Mine seems to start falling off around the 750 hz mark and around 5000 hz its really in the mud. My biggest problem is, I only have 4 inputs and a sub input, so I am going to lose the fade control from the head unit, but I will have it through the Imprint. I just haven't seen many posts about using processors, and this is my first install using one. Any advice is welcome, It sounds OK, but it should sound better, IMO. Thanks

SkierMan

I am not sure how to use the Alpine Imprint.

I don't believe the sony amp outputs a flat response, it boosts/cuts them to increase levels at certain frequencies and volumes, shelving/limiting the output at increased volumes. Make sure that you have the factory EQ all neutral settings.

The rear doors should provide a full signal. I think you would lose the beep from the touch screen, and the voice for sync if you use only the rear signal. I am using the tweeter and mids as my signal source. Although not flat, the MS8 sums and flattens the signal best it can filling in the gaps.

You are on the right track by using the signal from the fronts only. Getting them from the front doors, and rears is probably causing your response issues.

Dozerfan

Mucho Gracias mi amigos. Ya'll have saved me alot of headache time on my install.
(Sorry for the espanyo....I need to lay off the Coronas)

BDFX4

Thanks for all the info Skierman! I was wondering since you have time to play with this now, was wondering what your thoughts would be if I were to just install the MS-8 on my completely stock Sony/Nav system in my 2012 FX4 Scab? I was thinking I could try this first, then maybe swap out the rear sub later, didn't wanna drop a whole lot of money right now but did want to improve on the factory Sony.


Thanks
Bob

Tanner2

Skierman - Regarding what you were saying about the DVC factory sub... I have the LC2I and have my signal wires coming from the factory sub plug. Do I have it wired correctly by using all 4 of these wires instead of using just 2 of them? Hopefully you understand my question. Thanks!

SkierMan

My initial thought was to do that. It would work, but the output may suffer. I'm not sure what the factory speakers ohm ratin is. You'd still use the same inputs from the sony amp but you'd need to cut all the leads out of the sony amp to the factory speakers and wire them in with the MS8's output. I believe you'd only use one output from the MS8 for the factory sub and wire both coils.

I would have used only 2. If you have it setup with 4, and it works, then it works.