Love, love, love you guys and the info you share. 36 years of car stereo and I still learn from you. What I like the most is that you bring out instruments, like the RTA, and show how the effects and settings actually change the signal in real-time. God bless and prayers for a wonderful final 1/3 of 2023.
It’s actually not the same as boosting eq! It’s actually mind blowing. Can you turn up low frequencies on eq while listening to piano? Nope! Adding an epicenter and turning up the effect knob makes listening to piano more dynamic!! Even with the effect knob it makes the piano sound more boomy but not annoying!!
Congrats guys, I’ve been a big fan of the Epicenter since i knew about it back in 89’. You managed to Re-Educate me on everything I thought I knew about the Epicenter functionality as well as educating me with the usage of the LC2i in conjunction together! Perfect for my listening tastes as I am always & constantly searching for the best SQ. Thanks for your insights. !!!!5 Star Car Stereo Baby!!!!
I'm using the LC2i, is there a benefit to changing to the Pro? Also, is there a benefit to using the Epicenter Micro, instead of the old-school Epicenter?
This was a very informative video, but I have a question, how will the Epicenter work with an NVX XLCA2X X-Series PRO 2-Channel Line Out Converter Digital Bass Enhancer with xBOOST?
What happens if you run the Epicenter before the Accubase? In my case, I have Accubase in the amp so adding an Epicenter will treat the signal prior to the Accubase circuit. Thanks for your time and great videos!
I would like to see the difference between an audio control unit with Accu bass and an audio control unit without it? I was looking at installing a 6i or 7i with Accu bass.. but can’t decide between the two.
Thats a great instructional video on next video please show how to use the smd dd1 distortion detector on both lc21 and epicenter connected together for a clean signal . Starting from head unit , lc21 epicenter then finally bass amp and midrange, finally tweeter amplifier. I know how to. I have a g37 coupe with a complete system . Lcq1 ,epicenter, custom 12 ported box . Aftermarket mids tweeters. Thanks guys
LC2i would be good for an oem stock radio that doesn’t have performance and the epicenter is to create bass for the subwoofer/speakers. But if you use both you can hear lower bass without losing the bass when you turn up the volume basically keep the bass curve from flatlining out
What about the low voltage out? Can that be too high. Some of these LOC put out 8 to 10 volts can that damage some amps? Can they all accept that much voltage. I really would love a full video showing how to set all the features of these LOC and if the kicker keyloc is the best one and what’s the automatic part of it.
Just curious what the epicenter does when effect is turned all the way down when listening to something with heavy bass. To me sounds a bit different and have been going back and forth using and unhooking it
The answer is epicenter doesn't work on heavy bass music. It works on no bass music. What the epicenter does it boost the bass at higher hertz frequency like 120 or higher. That's why on heavy bass music that plays around 32 hertz . It doesn't work because if used on 32 hertz music .it would bring the bass at higher frequency like 120hertz . That's why it doesn't play the lows like 32hertz. Believe me I tested this
@@fullpeladasSorry, that is completely wrong. It does not boost higher frequencies. It boosts LOWER frequencies centered between 27 Hz and 63 Hz. It looks for signals in the higher frequency ranges, up to 1,000 Hz or so, to create the lower bass signal.
Jason, when turned down it should not do anything. It still has the subsonic filter. Depending on which model you have it can be turned off or the frequency changed. I don't think many people use it on bass heavy music. Maybe just a little at very low frequencies. It's main use is for music that lacks low bass.
Can you do a comparison between the Micro Epicenter and the Hifonics BXIPRO 3.0. There is very little information out there about the effect comparison. Pice between them is very different. Thanks.
Any idea how much it would cost me to have you guys tune my truck? I have a Rockford Fosgate Power T1000X5ad, a Rockford DSR1, JL audio stealth box with 2 - 10” subs and Morel Virtus 602 in the front and Morel Maximo Coax 6 in the rear doors.
