[ndm]

So I actually have 2 issues.

1. I cannot seem to get enough voltage out of the outputs. I am using the factory radio in my 2013 SRT jeep. It is amplified and I have to tap into the speakers after the amp. No really big deal. So I figured that I would have plenty of output to get me near the 8v max output on the mosconi. The most that I can seem to get is 3.76 before it mutes. I will admit this is pretty annoying. I have watched Bing's video so I know how to set it but it still mutes all the time. WTH!!! Maybe I need a software update or something? I am on 1.40 firmware version. Maybe it is due to the outputs on my factory radio. BTW I absolutely HATE this radio because there is no way for me to bypass the speed dependent volume controls. It is one of the most annoying things ever. Every time I speed up the volume goes up. When I slow down, down the volume goes. I cannot wait to have the cash to rip this thing out.

2. Every time I turn the vehicle off the fricken left channel tweeter output disappears. I found that I have to unplug the rca input and plug it back in theres an audible pop and it starts again. Now, again this may be due to the factory head unit. I am just getting kind of ticked off with this dumb @$$ factory system.


Why do these manufacturers have to do dumb $h!t to the design of things?


Anyone have any ides of what the hell could be happening in either of the two situations?

 

[iasca judge]

Are you running high level from the oem amp straight to the rcas of the 6to8? Also check the hi/lo switch for your inputs. If the inputs detect distorted signal it will mute. I don't remember where the stock radio starts clipping. The tweeter issue could also be related to the same

 

[ndm]

Are you running high level from the oem amp straight to the rcas of the 6to8? Also check the hi/lo switch for your inputs. If the inputs detect distorted signal it will mute. I don't remember where the stock radio starts clipping. The tweeter issue could also be related to the same

yes, tapped the speakers, added RCA connectors and that goes into the dsp. I set the levels on my radio to 26 and increased the gain on the dsp til it muted with a 0DB reference on Autosound 2000 disk 104 and then turned it down a bit.

After setting all the input sensitivities both in and out of the dsp I reduced the volume from 26 to 23 to cover the stupid speed volume thing on my Jeep and set each amp gain. The tweeter amp is set at 0DB, the mid amp is set with -5DB for a 3DB overlap and the sub is set with -10DB for a bit more overlap when my nephew wants that Basshead sound.

So I figured setting the signal at the dsp at level 26 out of 40 and then using level 23 as my max volume that I would be fine.

 

[iasca judge]

What kind of voltage do you have on the inputs with the test tone playing?

 

[ndm]

What kind of voltage do you have on the inputs with the test tone playing?

Umm I dont remember but It was much more than I have on the outputs. I turned the sub volume down from like 19v. That's partially how I cam e up with the number 26 out of 40. If I remember correctly I think it was like 7.6V on the tweet and mid channels.

Shouldn't I be able to get near the same output as the input. I thought as long as I don't go over the 8V max input.

This is my first stab at doing factory integration audio....I am not liking this very much at all. Too bad I don't have the funds for a replacement radio. I would love to get one of the 8in kenwood Exelon or Alpine units. Seems like the kenwood is a better buy though with the HDMI outs and nav.

 

[iasca judge]

If your that close to 8v, check where the high level/ low level button is on all the input sections of the 6to8. Make sure that all of the inputs that are being used are the same direction. If they are, try switch to the other way on the button, but make sure power is off. Give that a try and let me know if it helps

Jim

 

[ndm]

If your that close to 8v, check where the high level/ low level button is on all the input sections of the 6to8. Make sure that all of the inputs that are being used are the same direction. If they are, try switch to the other way on the button, but make sure power is off. Give that a try and let me know if it helps

Jim

Uh Oh!!!!.....So....all of the buttons have to be in the same position? My tweet is in the out (Low level) position and all the others are in the in position....I did it based on the input voltages.....



EDIT!!!!
I love you man!!! That did it. I will reset the gains in the morning. I will also try to figure out how to get a hotter signal out of the DSP. It also got rid of the pop!!!!Hooray!!!

Any more suggestions on the voltages? I really want to run low gain on my amps.

 

[iasca judge]

That explains the tweet shutting down, the high level button changes the resistance the factory amp saw on the speaker wires. It would see a low ohm and shut the channel off. Ford sync amps are the worst for this.

I would start over setting the gains on the 6to8 first, that one button will cause the whole thing to shut down early. Also you will want to set the input gains one at a time with only that set of channels plugged in. This will get you the hottest input for each channel. What amps are you running? Not many amps will take 8v so be careful, the other thing to remember is that you don't want to push the processor into clipping on the outputs either. It is 8v max output.

