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What does a sound processor do?

Upgrade your sound and keep your factory stereo

A sound processor cleans up and optimizes the audio signal coming from your factory stereo before it gets to your aftermarket amplifier. Which sound processor you should use will depend on your factory sound system and what kind of aftermarket gear you want to add. Below, we'll discuss:

Factory car stereos are getting more and more complicated. 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 that the sound quality might not be up to your lofty standards.

Basic audio upgrades aren't always enough

Replacing the speakers and adding an amplifier and subwoofer are great ways to improve the sound. But factory stereos have built-in sound shaping and equalization designed to make cheap, mass-produced OEM speakers sound as good as they can without breaking. Bass output is also limited. These limitations prevent your aftermarket gear from giving you their best performance. Your aftermarket gear and your ears deserve better.

How can I overcome the factory processing?

A sound processor (sometimes referred to as a "digital signal processor" or "DSP") will strip away the sound-shaping limitations of the factory system and provide a clean signal for your aftermarket amplifiers, speakers, and subs. This way, your upgraded system will be able to play your music with the desired balance of sparkling high-frequency sounds, thundering bass, and coherent natural-sounding vocals that you like.

How to install a sound processor

There are two strategies for installing a sound processor:

  1. Connect the processor's inputs to the analog and digital signal outputs of the factory radio and bypass the factory amp, or
  2. Connect the processor's inputs to the high-powered analog outputs of the factory amp.
Sound processor system diagram

Typical factory system

Sound processor system diagram

Strategy 1: Connect to stereo with T-harness and bypass the factory amp's output

Sound processor system diagram

Stategy 2: Connect to factory amp output

In both cases, the digital sound processor feeds signal to an aftermarket amplifier, which in turn sends its outputs to the speakers through the factory speaker wiring harness (which should be unplugged from the factory amp). This way, you'll be able to keep the look and controls of your factory stereo while expanding the system with some serious sound improvements.

Vehicle-specific harnesses and other helpful tips

There are vehicle-specific T-harness and amp bypass harness options available that make sound processor installation a lot easier than having to know exactly which wires to disconnect and which to splice together. For more help, check out Adding an amp to a factory system.

Choosing the right sound processor for your car audio system

We carry a few different vehicle-specific and "universal" sound processors for the car. Each has different hook-up requirements and processing capabilities. Generally speaking, they range from being simple and straight-forward to set up and use, to being complicated and seriously tech-intensive. Here are some examples:

Wavtech link 6

Wavtech link6 six-channel line output converter and summing processor

Your aftermarket amplifiers need clean line-level input signals, especially when getting them from a factory amplifier's speaker outputs. The Wavtech link6 high-level output converter's six channels can get routed and mixed into a number of different configurations, and will work great in a factory system with separately powered tweeters, midrange drivers, and woofers.


ALT TEXT

Kicker KEYLOC 2-channel line output converter with automatic tuning DSP

Kicker's KEYLOC Smart Line-Out Converter automatically detects the frequency range of the speaker wiring you want to use for your system's input, and then corrects the signal to produce a flat response for your aftermarket system to handle.


PAC  AmpPRO AP4-FD21 Aftermarket Amplifier Interface

PAC AmpPRO AP4-FD21 T-harness and aftermarket amp interface module allow seamless addition of an amplifier in select 2012-up Ford vehicles

The PAC AmpPRO amplifier interface consists of a module and a vehicle-specific T-harness that plugs into the factory radio and vehicle harness, bypassing the factory amp — so you can install your own aftermarket amplifier without losing any of your vehicle's factory audio features like warning chimes, navigation prompts, and Bluetooth functions.


iDatalink Maestro AR

iDatalink Maestro amp replacement processor

iDatalink's Maestro AR amplifier replacement module, combined with a vehicle-specific T-harness (sold separately), will supply a clean audio signal for your aftermarket amplifiers. The T-harness plugs into your factory amp's input wiring, linking the radio digitally to the Maestro module and your amplifier. Your factory radio will continue to work just as it always did, only with better, more powerful sound.


