Quote from: SRT82ECOBOOST on November 08, 2013, 11:39:51 AM
There is a distinct possibility that I might not even run rear speakers. I really like the sound of 2 channel stereo when in my car and especially at home. Too many point sources for sound just muddies the image. I am hoping I can find a good processor without amplication as I will probably want to run more than the 20 watts/ channel that the MS8 offers. Anyone have any good suggestions?
Your point is valid but I want to remind you that, with processing there will not be a muddying effect with more speakers. This is because the processor is going to time-align and properly cross each speaker to work as one unified field of sound (the soundstage or "image" as we come to know it), and in the case of the MS8 it does so with stereo microphones where your ears will be. Literally you put on "earphones" which actually have calibrated mics, and during the calibration process each speaker is measured and calculated. The result, is what feels like nothing more than a unified field from the perspective of the listener (you).
IF you have only two channels of audio (and I used to be in this boat 100%, especially in home audio 2ch rooms I built for others), then those two point-sources need to be equidistant from you. This is not practical in most cars, unless you begin to talk about kickpanel installs, custom fiberglass pods, etc etc. In the factory locations, the difference in pathlengths will not be easy to overcome, so that's why the sound field concept of using multiple speakers properly processed (in this case we're using here with the MS8, that is Logic7.)
Other processors that lack amp power would be the Alpine, Helix, Audison, and NEW Rockford offerings.
I feel you on all your points, but consider I too have been there. Once I saw the Flex had a center channel, I decided to take a chance on the MS8 and bought one from an audio forum member I knew, locally. Up to the point of installing it, and firing it up for the first time, I was dead-set on not wanting to like it, and instead had plans on building a 3 -way front stereo stage with custom midbass in the doors (8's!), and two way A-pillars fiberglassed in the front. I was dead-set on doing this, until I actually finally wired up and ran the Ms8. I calibrated it per the book, and then just sat in my car for hours (YES, thankfully I installed my Optima battery prior to that), literally blown away by how much better this was than ALL my previous installations. Yes, it wasn't perfect and some tuning was required, especially in the midbass... but overall the presence and realism of the sound stage was so good, I realized that all my others plans were pretty much unnecessary to get the sound I wanted.
I've since installed Ms8's in other people's cars, and overall it has been positive, especially in cars that have center channel spots. The Ms8's algorithms make great use of the center channel for voicing a strong center in the sound stage, and while it can create a phantom center like a standard 2 channel system does, it is not as convincing, period. It is all in the processing. A really great build was my friends Chrysler 300, that sucker sounded amazing after we were done. All stock speakers (Boston branded factory) + a beautiful 15" from Image Dynamics, with the MS8 handling the pillar tweeters, rear fill, center, and a powerful amp controlling the front woofers and sub.
Prior processing I've used was the 3sixty.2 (a couple of them, actually), some car audio pc builds for others (abandoned), and one of my favorites, the Kenwood X4R and X1R amps which include some nifty processing built right in. Processors in head units were my previous choice, mostly because it was one of the ONLY choices available in the hobby. Units like the PRS800 / 880, and the ugly but functional Clarion DXZ785USB.
