How To Make Your Car Sound Incredible 🚘

[@jessewoodworth3888]

Askin for suggestions on if focal k2 components are better in 2ohm or 4 ohm version? Also are the focal k2's worth spending the extra $ over the focal flax evo series speakers? Thanks

[@CarAudioHorizons]

@jessewoodworth3888 The flax has a good 6.5 but the tweeters are not on par. Unfortunately I don’t believe they sell them alacarte. The K2 Power M’s are nice speakers. With regards to the 2ohm or 4 ohm just depends on how you want to run it. If you had a amp/dsp you would probably go 2ohm, if you had big power and a separate DSP you would probably go 4ohm.

[@froe31061]

This is the best tutorial on KZbin, Hands Down !!!!!!

[@MohanSingh1978]

Hi Dave, I currently have an Innova Hycross (MPV) with a sound system that includes a Front three-way Thesis setup, Rear two-way Hertz Mille Legend, and a Hertz Legend 2500.3 subwoofer, all powered by an Audison DSP Amp C 8.14, Audison M6D, and AudioControl 1.1500. The source is a FiiO M11 Plus DAP connected via a 3.5mm to coaxial cable, with professional tuning. After watching your videos, I've decided to upgrade the DSP and amplifiers. I'm planning to install a Helix Ultra with a director, two Audison AV Quattro Class AB amps, and a Hertz DP4.300 Class AB amp. All RCA cables are custom-made with 5N purity. The sources will be the FiiO M11 Plus and A&K SR35 DAP, connected via a 4.4mm balanced cable 7N Purity. Is there anything specific I should keep in mind during the installation?

[@drninjutsu1304]

Helix DSP’s are the best there is for an all around DSP! Sure Zapco’s might sound a bit better but their software has so many issues and is just poor all around. The only problem with the Helix DSP’s are the Director and conductor volume knob’s having issues. I’m on my third one now. Other than that they are great. Hopefully they will make them sound even better in the future with better DAC’s and higher end components.

[@CarAudioHorizons]

Yes, I agree 100% and hopefully they will fix the issues with the director and conductor as I was just talking about these issues with a guy on Instagram that pretended they didn’t exist. Will see what the next Helix or Brax DSP’s will be like. Maybe an i2s input and some higher end DAC’s and component’s like you were saying.

[@giopap512]

Hello my friend...You re making great videos...Just a question i m having an audison quattro amplifier and i m running a hertz unit 2 way mille 1650.3...can you please tell me in my amplifier there is a button hi low and full...where this button should be to get clarity because i feel that the voices are a little crunchy...i have it at the full mode....Also My sub is crossed at 80 hz and my unit at 60 hz...thank you very much..!!!

[@CarAudioHorizons]

@@giopap512 Just download the manual and it will tell you based on your set up.

[@giopap512]

@@CarAudioHorizons thank you very much Dave..!!!One last question my friend.. In my subwoofer should I use the subsonic filter and in what hertz should I put it?

[@CarAudioHorizons]

Everyone’s system is different so it all depends. Do you have a DSP?

[@giopap512]

@@CarAudioHorizons Yes Dave i have an audison bit ten dsp ,an old one...i m cutting the sub at 80 hz 24 Butterworth...And i put my subsonic at 20 hz...Should i increase it?

[@CarAudioHorizons]

@@giopap512 Every system is different as sub boxes are different, different amps, different subs, different vehicles, different DSP’s etc.. there is no do this and you will get the best sound. That’s not how it works. My settings are going to be different than the next guy and so on and so forth. You need to find out what works best for your vehicle. Go to a SQ event like MECA or IASCA and listen to the top systems, see if someone has your vehicle.

[@completelyanonymous8683]

I have a great system. Currently using an Audiocontrol D-5.1300, but I do not have a way to make a direct connection between the iPad / iPhone and Ford Sync 4 system because it does not have a 3.5mm aux. Stuck with bluetooth. Just thought you might have a suggestion.