Rockford Fosgate DSR-1 signal processor

Rockford Fosgate DSR-1 digital signal processor

Rockford Fosgate's DSR-1 digital signal processor is a hardcore sound-shaping tool for the serious tweaker. The DSR1 includes an iDatalink Maestro amp replacement module inside, so you can use an iDatalink vehicle-specific T-harness to supply clean audio and digital control signals to the processor. Controlled via Bluetooth® connection to your iOS or Android device, Rockford Fosgate's PerfectTune app provides eight channels of 31-band equalization, variable crossover filtering, signal distribution and balancing, and much more.

Rockford Fosgate DSR-1

The DSR-1 lets you control every aspect of your sound system from your phone.


AudioControl D-6.1200

AudioControl D-6.1200 6-channel amp with digital signal processing

A six-output, 125 watts RMS per channel amplifier with a sound processor and DSP built in, AudioControl's D-6.1200 features eight speaker-level inputs that allow you to connect this amp to almost any factory system, and sum the different signals into one smooth, unified output for you to balance, align, and tune for your high-performance system. You make the digital signal processing adjustments and settings via your laptop (PC or Mac) and AudioControl's Smart-User DSP software.

AudioControl Smart-User DSP

AudioControl Smart-User DSP tuning software on a laptop


Keep the look, love the sound

For some car owners, radio replacement is not an option, so when improving the sound quality by adding an amplifier, a sound processor becomes absolutely necessary. You won't have to put up with lousy sound anymore just because you want to preserve the factory features and look of your car's interior.

When you're ready for your upgrade, contact our advisors and let us help you find a sound processor and amplifier that's perfect for your car's audio system and your ears.

Please share your thoughts below.

  • Eddie from Kansas City

    Posted on 11/10/2023

    Can I use it on 2019 caddie xts

    Commenter image

    Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

    on 11/11/2023

    Eddie, Sure - give us a call and we'll set you up with one.
  • Devin

    Posted on 7/29/2023

    I have a 2015 chevy corvette with the base 9 speaker bose system. It badly needs a sub, and maybe upgrading the speakers. Im entirely confused about which of the above processor I need! One shop is encouraging me to get a very expensive amp with dsp (but its beyond my $1000-1500 total budget).

    Commenter image

    Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

    on 7/31/2023

    Devin, Corvettes are not the easiest vehicles in which to install audio upgrades. To add a subwoofer may or may not require some sort of interface harness or DSP-type device. With questions like this, it's always better to have a conversation with a real live human. Give us a call and talk to one of our Advisors. We can help you get the right gear and give you the right advice on how to install it.
  • Rick from Tucson

    Posted on 4/16/2023

    I have a 2005 tahoe with a alpine ine-w969 BTW double din radio. I tried to set the setting with the online app. For some reason i can not turn the subwoofer on on the radio setting. I installed a on/ off switch it helped a little bit on other setting but not the sub. The truck has bose and without navigation originally. I have use converters with some luck. Now would it help If I got a pac amp/ [i forget the rest ] harness.

    Commenter image

    Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

    on 4/18/2023

    Rick, If you bought your gear at Crutchfield, you can call Tech Support for free help troubleshooting your system.
  • john from Perkiomenville,PA

    Posted on 3/29/2023

    Has Rockford Fosgate worked out the issues with the bluetooth on the DSR1? I would install one today except all I hear about is connectivity, dropping connection and numerous other issues with the bluetooth.

  • Jeff from Hailey ID

    Posted on 1/3/2023

    Please recommend components to significantly improve my 2022 Ford Super Duty system. Sound quality is muddy at best. Factory system is the 10 speaker B & O.

    Commenter image

    Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

    on 1/3/2023

    Jeff, With questions like that, it's always better to have a conversation with a real live human. Give us a call and talk to one of our Advisors. We can help you choose the right gear and give you the right advice on how to install it.
  • mike S. from Chattanooga

    Posted on 12/24/2022

    2013 acura TL base model, does it require a sound processor to add a amp and subs?