Why not use an oscilloscope on the signal? I had the epicenter and it added a bunch of garbage to the signal that was audible only at low volumes. After scoping the signal it all made sense the epicenter was the problem. Same thing with a taramps pro2.4s although at lesser amounts of unwanted signal distortion. This was hooked to a straight line output on a 2017 Accord preamp which is a nice clean signal without any distortion. I wouldn't mess around with these without an oscilloscope its almost certain to add some unwanted effects that most people wouldn't recognize.
I installed the epicenter micro and everything seems to be working fine except not sound from the subs amp is powered on and speakers are wired correctly
The thing that annoys me the most is all the people who try to recommend an LC2I for Chrysler's and other high-end factory audio systems that have telling others that accubass will fix there hp or all pass filter issues when trying hook up a subwoofer . No bass roll off (loudness) and bass rolling off from a hp filter on the factory signal are not the same thing. I think audiocontrols use of the term bass rolloff has done more to confuse the average person than anything else when it comes to factory intergration and understanding what tool is needed for the job
When i check tha max outputs of my estéreo Kenwood exelon dmx 907s 😅 i used 1 kilohertz testtone and no distorted but when I set my gains of my amplifier dsp audiocontrol D-4.800 they shows distortion. When i put music even my amp for subs of my estéreo wy 😂😅😊
Good afternoon, I have the irta2 but I can't find the Studio Six RTA app, I have the iPhone 14 using it, what is the option I could use? Thank you for your response.@@FiveStarCarStereoInc
How do you set the internal voltage output on the Epicenter when feeding a Matrix Plus so I don't blow out my amp inputs? Does the end total voltage just need to be lower than amp ratings? Sounds too simple😂
I believe each component in the chain will have a max rms input voltage. Simply don't exceed it. Say the amp accepts up the 4v rms, if the Matrix is the component feeding it, make sure the Matrix doesn't feed more than 4v into the amp. You would start at the front and work your way to the rear.
@@JasonWW2000 That's my thinking. I've left it set to 2 since I installed it but it says if you have larger subs to increase it 🤷♂️ this is in reference to it's internal switches.
@@datdudegoat3433 Subwoofer size is irrelevant. The Matrix manual says it can accept up to 9.5v rms. So you can try increasing the output of the epicenter. I would measure the RMS voltage before and after changing the jumper on the epicenter for higher voltage. Changing the jumper may allow for higher voltage out of the epicenter or it may only pass through whatever signal is being fed it. I've heard that some epicenters only pass through the signal without acting as a line driver while other models of epicenter do act as a line driver and can boost the output signal level. If you do get a higher voltage out of the epicenter then you'll need to lower the output on The Matrix to compensate it. If your setup is working good right now you could probably just leave it. I think the only advantage of increasing the voltage between the epicenter and The Matrix would be increased noise rejection in the RCA cable between the two devices.
Dang. I thought the epicenter mini was basically an LC2i and epicenter combined together They should have included the accubass in the epicenter mini. Especially since the mini is like $100 more that the regular
Would it not be better to have the mids dynamically be boosted at low levels. That would keep it flat, as the OE unit is not rolling off the bass it's cutting the mids at low levels.
We are very sensitive in that mid-frequency area (around human voice range) and typically like to scoop out that area when listening to music, as a truly flat signal sounds very off and unnatural. That's why I miss having an analog EQ on the dash so I could make changes on the fly. Nowadays, with digital technology, we often have to dig through a digital EQ if you even have one your headunit, and that is definitely not a safe thing to do when driving; or set-and-forget with a sound processor. It is nice to see our 3 options (neither, either, both) and the effects offered by these products.
To your last point, it is not rolling off the midrange as the volume goes down, it stops raising the bass level as the volume goes up. Yes, it is a perspective thing, but an important differentiation.
The whole reason the OEM's roll off the bass level at higher volumes is to protect the factory subs from distorting at high volume levels. Factory subs are usually small and weak.