Also, for your speed controlled volume issue have you looked and all the settings in the gauge cluster with the steering wheel buttons. I can't remember but the should be a way to shut that off.

Jim

Team Focal/Mosconi/illusion Audio

 

[ndm]

That explains the tweet shutting down, the high level button changes the resistance the factory amp saw on the speaker wires. It would see a low ohm and shut the channel off. Ford sync amps are the worst for this.

I would start over setting the gains on the 6to8 first, that one button will cause the whole thing to shut down early. Also you will want to set the input gains one at a time with only that set of channels plugged in. This will get you the hottest input for each channel. What amps are you running? Not many amps will take 8v so be careful, the other thing to remember is that you don't want to push the processor into clipping on the outputs either. It is 8v max output.

Also, for your speed controlled volume issue have you looked and all the settings in the gauge cluster with the steering wheel buttons. I can't remember but the should be a way to shut that off.

Jim

Team Focal/Mosconi/illusion Audio

Amps are jl 300/2 and a 1000/1. I know they can take 8v.

So I redid all gains from scratch today....twice.... The first time i tried the volume at 26 for the signal into the dsp and 23 for the signal out of the dsp. Then set the amps with a 0db tone and a -5db for the sub amp. Drove around and then reduced the amp gains by ear to suit my taste. (Less tweeter and a little less sub). This was okay but i still got muting on certain songs. So.....on to another gain setting session...

Second time I realized that my factory radio just sucks and clips early and often....so i reduced the magic volume from 23 to 20 out of 40. . This is where I was when I got impatient. Bad move. I figured that I could quickly reset the gains without disconnecting the speakers....... Of course we know how that ended.

So.....I then popped the two front door panels to install 2 of my backup boston acoustics z6 mids in place of the smelly ones that were in the door when I got lazy.

So after a quick test all sounds okay. After my wife returns from shopping I will do another drive to test the speed volume.

Btw...no...after researching a bit, you cannot disable the setting in the factory radio. The 2014 model is defeatable but not the mygig radio in the 2013 that I have. Time to save for something in the kenwood excelon line or better.

 

[RocketBoots]

Just saw this thread. The 6to8 is pretty sensitive, and almost overprotects. Usually a good thing. Also, if u haven't already done so, make sure that you have it in BTL, not SE. The hi/low toggle must also be in the correct position, as mentioned. If you haven't already done this, you can adjust the output level of the RCA outs, as well as normalizing (manually) the input signal if it's EQ'd, in the software. It defaults to really low; might have to crank it up. Glad you got it sorted it out.

 

[ndm]

Just saw this thread. The 6to8 is pretty sensitive, and almost overprotects. Usually a good thing. Also, if u haven't already done so, make sure that you have it in BTL, not SE. The hi/low toggle must also be in the correct position, as mentioned. If you haven't already done this, you can adjust the output level of the RCA outs, as well as normalizing (manually) the input signal if it's EQ'd, in the software. It defaults to really low; might have to crank it up. Glad you got it sorted it out.

Yeah. Its kind of annoying but I know that the factory head unit is the majority of the issue. I hope to have the money to replace the head unit as soon as possible. I actually have a IVAD310/701 combo in my basement but I dont want to use a fold out head unit. I also dont want to lose my satellite radio since I listen all the time.

Im thinking a kenwood excelon with HDMI input and maybe do a cheap laptop hidden some where to be able to adjust the mosconi software.

Might also be replacing the mosconi with a dsp pro for the added channels and features. I am running rear speakers for the first time in a long time and actually like it.

 

[iasca judge]

this is going to be a tough one to set up with out an oscilloscope to see the distortion. the other thing to remember is, if the song is distorted in the recording too much the processor will shut down also. it does not know the difference in a clipped signal at 1v vs 4v.

 

[ndm]

this is going to be a tough one to set up with out an oscilloscope to see the distortion. the other thing to remember is, if the song is distorted in the recording too much the processor will shut down also. it does not know the difference in a clipped signal at 1v vs 4v.

I used my oscilloscope to find the max unclipped volume on the factory radio. Again I think that the speed dependent volume thing is screwing with stuff in a huge way. I cannot test this while driving obviously so it really sucks. I got this model srt jeep over the 2014 model due to the ability to change the radio if I want to. I had no idea that the this would be such a PITA to set up good audio.

The factory stereo actually sounds great. I was amazed at how well it sounded but obviously not as good as my aftermarket setup.

