Adding an Aftermarket Amp(s)

[LVLAaron]

Got it all plumbed up over the weekend.


The noise floor of the Fix86 is really unacceptable. With the radio muted, there's a high pitched hiss and a bunch of static... I tried different amps, turning the Fix voltage down to 1v, amp gain all the way down, and the noise is just too much.

It's not anything with the vehicle electrical system. I can power the Fix with an external battery and the vehicle off and get the same noise(s).

I SORT OF noticed this when this gear was in my previous vehicle (Ram 1500). I assume it wasn't as noticeable because the speakers in the truck aren't 6 inches from your head and face.

I did some searching and apparently it's a common Fix86 issue. JL recommends using their volume knob that controls the fix to avoid it, because the fix is at full gain otherwise.

I'd rather rip all of this out than deal with that.


I ordered an Audio Control D-4.800. (Built in DSP). I had one before. As an AMP/DSP I was happy with it, but using the software really sucked, and the bluetooth dongle (not required for daily use) added some "flickering" high pitched noises.

I really miss the good old days when you could just install a head unit and an amp.

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[rcoe]

I ordered an Audio Control D-4.800. (Built in DSP). I had one before. As an AMP/DSP I was happy with it, but using the software really sucked, and the bluetooth dongle (not required for daily use) added some "flickering" high pitched noises.

I really miss the good old days when you could just install a head unit and an amp.

I have had pretty good luck with the AudioControl stuff in other vehicles using the high level inputs.

I think my plans for the Jeep will start with replacing the Uconnect with a Horizon10, this way I am feeding the amp a good clean signal with a bonus that this screen can run the DSP software for the AudioControl amps.

 

[LVLAaron]

Cool. I hope the Audio Control gets me somewhere reasonable.

The output of the uConnect5 is actually dead flat, with a little lift on the very top end, 15k+ - Probably to make up for the paper speakers and no real tweeters.

Output from my old trucks uconnect was ALL over the place, and the fix did a great job.

 

[LVLAaron]

The Audio Control works MUCH better.

Attaching these correction graphs just for a laugh. The amount of engineering car makers go through just to use cheap ass speakers is crazy.

FRONT

REAR

 

[jdhunt0]

I have had pretty good luck with the AudioControl stuff in other vehicles using the high level inputs.

I think my plans for the Jeep will start with replacing the Uconnect with a Horizon10, this way I am feeding the amp a good clean signal with a bonus that this screen can run the DSP software for the AudioControl amps.

I was not aware of this. Does it control other brand’s DSPs as well?

 

[Sting_NC_USA]

Metra had a couple of great displays at SEMA this year, including a dedicated board for the JL/JK.

 

[rcoe]

I was not aware of this. Does it control other brand’s DSPs as well?

No it is just the audio control stuff.

 

[Alamein.sajib]

Not sure if this has been mentioned before, Metra JP-1014 Speaker Pods are not compatible with RHD Export Wrangler JL (and assume also Gladiators).

Found the hard way, after spending hours taking the dash apart just to see that the mounting holes for RHD vehicles are in different location and Metra pods would not fit.

Thank you @Sting_NC_USA for the awesome guide, helped a lot.

 

[Biconia]

It been already 5 years that i had Aftermarket Sound system installed with JL Audio Fix86 still going Strong , thanks to @Sting_NC_USA got help on Calibration for my JL Fix on ( was trying to calibrate with wrong file lol 05/29/2020

 

[Robiwan]

Hope stinger or someone finds this. 2021 alpine premium with 8 speakers, amp and sub woofer. I will install amp pro aph ch41r2 with aph ch03 cables to attach to factory speaker wires, add JBL 4086 amp/dsp for driving 8 speakers, 4 front, 4 rear. Already changed factory speakers to Kickers (DSC3504's front upper dash and sound bar, KSC404's sound bar, CSC654's kick panels) Leave factory amp running factory sub woofer. May add powered sub woofer under driver seat, utilizing channels 5-6 out of pac. Questions:

1. How to wire sub woofer using ch03 wiring harness. Instructions states connect same colored wires together. I assume this means the 8 wires from the sub woofer, but where do I connect these together/to what other wires? Directions show 10 wire connector and 22 gray wire connector with references to tie wires together - doesn't make sense to me.

