Greetings folks,

Just wanted to throw out there that I just installed the new JBL MS-8, and it is phenominal. I was one of the original pre-orders, took me some time to to get everything together for the full install.

The unit itself is amazing. I was using an audio control DQL-8 before. I was also using passive crossovers with Cadence amps.

I upgraded my amps to Zapco ref's, running active with CDT Pss 0626 comps and CDT classic rears, upgraded the center as well. I have a DIYMA Ref 12 that is powered by an eclispe Class D.

To hook up the MS8, I used the pre-factory amp signal, I was apprehensive about the voltage into the MS 8, it was not an issue. The MS8 also takes high level inputs if you want to keep navi voice. The seperation on the unit is amazing, and the auto tune/calebration is so simple its stupid. I spent so much time with graph paper, test tones and a DB meter when trying to tune my AC unit, the auto calebration took 5 minutes and sounds tons better. After the auto calebration takes place, you still have a 31band graphic EQ and tone controls to tune. Its very easy to use....

The unit allows one to run a two way active unit up front, seperatly amped sides(or rears in my case), and then powers the center and rears if you choose from the actual MS8 unit. The auto tune then calebrates all of the speakers to give a seamless sound with a recommened EQ curve base off your preselected cross over points, that can of course be tuned.

It comes with a small 3.5/3.5ish display (smaller than a GPS) than can be mounted near the dash, the calebration headphones plug into the display, the display plugs into the MS8 unit. All the controls on the MS8 can only be adjusted when the display is pluged in, but the MS8 works with or with out the display pluged in if you do not want it mounted. I did not want mine mounted in plain sight, so its installed in the rear arm-rest pass through.

It sounds freaking awesome, at least much better than what I had before. Highly recommended. Ill post pics shortly.

 

Ugh and im in the process or installing the DQL-8. This makes me want to ditch the DQL-8 and get an MS-8.

Thanks for the review... Much appreciated.

I'm prob gonna PM you some questions on how to install the DQL-8 into my 04 TL w Nav. just to make sure I have everything set up correctly.

 

I'm ready to ditch my 3Sixty.2, I've had it for 2 years now and have never been able to tune it. I've really been thinking about picking one of these up.

P.S. How's that speaker working out for you?

 

I've got one of these sitting on my floor right now ready to go in. Can't wait.

 

No prob... Dont get me wrong, the I got the Dql-8 to sound pretty good with some serious tuning time. I did not have access to an RTA and did not want to buy one, but if you can get your hands on one, just RTA the R side and L side, cut signals to match (never boost to match). EQ 20hz to 200hz to taste than eq it flat from 200-20k. You will have to do some serious cutting in the 2k-10k range to get flat to compensate for the factory amp settings.

If you cant find a RTA, get a DB meter and, find a test tone disk and start making some charts!

You can also eq to compensate for lack of time allignment in the front stage.

 

The center? works good, just got it installed. to be honest, the MS8 blends everthing so well, I had to stick my ear next to it to make sure it was working!

 

Here are some pics, nothing flashy.

 

Try this, sorry.

http://s667.photobucket.com/albums/v...92/2010%20MS8/

 

Looks very promising. I couldn't wait at the time and I got the Bitone.1.

 

I had my MS-8 installed today. Are you having issues with your callers hearing an echo through the bluetooth phone? I can hear fine, but my callers say they hear themselves repeated on about a second or two delay.

I'm going to spend a fresh day tuning it tomorrow and see how good I can get it to sound.

 

I honestly dont use bluetooth at all, I dont even think my phone is bluetooth capable. Did you use high level or low level input? The only problem I have noticed is the sub level seems to be disproportionatly high after auto tune.

I am very pleased with the tone and image though, its outstanding and amazing how quick the set up is. I just have to get my sub dialed in better.

 

Gary, Awesome set-up, I'm in the process of a few amp changes & subwoofer, After coming in 4th at a MECA meet decide to add a Morel Ultimo and a Brax to power it, I took out my DC350.2 and put in a DCRef1000.4 for the tweets and mids & using the 360.4 bridged for the midbass, Well I dont think at the next meet I'll be a half point away from 2nd and 3rd and a point away from 1st. I wish to crush the compitetion and some of the upgrade should cover my weakness Sub & mid bass, I will be adding a DSP to tune the Brax

 

Did you use your ears to set your amp gains with the MS-8? Or did you use a multimeter?

I'm trying to figure out the best way to check my gains with the MS-8 inline. I'm running a 300/4 active to my mids and tweets, I'd like to keep about 40w to the tweets and a full 75 to the mids.

I'm thinking of turning the MS-8 to -20db volume, then working from there, do you think that's enough input signal?

And, how are you controlling volume? The MS-8 wants my HU volume at 35, when I turn it down less than that a lot of the SQ goes away. I don't want to always control volume with the remote.

 

I'm currently using ears to set gains, but I've been playing with various settings. Did you see Andy w's post on setting gains with the ms8 on diy? I have to set my hu volume at 35 too, talked to Adam at jbl and that is not a problem. I've always run set up at -20 on the ms8, it's good. I get great sound out of my speakers everytime I run set up, the variances occur with my sub.

 

Thanks mark, that's an amazing amount of gear you have there. So you are going with two 12's? What is your enclosure going to look like?

 

Just the One Morel Ultimo, currently going into the WickedCas rear corner, But building a AP box for the ski pass thru

 

For anyone using this thread as a reference, if you choose to spice RCA's to your line level HU outs, you can use fronts only into CH 1 and 2, or use fronts and a mono sub signal, putting the sub into CH 7. Ive actually found the sound is better using the front only...

 

Im definitely thinking about adding this to my car. I was planning on just using the built in amp for a short time, but i have a question. Can I cut the wires from the factory amp and just run them into the line level input instead of splicing in RCAs? I wish this thing wasn't so expensive as id jump on it right away, but it is still cheaper then buying a headunit.