Audio Control Lcq7I Vs Loc

[karlp2]

I've been thinking about getting an LCQ7i and was just wondering how much of a difference it will make to the sound quality, I'm guessing it should make a big difference but keen to hear about others experiences. Currently running a couple LOCs for my amps and after market speakers. Thanks.

[karlp2]

Decided to buy one of the Audio Control LC7i units, have installed it and it’s a great product. Yes I would have preferred a true signal processor such as a Rockford 3sixty or Audison bit 10 etc but my budget doesn't stretch that far but that said I'm wrapped with what this unit has done to the sound quality. Bought my unit off Amazon for US$134 and with minimal freight it was relatively cheap so a good option where you want heaps better sound than regular LOCs. Previously I just had some Jaycar line out converters, these fed into a Pioneer GM-8604 (100wrms x4) which fed Alpine Type R components in the front and Type R coaxial in the rear. The factory 8" sub has been replaced with an 8" Kenwood shallow mount. All doors and the parcel tray have been sound deadened. Anyway one of my key aims was to get more volume from my door speakers and tweeters, I'd bought the speakers and amp and had always felt they didn't go anywhere near as loud as what I'd hoped for. During my research one key attraction to the LC7i is that the output voltage is substantially improved over what comes out of regular line out converters, so this means there's a really clean grunty signal to feed into an amp(s), end result my amp gains are turned right down to just about the minimum (so great for minimising the risk of distorted noise and hissing coming through), the system is now loud and crystal clear. The accubass feature on these units is a big improvement over stock line converters, I'd soundproofed my doors a while back and while midbass improved it still wasn't what I'd hoped for - but the LC7i has sorted the bass roll off that is a problem with the stock ICC, there is now good solid midbass present. At this stage I haven't got my sub going through the LC7i but plan to - out of curiosity today I disconnected my rear door speakers from my amp and then run a bridged cable to my sub - wow what a massive improvement both in terms of bass and loudness and the vibration through the back of the seat was a lot more, I was surprised at the performance of that sub when it is driven properly. So guess I'll now be bypassing the factory sub amp and getting a new amp so I can properly utilise the third channel output from the LC7i which is dedicated to a sub and comes with its own remote bass dial to mount up front near the driver. Anyway thought I'd share this in case it is of interest to others.

Edited 11/01/15 10:26 AM by karlp2

[Stockies]

Currently in the process of upgrading my audio with all aftermarket stuff as well. Just wanted to add for anyone looking for a Line out Converter to also have a look at the AudioControl LCQ1.

It has all the features of the LCQ7i but also has inbuilt EQ for all three channels so you can cut out the whine and hissing from the ICC really well.

Makes tuning a bastard, because you can tune the signals before they even get to the amps, and tune them again at the amps. Does really send a "grunty" signal to the amps though.

Also provides a remote wire signal to your aftermarket amps from the unit, and doesn't have any "thump" in the signal like some cheaper Line out Converters. Also fits nicely in the glove box.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Pics mate? I considered one of these when doing the installation in my old ba, given the ease of installing and aftermarket head unit in a b series I choose to go down that route.

[arronm]

I use bit ten. Has greater tune-ability.

[Stockies]

Will post up some pics when its all done, Car is currently in bits.

The Bit ten, gives you time delay and a few other cool features from memory.

The LCQ1 is basically an EQ and Line out Convertor in one, with the bass enhancer (AccuBASS") stuff in the signals for iPod, etc.

Also thinking of adding the Audio Control "Epicentre" Bass enhancer too, but will most likely, investigate a better sub box first.

[Stockies]

Some photos of the LCQ-1

Comparison in size with a standard Line out Convertor:

Installation in Glovebox:

Finished install:

The LCQ-1 is a bastard to tune correctly, put aside a few hours to get it sounding right. I have only done a basic tune on it so far, and the Mid range is a little lacking. However, I haven't really fiddled with the front and rear speakers in depth yet.

You can tune the signal on the ICC (If you have Premo sound) and then again on the LCQ-1 and then, yet again at the amplifiers. My gains on the amp running the speakers is set to zero. The LCQ-1 has that much of a "grunty" signal.

So, yeah, it takes forever to tune, but its well worth it in the end.

I grounded the LCQ-1 to a new earth point and didn't touch the factory ones. That alone helps heaps in reducing the white noise.

[karlp2]

Looks good! Reckon part of the hassle of the tuning is the very basic instructions that come with the unit and also what they have on their website. Once you figure it out it is straight forward, took a while with trial and error but once you learn how to tune it the sound quality greatly improves. Got my aftermarket sub amp in place now too, sounds so much better.