What are factory sound processors?
Upgrade your sound and keep your factory stereo

Kicker's Front Row puts your music where it should be — right up in front of you
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 them out for aftermarket stereos 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.
How can I overcome the factory processing?
Fortunately, there's an easy cure. You can install a sound processor, which strips away the sound-shaping limitations enforced by your factory stereo and sends 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.

- A sound processor connects to your factory stereo through the stereo's speaker wires.
- The processor removes the factory sound-shaping, so the signal is clean.
- The signal is sent to your external amplifier(s). The amps power your front and rear speakers, and subwoofers.
Choosing the right sound processor
We carry a handfull of different factory sound processors, each with slightly different capabilities. Generally speaking, they range from "easy to use" to "seriously intense". Here are some examples:

JL Audio FiX 82 sound processor
Processors like the JL Audio FiX™ only require you to connect them to your factory stereo and aftermarket amplifier, then they do all the sound shaping for you. No hassles or tweaking needed — easy in, easy out.

Audio Control LC6i sound processor
For a more traditional approach, check out AudioControl's line of factory sound processors. They clean up the sound and give you manual control of the output for your amps. They're a particularly good choice if you have a premium factory stereo system. They can convert the amplified signal from premium factory systems so you can add your own amps and subs. AudioControl's line drivers can send a clean, 9.5-volt signal to an aftermarket amp, giving you clean sound. All their processors have highly customizable configurations.

Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.3 signal processor
At the other end of the spectrum are processors like the Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.3. Once you've installed it in your system, run a USB cable to your laptop and and you can not only flatten the factory stereo's processing, but you can also use a 31-band equalizer to adjust the sound to your heart's content. The 3Sixty.3 is a hardcore sound-shaping toolbox for the serious sound tweaker.

From your laptop, the 3Sixty.3 lets you control every aspect of your sound system.
Keep the look, love the sound
For some car owners, radio replacement isn't a thing they can't do; it's a thing they don't want to do. And that's okay. With a sound processor, you don't have to put up with a lousy stereo just because you genuinely like the look of your car's interior or some of the infotainment functions. If you've tired of settling, give us a call and let us help you find a sound processor that's right for you and your car.
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Daniel from New York
Posted on 8/23/2019hi Sir I am going to refit my vehicle with a completely new system amplifiers speakers etc. I have 1 din head unit which I will not remove, what I would like is 7inch touch screen to control the new system, the head unit will not be used except for radio. your advice would be appreciated. thanks
div>david from concord
Posted on 5/8/2019i have a 2019 tacoma non jbl system. jl audio has told me that the factory system is not compatable with the fix86 because it causes the fix86 to have problems due to the factory system starting in 2019 has a all pass filter and the factory head constantly adjust the output every time you change the volume.
div>Chris from PNW
Posted on 5/2/2019I have a 2016 Kia Cadenza that is sending too wide of frequencies to the factory separates up front causing some distortion. Plus the tweeters are just too tinny sounding. So I picked up some Infinity Kappa 60.11 CS 6.5" separates to replace the factory speakers as they come with crossovers which I figured might solve the factory stereo issues up front. After reading this article though, I'm now not so sure that's the case given whatever pre-EQ work my factory stereo is doing. I am trying to upgrade on a budget and don't want to purchase an aftermarket amp. the factory amp seems to put out enough juice as it is. Is there a DSP that will allow me to continue to use the factory amp?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 5/3/2019Chris, That's a great idea for a product; a DSP that works with a factory amp. I don't know that one exists. It would have to incorporate a vehicle-specific interface harness of some sort. The receiver in your vehicle, for example, sends only digital data to the amplifier, so interfacing with that may be impossible. Adding an amplifier with a built-in DSP may be your best solution. The new amp would get its inputs from the factory amp's outputs and mix the signals together to form a full-range stereo signal. Then you'd apply your tune-up via the DSP to get your high-fidelity sound.Arturo Decano from Obando, Philippines
Posted on 3/13/2019I installed Pioneer AVH Z9150BT in my car. Do i I still need a DSP?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 3/13/2019Arturo, Although it isn't easy digging through the settings menus and pushing the right buttons, that receiver has a lot of DSP features built-in, like graphic EQ and time-alignment, so you don't really need an addition DSP device.Robert from Cuyahoga Falls
Posted on 8/18/2018I have a 2015 buick regal. I wanted to keep the factory head unit and keep everything looking as OEM as possible without having any visible amplifier in the car or truck. I went with the small alpine ktp-445u power pack and Alpine R series speakers. I believe the 6.5 components are hooked up to 2 of the channels and the 6x9s are hooked up to the other 2 channels. The 3.5 center dash is left disconnected and the rear door 6.5s are hooked up to the head unit. I want a smaller sound processor that can fit easily behind the dash but I dont know where to begin and what one will work best for this application. Looking for suggestions on what processor to buy and what I should be looking to pay for installation. Thanks!
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 8/20/2018Robert, Check out the Rockford Fosgate DSR-1 digital signal processor. It's tiny and will work with that amp. As for installation - look at online search results and reviews for car audio installers in your area.Charles from Buda
Posted on 7/28/2018Looking for a loc or processor that is signal sensing and turn on pop free. Factory radio has no turn on lead, and constant popping from ignition key is NOT tolerable. What will meet my demands?
div>Kevin Carrera from Miami
Posted on 7/20/2018I have a 07 Acura TL and Elliot Scheiner put a lot of work into tuning the factory radio. He did a great job and the stock system does not sound at all but it did need an enhancement. I'm into Sound quality now and I learned a lot about dynamic sound and time alignment along with floor level sound. I had my factory amplifier modified by a guy who changed out the passive capacitors and used muse amps to enhance the sound in my TL. I would like to know is there a way to use a high output converter to use on my factory amp instead of buying an aftermarket amp?
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