[@CarAudioHorizons]

It’s unfortunate as your Audiocontrol D-5.1300 doesn’t have any digital inputs which are pretty much on every DSP/Amp these days.

[@high16200]

Hi Dave, Very detailed topic that will really help beginners or those looking for better sound quality with an aftermarket DSP/amplifier. I enjoyed hearing your good instructive advice and you are always more than amazing my friend.🙏🙏💪

[@CarAudioHorizons]

I just seen so many DYI guys cutting wires in their systems showing How To KZbin videos. The vehicles they were doing videos of, had an integration piece available that would seamlessly integrate into their systems and give them the best signal possible, retaining all their features. So no need in cutting wires 🤦‍♂️

[@high16200]

Dave, Yes! I have seen these videos sometime here in Europe. Your video will give a better understanding and how wonderful music can sound with an additional device to your factory integrated system and without cutting all the wires.😄

[@Saltydog547]

My system consists of aftermarket pioneer headunit, audison ap8.9bit dsp amp running focal k2 3 way active. I listen to mostly spotify, youtube music and tidal using andriod auto wireless. I notice you use a DAP. Can you really can tell the difference between loseless from DAP versus streaming audio like spotify? Is it a night and day kind of difference or is it like a 5% improvement kind which you have to listen to the same track repeatedly to be able to tell the difference?

[@CarAudioHorizons]

Yes, every DAP I have had sounds a lot better than Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. That being said do you have coaxial digital input on your DSP? I believe you only have optical toslink.

[@sohailahamed7113]

My Amp is JL Vx800/8i and I only have optical toslink how can i connect dap directly to dsp

[@Myth1as]

Thanks for that vid...very informative...Unfortunately cant find any audio interface for my car (Citroen c4iii c-cross) as your link are only for US and citroen and peugeot dont import in US....also i cant find something for my car in europe...will continue to search as i want to keep my factory unit(android auto)...another solution but i lose or the car functions is a DAP straight to DSP right?? Thanks again for the info...keep up the good work

[@CarAudioHorizons]

Yes, that vehicle you would more than likely just go into a DSP. Best to find the Helix distributor their and ask them if they ever did your vehicle. Having an interface for your vehicle is great but I barely ever listen to Apple CarPlay or Android Audio as I always bypass everything and go straight to my Helix DSP Ultra. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are overrated, they are the features people want that are not into hi end car audio 😆 If you don’t want to go with a DAP you can use an SMSL PO100 Pro which is cheap $85 Canadian and your phone or a tablet and it’s excellent! You can use that and go Optical, or coaxial or even i2s right into your DSP. Then you can connect your phone at the same time to Bluetooth and then that will control your track skip etc from your steering wheel controls.

[@Myth1as]

@@CarAudioHorizons Wow the SMSL option is really cheap alternative..never thought of that..will try it before i go for a dap purchase,,,,thanks for your answer...Keep up the good work my friend!!

[@CarAudioHorizons]

@@Myth1as Yes, I did a review on it a little over a month ago, it’s a great affordable product

[@ubacow7109]

Id like for people to explain what good car audio objectively sounds like tbh

[@CastingCelebrity]

Allow me to give an info about the latest 2021 model Zapco ST 6X DSP lll is a very good option to start in DSP / Amp world... It only cost about 400 usd. It has 6 x 100 wrms @4ohms built in class A/B amplifier + 2 pre outs. Don't buy the previous model because has no input gain and tends to cause clipping. So sorry flooded u with so many comments :) Because im so enthusiast about your topic. As always good job mate!!

[@CarAudioHorizons]

Unfortunately where I’m at in Canada Zapco is nowhere to be found. I believe they’re more prominent in the United States and I know Peter from PSSound uses a lot of the Hi end Zapco gear…AP Amplifiers and the HD DSP 16 channel. I believe their software issues were with their hi end gear.