No the kicker keyloc dose de equalization, the lc2i dose accubass for factory radio with bass roll off. And the epicenter takes a full range signal and drops the octave of that single to create a lower bass notes @therealtoppo
@@digginglowand with that said, I believe the Keyloc is the best answer for my '13 Fusion. I want a flat clean signal that I can have fun with and make look like a mess at my will, not Ford's. I'm thinking of one of the Audio Controls, maybe the LCQ-1, still undecided on the DSP.
@@shanecabbage2187actually, the best answer for your Fusion is FORScan. Reprogramming the ACM’s audio output will give you a preamp signal that is flat and mostly clean to full volume.
It can but not because of the product itself I used one with my amp thst had a clip light on the remote I noticed that if I used to much of the effect, it would clip a little earlier than normal You just have to be mind full with the effect knob The epicenter is awesome for 70,80s, ect music
I burped my first sub before you were born and I know all the audio grandmasters. All you demonstrated was your lack of understand of what and HOW the Epicenter works. Would you like Alex or Dave's contact info so they can set you straight?
After listening to a couple of rock/alternative songs on my complete overkill sub stage in my car I think I’m going to pick up the epicenter. Until I researched it I kind of thought it was some sort of gimmick as I didn’t think about them being able to see the harmonic of bass that had been removed and use it to add that bass back in. That’s awesome. It sucks to have a monster sub setup and not have good bass on some otherwise great songs.
Most dsp will do none of this. Some, like Helix can compensate for the bass roll off (Accubass), but I don't think its common. Virtually no dsp can do the Epicenter effect. Henrik, maybe your saying a good dsp is the Helix? No other brands?
@@JasonWW2000Maybe not. I have never understood the point of the epicenter anyway. In all of the dsp ive owned i have been able to just turn up the bass in the eq wich all dsp should be able to do. from my understanding the epicenter is like a refined Bass Boost. Just get a real sub and a good amp and you dont need this crap haha.
@@henrik3474 Epicenter does not boost bass that already exists. For instance, 60's era Beatles has no bass to it. An Epicenter can create strong 30Hz bass though none exists in the original recording. It is quite a sophisticated device that analyzes a full range signal to figure out how to create the proper low frequency signal. Another example is maybe 80's Van Halen. All the bass is 80hz and up, no low bass. No amount of boost will give you low bass. The Epicenter can create it. Its almost magic. Granted, most people don't need it. Modern music has plenty of bass in it. Just certain types of music may actually benefit. Banda music is pretty popular, but no bass. If you find yourself wishing a song had more low bass and its just not there, you might consider getting an Epicenter. If your happy with the bass on the music you listen to, skip it. Its not for everyone. PS, you have to have a real sub and a good amp as a prerequisite to getting an Epicenter. If you don't already have that, then an epicenter will not help you.
Love, love, love you guys and the info you share. 36 years of car stereo and I still learn from you.
What I like the most is that you bring out instruments, like the RTA, and show how the effects and settings actually change the signal in real-time. God bless and prayers for a wonderful final 1/3 of 2023.
Never saw the point in the epicenter but I do believe that this is an excellent explanation video
Of you listen to music that doesn't have a lot of bass the Epicenter will shine!
@@1Pueblito I guess but you could simply have an eq preset that boost bass and cuts the upper end to the equivalent curve and it does the same thing
It’s actually not the same as boosting eq! It’s actually mind blowing.
Can you turn up low frequencies on eq while listening to piano?
Nope! Adding an epicenter and turning up the effect knob makes listening to piano more dynamic!! Even with the effect knob it makes the piano sound more boomy but not annoying!!
@@kylevanwinkle2081not the same thing, it rewrites notes, basically rebassing songs in real time; works especially good with corridos and cumbias
@@kylevanwinkle2081Yeah, just try boosting the bass on an old Beatles recording or 60's era country music. There is no bass to boost. 😂
I am really loving your videos. It just makes it all make sense. i learned 10x more here than hours of reading more technical explanations.
Congrats guys, I’ve been a big fan of the Epicenter since i knew about it back in 89’. You managed to Re-Educate me on everything I thought I knew about the Epicenter functionality as well as educating me with the usage of the LC2i in conjunction together! Perfect for my listening tastes as I am always & constantly searching for the best SQ. Thanks for your insights. !!!!5 Star Car Stereo Baby!!!!
