A DSP is the MOST versatile thing you can do to invest in your system. It can do paragraphic EQs (can change which frequency to alter), along with perfect crossover and time alignments. The main thing that you need in a DSP is the independent EQ of each speaker rather than a system as a whole.

 

All DSP's aren't created equal, but all digital tools are still a DSP nonetheless. Digital signal processor is just that... digital processing whether it's a digital EQ, digital crossover, time alignment, or any combination of each stated. That said, the term DSP has become somewhat of a moniker in the car audio world for actual full blown external units, but rather than concentrate on definitions & semantics, examine what the package has to offer vs what you're looking to do.

As far as headunit DSP's, just about all have limitations though they can handle a system on their own and satisfy most common consumers.. again within limitations. Just depends on how deep you're willing to go in tuning. Outboard DSP's are reserved for people like hobbyists, pros, & competitors that are looking to extract the utmost from their setup.... of course to various degrees.

So it boils down to how deep down the rabbit hole you're willing to go.

Man & Machine... Power Extreme!

 

All DSP's aren't created equal, but all digital tools are still a DSP nonetheless. Digital signal processor is just that... digital processing whether it's a digital EQ, digital crossover, time alignment, or any combination of each stated. That said, the term DSP has become somewhat of a moniker in the car audio world for actual full blown external units, but rather than concentrate on definitions & semantics, examine what the package has to offer vs what you're looking to do.

As far as headunit DSP's, just about all have limitations though they can handle a system on their own and satisfy most common consumers.. again within limitations. Just depends on how deep you're willing to go in tuning. Outboard DSP's are reserved for people like hobbyists, pros, & competitors that are looking to extract the utmost from their setup.... of course to various degrees.

So it boils down to how deep down the rabbit hole you're willing to go.

Man & Machine... Power Extreme!

Good analogy. What pill do you want to take? Red or Blue

Ge0

 

Hey thanks guys I'm toiling over the idea of either buying a new double din head unit or staying with the factory system and running my data straight in to the Helix DSP PROwith the high definition USB link and use a high quality streaming program of which I don't know which one is the best. Right now I'm all spotify but wasn't sure the quality aas all that. Or should i just stop 2nd guessing everything and get an aftermarket HU

 

What does the stock headunit offer that you can work with vs aftermarket and vice versa? As stated earlier, an aftermarket can offer some amenities that some cars don't have, but certain aspects may never be integrated as well as some stock ones.

The DSP addition route is a good one that many go with because they have the best of both worlds (stock headunit integration + great tuning tools), or they're forced to keep the stock unit for whatever reason.

Aftermarket alone may do you just fine for a simple system, but if you start to get into complex driver and amp setups, you'll still have to employ a DSP... now you're getting deep ($$$$).

Man & Machine... Power Extreme!

 

Cool... my stock hu has everything i could ever want assuming i can plug straight into the dsp for critical listening. i think im gonna attempt staying stock hu and put that $1000 towards other aspects of the system.

 

What kind of vehicle do you have? Some cars have the option of a PAC AmpPro 4 device, which will give you clean, flat, low-level output from your stock head-unit (as well as the ability to connect to a DSP via an optical digital connection). Much better option that trying to setup summing, flattening the OEM signal, etc...

 

Whether you can plug straight into the DSP goes into other areas of question, but there's usually a simple solution for such like a JL Fix or whatever is needed. You've decided that the stock deck supplies the amenities, make it work.

Man & Machine... Power Extreme!

 

Its a 2016 Toyota Sienna SE (non-jbl premium system) ive always wanted to do an optical system... great connection method

 

Looks to me like they only have the amppro for the premium system...

 

I guess i look at the dsp as a crossover with adjustability (i am probably way off) and an eq as what it is... bit where do they overlap? Can one replace another? Also, does a dsp built into a head unit like the new alpine double din i was just looking at have any purpose if runnung a helix, or are you just paying extra for something unnecessary. Thanks

The typical dsp is capable of fully parametric equalization, plus time alignment and fully adjustable crossovers. Usually, the better ones will allow adjustment of any of those features for each channel independently.
Equalizers just equalize, some equalize all channels at the same time, some can do separate left and right eq.
A dsp can replace an equalizer.
Head unit dsp's are usually severely limited, therefore an independent dsp is still very, very useful, and well worth the additional cost. Even a cheap dsp can outperform a head unit's dsp. See the Dayton Audio DSP-408, $150.

 

Red.

 

Im getting a Helix dsp pro because ill have 10 channels. 3way active front AF gb10, gb25, gs690, arc audio x2 1200.6 ... Audison lrx 4.1pushing passive boston z6 2way & gb10d2 sub