2. Once above works, can I take 5-6 channel out of pack and connect to powered sub woofer using 2 RCA's. May have to play with phase...

3. Are the factory speaker wires (8 speakers) able to handle the 40 watt RMS from JBL DSP/amp? Are factory speaker wires just plain wires with no crossovers, caps, etc.?

See any issues and/or cautions? Thanks!

 

[JCae2798]

What's up all. Hope everyones well and getting ready for the next summer season.

You may recall a couple pages ago, I posted about my 2024 build ( #1,371 )
Well looks like PAC finally released their update to support the new uConnect5 systems. I was wondering if it would be worth the cost and effort to replace the current KeyLOC I used in my setup to get a cleaner and louder signal out of the system? With the top open/doors off I could use a little more oomph whereas today most songs above the 30 volume creates a dirtier signal leading to distortion....

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sting_NC_USA]

What's up all. Hope everyones well and getting ready for the next summer season.

You may recall a couple pages ago, I posted about my 2024 build ( #1,371 )
Well looks like PAC finally released their update to support the new uConnect5 systems. I was wondering if it would be worth the cost and effort to replace the current KeyLOC I used in my setup to get a cleaner and louder signal out of the system? With the top open/doors off I could use a little more oomph whereas today most songs above the 30 volume creates a dirtier signal leading to distortion....

Thanks in advance.

How high is the gain set on the KeyLOC? If set too high, turning the stock radio above 50%, or so, would likely introduce way too much distortion.

 

[zw470]

Question for the AmpPRO experts... I saw this note about the system on Crutchfield's website, but I don't see any mention of it in the actual AmpPRO documentation.

My JLR originally had the 7" but I replaced it with a plug-and-play 8.4" from NisMopar, all I had to do was use my Tazer to enable Offroad Pages. Will I need to have the sales code updated to use the AmpPRO?

 

[Sting_NC_USA]

Question for the AmpPRO experts... I saw this note about the system on Crutchfield's website, but I don't see any mention of it in the actual AmpPRO documentation.

My JLR originally had the 7" but I replaced it with a plug-and-play 8.4" from NisMopar, all I had to do was use my Tazer to enable Offroad Pages. Will I need to have the sales code updated to use the AmpPRO?

I believe, not verified, they are sharing that statement exclusively to ensure folks know they need a functioning radio prior to adding the PAC device.

Their tech support likely deals with troubleshooting issues on unregistered radios, which wastes tons of time.

 

[Tr4ckD4ys]

Hope stinger or someone finds this. 2021 alpine premium with 8 speakers, amp and sub woofer. I will install amp pro aph ch41r2 with aph ch03 cables to attach to factory speaker wires, add JBL 4086 amp/dsp for driving 8 speakers, 4 front, 4 rear. Already changed factory speakers to Kickers (DSC3504's front upper dash and sound bar, KSC404's sound bar, CSC654's kick panels) Leave factory amp running factory sub woofer. May add powered sub woofer under driver seat, utilizing channels 5-6 out of pac. Questions:

1. How to wire sub woofer using ch03 wiring harness. Instructions states connect same colored wires together. I assume this means the 8 wires from the sub woofer, but where do I connect these together/to what other wires? Directions show 10 wire connector and 22 gray wire connector with references to tie wires together - doesn't make sense to me.

2. Once above works, can I take 5-6 channel out of pack and connect to powered sub woofer using 2 RCA's. May have to play with phase...

3. Are the factory speaker wires (8 speakers) able to handle the 40 watt RMS from JBL DSP/amp? Are factory speaker wires just plain wires with no crossovers, caps, etc.?

See any issues and/or cautions? Thanks!

Did you ever solve this? I have the same questions.

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