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      01-18-2019, 12:49 PM   #133
ctuna
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Right the pre outs from the JL would be what you use to run your sub amp
With a simple RCA cables.(both left and right )
The next questions would be for Hi Fonics as to the proper way to set
it up. The pictures that I saw in there manuals suggest that it will take
the Right and Left RCA (from the JL preout)as a proper Input.
I would ask them if this is correct and how you should adjust .
also describe the setup with the Loc and why you like it better
and see if they can give you an answer as to which is best and why.
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      01-18-2019, 12:55 PM   #134
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctuna View Post
Right the pre outs from the JL would be what you use to run your sub amp
With a simple RCA cables.(both left and right )
The next questions would be for Hi Fonics as to the proper way to set
it up. The pictures that I saw in there manuals suggest that it will take
the Right and Left RCA (from the JL preout)as a proper Input.
I would ask them if this is correct and how you should adjust .
also describe the setup with the Loc and why you like it better
and see if they can give you an answer as to which is best and why.
Will email them now. Thanks again! Hopefully we will get this all figured out soon.
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      01-18-2019, 08:40 PM   #135
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Hifonics emailed back:

"This sounds like it is a problem with your line output converter. If you're getting less volume even direct from the line output converter you may need a line driver to boost your signal if you split the signal after you installed your 4ch amp. The only setting to adjust the input level on the amplifier would be the gain adjustment on the amp. You may want to take your vehicle to a MECP certified installer and have them diagnose it. Most Best Buy's or Frys have them."

Doesnt help too much, I dont think. Anyway, my final opinion on the sound right now is that it is a much cleaner sound, but its not as loud nor as punchy. Right now the RCAs are coming from the LOC, not the JL amp. I like how clean it is, but I want the "depth" of the bass and the loudness of the bass back. Maybe not completely back to normal, but louder than it is right now. So, any final ideas or suggestions are welcome... I just need to get this done and sounding right.

Ctuna, thanks for your help so far. I would have never even gotten new speakers if you wouldnt have suggested it and I would have gotten a new HU that wouldn't even function like it needs to in a bmw. I appreciate your patience!
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      01-18-2019, 09:18 PM   #136
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All I know is pre out signals is the preferred and pro method.
Less distortion and not another element in the signal stream.

If you are getting a larger signal out of the Loc that would be why it
sounds different. To verify this you would need a oscilloscope.
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      01-18-2019, 09:36 PM   #137
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctuna View Post
All I know is pre out signals is the preferred and pro method.
Less distortion and not another element in the signal stream.

If you are getting a larger signal out of the Loc that would be why it
sounds different. To verify this you would need a oscilloscope.
So you are saying to just run BOTH rcas from the JL amp pre outs straight to the sub amp? If thats the case, how could I get the sound I wanted? On the sub amp, everything is at zero besides the level pointed straight up, LPF and HPF. Bass boost is at zero, phase is at zero, width and center are at zero, bass knob is at approximately 1/4 of the way up.
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      01-18-2019, 09:46 PM   #138
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I am telling you what a pro setup would look like if you want to do
something else its on you.
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      01-18-2019, 10:09 PM   #139
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctuna View Post
I am telling you what a pro setup would look like if you want to do
something else its on you.
I know, I was trying to clarify what you recommended to be sure. Are you saying the best/pro thing to do is run the rcas from the jl amp to the hifonics amp? And then if so, what kind of adjustments do I need to make on my sub amp, if any? Or should I leave it how it is and just mess with the gain knob?
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      01-19-2019, 01:31 AM   #140
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Does you Loc have two RCA cables running to the Sub Amp?
Why don't you run it by the guy that straightened out your wiring.
The JL is set up to give you a set of pre out signals for another amp or
your sub amp without a LOC. Ask anybody that installs a auto stereo.
If it sounds different then the outputs from the Loc and the Pre outs on the
JL are not the same.
Since the Loc taps into the equalized outputs of the JL amp there may be
some effect there though I can't see how it would be much.
My guess is it has a higher voltage signal.
You should be able to bring the gain up on your sub.
I would go get local help if it bothers you or just leave it the way it
is . If the Loc is getting.
Do you have the brand and the spec sheet for the Loc?
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      01-19-2019, 10:55 AM   #141
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctuna View Post
Does you Loc have two RCA cables running to the Sub Amp?
Why don't you run it by the guy that straightened out your wiring.
The JL is set up to give you a set of pre out signals for another amp or
your sub amp without a LOC. Ask anybody that installs a auto stereo.
If it sounds different then the outputs from the Loc and the Pre outs on the
JL are not the same.
Since the Loc taps into the equalized outputs of the JL amp there may be
some effect there though I can't see how it would be much.
My guess is it has a higher voltage signal.
You should be able to bring the gain up on your sub.
I would go get local help if it bothers you or just leave it the way it
is . If the Loc is getting.
Do you have the brand and the spec sheet for the Loc?
The loc I have is just the kicker Line out converter and the product code or whatever is "kisloc". It has 1 pair of RCAs running to the amp (2 plugs). It doesnt bother me too much, I just want the best sound I can get and I just wanna hit the lows like I used to and get the same amount of punch. Also, that loc is made to handle 50 or 55 watts and my new amp is putting out 70-100 so that might have something to do with it, and the wires I spliced into for the loc are the ones for the under seat subs which are now low passed at 180hz. My subs are getting lower than 180hz, just not as loud as they used to at those ranges. And you seem to be leaning towards using the JL preouts rather than the loc so I will try that again today and see what kind of sound I get.
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      01-19-2019, 11:20 AM   #142
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The JL preouts provide a full range signal you need to play with the gain
for more output on the sub amp maybe.
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      01-19-2019, 12:11 PM   #143
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctuna View Post
The JL preouts provide a full range signal you need to play with the gain
for more output on the sub amp maybe.
Okay so to be clear, you are saying to use the JL outs, and increase my gain knob to get the sound I want rather than use the LOC?
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      01-19-2019, 05:10 PM   #144
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Look back at the first line in Entry 133 .
Then you go down to three local stereo shops and ask
them do I feed my sub amp with the pre out from
my Jl or use a line converter . Right down there votes
take the average and flip a coin.
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      01-19-2019, 05:23 PM   #145
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctuna View Post
Look back at the first line in Entry 133 .
Then you go down to three local stereo shops and ask
them do I feed my sub amp with the pre out from
my Jl or use a line converter . Right down there votes
take the average and flip a coin.
Gotcha. And then no matter if I use the pre outs or the loc, I need to up the gain?