God this was a great video! How come the manufacturer can't give common sense guidance like this. Wow, thank you so much man!
They asked us to do it. Glad it helped.
I appreciate you guys making my job easier =) I have to explain the difference multiple times a week, now I have a video I can show. Thank you!
And this is why I run the Epicenter Amplifiers. Best of both....
Thank you for this help’s community
You guys are the best, thank you
I'm using the LC2i, is there a benefit to changing to the Pro? Also, is there a benefit to using the Epicenter Micro, instead of the old-school Epicenter?
If everything is working, no save your money. There is no benefit to changing them. They would be doing the same thing.
Great stuff if you don't have a clean signal! Nice video as usual guys!
Sorry, this has nothing to do with clean signals. This pertains to all signals regardless of distortion levels.
Made Alot of sense, now i need to but the LC2i
This was a very informative video, but I have a question, how will the Epicenter work with an NVX XLCA2X X-Series PRO 2-Channel Line Out Converter Digital Bass Enhancer with xBOOST?
What happens if you run the Epicenter before the Accubase? In my case, I have Accubase in the amp so adding an Epicenter will treat the signal prior to the Accubase circuit.
Thanks for your time and great videos!
I would like to see the difference between an audio control unit with Accu bass and an audio control unit without it?
I was looking at installing a 6i or 7i with Accu bass.. but can’t decide between the two.
Thats a great instructional video on next video please show how to use the smd dd1 distortion detector on both lc21 and epicenter connected together for a clean signal . Starting from head unit , lc21 epicenter then finally bass amp and midrange, finally tweeter amplifier. I know how to. I have a g37 coupe with a complete system . Lcq1 ,epicenter, custom 12 ported box . Aftermarket mids tweeters. Thanks guys
LC2i would be good for an oem stock radio that doesn’t have performance and the epicenter is to create bass for the subwoofer/speakers. But if you use both you can hear lower bass without losing the bass when you turn up the volume basically keep the bass curve from flatlining out
does Acu-bass work when you summons it to the main channel on the LC7i...?
What about the low voltage out? Can that be too high. Some of these LOC put out 8 to 10 volts can that damage some amps? Can they all accept that much voltage. I really would love a full video showing how to set all the features of these LOC and if the kicker keyloc is the best one and what’s the automatic part of it.
Just curious what the epicenter does when effect is turned all the way down when listening to something with heavy bass. To me sounds a bit different and have been going back and forth using and unhooking it
The answer is epicenter doesn't work on heavy bass music. It works on no bass music. What the epicenter does it boost the bass at higher hertz frequency like 120 or higher. That's why on heavy bass music that plays around 32 hertz . It doesn't work because if used on 32 hertz music .it would bring the bass at higher frequency like 120hertz . That's why it doesn't play the lows like 32hertz. Believe me I tested this
@@fullpeladasSorry, that is completely wrong. It does not boost higher frequencies. It boosts LOWER frequencies centered between 27 Hz and 63 Hz. It looks for signals in the higher frequency ranges, up to 1,000 Hz or so, to create the lower bass signal.
Jason, when turned down it should not do anything.
It still has the subsonic filter. Depending on which model you have it can be turned off or the frequency changed.
I don't think many people use it on bass heavy music. Maybe just a little at very low frequencies. It's main use is for music that lacks low bass.
Can you do a comparison between the Micro Epicenter and the Hifonics BXIPRO 3.0. There is very little information out there about the effect comparison. Pice between them is very different. Thanks.
What would you guys recommend for a clear voice I’m not really a fan of bass voice with some good tweeters
I need the rest of the 911 dean
Any idea how much it would cost me to have you guys tune my truck? I have a Rockford Fosgate Power T1000X5ad, a Rockford DSR1, JL audio stealth box with 2 - 10” subs and Morel Virtus 602 in the front and Morel Maximo Coax 6 in the rear doors.
