Stereo Install Help

[Hawaiian4runner]

Making more sense now. Speakers are bypassing Party Mode switch if you are sure installer rewired them and that is a good thing. When you switch party mode on and off, equalization may change but which speakers are playing should stay the same since speakers are wired directly to new amp. There is a white wire that goes from Party Mode switch to a Junction Controller and then to the head unit. This is what tells head unit to boost bass when Party Mode is enabled. This wire needs to be connected or you might be permanently stuck in Party Mode. Toyota sound system is very complicated. Simple functions feed through ECM, ECU, Junction Controller, Multi-media Interface and all kinds of fun stuff. Nothing works like you normally think it should and that's why most installers want to can the head unit.
When you turn party mode on and off, what changes? If EQ only, choose setting (on or off) that sounds closest to OK and then use the LC6 and amp gains to tune the system.

 

[Ttn333]

Unfortunately, when party is off, most of the power goes to the rear hatch, with little to the front, none to the rear passengers. Party mode on has all speakers playing. I have a feeling it's the way they set up the amp and lc6i.

I'm starting to think about a new deck. Thing is, I like the stealth stock deck and it's functionality.

I just went ahead an ordered an Audio Control DQL-8 and see if that will work. And I thought this was gonna a piece of cake.

 

[Ttn333]

Quick update for those who may run into this problem.

I wanted a stealth audio setup, which meant that I'll be keeping the stock stereo head unit. Problem is, the stock head unit has built in EQ for there cheap stock speakers as well as "party mode". So when you replace the stock speakers with aftermarket speakers and amp, the EQ will not work well.

Initially I thought an Audiocontrol line out converter (LC6i) will work as it sums up all the signals from the headunit and sends it out as a full bandwidth signal to the amp. That didn't work because the EQ was still set for stock system. After having a discussion with Mallory25 (thanks). We've come to the conclusion that a DSP is needed to remove the headunit's EQ. I chose JBL MS-8 for it's auto tune feature. Of course one can also EQ manually with an equalizer and RTA but that will take alot of effort and knowledge.

The JBL MS-8 will tune out the stock EQ setting as well as time correct for speakers differences in distance/algnment, and equalize for cabin anomalies. You can also set preferences for driver, passenger or all seating preferences, crossover points and slope. So far, I'm pretty please with the unit. I still need to play with it some more. It has a 31 band graphic equalizer to fiddle with.