Because it probably has at best 2volt pre-outs and a horrible sound processor like those cheap $89 cd players at walmart. Those have basic treble midrange and bass controls of -6 to +6(which doesn't change the frequencies that are needed) and pop/jazz/country..etc settings. Those just aren't acceptable for spending $500+ to me. There are far superior units that will blow it away. There's more to quality sound than looks. No offense. There's more to headunits than just requiring them to have pre-outputs. You can buy an integrated harness to make your factory unit into RCA. Click here for that device. http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...8+-WHITE-.html Then you would want a nice sound processor to clean up the muddy sound. click here for a budget EQ http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...o+MA15EQX.html# This EQ allows front/rear connects and provides an additional connect for a subwoofer while cleaning the signal for a subwoofer as well. It's a great unit for the price.

 

I dunno, maybe I'm at an entire different level than most when it comes to demanding quality. All I know is that if I spend more than $500 for the purpose of creating nice sound, it better damn well do that. I just seen you said it had a 9band EQ? Post up a link for that info and I;ll check it out for ya.

 

Here's some more detailed info for the CH-4100:

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...=detailed_info

As far as using a line-out converter and crossover, how do you get around the factory radio adjusting the bass and treble. From what I understand about factory radios, when you turn the volume up, the radio will lower the bass to prevent distortion. I like the idea of the line-out converter and crossover. However, they are downstream from the factory radio. So when you adjust the volume, it will adjust the signal that is going to the crossover. So all the settings you've made to the crossover are for nothing, because the factory radio has the ultimate control.

Am I way off here?

Lucas

 

Well I suppose it has a few more adjustments than I thought it had. Def don't give them $999 for that. I use Crutchfield for information only. I never buy from those ripoff artists. However, If you like the idea of the converter, I would just go that route. You won't have to worry about a thing. The volume control at your fingertips won't change a thing other than the overall output from your speakers. Not even the bass/treble adjustments will change anything. The processor cmpletely erases the frequency ranges sort-a-speak and creates new ones. It's hard to explain. If you but those two things I talked about earlier, you don't have to worry about a thing. The only question is do you want a subwoofer gain control(if installing subs) If you do, your gonna want to get this, it's an all-in-one awesome machine. You can hook this directly to your stereo because of the high inputs. Check this out. It's worth every penny and makes life super easy. http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...rol+DQL-8.html#

 

I definitly won't pay 999 for it. I saw one on ebay for 489.00. I may be the first guinee pig.

More questions about the sound processors you posted. I'm a little confused. From what i've read and been told, the factory HU adjust the frequency curve as you turn the volume up. I.E. when you turn up the volume the HU turns down the bass. This is why people use sound processors (cleansweep, 3sixty, DQL-8). When using the sound processor, you set the factory HU volume to 3/4, and then the sound processor takes the factory signal and makes it completely flat. From there you are able to adjust the flat curve to your own liking. The cleansweep, and the 3sixty both state that you're not to touch the HU volume if you want to keep the frequency curve that you personally set up. Instead, you're supposed to use the supplied volume **** that comes with the sound processor. I refuse to use the add-on volume **** that comes with the cleansweep and 3sixty, because I think it takes away from the factory look, and that's what I'm going for.

Now, I did a little reading on the DQL-8, and I'm still a little unclear. You hook it up to the factory HU, and it gives you preamp outputs, and crossover capabilities. Once you set the crossover settings to your taste, does it digitally adjust the HU signal in real time. Meaning, as you turn the volume up, does the DQL-8 adjust the frequency curve to keep the curve to where you originally set it. Because as you turn the volume up, the HU will be adjusting the curve against the DQL-8. If the DQL-8 is smart enough to adjust the frequency in real time to counteract the negative effects of the HU, then this is the product i've been looking for.

Lucas

 

Any adjustment that is made at the head unit will not interupt or change the frequency ouput of the DQL-8. Now, it does not have Para-bass control like the 3.1, but that's really only necessary if you plan on doing DB drags. The DGQ-8 has what's called internal summing. That means it's capable of drawing every bit of power and sound frequency that is recieved and converting it into a raw and very consistent feed. Bass, treble and requency all change when you touch the volume no matter what the case is. Most car stereo's don't have the ability like home audion to maintain the consistency of equal shares. look at the size of a house radio and then at a car radio. I've explained enough. I think you are a little too worried about not a whole lot. Let's create a scenerio......Say you put this asounding piece of equiptment into your truck, hook up all sorts of goodies to it. Now you turn on the radio and it sounds great after all the tuning is out of the way. When you turn the volume up to max volume, wouldn't you actually like the bass to drop a few points in gain so the speakers aren't being pushed pass their excursion limits, especially for 6.5' and 6x9's? I would for the simple reason that I like to hear my bass louder at low volumes than if I were to compare it to the highs at a higher volume. Example. Lets use comparable table volume being 1-10 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest. Same with Bass volume +1db being the lowest and +10db loudest. Lets say I turn my deck on and use volume setting 5 for normal cruising, at that volume I want my bass at volume to be 6db. If I crank my stereo up to level 10, I would want my bass to be 9db. See the comparison? You really wouldn't want your bass doubled with higher volumes anyways, atleast that's how I am and I'm an audio critic.

The 3.1 rockford unit only has parabass control. It doesn't have internal summing capabilities, any equilizers, or a crossover and it sdoesn't have a sub control like the above unit, for the money, I think the cleansweep and 3.1 are a total waste of pennies. Lots of pennies to say the least.