JL Clean Sweep Install

[GMAN]

I am about to do a Clean Sweep install, while the car is basically gutted. The Clean Sweep is supposed to allow you to keep your factory system, wile digitalizing the signals for regular pre-outs to run after market amps.
What I am not too clear on is where would I tap the signal before the Clean Sweep. I am assuming it is after the amp in the trunk. Anyone have any ideas? Which wires to tap?

 

[97 Octane]

I would connect the Cleansweep to the headunit. Although you can connect it after the factory amp. The Cleansweep in-itself is a more complex preamp/equalizer and it should do a really nice job in our cars. The sound should be alot cleaner when connected after the factory deck.

It can take audio signals from the OEM units from as low as 100mV all the way up to as much as 30V. If you want to use the Marks volume control, just set the JL master volume at high-level


Octane

 

[LaserSVT]

Yikes! I have installed prolly a dozen JL Clean Sweeps and a half dozen of Rockfords version of them. Never in a car like a Mark. That makes no sense at all.

You see a Clean Sweep was designed for newer cars that have heavily integrated factory decks. Cars where its very hard or impossible to remove the factory deck or cars that have very nice factory decks.

Most high end factory systems like that have equalization set into their preamp stages that make aftermarket speakers sound like crap when new aftermarket amps are added. Th JL unit has a 1/3 octave active EQ that flattens the signal to allow for proper integration of aftermarket amps.

The Ford deck has no internal equalization other then the bass and treble which are centered around 200hz and 6khz respectively. The deck does drop off frequencies below 100hz after it is turned up just over half way but thats it. The rest of the JBL equalization is built into the amp.

If you are dead set on using it then you completely remove the factory amp. Really though you would be better selling it off to a BMW/Merc/Aston/Mazda/Caddy owner.

All you will be using it for is a $350 line level converter.

 

[GMAN]

Yikes! I have installed prolly a dozen JL Clean Sweeps and a half dozen of Rockfords version of them. Never in a car like a Mark. That makes no sense at all.

You see a Clean Sweep was designed for newer cars that have heavily integrated factory decks. Cars where its very hard or impossible to remove the factory deck or cars that have very nice factory decks.

Most high end factory systems like that have equalization set into their preamp stages that make aftermarket speakers sound like crap when new aftermarket amps are added. Th JL unit has a 1/3 octave active EQ that flattens the signal to allow for proper integration of aftermarket amps.

The Ford deck has no internal equalization other then the bass and treble which are centered around 200hz and 6khz respectively. The deck does drop off frequencies below 100hz after it is turned up just over half way but thats it. The rest of the JBL equalization is built into the amp.

If you are dead set on using it then you completely remove the factory amp. Really though you would be better selling it off to a BMW/Merc/Aston/Mazda/Caddy owner.

All you will be using it for is a $350 line level converter.

I called JL, today. This is why I am giving it a shot. They said it is perfect to use on the Mark.

 

[LaserSVT]

Of course they will say that. Thats their job. Can it work in a Mark? Yes. Is it better then a $30 line level converter? Yes. Is it needed at all? No.

Most new amps have the ability to take up to 10v inputs via their RCA inputs. The output is so low on the factory deck that you can just attach RCAs (removing the deck side connectors) directly from the small plug to the amp.

The Clean Sweep will only kinda eliminate the sub 100hz drop off the deck does at higher volumes. It will also try to negate any bass and treble inputs you do at the deck too.

Here is the bigger question. If you are going to do new amps and speakers then why would you want to use a deck as crappy as the factory deck? They cant play MP3, have terrible frequency response, very high THD and very low S/N ratio. A $80 Pioneer CD player is infinitely better.

 

[compshmoe]

Of course they will say that. Thats their job. Can it work in a Mark? Yes. Is it better then a $30 line level converter? Yes. Is it needed at all? No.

Most new amps have the ability to take up to 10v inputs via their RCA inputs. The output is so low on the factory deck that you can just attach RCAs (removing the deck side connectors) directly from the small plug to the amp.

The Clean Sweep will only kinda eliminate the sub 100hz drop off the deck does at higher volumes. It will also try to negate any bass and treble inputs you do at the deck too.

Here is the bigger question. If you are going to do new amps and speakers then why would you want to use a deck as crappy as the factory deck? They cant play MP3, have terrible frequency response, very high THD and very low S/N ratio. A $80 Pioneer CD player is infinitely better.

