Need advise on where to go from here

[vwdude]

So right now I'm running the JBL MS-8 as my line converter and crossover. It has a 30 band eq built in and time alignment. It's also capable with a built in 6 channel amp.

I just bought (well not paid yet, but I am buying it) an AX406 3 way active crossover. I also have a SLD44 line driver that converts speaker level.

So I can do the ms8 to SLD44 to my 2 ZPAs or I can do the SLD44 to the AX406 to the 2 ZPAs. In the future I can always add another amp then to run my mid woofers actively.

Of course the same can be done with the ms8 but is need another line driver for 2 more channels.

So I guess I need to know I want to eliminate the time alignment and eq in favor of a simpler install.

[ttocs]

the sld44 does not convert rca to speaker level it just boosts the voltage of the rca up higher so that the signal to noise ratio is lower. The idea behind it is to put it directly behind your source to boost the signal prior to noise getting into it.

Not sure what you want the 406 for as the ms8 will do all that for you.

[vwdude]

Actually the SLD DOES take speaker level in, I already have it, it's just sitting in my garage right now. Maybe there are different versions out there.

I know that the 406 does some of what the ms8 does. I bought it to add to the collection, but I'm wondering if I'm over processing my sound. I was never a huge fan of time alignment before and the ms8 is a pain to use with my hands free phone usage. I drive as 40% of my job and for work I'm required to be available on the phone, so I drive and talk a lot. I really need my Bluetooth to work and the ms8 causes an echo, which has a work around, but it requires I turn off the processing while on the phone.

So I'm wondering if I'll see a huge decrease in sq by going with the 406 and getting rid of the ms8. Plus, I can sell the ms8 and free up some money.

If PG made a DSP then I'd be all over it.

[zeropoint0.5]

witch car you have/witch headunit you have ??

if you are using the original headunit i quess the jbl ms8 will give you the best possibilities/results.....

if you could put in a good alpine/pioneer headunit, you could do the job with the ax406 and stay with a

total vintage phoenix gold install.....

do you want to use both zpa's for lowpass or one highpass/other one lowpass ?? the sld44 gives you some options to use...

[vwdude]

Factory head. It's decent, with a flat output, no auto eq output.

One ZPA for the components (running passive) and one for he subwoofer.

So as I thought, I'll add the 406 to the collection. I think it's cool to have as active crossovers are going to be more and more rare now with DSPs gaining popularity.

[zeropoint0.5]

Factory head. It's decent, with a flat output, no auto eq output.

One ZPA for the components (running passive) and one for he subwoofer.

So as I thought, I'll add the 406 to the collection. I think it's cool to have as active crossovers are going to be more and more rare now with DSPs gaining popularity.

in this setup.... if you have to start from a factory headunit with high level outputs....

i would put the sld44 in the front, sending the signal with 2 rca cables to the rear, to the ax406, and feed each zpa directly from the ax406......

by the way...;did you receive my email with the pics and attachments...... ??

[vwdude]

Thanks for the input. Yea if I used the xover then the sld would be in front but if I stick with the ms8 then it has to go after as the ms8 only has 2.8 v outputs.

Nope, never got the email. I figured you just got busy.

[ttocs]

shit sorry got the sld/pld mixed up somehow. Mainly because I never used the sld I think.

This part confused me as well "So I can do the ms8 to SLD44 to my 2 ZPAs or I can do the SLD44 to the AX406 to the 2 ZPAs". Your going to take the speaker level out on the ms8, convert it to rca and then send it to your amps? why not use the rca out on the ms8?

[vwdude]

I am using the RCA outs on the ms8, but it only gives 2.6 volts of signal, not enough for the ZPAs. The sld is being used a line driver in one scenario and as a line out converter + line driver in the other.

[Kirghiz]

I am using the RCA outs on the ms8, but it only gives 2.6 volts of signal, not enough for the ZPAs. The sld is being used a line driver in one scenario and as a line out converter + line driver in the other.

Could you put another line driver after the MS8? Has anyone ever done that?

[zeropoint0.5]

first of all i will check at home why you didn't receive the mail......i sended it indeed some days ago....

second about this setup, i think it is very simple, or u use the ms8 or the ax406 but not both......

if you use the ms8, put the sld44 behind it, and boost the signal up as much as possible to even have the

gains of the zpa staying totally closed....

if you use the ax406, put the sld44 in front of it.....check the owners manuals how to make the setup........

what i personally like about the sld44 is first, the high level input possibility, and second the option to work

with one rca in and split to two, or two rca in, two rca out.........

[vwdude]

Thanks zeropoint. Yea I wasn't going to use both the ms8 and the 406, I am mainly asking which one to use. I'll try the ms8 with the sld44 and see how it goes.

So with the sld44, I leave the ZPA gains all the way down and I increase volume by turning the pots on the sld?

[zeropoint0.5]

Thanks zeropoint. Yea I wasn't going to use both the ms8 and the 406, I am mainly asking which one to use. I'll try the ms8 with the sld44 and see how it goes.

So with the sld44, I leave the ZPA gains all the way down and I increase volume by turning the pots on the sld?

put the gains of the sld44 as high as possible just until the peak led start to light up and then turn it just a minimum bit back....

if you're speakers can handle the power, great, if not, you have to turn those sld gains just a little bid back...

for sub duty it is possible you will have to turn after the sld also in the zpa amp a little bid open, but probably not much....depending

on what sub you are using and if they can handle the power...........

