What are Factory Sound Processors?

Factory car stereos are getting more and more complicated, as car manufacturers move away from standard-sized receivers to complicated, integrated designs. Often they are tied into a navigation system, climate controls, or other electronic functions, which make swapping it out for an aftermarket stereo difficult or even impossible. The problem is, its sound might not be up to your lofty standards.

Replacing the factory speakers is a great way to start. You might also choose to add an amplifier or subwoofer — or both. All of these things, done together or on their own, will improve your factory stereo's sound. But there will always be something holding you back, and it's built right into the stereo.

Factory stereos have built-in sound shaping

Your factory stereo uses preset equalization designed to make cheap factory speakers sound better, meaning that it automatically adjusts the different frequencies, creating audio "peaks and valleys" which can degrade sound quality. It is particularly noticeable when you add amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers to your setup, as any deficits in the sound are literally amplified.

Most factory stereos also limit the bass output as volume increases in an attempt to protect the speakers. The trouble is, even if you upgrade your speakers and install an amp and subwoofer, the bass output is still limited by your factory stereo. This throws your system out of balance and makes the bass sound muddy and weak.

So what if the factory sound doesn't cut it?

Fortunately, there's an easy cure. You can install a sound processor which strips away the sound-shaping limitations enforced by your factory stereo, sending a clean signal to your external amplifiers. The amps send the signal to your speakers and subs. Your reward will be resonant lows, sparkling highs, and a realistic sense of space and depth.

Are these sound processors complicated to install?

Installation generally isn't too difficult — these processors connect to your stereo using your vehicle's speaker wires, and then to your amps and subs. You'll be able to keep the look and controls of your factory stereo, but expand your system for serious sound.

We carry several different factory sound processors, each with slightly different capabilities:

	Audiocontrol's line of factory sound processors lets you take your factory stereo to a new level — they can convert the amplified signal from premium factory systems so you can add your own amps and subs. Their line drivers can send a clean, 9.5-volt signal to an aftermarket amp, giving you clean sound. All their processors are digital and highly customizable.
	Alpine PXE-H650: Alpine's IMPRINT™ sound-shaping technology is the secret to this processor. Place the included microphone wherever you want and IMPRINT measures your vehicle's acoustics and uses a 512-band equalizer to clean up the factory sound, tuning the stereo's output specifically to match your vehicle. You'll be able to tweak a little further with the 3-band parametric equalizer if you wish.
	The JBL MS-8 sound processor gives you the best of both worlds. It automatically equalizes and time-corrects your audio system when you install it. But then you can use the 31-band equalizer to fine tune the audio to your liking. You can store 5 different sound curves for different types of music or sources.
	JL Audio CleanSweep®: this nondescript little box does one thing, and does it very well. It strips all the factory sound-shaping presets, including "non-defeatable" equalization, and sends a clean signal to your amplifier. Once installed, you pop in a special calibration CD and the CleanSweep calibrates itself in about 20 seconds. The sound settings are stored in flash memory and stay there even if your battery is disconnected.

Give us a call to see which of these factory sound processors is a good match for your needs. One thing's for sure, your factory stereo will sound a whole lot better.