Our take on the Rockford Fosgate 3SIXTY.1

by Matt Freeman

Factory sound systems keep getting better, but even top-of-the line options don't always deliver the best sound possible. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to replace your factory stereo, especially if it's tied into climate controls or other critical features. Rockford Fosgate's innovative 3Sixty.1 lets you install premium amplifiers, speakers, and subwoofers without forcing you to replace your factory in-dash stereo or undertake a massive rewiring project.

The 3Sixty.1 offers six high-level and low-level inputs, plus six preamp outputs, so you can use it with anything from a simple, four-speaker setup to a high-end factory 5.1 surround-sound system. You retain use of the in-dash stereo, along with steering-wheel controls or any other special factory equipment in your car. The 3Sixty.1 also features an auxiliary input, so you can add extra sources like your iPod® to the mix.

Upgrading the sound of your factory stereo
You hook up the 3Sixty.1 by connecting your car's speaker wires to its high-level inputs, and your amps to the 5-volt preamp outputs. You'll also need to make power and ground connections.

Sound adjustments are made with a wireless Bluetooth® connection. You'll need a laptop computer running Windows® or a Windows CE ® or Palm® device (sold separately). The package includes the software, which lets you adjust the sound wirelessly from anywhere in the car. This lets you mount the 3Sixty.1 in any convenient, out-of-the-way spot.

The 3Sixty.1 initially sets a flat equalization curve, which eliminates preset tone curves that can sound terrible through external amps. You can then tweak the adjustable 15-band equalizer to compensate for deficiencies in your factory stereo's sound processing and the acoustics in your vehicle. When you're done, you'll be able to see a before-and-after comparison of your system's sound quality on your Palm device. A handy dash-mountable source selector and volume knob round out this impressive package.

Brand-name stereos, too.
Of course, it's not just factory stereos that can benefit from the 3Sixty.1 — you can also use it with a brand-name aftermarket stereo. It allows you to add an auxiliary input and more amps than your stereo would normally be able to handle.

Highlights:

interactive signal processor lets you expand and tune any factory or brand-name stereo system
handheld Palm® 5.0 or higher device, Windows CE® device, or Windows® laptop with Bluetooth® capability required for making system adjustments
six high-level speaker inputs (front, rear, subwoofer, and center channel)
six low-level preamp inputs (front, rear, subwoofer, and center channel)
six 5-volt preamp outputs (front, rear, subwoofer, and center channel) for connection to external amplifiers
adjustable 15-band equalizer
auxiliary input
subwoofer low-pass filter
automatic equalization of factory sound
auto sum capability compensates for deficiencies in factory sound
on-board digital signal processor
dash-mountable volume knob and source selector
displays before-and-after comparison of sound equalization
7-5/16"W x 1-3/4"H x 4-1/2"D
warranty: 1 year
Our 60-day money-back guarantee

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What’s in the box? | In-depth notes

Product Research

What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

Interactive Signal Processor
Wired remote
Remote mounting bracket
Two 3/8" Self-tapping screws
16.25' Flat remote cable (with RJ-45 plugs on both ends)
Set up audio disc/CD-ROM
Installation & Operation manual (English/French/Spanish)

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Features
Inputs, Outputs, and Controls
Specifications
Manual Correction

Features

Product Overview: The Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.1 is a signal processor with equalization for six channels; front left and right, rear left and right, center, and subwoofer. It has six input channels, both line level and speaker level, so it can be used with almost any head unit, factory or after market. There is also an auxiliary input so you can add another source, even if your factory radio has no input available. Setup of the 3Sixty.1 is done with a PDA using the Palm operating system, OS V 5.0 or higher. The PDA is necessary and is not included.

PDA Compatibility: The PDA must use the Palm operating system. The control software to load onto your PDA is included with the 3Sixty.1. These minimum requirements are necessary:

Palm OS V 5.0 or higher
Bluetooth communication
320 x 320 display
16-bit color resolution
Current compatible PDAs include (but are not limited to):
- PalmOne Tungsten T5
- PalmOne Tungsten E2
- PalmOne Treo 650
- PalmOne Zire 72
- Sony PEG-NZ90
- Sony PEG-UX40
- Sony PEG-UX-50
- Tapwave Zodiac I
- Tapwave Zodiac 2

OEM Integration: This feature allows integration with a factory radio and amplifier, if present. Many OEM audio systems are tuned (equalized) for the factory amplifier and speakers, and to correct for the sonic characteristics of the specific car. The 3Sixty.1 uses the included setup disc and built-in equalizer to reverse this factory equalization and allow smoother integration with your higher quality aftermarket amplifiers and speakers.

