Need audio experts!
 

I have a 2015 F-150 XLT, its not the sony system, but it is the MyFord Touch 8" screen with Sync. Unfortunately I'm unable to find a solution for replacing the stock head since its the 8" MyFord Touch (idatalink tells me they don't think they will ever try to integrate). So i left the stock Head and I used the JBL MS-8 as my DSP. the front right and left speaker signal from the truck are full range signal so these are used for my inputs on the MS-8. From the DSP I go to 3 new Gladen amps, an XL-150c4, XL-275c2, and an SPL 1800c1. I have the Hertz Mille ML 1600 mid drivers in the front doors powered from the XL-275c2, the Hertz Mille ML 280 tweeters in the A Pillars off channels 1 and 2 of the XL-150c4, and Audison Voce 6.5" coax in the rear doors off channels 3 and 4 of the XL-150c4. The SPL 1800c1 powers 4 Audiomobile Evo 2410's under the rear seat (box still under construction). Currently everything is wired and fully hooked up except the subs, and the truck is fully sound deadened. I have used this MS-8 in one other truck with the same speakers but different amps. I had success with it, but was using an Alpine as my HU not the factory radio. My problem is that for most people the system probably sounds fine, but I feel like I'm lacking in some mid bass, and most importantly the music seems to sound more digitial than it should, almost like its a poor recording or overly compressed. I have ran several setups with MS-8 and have lowered the volume a lot before doing the mic calibration. This seems to have helped but not 100%. I have the sub and front door mids crossed at 65hz with 12db slope, the tweets crossed at 2000z with 12db slope, and the rear doors crossed at 65hz at 12db slope. Any suggestions? Im not sure if the factory head is the issue (all eq and crap off or set flat on head unit), or I just got lucky in my last setup and the MS-8 is junk? Im willing to run a different DSP, suggestions? Rockford 3sixty.3? Mosconi 6to8? Something else? Im in no way an expert tuner which is why I have the MS-8 to start. Thanks for any help you can offer!!!

Kalen, Sounds like you have a pretty nice setup. I can't really help you with the MS8 but it's very popular over at diymobileaudio.com. Maybe someone there could offer some help.

I also find this thread interesting:
https://www.f150forum.com/f118/anyon...305052/index5/

It seems user paulh3nry had issues with sound quality when playing MP3s after installing the JBL audio upgrade kit. I know it's not a fix, but it could have something to do with what your seeing.

Thanks for the input Dan. In my Tundra I had the Ms8 sounding pretty good, but truly it always seemed like it was still missing the natural warmth of the music. I haven't been able to make it sound as good as the Tundra did, but I had hours of messing with it logged in that truck. I have an extensive background in Car Audio and always shy'd away from the quick fix auto tune stuff, "because if its too good to be true...." So anyways, I ordered the Rockford 3sixty.3 today. Tuning by ear takes me weeks, but in the end I know it'll sound how I want, and I have to much $$$ in equipment to settle for anything less. I will do a build thread with pics after this weekend when I finalize the install.

I understand that. I had a Pioneer Double DIN in a previous car and tried the auto tune on it. My results were the same as yours. The music sounded lifeless. My experience with home theater auto tune has also been the same. I do hear good things about the Rockford DSP.

Kalen, how did the install go?

What audio source? Can you tell a difference between CD/Sirius/FM?

I ask because the Sirius sounds slightly over compressed in this truck vs my last truck.

With that fake engine noise @ the speakers & the way it messes up Sirius even more than it already is; I won't be keeping my Sirius account much longer !!

I'm not an expert, but it seems like the head unit might be the problem.

Any updates from the op?

Does the MS8 have an aux input? I would try going directly into the MS8 to see if it sounds different. IE, bypass the head unit.

Of course, at this point, you probably have your RF. Did you notice a difference?

Brandon