Why not use an oscilloscope on the signal? I had the epicenter and it added a bunch of garbage to the signal that was audible only at low volumes. After scoping the signal it all made sense the epicenter was the problem. Same thing with a taramps pro2.4s although at lesser amounts of unwanted signal distortion. This was hooked to a straight line output on a 2017 Accord preamp which is a nice clean signal without any distortion. I wouldn't mess around with these without an oscilloscope its almost certain to add some unwanted effects that most people wouldn't recognize.
Can you make a video how to connect a micro epicenter with two amps 1 for voice and another for sub please
Augmented Bass Processing by Audiotec Fischer is the same as AudioControl Epicenter and Accubass?
I installed the epicenter micro and everything seems to be working fine except not sound from the subs amp is powered on and speakers are wired correctly
Great video!
The thing that annoys me the most is all the people who try to recommend an LC2I for Chrysler's and other high-end factory audio systems that have telling others that accubass will fix there hp or all pass filter issues when trying hook up a subwoofer . No bass roll off (loudness) and bass rolling off from a hp filter on the factory signal are not the same thing. I think audiocontrols use of the term bass rolloff has done more to confuse the average person than anything else when it comes to factory intergration and understanding what tool is needed for the job
Good one guys ...
Is the kicker keyloc better than these. I need to know what to get and how to set the gains and boost on whichever LOC I get
When i check tha max outputs of my estéreo Kenwood exelon dmx 907s 😅 i used 1 kilohertz testtone and no distorted but when I set my gains of my amplifier dsp audiocontrol D-4.800 they shows distortion. When i put music even my amp for subs of my estéreo wy 😂😅😊
thank you for the video, a query that the app uses on the iPad to receive the iRTA signal.
Studio Six RTA
Good afternoon, I have the irta2 but I can't find the Studio Six RTA app, I have the iPhone 14 using it, what is the option I could use? Thank you for your response.@@FiveStarCarStereoInc
How do you set the internal voltage output on the Epicenter when feeding a Matrix Plus so I don't blow out my amp inputs? Does the end total voltage just need to be lower than amp ratings? Sounds too simple😂
I believe each component in the chain will have a max rms input voltage. Simply don't exceed it. Say the amp accepts up the 4v rms, if the Matrix is the component feeding it, make sure the Matrix doesn't feed more than 4v into the amp. You would start at the front and work your way to the rear.
@@JasonWW2000 That's my thinking. I've left it set to 2 since I installed it but it says if you have larger subs to increase it 🤷♂️ this is in reference to it's internal switches.
@@datdudegoat3433 Subwoofer size is irrelevant. The Matrix manual says it can accept up to 9.5v rms. So you can try increasing the output of the epicenter. I would measure the RMS voltage before and after changing the jumper on the epicenter for higher voltage. Changing the jumper may allow for higher voltage out of the epicenter or it may only pass through whatever signal is being fed it. I've heard that some epicenters only pass through the signal without acting as a line driver while other models of epicenter do act as a line driver and can boost the output signal level.
If you do get a higher voltage out of the epicenter then you'll need to lower the output on The Matrix to compensate it.
If your setup is working good right now you could probably just leave it. I think the only advantage of increasing the voltage between the epicenter and The Matrix would be increased noise rejection in the RCA cable between the two devices.
@@JasonWW2000 Thanks bruh.
Can you use them together???
Yes you can
Hey i have these exact same products which output from the lc2i did u use to the epiccenter?
The front or top output is full range, we used that
Dang. I thought the epicenter mini was basically an LC2i and epicenter combined together
They should have included the accubass in the epicenter mini. Especially since the mini is like $100 more that the regular
accubass fixes the hardware, epicenter fixes the software.
Good way to put it!!
Would it not be better to have the mids dynamically be boosted at low levels. That would keep it flat, as the OE unit is not rolling off the bass it's cutting the mids at low levels.
