I have a 12 jl sub with 6.5 components to the front.....

I am plannong to keep my c6 zo6 stock nav unit......my installer says I need the fosgate 3sixty.2 processor to sound good from the stock HU.....

Is that true?? He quoted me $460 for the fosgate......is this really necessary for my set up??

 

It's not required, but it would sound better and add a lot more adjustments into the sound.

 

I'm thinking of doing the same thing. I kept the stock Nav HU and added a sub and components with 2 amps and although it does sound 100x better than it did with the Bose stuff it sill only has the 3 frequency adjustments. I've had sound processors in previous cars and it does make a big difference.

 

I'll weigh in with my less-than-humble opinion here.. using a proc on the factory heads is nothing but polishing a turd. The NAV unit in particular is very weak. You'd be way better off spending that $460 on a good head unit. Will look even better in the dash if the installer blends the dash kit right and will work and sound TONS better.

 

Different schools of thoughts here...thanks for the suggestions.....im still confused, and to top it off, my installer said if I dont biy it from him, he wont install it

 

Walk out the door!
I went through the same thing 2 years ago with my C6. My installer also said I needed the Foosgate. They charged me for the install and the whole system was f'd up. I came here at the time and was set straight. The C6 does not need a processor. I made the insaller remove it, give my money back and took it elsewhere. Been working like a charm since.

I did eventually replace the HU for Ipod, BT but no processor is needed with OEM HU.

 

+1 here, thats not only a discontinued unit but its double the price it did sell for, you dont need a sound processor to install new speakers/subs just a line output converter

 

If not needed, would it actually sound better? Anyone install with and without and able to tell a difference?

 

If you have a good amplifier alot will have built in audio processing to reduce noise and such, if you want to get a processor dont get scammed into a $460 one.
That is a complete waste of money, you cant put icing on a loaf of bread and call it a cake.
However if you do want one, get the reQ5 http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...3C-sup%3E.html its 6 times cheaper and does the same thing

 

And just because I want to show how much of a waste $460 for a 3sixty.2 is, my install is a Pioneer AVH3300BT which cost me $330, the dash kit was free, and the PAC C2R-GM24 integration kit cost me $80.

 

Sorry taahring1- I think you may be thinking of the original 3Sixty.1. That unit did sell for a lot less, and really was a very different unit. The MTX unit you mentioned isn't anything like the 3Sixty.2. $460 for the 3Sixty.2 isn't a bad price (retail is $699, but it usually sells in the $400-$500 range).

The 3Sixty.2 is a pretty good unit, and would definitelly be a good addition,but I'd agree with Komoman- changing out the head unit maybe the best option.

The 3Sixty.2 provides line level conversion and 5v output (helpful with the low stock nav output), fully adjustable crossovers for 6 channels (useful, but maybe overkill for the OP), and a third octave EQ for each of 6 channels (very useful). it also provides time alignment. And iPod integration.

I'm wondering if the installer thinks he needs a line level converter, so with this unit, he can also fully adjust the system? In any event, not needed, but if you really Want to keep the stock nav, I think it would be helpful. There definitely can be a big difference with this unit installed if it's used correctly.

 

What does any of this have to do with a 3Sixty.2?

 

Its cheaper than the 3sixty and has better sound quality.

And yes i was thinking of the 3sixty.1 being $200 but again, $460 is still way too much to pay for a discontinued model, rockford has come out with the 3sixty.3

In my opinion its pointless to spend insane amounts of money to make a bad unit sound better, all bose systems are notorious for having bad headunits. The previous RX8 I had for example the stock sound system unit was actually better to put an aftermarket amp and speakers on than the bose unit.

 

$460 is pretty reasonable for a unit that does everything the 3sixty.2 does. Anyone who has actually used one will probably agree. The biggest knock against them is the tendency to add a bit of background noise to the system. Proper setup can resolve much of that.

And AFAIK the 3Sixty.2 isn't discontinued. The .3 has been pushed back to an April 2012 release, so it would seem unlikely that RF would eliminate the .2 yet. And the .3 will be $699.... With very little discount available immediately.

Although the stock nav unit isn't the best, it's by no means a lost cause. Increased line output voltage (which the 3Sixty.2 has) is the biggest issue. The output signal (distortion, signal to noise, and frequency response) is not all that bad otherwise. (a BIG disclaimer - my experience with the stock nav is very limited... Komoman or anyone, please correct me with details if im wrong). And the equalization in the 3Sixty will help the frequency response, while also providing real equalization usage for the remainder of the system (not just 1 - 3 bands of cheap tone control that might be found on the amplifiers).

Just trying to give the OP more info to make their decision with.

 

The stock Nav HU does have limited tone control but connected to a good amp and speakers with a sub added it really does sound good.

 

And those 3 'tone' controls are optimized for the Bose speakers.

A good outboard DSP will provide many benefits, including greater control of the tonality/voicing of your new speaker system.

 

...and that's exactly why I'm thinking and probably will do it.

 

Too many options in life.....i think om gonna simplify and get me the pioneer hu.....i think its the one without the buttons.....bluetooth, hd, better nav and not worrying bout connection or output problems......the cost of modding just keeps addding up......i just wanted better bass to begin with

 

Im no audiophile......how did I get onto this mess????.....lol......so in conclusion, I get the best sound by switching to the pioneer head unit....correct??

 

You dont have to go with pioneer, however if youre using external amps i would go with a unit with 4+ volt pre amp outs, pioneer and kenwood have great nav units so yes that would be a good choice