I totally agree, your money would be better spent on an aftermarket upgrade, I tried the factory route and all i was amplifying was lousy distorded bass frequency and treble that sounded more like a midrange.
I very inexpesively, purchased 3 pair of pioneer 4 ways 6x9 ( doors, rear sides, and rear deck ) total $150.00; 2 lanzar 15" subs $80.00 for both, sub Box already made from EBAY $30.00 with shipping, Pioneer DEH P6000 headunit $120.00, PYLE PLA1585, 5 Channel 1400 Watt Blue Wave MOSFET $100.00 Amplifier running all speakers including factory tweeters
Clean, crisp sound and good clean bass from Rap to Sinatra.
Only negative is keeping the lincoln emblem on the trunk keyhole cover from falling off

 

[LaserSVT]

Stop, you are being negative.

 

[Lownslowlsc]

I totally agree, your money would be better spent on an aftermarket upgrade, I tried the factory route and all i was amplifying was lousy distorded bass frequency and treble that sounded more like a midrange.
I very inexpesively, purchased 3 pair of pioneer 4 ways 6x9 ( doors, rear sides, and rear deck ) total $150.00; 2 lanzar 15" subs $80.00 for both, sub Box already made from EBAY $30.00 with shipping, Pioneer DEH P6000 headunit $120.00, PYLE PLA1585, 5 Channel 1400 Watt Blue Wave MOSFET $100.00 Amplifier running all speakers including factory tweeters
Clean, crisp sound and good clean bass from Rap to Sinatra.
Only negative is keeping the lincoln emblem on the trunk keyhole cover from falling off

yikes..

 

[GMAN]

Ok, I see where this is going. Regardless what is better off, this is what I want to do. So with that being said, I have my answer, and will continue to put the system together. I haven't seen any posts here where someone put in a cleansweep, and gave it a bad review. I guess I will be the first.

 

[kaha]

Yikes! I have installed prolly a dozen JL Clean Sweeps and a half dozen of Rockfords version of them. Never in a car like a Mark. That makes no sense at all.

You see a Clean Sweep was designed for newer cars that have heavily integrated factory decks. Cars where its very hard or impossible to remove the factory deck or cars that have very nice factory decks.

Most high end factory systems like that have equalization set into their preamp stages that make aftermarket speakers sound like crap when new aftermarket amps are added. Th JL unit has a 1/3 octave active EQ that flattens the signal to allow for proper integration of aftermarket amps.

The Ford deck has no internal equalization other then the bass and treble which are centered around 200hz and 6khz respectively. The deck does drop off frequencies below 100hz after it is turned up just over half way but thats it. The rest of the JBL equalization is built into the amp.

If you are dead set on using it then you completely remove the factory amp. Really though you would be better selling it off to a BMW/Merc/Aston/Mazda/Caddy owner.

All you will be using it for is a $350 line level converter.

OMG now I realize how non computer freaks feel when I talk geek! :lol:

 

[manish]

Laser your right. I think the Jlaudio Rep miss informed the op. I understand that he wants toclean up what is percieved as distortion. The problem is jlaudio doesn't sell head units and the reps said yes to him as a means to sell a product. What is missing here is do you plan to add aftermarket amps? Do you plan to upgrade your speakers? And if so your still behind the 8ball, why, because it has been pointed out the head unit is a terrible starting point. The transport is garbage, low quality d/a converter, etc. Honestly if your bent on getting that device. Please post here what your improvements to sq is. But for that amount of money you could get a double din navigation headunit if you go for last yrs model. And the factory amps are very under powered. Man there are so many class d full range amps that are smaller and way more powerful than the factory amps. Man get a five channel Jlhd 900/5 and your done! Plenty of power for inside speakers a nice pair of subs. Especially If you go shallow mount.... man so many options...but in the end its your car and your money.

 

[GMAN]

I swear my posts always get off the topic of what can and can't be done without answering a simple question. I am not concerned with the "Can it be done?" "Should it be done?" "Will it work?" For all the comments, no one really knows what the Clean Sweep system is meant to do.

Q: Can I use a CleanSweep® CL441dsp and still keep my factory speaker system?
Yes, you could, but it does not make much sense. The factory speakers generally benefit from the OEM equalization curve and would likely sound worse with a corrected signal. The CL441dsp is intended to be an interface between the OEM audio system and aftermarket amplifiers and speakers.

I already knew this going in. If anyone knows me, I don't keep anything stock. All my Marks have aftermarket systems in them. This will be no different. Only the head unit will remain.

 

[LaserSVT]

3rd post answered your question.

Reading comprehension FTMFW!!!!

 

[manish]

Obviously after the head unit if your replacing the amp. And I guess maybe I and others didn't know you were planing to replace the amps since you asked where to place the device in the signal chain. Now your objective makes more sense. Again after you install it please post your thoughts about any perceived or actual gain in sq.