 

[ndm]

Okay. I am totally frustrated with this setup. Everything sounds distorted. I just do not get it. I am no stranger to setting audio up in a car but I have not done a factory integration before. I just dont get why I cant get this setup to sound not distorted. Here are all the components. I have used them all before with great results accept for the DSP and this factory radio.

Head unit- factory with 50ohm 10 watt resistors to keep the factory amp from muting.
DSP Mosconi 6to8v8
Rca's - built with gepco 81801ez cable and neutric NYS352G connectors
battery- factory with 0/1 to the distribution and 4ga to the amps. Ground is 0/2 to the chassis (about 1.5ft) and 4 ga to the amps
Amps- three jl 300/2's and one 1000/1
front tweet- boston acoustics z6 tweet passive off of its own 300/2
front mid- z6 mid passive off of its own 300/2
rears-Z6 set not hooked up yet but will go to the other 300/2
speaker cable-12ga to all speakers and 8ga to the sub.

factory amp outputs
front mid/tweet playing down to about 500 Hz
front woofer playing 500 and down
sub

mosconi hookups
input 1 & 2 to front tweets at 100%
input 3 & 4 summed with 100% input 1&2 and 100% of 3&4 to boston mids
input 5 & 6 with 100% to sub amp

Should I have the mid output at 50% from inputs 1&2 and 50% from input 3&4?

I am so ready to pull everything back out and run a simple PAC hi/lo converter to the sub again with the factory speakers. It sounded Wayyyyyy better. Seriously

What could I possibly be doing wrong? Is it the mosconi causing the issue?
This is so ridiculously frustrating since I have spent so much time trying to set this up.
:mean::mean::mean::mean:

 

[quality_sound]

Why are you summing inputs 1/2 and 3/4 to the mids? If they have their own inputs set 1/2 at 0% and 3/4 at 100%. I'd also remove the passives. No point when you're running active. Also double check and make sure that none of the filters and eq are being used on the amps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ndm]

Why are you summing inputs 1/2 and 3/4 to the mids? If they have their own inputs set 1/2 at 0% and 3/4 at 100%. I'd also remove the passives. No point when you're running active. Also double check and make sure that none of the filters and eq are being used on the amps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Factory system had 3 way-
woofer in door 500hz and down
3.5 mid and tweet 500hz and up

so since I am using a 2 way I need to sum the 2 channels to play 50hz up to about 4000hz for my 6.5's amp and 2 channels to feed 4000hz and up to the tweeter amp.

All the processing/crossovers is done within the factory amp so I cannot even tap in before the amp. If I do I lose all volume control and f/r fader

Oh and the passives were not installed until I started getting channel issues. I got scared so I installed them to protect the tweet when I was getting popping.

All filters and eq on the amps are off

 

[quality_sound]

Try setting the levels at 50% for your mid inputs. You may just be clipping the inputs.
Which speakers have distortion?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ndm]

Try setting the levels at 50% for your mid inputs. You may just be clipping the inputs.
Which speakers have distortion?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Holy crap...I feel like a dumb @$$. I set the mixer to 50% and 50% and it sounds WAY better. I guess I was not thinking that the processor would literally combine both channels for basically 200% output. I wish that the processor had warning or something telling you that the max output would be 100%.

That said, I also went in and eq'ed the input signal to the DSP. It was quick and dirty but I will have time to do more eq'ing later. I cannot wait to figure out what the max output will be now with the non clipping outputs. The funny thing is that the clipping was only at frequencies where the two channels overlapped. So I need to go through and test with my o'scope and go through the entire curve.

Now I have to go back and reset all the darn gains......AGAIN!!


This is just part of my BIG learning curve. I'm getting there but I am hopefully getting there.

My questions wont end here but I thank you guys for the help so far.

 

[ndm]

Ok. Back to square 1. Still muting. Still have distortion. I think maybe its the recordings or something but if this DSP cant play simple xm radio and my cd collection then it is useless to me. I think the 6to8 may be too sensitive. I mean come on. My last resort is pulling out my old ivad310 and testing all my components with the known good signal. If it clears up then it will be the mosconi. Im just going to bench wire the alpine for the test. I dont recall ever having these issues in the past. I have wasted many hours thus far.

 

[iasca judge]

It think the radio way be your issue. The 10 watt 50 ohm resister may also be part of it. It is acting like the sync systems do. Here is an idea, take the resistor out of the system and run the speakers straight to the processor and set it to high level input. This gives you a 47 ohm resistance for the factory amp. The other option I have done on the fords is to use the jl audio ssi summing piece. If you can't figure it out try messaging vp electricity on here. Ken is one of the premier installers in the country for integration. He does more high end cars a month than most of us do in a decade.