Hello all!

(2008 TL-S w/NAVI)

I've read a LOT of good information on this forum, and it's allowed me to do a lot of work in getting the audio just how i like it. However, I think there's still a lot of room for me to work, but I'd like to get some opinions from the great collective intelligence of this forum!

I've read conflicting opinions on where I should be grabbing my source signals from. Instinctively, it seems odd to be recommending putting an LOC after the factory amp, and then running it to a better one. In my case, that's a JL Audio 4300. The center speaker I've left on the factory amp - that seems to be what most others are doing too.

But doesn't it make more sense for me to eliminate the LOC and factory amp in the lines and just grab the factory amp inputs and run those back to my amp?

Also, do you guys run an EQ, or simply rely on the head unit? I never liked only having "bass" and "treble" settings, which essentially thats all I've been able to adjust on the stock head unit. Is there a way to get into the other bands on that graphic display of the 7 bands (I think its 7...)? Or are those just for show? If I could adjust each of them individually like I am on most aftermarket HU's, then there's no need for a real EQ. Right now I do have one in-line, but I'm not sure its helping much.

Are the signals that input to the stock amp strong enough by themselves to serve as proper (and clean) inputs to a JL amp for highs & mids, and also tap the sub lines (low level) into my sub amp directly? Again, I've read conflicting opinions, so I'd like to generate some conversation about it, if I could.

Anyways, sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance for any input....

 

the lines from the HU itself are too low, you will need a line driver to have an acceptable level for the AMP's to accept. Since you want the equalizer and all of the stuff, do this

HU-> Factory Amp -> Rockford fosgate 3.sixty -> Amps -> speakers.

You will have a high enough signal from the factory HU, the 3.sixty will be both an LOC and also an equalizer.

 

CSMEANCE-

Thanks for the reply... seems that with my particular amp (JL 4300) that the HU signals are indeed quite strong. In fact, it sounds fantastic!!!

Only problem I have left is a horrible ground noise from the sub amp - an older Kenwood KAC-8101D. I've tried playing with additional grounding for the RCA negs, making sure connections are tight. It did this when I was running off the factory amp and using the LOC (including amp signals) and also I JUST finished bypassing factory amp (and removed) and same exact noise.

I probably need a stronger ground, or at least a different one from the JL amp. Right now, both grounds are on the left side, behind the carpet up on the side, there's a small cluster of wires that I attached to. Perhaps I've got a ground loop now - slight noise persists even if the RCAs are unplugged.

I gotta tell ya - I'm VERY happy not having to use the LOC or factory amp. It just seems like it would be a cleaner signal. Perhaps my Kenwood needs trashed and I need a 500.1 Who knows...

 

For the benefit of other TL-S owners (post 2007 I believe), my "ground noise" was actually the noise cancellation problem. Removing rear microphone solved the problem instantly.

Easiest way to know if that is what is causing your problem - if you are experiencing the horrible ground noise while engine is running - and you open your driver side door... if noise goes away, start yanking out that microphone!