[Stoni]

I recently bought a Pioneer DSP DEQ-S1000A together with a 4ch-Pioneer amp (GM-D1004). I also replaced the speakers with FOCAL PS130V Performance and FOCAL PC130 Performance coax + an Audison PRIMA APS 10 D 10" Subwoofer.

I started to replace the loudspeakers, but very soon discovered that the head unit colors the sound and more Watt was needed.

However, with the Bolt’s head unit, I’ve to connect the DSP to the head unit’s speaker cables, front or rear speakers. If I connect to the rear, I lose the audio signal from the turn signal, anti-collision signal, seat belt and parking-assistance sensors. Those audio signals are sent from the head unit to the front speakers only!

But if I connect to the front speaker cables, I lose the audio signal from the rear parking assistance sensors, this signal is sent from the head unit to the rear speakers only.

What to do? Connect to both the rear and front speaker cables, together? I guess I’ll face some distortion and serious phase-problems and some other issues?!

Maybe possible to mix the incoming signals to the head unit so everything is sent out to both front and rear speakers, but how and where?

 

[MDBolt]

Following the thread, thanks for posting. I actually bought a combined DSP/amp (Kicker Key) but have yet to install. Good thing I haven’t, I wasn’t aware of these issues. But my plan was to tap into the wiring close to the head unit harness, which is fairly accessible behind the glove compartment.

Hopefully those who’ve successfully installed amps and/or DSPs without any adverse to the Bolt’s functionality can chime in.

Great choice on the speakers by the way. Focal is great, just a little bit beyond my price point at the time I purchased my set.

 

[MDBolt]

I just re-read your post on a desktop and I think I understand your quandary better now. Your DSP only allows for 2CH speaker-level input, that's why you have that issue of which set to tap in to. Understandably, the speaker lines that get "left out" would lose functionality. Is it too late to return your DSP and swap it out for one that allows for 4CH speaker-level input?

 

[davioh2001]

Looks like You will need a 2nd unit or like MDBolt suggested return it for another brand like Rockford Fosgate or Audison.

 

[Stoni]

Sorry MDBolt, yes, I should have stated more clearly that the Pioneer DSP only has 2CH-input!

It's just that I can't stop thinking, there might be two cables from the parking-sensor instrument, into the head-unit. One cable for the parking-sensor-signal to the rear speakers and one cable for the other signals to the front-speakers. Perhaps it’s possible just combine these two cables into one (playing the audio-signals both in the front and rear speakers at the same time, but that doesn’t matter)? But it might be that everything is done within the car's OS, if so, there is nothing more to do...

I’ve googled the head unit wiring diagram, with no results…

Yes, it's too late to send the DSP back, but at the end, it might be the only solution. I've seen the Audison DSP bit NOVE, seems to solve the problem but expensive, might be that the Helix DSP mini or the even cheaper Helix Match DSP could be OK?

By the way, just installed the Audison sub now, and it was a revelation, I was afraid for a booming bass, but so far, it’s rather dry and dynamic. Blends in perfectly with the precise and somewhat dry sound from the Focals in front and rear. For those thinking about upgrading the speakers in the Bolt, be aware that the head unit is boosted in the mid, and high-frequencies - with new speakers, it might result in a bit nasal/in the box sound, if you understand what I mean… A simple DSP is recommended, and should be easy to fit in, but don’t use a 4CH one!

 

[Stoni]

Sorry, should have been, use a 4CH one!!!

 

[MDBolt]

Hmm... If it’s too late to send it back, @davioh2001 posted a possible fix in purchasing an identical DSP to the one you have. That way you can wire the fronts to one and the rears to the other. Then put everything together in your amp.

Out of curiosity, where did you mount your sub?

 

[Stoni]

Yes, I believe that might be a solution. I'll investigate further if there are the mentioned signal-cables, I cross my fingers...

Here are some photos from the sub, pictures say more than words, but I'm happy to answer any question!

 

[davioh2001]

Stoni , Did You ever get the DSP working?

 

[Stoni]

Sadly, no... I’ve contacted the dealer and explained the situation. He said he will look into it. After all, I did explain type of car when buying the equipment, and the Pioneer 2CH was his suggestion! I expect to see an email from him this week, I guess the solution will be to get a Helix Match DSP mini.

That said, I’m really happy with the Pioneer DSP, and can recommend it for other users. It’s very simple to set up, and the sound is outstanding.

 

[davioh2001]

So I am trying to gain understanding on the answer- I am speculating it works but only for the 2 front channels?

 

[Stoni]

Yes, the Pioneer 2ch DSP works, and the sound is splendid! The DSP is connected to the rear speakers. Only problem is that since it connected to the rear channel only, I’ve no audio signal from the turn signal, anti-collision signal, seat belt and parking-assistance sensors...

