X150 XK/XKR audio/speaker upgrade investigation
#261
Not necessarily better, but it has more channels.
Not plug & play as the speaker connections & channel assignments are totally different.
The power & MOST connections are the same, the wiring for the speakers in the car will have to be changed.
The XF has more speakers overall, and two channels to each front door, whereas the XK has only one channel to each door.
Not plug & play as the speaker connections & channel assignments are totally different.
The power & MOST connections are the same, the wiring for the speakers in the car will have to be changed.
The XF has more speakers overall, and two channels to each front door, whereas the XK has only one channel to each door.
#263
Where in the sound system is the DSP? I assume not in the Amp but the CD player (IAM)?
I have the Chinese aftermarket installed and the sound is exceptional.
Now I'm about to install Cambo's CarPlay system - ultimately will compare it,,functionally with the version I have in focusing mainly on sound. So basically with system A you get x and give up Y, etc...
Even though I'm hearing impaired, The sound performance is significantly improved with the aftermarket.
Before the aftermarket, I went from base audio to Alpine Premium with the same disappointment/resignation as others. Better than base but meh.
I did also add crossovers between the tweeters and door speakers and better but still meh.
I expect when I install Cambo's CarPlay unit, I will get CarPlay with the OEM sound system because his unit focuses on CarPlay and Android Auto while retaining OEM functions.
So my assumption is the OEM DSP will be back in play and I adding a standalone DSP will not gain me anything and could make things worse?
Does the base system have DSP or is that only an option with premium?
Perhaps an aftermarket DSP Amp? I'm not sure I'd know how to configure that in SDD. Assuming Base doesn't have DSP, set CCF to base audio and then add an aftermarket DSP Amp?
The questions show my lack of understanding but I'd appreciate input when you've finished laughing....
#264
#265
Thank you tmich, yes that's my assumption as well. Apologies if that wasn't clear. My question is really can I overcome that somehow? I've read older posts including this one but finding nothing definitive which is probably an answer unto itself. I was hoping jahummer might weigh in with some options as it's in his wheelhouse. Cambo as well or anyone with expertise in the area.
#266
DSPs in car audio handle all of the sound processing, from being a crossover (steering specific frequencies to to certain driver) and act as an eq to tune the sound to best suit the application (car interior). Often times there are various profiles such such as Dolby, Meridian, etc many of which are marketing gimmicks more than anything. I haven’t looked carefully but the DSP here is going to be in whatever hardware or software is changed when going from standard to premium but is likely just software in the head unit. The Android unit has it’s own DSP which replaces Jaguar’s. I can also tell you there’s a difference with input quality of sources even on the premium for example the Apple interface as I’ve fitted to mine sounds quite different from the CD player. And the radio is absolute rubbish.
The Alpine system in the Super V8 was quite good and aside from a lacking midrange in the premium X150 (which can be tweaked a bit) aside from the full size Range Rover, it’s not nearly as bad as what’s fitted to modern JLRs.
The Alpine system in the Super V8 was quite good and aside from a lacking midrange in the premium X150 (which can be tweaked a bit) aside from the full size Range Rover, it’s not nearly as bad as what’s fitted to modern JLRs.
#267
#268
The DSP function is only in the XK, the XF didn't have it.
Not there in the XF
The Dolby & 3-channel processing is in the amplifier.
Obviously the head unit itself contributes to the sound quality too.
The china screens use a little black box to convert analogue to MOST, so the "better" audio in that setup is from the analogue source of the china screen, and the ADC in the little black box.
Not there in the XF
The Dolby & 3-channel processing is in the amplifier.
Obviously the head unit itself contributes to the sound quality too.
The china screens use a little black box to convert analogue to MOST, so the "better" audio in that setup is from the analogue source of the china screen, and the ADC in the little black box.
#269
@Cambo I believe your theory is correct. Too many people just throw in aftermarket speakers without other changes and are disappointed in the results. It's happened to me in the past. I think it comes down to 2 different theories of Car Audio.
This is why our pioneer forefathers always advised switching out headunits and adding amps along with speaker additions. With the ubiquitous introduction and dominance of "Infotainment Systems" replacing the head unit is often not a realistic proposition as the infotainment system controls a whole bunch of other stuff too. Thus, the rise of "CleanSweep" type products that de-DSP the sound so you can use your infotainment system with aftermarket components. These have their own level of difficulties because mixing the 2 types of car audio always does.
Please let me know if I am understanding this basically correctly.
- The manufacturers use extremely efficient speakers that can be driven loudly by low power. They mask the limitations of these OEM speakers with DSP. Obviously, the driving force behind this is that it can be done cheap. That being said, sometimes these OEM systems can sound really good (or at least a lot better than you would expect.)
- The aftermarket car audio industry sells based on power. They use relatively insensitive speakers designed to be driven loud by a much larger expenditure of power. They are usually better made, they are made to look cool (since you actually see the aftermarket speakers when buying) and they have a pretty flat frequency response.