[@nickster1059]

Hello, thanks again for this info, i just search all those sites, but nobody has my car😂 hyundai i30 from 2009😢, gr from holland

[@CarAudioHorizons]

You can replace the head unit in that vehicle

[@digginglow]

It’s a nightmare trying to get great audio in my current car. Next vehicle I get needs to have a module available. Won’t ever go through this again

[@CarAudioHorizons]

What vehicle do you currently have?

[@digginglow]

2020 Acura tlx v6 base none els 7 speakers

[@CarAudioHorizons]

@@digginglow Yes, I didn’t see anything for that vehicle. I use to have an Acura RSX Type S years ago. Always like Acura it was probably the most reliable vehicle I had, never had one issue with it. But for audio these days they make it difficult to integrate with.

[@CarAudioHorizons]

@@digginglow The best way to do a stereo in those types of vehicles is just go with a Helix DSP and a Fiio DAP so you can bypass everything in the system and go Coaxial Digital out of the DAP into the Helix DSP if it’s a Helix DSP.3s, or Pro MK3, or Ultra, or the DSP/AMP Ultimate P6. Anyone that has coaxial digital in.

[@CastingCelebrity]

I just hooked my android phone to DAC dongle or to Bluetooth Receiver and wired directly to DSP Amplifier's RCA... Obviously better sound than Head units receiver...

[@TheJeof1000]

Love your advice!

[@Gobu-z1g]

Is an independent DSP better than an inbuilt in an amplifier?

[@CarAudioHorizons]

It Depends on what DSP and DSP/AMP you’re talking about as they all have different specs. For Helix the DSP Ultra is their best DSP. Usually the DSP in the amp/DSP’s are a trickled down version on the stand alone DSP’s. The software is usually the same but the parts are different.

[@Gobu-z1g]

@@CarAudioHorizons Thanks for the feedback. I'm currently running a 4 channel amp excelsus and want a Independent DSP the inbuilt DSP amps mostly have less than 100 RMS per channel. What additional cabling would I need to have an independent DSP?

[@CarAudioHorizons]

@@Gobu-z1g With an independent DSP you just need the RCA’s to go to the amps depending on how many channels you’re going to run. Then a controller possibly if you’re going to run a DAP as a source or want to control the settings etc..

[@You-sw7tm]

@@CarAudioHorizons It's not toshlink. It's toslink.

[@CarAudioHorizons]

No really? WOW thanks for the information I didn’t know it’s called Toslink. 😆 You must be the Troll from Five Star

[@d.r8425]

What about for a 2015 Chevy Cruze with Pioneer premium audio? I have found no integration systems for it.

[@CarAudioHorizons]

I believe in that vehicle You can replace the head unit.

[@d.r8425]

@@CarAudioHorizons Yes, I could, but I want to replace the amp.

[@CarAudioHorizons]

@@d.r8425 Wouldn’t you just run the amps/dsp off of the new head unit?

[@d.r8425]

@@CarAudioHorizons I am keeping the original head unit. I am just adding a dsp and amps for front stage and trunk subs. New speakers also, Morels up front and Rockford sub box.

[@CarAudioHorizons]

@@d.r8425 Ok, well if you end up getting any of the new Helix DSP’s you can always run a DAP strait to it via coaxial digital for the best connection

[@nickorozco5933]

How about the Audio Control DSP amp? Have you heard this product?

[@CarAudioHorizons]

Yes, but it wasn’t tuned properly in the vehicle I heard so it never sounded very good. But they’re not in the same class as the Helix DSP’s depending on which one $$ wise the Helix are a lot more expensive and have a lot more features than the Audiocontrol DSP’s. Spec wise the Helix are quite a bit higher as well. I have heard the amplifiers in a few vehicles in passive system and they sounded good.

[@CarAudioHorizons]

@Andre Kirk We might have to wait for a bit as Audiocontrol has a new update coming soon. Apparently it’s a big update