Update: Ive contacted a couple people and they both said to use the JL preouts, so thats enough for me to use those and just take out the LOC since the audio shop wired in a new remote wire from the technic harness. After I do all that, all I should have to do is clean up the wiring and play with the gain and The system should finally be done for now!
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      01-21-2019, 08:21 PM   #146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by j.f.leonard View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by ctuna View Post
Look back at the first line in Entry 133 .
Then you go down to three local stereo shops and ask
them do I feed my sub amp with the pre out from
my Jl or use a line converter . Right down there votes
take the average and flip a coin.
Gotcha. And then no matter if I use the pre outs or the loc, I need to up the gain?

Update: Ive contacted a couple people and they both said to use the JL preouts, so thats enough for me to use those and just take out the LOC since the audio shop wired in a new remote wire from the technic harness. After I do all that, all I should have to do is clean up the wiring and play with the gain and The system should finally be done for now!
JL Audio has a video on YouTube on how to set the gain on their amps
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      01-23-2019, 07:35 PM   #147
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I finally got around to plugging the rcas in to the JL pre outs and listening to some music and its just not good at all. My subs barely hit, even with the bass knob at 3/4 of the way... maybe my Hifonics amp just doesnt accept that kind of signal or something. So, the rcas are back in the LOC. Next step will be sound deadener in the trunk to get rid of some of the vibrations that have started to occur more often. Any helpful comments or thoughts on why Im not getting any low end signal from the JL speaker amp?

Also, Ive been thinking about downgrading my subs and upgrading my sub amp to Rockford Fosgate P2D2 12s and the JL JX1000.1D amp for a nicer, cleaner sound; but thats off topic.
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      01-24-2019, 06:35 PM   #148
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Should I get a better quality LOC like the LC2i?
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      01-28-2019, 04:49 PM   #149
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My plan is to sound deaden the trunk and get an LC2i next to help with the bass signal. Then, depending on how it sounds, I may get a smaller amp and different subs to better match the car and I might eventually upgrade the rear deck speakers and amp those as well.

Thanks for all the help on my "journey" to a better sound system. The Match speakers sound GREAT with the JL JX400/4d and I plan to get the JL JX1,000.1d if I change subs.
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      01-30-2019, 08:23 AM   #150
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Quote:
Originally Posted by j.f.leonard View Post
My plan is to sound deaden the trunk and get an LC2i next to help with the bass signal. Then, depending on how it sounds, I may get a smaller amp and different subs to better match the car and I might eventually upgrade the rear deck speakers and amp those as well.

Thanks for all the help on my "journey" to a better sound system. The Match speakers sound GREAT with the JL JX400/4d and I plan to get the JL JX1,000.1d if I change subs.
You could buy a 5 channel amp and bridge the channels for your mid-base sub(s), under the seats, leaving room for a bigger sub (10 or 12") on the 5th channel. You will need to upgrade the subs to at least the BMW Individual Audios, at a bare minimum, in order for them to handle the bridged power.

You could even buy 6 or 8 channel amp with the same thought process in mind giving you greater flexibility.

Alpine & JL Audio are predominately the "favored" amps by BMW owners specifically PDX & XD versions (levels), in those two brands.

I have been looking at JL Audio subwoofers and the trunk, corner mounted enclosures. You can get one on eBay shipped from GB 🇬🇧 for about $180.00. I can find any bad reviews on their subwoofers.

Under the seat mid-base subs can be a headache to try and find. I personally don't like my Logic 7. They are muddy in sound... sound like sh@t.

The Jenhert XE200's are probably the best mid-has subs for our cars, but they aren't cheap. $450 or so brand new and about $350.00 used.... 💰💰💰💰

The kicker SSMB 8 is probably the 2nd best mid-base sub foe our car, but good luck finding them used!! 😒🤔

The Bav Sound Ghost Subwoofers get very good reviews on the M3 forum, from those who have the BMW IA system, but they are $600.00 💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰
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      03-10-2019, 08:53 PM   #151
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Just for fun, heres the finished product of my sound system (minus running the bass knob and getting a much shorter rca cable)
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