Which to upgrade first: head unit, amplifier, or speakers

That was my point, if you buy a new head unit that supports DSP, but your amp does not (yet) there is no bang for the buck on that front until you get an amp that supports the technology.
 
DSP is new to me, thanks I'll do some research on it. Quick question, do both the head unit and the amp need to support DSP? If the head does not support it but the amp does will I get the value of DSP from the amp?
 
The DSP from Fusion makes the install dead simple. You wire it up (you can use the current wiring), and use the FusionLink app to make all the adjustments/tuning. It costs a little more up front as you have to buy the Fusion Apollo equipment, but no tuning required. The "tuning" on the app takes all of about 30 seconds.
 
Shaps said:
That was my point, if you buy a new head unit that supports DSP, but your amp does not (yet) there is no bang for the buck on that front until you get an amp that supports the technology.
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So I know Fusion touts there DSP and being able to download it to the amp, but that doesn't actually happen. There isn't a means to do that, no communications port etc. Any amp can benefit from the DSP settings. The settings are in the app and then get downloaded to the stereo head unit. That is the misconception.

EDIT: The huge benefit of their DSP is that they spend the time configuring and testing all of these parameters so you don't have too. They set all of their amp's and speakers up in different environments so you just have to select what you have and and there it is, to @dtfelds Dave's point on how easy set up is.

Anyone not wanting to spend the money on that is crazy. Fusion spend thousands on testing so our experience is a good one. No other company does that these days.
 
SKybolt said:
So I know Fusion touts there DSP and being able to download it to the amp, but that doesn't actually happen. There isn't a means to do that, no communications port etc. Any amp can benefit from the DSP settings. The settings are in the app and then get downloaded to the stereo head unit. That is the misconception.
Click to expand...
I stand corrected.
 
Shaps said:
I stand corrected.
Click to expand...

It's a common misconception but just wanted to explain it a bit. No other head unit supports that kind of thing. And your original point was spot on. So thanks for posting that.
 
mrsrobinson said:
do both the head unit and the amp need to support DSP? If the head does not support it but the amp does will I get the value of DSP from the amp?
Click to expand...

Any takers?

I think the answer is if the head unit supports DSP but the amp does not, the heads DSP will enhance the music and pass it through to the speakers. @SKybolt I think this is your configuration.

What if the head unit does not have DSP, and the amp does, will the amps DSP enhance the music going to the speakers?
 
mrsrobinson said:
Any takers?

I think the answer is if the head unit supports DSP but the amp does not, the heads DSP will enhance the music and pass it through to the speakers. @SKybolt I think this is your configuration.

What if the head unit does not have DSP, and the amp does, will the amps DSP enhance the music going to the speakers?
Click to expand...

http://clubsearay.com/index.php?thr...lifier-or-speakers.113644/page-2#post-1416066

DSP is unique to Fusion, and only their higher end units. DSP Isn't in the amp. It's in their app that gets downloaded to the head unit.
 
mrsrobinson said:
Okay thank you, this clarity helps. What confused me is when I searched crutchfield for digital sound processing amps a lot came back, especially jl audio.
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That because all amps these days are considered DSP. Because they support frequency filtering which is a sort of DSP.

Fusion uses real digital DSP in their app to download to the head unit, no other stereo does this to my knowledge. It's tailored to their equipment, but can be used on anything if you select eq. correctly.
 
For those following along at home...

I finally purchased a Kicker 5 channel amp. 65 watts to each of the cockpit 6.5s will double the power. I think that will be a nice, clean bump. 150 to the sub. I plan to use the factory wires for now, and will run new wires in the fall or winter when it cools down. If I need them. I don't plan on playing it loud for extended periods, so maybe I'll get lucky.

Purchase it from crutchfield in case I need some help tuning.
 
Skybolt said:
So I know Fusion touts there DSP and being able to download it to the amp, but that doesn't actually happen. There isn't a means to do that, no communications port etc. Any amp can benefit from the DSP settings. The settings are in the app and then get downloaded to the stereo head unit. That is the misconception.

EDIT: The huge benefit of their DSP is that they spend the time configuring and testing all of these parameters so you don't have too. They set all of their amp's and speakers up in different environments so you just have to select what you have and and there it is, to @dtfelds Dave's point on how easy set up is.