[vwdude]

Thanks zeropoint. Yea I wasn't going to use both the ms8 and the 406, I am mainly asking which one to use. I'll try the ms8 with the sld44 and see how it goes.

So with the sld44, I leave the ZPA gains all the way down and I increase volume by turning the pots on the sld?

put the gains of the sld44 as high as possible just until the peak led start to light up and then turn it just a minimum bit back....

if you're speakers can handle the power, great, if not, you have to turn those sld gains just a little bid back...

for sub duty it is possible you will have to turn after the sld also in the zpa amp a little bid open, but probably not much....depending

on what sub you are using and if they can handle the power...........

I'm using an xmax12. Not sure it can handle the power, it's not rated for it at least.

[zeropoint0.5]

Thanks zeropoint. Yea I wasn't going to use both the ms8 and the 406, I am mainly asking which one to use. I'll try the ms8 with the sld44 and see how it goes.

So with the sld44, I leave the ZPA gains all the way down and I increase volume by turning the pots on the sld?

put the gains of the sld44 as high as possible just until the peak led start to light up and then turn it just a minimum bit back....

if you're speakers can handle the power, great, if not, you have to turn those sld gains just a little bid back...

for sub duty it is possible you will have to turn after the sld also in the zpa amp a little bid open, but probably not much....depending

on what sub you are using and if they can handle the power...........

I'm using an xmax12. Not sure it can handle the power, it's not rated for it at least.

a xmax 12 can't handle the full power....a xmax 15 can handle almost the full power, but just not everything.....

if you can ever get you're hands on a jl 13W7.............don't hesitate.............

[vwdude]

Haha a 13w7 won't fit in my box that is hidden behind the trunk panel. I like how the Xmax is pretty shallow for a 12.

I'm thinking I might make a temporary box to keep in the car when I don't need trunk space and when I need the space I can hook up the Xmax. That being said, how would the old school eclipse 15" titanium sub compare to the 13w7? I know that there are lots of other subs out there in this category (rf hx2, IDMax, sundown,...) but those are two subs that I've always liked.

[kg1961]

I have a orion nt 15" svc carbon fiber sub nib
Its shallow and only needs 2 cub sealed it would love zpa power
I have about 200cnd into it

[zeropoint0.5]

Haha a 13w7 won't fit in my box that is hidden behind the trunk panel. I like how the Xmax is pretty shallow for a 12.

I'm thinking I might make a temporary box to keep in the car when I don't need trunk space and when I need the space I can hook up the Xmax. That being said, how would the old school eclipse 15" titanium sub compare to the 13w7? I know that there are lots of other subs out there in this category (rf hx2, IDMax, sundown,...) but those are two subs that I've always liked.

i did a quick test some months ago with a 13W7 on a zpa0.5, coils in series at 3 ohms......... the amps stays all the time in high voltage...
so that is a good point. you don't have to cut the diodes.........

probably there won't be much subs who will match the jl soundwise........ it plays awesome....

i compared the sound of a zpa0.5 and a jl slash 1000/V2 and i would take the zpa0.5 all day long......

[vwdude]

Haha a 13w7 won't fit in my box that is hidden behind the trunk panel. I like how the Xmax is pretty shallow for a 12.

I'm thinking I might make a temporary box to keep in the car when I don't need trunk space and when I need the space I can hook up the Xmax. That being said, how would the old school eclipse 15" titanium sub compare to the 13w7? I know that there are lots of other subs out there in this category (rf hx2, IDMax, sundown,...) but those are two subs that I've always liked.

i did a quick test some months ago with a 13W7 on a zpa0.5, coils in series at 3 ohms......... the amps stays all the time in high voltage...
so that is a good point. you don't have to cut the diodes.........

probably there won't be much subs who will match the jl soundwise........ it plays awesome....

i compared the sound of a zpa0.5 and a jl slash 1000/V2 and i would take the zpa0.5 all day long......

Ok, that's great info.

I think the diodes are already cut on the amp that I recently bought. I wrote to Morgan asking if the disconnected leads are from someone doing this modification. I'll see what he says.

So I am leaning toward trying the eclipse sub. I'm closing a deal on one in what seems to be I good shape. If it doesn't work out I can always sell (probably for a profit) and then step up to a w7.

[zeropoint0.5]

Haha a 13w7 won't fit in my box that is hidden behind the trunk panel. I like how the Xmax is pretty shallow for a 12.

I'm thinking I might make a temporary box to keep in the car when I don't need trunk space and when I need the space I can hook up the Xmax. That being said, how would the old school eclipse 15" titanium sub compare to the 13w7? I know that there are lots of other subs out there in this category (rf hx2, IDMax, sundown,...) but those are two subs that I've always liked.

i did a quick test some months ago with a 13W7 on a zpa0.5, coils in series at 3 ohms......... the amps stays all the time in high voltage...
so that is a good point. you don't have to cut the diodes.........

probably there won't be much subs who will match the jl soundwise........ it plays awesome....

i compared the sound of a zpa0.5 and a jl slash 1000/V2 and i would take the zpa0.5 all day long......

Ok, that's great info.

I think the diodes are already cut on the amp that I recently bought. I wrote to Morgan asking if the disconnected leads are from someone doing this modification. I'll see what he says.

So I am leaning toward trying the eclipse sub. I'm closing a deal on one in what seems to be I good shape. If it doesn't work out I can always sell (probably for a profit) and then step up to a w7.

post one time a pic of the disconnected leads............

[vwdude]

I will but it will be a few days, I am out of town for work. I will do it Thursday, after I return.