    Commenter image

    Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

    on 12/27/2022

    Mike, According to Crutchfield's Vehicle Guide, that vehicle has a factory amplifier - and so the best way to add an aftermarket amp is to use an interface device and harness. Give us a call so an Advisor can help you get what you need for your install.
  • John W. from Kent

    Posted on 2/24/2022

    I have an 2021 Kia K5 GT-Line and replaced all door speakers (4) and Installed 2 12in KIcker. I dont have Bose and sound is cutting out at higher volume from radio protecting speakers. Which sound processor do you recommend to stop the radio from protecting speakers and keep sound constant.

    Commenter image

    Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

    on 2/25/2022

    John, I'm not sure how your radio cuts out to protect speakers, but if you can't get enough volume out of your system, an amplifier upgrade will do the most good. Give us a call so an Advisor can help you get what you need.
  • charles Jason Coale from Ocean City

    Posted on 9/13/2021

    So, just like the friend of the last post author, I too have an Altima Coupe with Bose w/o navigation. I've got an AC LC2i to drive bass then a front stage amp in the near future, utilizing both outputs of the LOC. With one input on the LC2i I need to feed it a full range signal before the factory Bose amp to allow it to do its thing and put out both signals.. Question is, where can I get the full range signal for the LC2i ? Behind the radio, before the Bose amp the door? All signals at the 4 corners are factory components.

    Commenter image

    Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

    on 9/15/2021

    Charles, Without knowing what model year your vehicle is, we can't tell you where to get full-range signals for your aftermarket system. You could use an RTA to visualize the frequency response of each channel to identify the right signal sources to use for your amps.
  • Ray from Denver, CO.

    Posted on 7/14/2021

    I've added a monoblock amplifier and 2 subwoofers in a ported dual woofer enclosure to my 2013 Nissan Rogue with the Bose premium sound system by simply soldering a single RCA jack across the existing factory signal wires that go from the main amp wiring connector to the small secondary amp that's inside the enclosure that's attached to the spare wheel in the rear cargo well. My old amp was a Kicker DX250.1 which had a high/low level input switch. The switch didn't seem to make much of a difference but I think it sounded a bit better when it was set to the high setting. The amp always ran hot and I engaged the thermal protection circuit a few times when driving it hard for extended periods of over an hour or so, but I was driving a pretty serious 2 ohm load with it to a single 4ohm DVC. Now I have upgraded to 2 of those drivers and an Orion 600 watt amp at a 1 ohm load(1.3 actually). It sounds pretty good and has good bass and the amp runs quite a bit less hot and I've driven it pretty hard (max volume on the factory Bose) for extended periods of time without tripping any thermal protection circuits however the Orion amp doesn't have any option for speaker level inputs nor does it have a switch for high/low level input. All it says in the documentation is max input 5volts. But after reading this because a friend wants me to bass out his Altima coupe I'm curious to know if a sound processor would benefit my Rogue. I left the Bose intact and intend to cuz it sounds good.

    Commenter image

    Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

    on 7/15/2021

    Ray, If you like the way your speakers sound, there is absolutely no reason for you to add a processor - which basically is used to improve the sound quality of a system.
  • Joel from Moses Lake

    Posted on 6/8/2021

    I have a car with a Harmon Kardon factory system. At this point, I've disconnected the factory "subwoofer" I use parentheses because it's just a 6x9. Anyway, I have a low-end sub connected to that output signal. It helps by adding some low-end bass, but definitely need more power. My question is whether I could connect a 2-channel line converter to that subwoofer output by essentially bridging the connection? Or, would I need to use the rear output signals to have a true left / right connection for the line converter?

    Commenter image

    Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

    on 6/9/2021

    Joel, You really don't need a line output converter in your situation. You could install a powered sub or subwoofer amplifier that has speaker-level inputs and use the factory subwoofer wiring for inputs.
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