This is why our pioneer forefathers always advised switching out headunits and adding amps along with speaker additions. With the ubiquitous introduction and dominance of "Infotainment Systems" replacing the head unit is often not a realistic proposition as the infotainment system controls a whole bunch of other stuff too. Thus, the rise of "CleanSweep" type products that de-DSP the sound so you can use your infotainment system with aftermarket components. These have their own level of difficulties because mixing the 2 types of car audio always does.
Please let me know if I am understanding this basically correctly.
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billqs (11-30-2021)
#270
Well, you need to put something ahead of a tweeter if you are sending a full range signal to it. I don't know from what you've written whether you are looking for a simple crossover, or to lower the output. A capacitor could block bass, and a resistor can lower the db output of the tweeter.
#271
Well, you need to put something ahead of a tweeter if you are sending a full range signal to it. I don't know from what you've written whether you are looking for a simple crossover, or to lower the output. A capacitor could block bass, and a resistor can lower the db output of the tweeter.
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billqs (11-30-2021)
#272
#273
I tapped my 380W "Meridian" amp and fed it into a JBL MS-8 which evens out the sound that comes in and sends out Logic 7 in a surround sound system. I added 2 multichannel Class D amps to power the OEM speakers.
Crossovers are very helpful both in tweeter protection and in getting the right parts of the signal to the speaker that can best handle that part of the sound. The crossovers I added had a choice of lowering the tweeter by 3dbs if wanted.
Last edited by billqs; 11-30-2021 at 10:51 AM.
#274
I've ordered a pair of X type Alpine tweeters as a cheap attempt to improve because some feel that the silk come is less harsh than the aluminium one in the B&W system.
Next step is to replace the midrange with more sensitive speakers that are more responsive at lower frequencies than stock with cross-overs.
Ultimately I may end up with the Chinese Tesla style unit that seems to have better DSP. It's a much bigger step visually and cost-wise.
Next step is to replace the midrange with more sensitive speakers that are more responsive at lower frequencies than stock with cross-overs.
Ultimately I may end up with the Chinese Tesla style unit that seems to have better DSP. It's a much bigger step visually and cost-wise.
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billqs (11-30-2021)
#275
I've ordered a pair of X type Alpine tweeters as a cheap attempt to improve because some feel that the silk come is less harsh than the aluminium one in the B&W system.
Next step is to replace the midrange with more sensitive speakers that are more responsive at lower frequencies than stock with cross-overs.
Ultimately I may end up with the Chinese Tesla style unit that seems to have better DSP. It's a much bigger step visually and cost-wise.
Next step is to replace the midrange with more sensitive speakers that are more responsive at lower frequencies than stock with cross-overs.
Ultimately I may end up with the Chinese Tesla style unit that seems to have better DSP. It's a much bigger step visually and cost-wise.
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DorsetJag (12-04-2021)
#276
I still think I will end up swapping the door speakers for a JL Audio 2 way component set to improve the midrange, but until I get to it it is a nicer sound to live with. Muse sounds sweet!
#277
In the long lost past I operated an auto restoration shop which included installing various electron devices as well as complete over the top stereo systems.
I am currently semi retired and no longer in that industry but my love of properly sounding music has not faded over the years.
I currently have a 2008 XK convertible with the Alpine System, it is lacking to say the least.
I don’t want to make a major investment in the sound system of this particular car but would like a better sound.
My investigation has led me to seriously consider a bit more investment than I initially wanted to do.
The components would include an Audison Bit -10 sound processor, a new amp to be determined and 4 new speakers (doors+ rear panels).
The key is the Audison uinit, It will allow the enduser to ‘grab’ all of the oem analog output, sum it and then ‘produce’ 5 channels (or more with the bit1) of new digital frequencies with the ability to configure the cut off points, frequency ranges, slope, time delays, etc for each individual channel using a pc.
(there is also the bit1 which offers different options/configurations)
I probably won’t get into this sound upgrade until I handle various other mechanical concerns (springs/shocks) but I thought I’d share this little insight just in case someone else wants to jump in with both feet and report back.
wj
I am currently semi retired and no longer in that industry but my love of properly sounding music has not faded over the years.
I currently have a 2008 XK convertible with the Alpine System, it is lacking to say the least.
I don’t want to make a major investment in the sound system of this particular car but would like a better sound.
My investigation has led me to seriously consider a bit more investment than I initially wanted to do.
The components would include an Audison Bit -10 sound processor, a new amp to be determined and 4 new speakers (doors+ rear panels).
The key is the Audison uinit, It will allow the enduser to ‘grab’ all of the oem analog output, sum it and then ‘produce’ 5 channels (or more with the bit1) of new digital frequencies with the ability to configure the cut off points, frequency ranges, slope, time delays, etc for each individual channel using a pc.
(there is also the bit1 which offers different options/configurations)
I probably won’t get into this sound upgrade until I handle various other mechanical concerns (springs/shocks) but I thought I’d share this little insight just in case someone else wants to jump in with both feet and report back.
wj
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