We are very sensitive in that mid-frequency area (around human voice range) and typically like to scoop out that area when listening to music, as a truly flat signal sounds very off and unnatural. That's why I miss having an analog EQ on the dash so I could make changes on the fly. Nowadays, with digital technology, we often have to dig through a digital EQ if you even have one your headunit, and that is definitely not a safe thing to do when driving; or set-and-forget with a sound processor.
It is nice to see our 3 options (neither, either, both) and the effects offered by these products.
To your last point, it is not rolling off the midrange as the volume goes down, it stops raising the bass level as the volume goes up. Yes, it is a perspective thing, but an important differentiation.
The whole reason the OEM's roll off the bass level at higher volumes is to protect the factory subs from distorting at high volume levels. Factory subs are usually small and weak.
Doesn't the kicker keyloc do both?
No the kicker keyloc dose de equalization, the lc2i dose accubass for factory radio with bass roll off. And the epicenter takes a full range signal and drops the octave of that single to create a lower bass notes @therealtoppo
@@digginglowthe keyloc fixes bass rolloff too
@@digginglowand with that said, I believe the Keyloc is the best answer for my '13 Fusion. I want a flat clean signal that I can have fun with and make look like a mess at my will, not Ford's. I'm thinking of one of the Audio Controls, maybe the LCQ-1, still undecided on the DSP.
@@shanecabbage2187actually, the best answer for your Fusion is FORScan. Reprogramming the ACM’s audio output will give you a preamp signal that is flat and mostly clean to full volume.
@@brandonhooker4498 I appreciate the heads-up. I will definitely look into that.
Clear ? Crystal, is there another kind?
Can epicenter cause clipping?
It can but not because of the product itself
I used one with my amp thst had a clip light on the remote I noticed that if I used to much of the effect, it would clip a little earlier than normal
You just have to be mind full with the effect knob
The epicenter is awesome for 70,80s, ect music
I burped my first sub before you were born and I know all the audio grandmasters.
All you demonstrated was your lack of understand of what and HOW the Epicenter works.
Would you like Alex or Dave's contact info so they can set you straight?
After listening to a couple of rock/alternative songs on my complete overkill sub stage in my car I think I’m going to pick up the epicenter. Until I researched it I kind of thought it was some sort of gimmick as I didn’t think about them being able to see the harmonic of bass that had been removed and use it to add that bass back in. That’s awesome. It sucks to have a monster sub setup and not have good bass on some otherwise great songs.
👍👀👍
dsp not the same as epicenter
Correct, two different things.
Say what?!
This is just a money grab. both can be built into the same unit.
A good DSP would do the same thing. So this is only complicating things.
It will do all of that? What dsp will do all of that?
Most dsp will do none of this. Some, like Helix can compensate for the bass roll off (Accubass), but I don't think its common.
Virtually no dsp can do the Epicenter effect.
Henrik, maybe your saying a good dsp is the Helix? No other brands?
@@JasonWW2000Maybe not. I have never understood the point of the epicenter anyway. In all of the dsp ive owned i have been able to just turn up the bass in the eq wich all dsp should be able to do. from my understanding the epicenter is like a refined Bass Boost. Just get a real sub and a good amp and you dont need this crap haha.
@@henrik3474 Epicenter does not boost bass that already exists.
For instance, 60's era Beatles has no bass to it. An Epicenter can create strong 30Hz bass though none exists in the original recording. It is quite a sophisticated device that analyzes a full range signal to figure out how to create the proper low frequency signal.
Another example is maybe 80's Van Halen. All the bass is 80hz and up, no low bass. No amount of boost will give you low bass. The Epicenter can create it. Its almost magic.
Granted, most people don't need it. Modern music has plenty of bass in it. Just certain types of music may actually benefit. Banda music is pretty popular, but no bass.
If you find yourself wishing a song had more low bass and its just not there, you might consider getting an Epicenter. If your happy with the bass on the music you listen to, skip it. Its not for everyone.
PS, you have to have a real sub and a good amp as a prerequisite to getting an Epicenter. If you don't already have that, then an epicenter will not help you.
@@JasonWW2000 Thanks now i understand i only listen to "modern" music so ive never seen the point in it