Inputs: Either speaker level inputs or line level RCA inputs can be used. There are 6 input channels corresponding to the six output channels. If your existing radio has six output channels, use them all, if not, use what you have. The 3Sixty.1 will output all six channels with as few as two input channels.

Auxiliary Input: There are left and right RCA inputs to add an auxiliary source unit, satellite radio, DVD system, etc.

Equalizer: The built-in equalizer allows you to modify the sound to suit your taste. The front channels have a 5-band equalizer (EQ), the center and rear channels have a 4-band EQ, and the sub channel has a 2-band EQ.

Remote: The included wired remote has one rotary knob and the 3Sixty.1 can be programmed so it controls either the main volume or the subwoofer volume. Pushing the knob enters or exits the auxiliary input mode. The remote can be mounted in a variety of locations. The module's case can be removed and positioned with the mounting bracket above or below the module. Without the case the module can be flush mounted in your vehicle's dash (requires a 2" x 7/8" cutout with a maximum panel thickness of 3/8"). The wired remote (in its casing) is 2.292" wide, 1.196" tall and 1.491" deep (2.606" deep including the knob and cable connection). The included cable is 16.25' long.

Signal Sensing: If your head unit has no remote turn on output, the 3Sixty.1 will sense an audio input signal and turn on automatically. In this case the function of the remote terminal can be reprogrammed to send a 12 volt output to turn on your amplifier.

Inputs, Outputs, and Controls

Left Side of Unit:

Line Inputs: 6 RCA jacks for Front (left and right) Rear (left and right), Center, and Subwoofer
Level Controls: Three input level controls
Auxiliary Input: Left and right RCA inputs for an auxiliary source

Right Side of Unit:

RCA Outputs: 6 RCA jacks for Front (left and right) Rear (left and right), Center, and Subwoofer

Front of Unit:

12 volt: screw terminal, will accept bare wire up to 18 gauge, connect to constant 12 volt source, Rockford Fosgate recommends using a 2 amp fuse
Ground: screw terminal, will accept bare wire up to 18 gauge
Remote: screw terminal, will accept bare wire up to 18 gauge, can be used as an input to turn on the 3Sixty or an output to turn on the amp
Speaker Inputs: screw terminals, will accept bare wire up to 18 gauge, speaker level inputs for front (left and right), rear (left and right), center, and subwoofer
Communication Port: RJ-45 port for included wired remote

Specifications

Specifications:

Maximum Input Level: 20 volts RMS
Maximum Output Level: 5 volts RMS
Output Gain: +/-10 dB
Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 21 kHz
THD: <0.01%
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 100 dB (A-weighted)
Input Impedance: 10 kΩ

Manual Correction

Power Supply: The early printings of the 3Sixty.1 manual instruct you to connect the 12 volt power to a switched power source. This is not correct and can cause an audible pop when the unit is turned off. 12 volt power should be connected to a constant power source.

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1-5 of 5 items Sort Results By: Date Reviewed | Rating | Helpfulness

4 out of 5

Does great for me

Written By tripps1175, Gulfport, Ms on Friday, June 13, 2008

I have had this unit for 2 yrs now... Installed new speakers plus subs n amps. Keep factory head unit w/ nav/6 disc changer. This unit i was skeptical needing it, but listening to a friends unit which was almost exactly same as mine for speakers, type of vehicle, mine was far more superior than his. He was like wow, his sounded terrible n he spent more money for basically the same speakers, subs, n amp. Lets just say he went n got the .1 installed n seems happy now. This unit has been running nonstop for two yrs, long trips, n is great. Not sure what probs peeps been having, but no probs here. Would like the .2, but not for the money. Dodge 2500 quad cab truck, is great, thanks Fosgate.