The 2ch is now “copied” and send to both the front and back of my car.

I've talked with the dealer, and they promised to come back with a solution to the problem, but nothing heard for the last 10 days, so guess I must contact them again.

I’m going to sell the Pioneer DSP, they do not take it back since it has been used. Then get a new 4ch DSP.

By the way, when changing my DSP connection from the front to the rear speakers, I noticed the sound became clearer and more precise, less colored. Seems like the head unit is sending a less “tuned” signal to the rear than to the front!

 

[MDBolt]

Interesting observation on the front vs rear speakers. You sure it’s not a product of the clarity provided by the DSP? Also, out of curiosity, did you notice a difference when you swapped out your stock speakers for the Focals before putting in the DSP? Or did you do the speaker swap and the DSP installation at the same time?

In my experience, the speaker swap alone resulted in significant gains in terms of clarity and accuracy. It would be interesting to listen to the system once the 4CH amp goes in.

Anyway, keep us posted whenever you do get around to swapping the 2CH to 4CH!

 

[davioh2001]

Good luck Stoni and like MDBolt suggested, keep us posted please? There are not that many posts about DSP systems out there. I first learned about these on this forum - would like to learn a lot more about them.

 

[Stoni]

First, when changing the connection from front to rear speakers, the different in sound was immediate and easy to catch from the very first tone. I remember thinking, whow what is this, a thinner, faster sound, good or bad??? But very soon calmed down and started to smile, the sound sounded thinner because it was righter/less tuned then with the front connection.

However, be aware, of course it’s possible that this can have been caused by a possible loose contacts, better soldering, there are many factors to consider when changing the connection, things that may influence the sound as well. But whatever caused it, the sound is more natural and enjoyable now! I admit I’ve started thinking if I’m risking losing this good sound if replacing the 2ch DSP with a 4ch one! Might not the be the final solution after all?! Hmmmfr…

The DSP settings where not altered in any way, when changing from front connection to rear.

When I swapped the original speakers for the Focals, I did not have the DSP, but I did have the Pioneer 4ch-amplifier installed. The speaker swap was not a great success. To be honest I was rather disappointed, spending so much money on the speakers and everything. The tweeters where much too loud, even after adjusting the crossover-settings they did not sound right. The sound was also bass-heavy and “in the box”- lacking mid-frequencies, not pleasant at all!

I tried to adjust the head unit’s equalizer, but it could not compensate. I guess the Focals’ revealing sound was too much for the head units tuned sound. It was then I realized I needed a DSP and contacted the dealer for a suggestion! The Pioneer DSP has tamed the tweeters and corrected the frequencies in a most satisfying way. The sound, now also including an active subwoofer, is so accurate, natural and neutral, huge, dynamic and fun! Especially when connecting my Iphone to the head unit via USB and playing music via Tidal! My friends Ampera with his original Bose-system is lacking behind, the difference is astonishing! The Bose system sounds sluggish and without refinement, or in short – less fun! It has been an expensive travel so far, and I just realized that I’ve no sound from the hands-free system when connected to the rear speakers only…

I’ve contacted my dealer again, awaiting their suggestions…

 

[Stoni]

I forgot to add, the output from rear channel is notable lower than the signal from the front speakers. I can’t play as loud as I could before, but with a sweet spot around 38-40 on the volume-knob, it’s more than enough for me and to loud for my passengers and wife!

 

[Digi]

Hey if it is too loud for you to hear your wife....that is called the “sweet spot”.
???

 

[MDBolt]

Great write up @Stoni ! Makes me want to clear my schedule to put in the gear! Your observations re: front and rear channels are interesting. Did you fiddle around with the Bolt’s built in equalizer? I’ve left it on dead center because putting it in any other position just sounds off.

 

[Stoni]

Well, you might be spot on about my wifes sweet spot…

I planned to leave the head units equalizer in neutral but ended up with some small adjustments. After all, it’s much easier to adjust the head unit instead of connecting the iPhone to the DSP, especially when driving… And you need to listen to the music for a while to sense if the adjustment you have done is for the better or for the worse, and perhaps do some small adjustments several times to get it right.

By the way, the dealer contacted me (e-mail), and suggested a Match PP62DSP, a combined 5ch amp/DSP for a very good price. But then I’ll need to remove the Pioneer DSP AND the 4ch amp and rebuild things completely. I’m not sure, the Pioneer amp is really nice, and inexpensive. I was more thinking about putting in a newer, standalone Helix DSP Mini from the same producer, and leave the Pioneer amp in.

The price for the Helix is almost the same as for the Match. Helix/Match I know from earlier installations, they make good amps. But again, the sound I have now is sooo good, will it possibly get worse when connecting both front and rear with a new DSP? I haven’t decided…