Anyone not wanting to spend the money on that is crazy. Fusion spend thousands on testing so our experience is a good one. No other company does that these days.
Click to expand...
Skybolt, Thanks for what you shared on the Fusion Apollo system and DSP technology. I was initially thinking of going with the Fusion Apollo MS-RA770, a JL Audio M800/8V2 8-channel 800 W amp and JL 4 of the M6-650X speakers (2 in the cabin, 2 on either side of the helm) and 2 of the M6-770X speakers (on the spoiler/radar arch). I had planned to use 2 of the 8 channels to drive a sub-woofer in the cockpit if I found I needed it with the 7.7" speakers on the spoiler. The audio guy at West Marine insisted I didn't really need it. He was a huge JL fan and tried to demo the 7.7" speakers with a the MM105 Media Master receiver. We soon discovered the volume knob has failed at max. volume so all we heard was a lot of loud noise and distortion. Did some digging on CSR and other sites and found the JL receivers may not be quite as good as their speakers. I had a Fusion RA210 on a previous boat, enjoyed it and never had any issues. It was really an almost indestructible receiver unit. The price premium for JL speakers and amps was also weighing on my decision. Your post swayed me to go with a complete Fusion Apollo system for our 310 Sundancer with an Apollo 6 channel, 1800 W (900 W rms) amp, Signature Series 3i 6.5", Signature Series 3i 8.8 speakers. My hope is the two 8.8" 3i's at 150 W each on the spoiler will make the sub-woofer overkill. This is something I can always add later if really needed or wanted (maybe a 10" sub in the cabin?). Boattest.com had a great review on complete Apollo system with MS-RA770 installed on a new Sea Ray SLXR 350. They went into an in a very detailed description of how the DSP system is configured and I was sold. Going for the "full monty" as Golfman25 put it! I'll let you know how I like once I get everything up and running (unfortunately I have a few big other projects ahead of this). Go big or go home!
IMG_6647R.JPG
 
Motorvader said:
Skybolt, Thanks for what you shared on the Fusion Apollo system and DSP technology. I was initially thinking of going with the Fusion Apollo MS-RA770, a JL Audio M800/8V2 8-channel 800 W amp and JL 4 of the M6-650X speakers (2 in the cabin, 2 on either side of the helm) and 2 of the M6-770X speakers (on the spoiler/radar arch). I had planned to use 2 of the 8 channels to drive a sub-woofer in the cockpit if I found I needed it with the 7.7" speakers on the spoiler. The audio guy at West Marine insisted I didn't really need it. He was a huge JL fan and tried to demo the 7.7" speakers with a the MM105 Media Master receiver. We soon discovered the volume knob has failed at max. volume so all we heard was a lot of loud noise and distortion. Did some digging on CSR and other sites and found the JL receivers may not be quite as good as their speakers. I had a Fusion RA210 on a previous boat, enjoyed it and never had any issues. It was really an almost indestructible receiver unit. The price premium for JL speakers and amps was also weighing on my decision. Your post swayed me to go with a complete Fusion Apollo system for our 310 Sundancer with an Apollo 6 channel, 1800 W (900 W rms) amp, Signature Series 3i 6.5", Signature Series 3i 8.8 speakers. My hope is the two 8.8" 3i's at 150 W each on the spoiler will make the sub-woofer overkill. This is something I can always add later if really needed or wanted (maybe a 10" sub in the cabin?). Boattest.com had a great review on complete Apollo system with MS-RA770 installed on a new Sea Ray SLXR 350. They went into an in a very detailed description of how the DSP system is configured and I was sold. Going for the "full monty" as Golfman25 put it! I'll let you know how I like once I get everything up and running (unfortunately I have a few big other projects ahead of this). Go big or go home!
Click to expand...

You won't regret going in that direction. Fusion has really done a great job in covering all of the bases with integration and the components they provide. With their signature series the DSP will sound great but, the Apollo series is what all of their development on the DSP is focused. Take a look at the Fusion Apollo 6 channel amp. Not much different in price and may be worth a look.
 
Skybolt said:
You won't regret going in that direction. Fusion has really done a great job in covering all of the bases with integration and the components they provide. With their signature series the DSP will sound great but, the Apollo series is what all of their development on the DSP is focused. Take a look at the Fusion Apollo 6 channel amp. Not much different in price and may be worth a look.
Click to expand...
Thanks very much. That’s the amp I’m planning to get - my description may not have been clear. If I need the sub I’ll add a 1 channel monoblock amp for another $650 and the Series 3i 12” subwoofer for $770. That’s a big jump that I won’t take unless I’m not satisfied with the Series 3i 8.8” speakers. Would prefer to keep the locker under the helm companion seat available for storage (space is a bit limited on the 310).
 
Head unit is the source of all the sound. Its all important but if the head unit is cheaper or old, its a great place to start. Fusion makes great head units and JL for amps and speakers. I've been a installer since 1990 and I swear by Fusion & JL Audio.
 
Rob WIcha said:
Head unit is the source of all the sound. Its all important but if the head unit is cheaper or old, its a great place to start. Fusion makes great head units and JL for amps and speakers. I've been a installer since 1990 and I swear by Fusion & JL Audio.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I agree
Head unit is a fusion ms ra770 with 3 erx400 remotes.
Very happy with the performance of the system. Just not how the power to the amps are physically wired
 
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