It’s about time to say goodbye to my 8-year-old Match DSP in the previous car audio setup, as the old DSP has shown some faulty symptoms for over 2 years. I have had the Match DSP repaired twice due to an internal IC component problem, but the issue keeps coming back, resulting in no sound from the right speaker. I’ve had enough and decided to find a new standalone digital sound processor that is affordable and won’t break my bank. I stumbled upon the locally made Crossfire M9Plus DSP and would like to give it a try.
The build of the Crossfire M9Plus DSP sound processor caught my attention. It comes in a matte green color and has a solid metal case. Known as the CF-M9PLUS, the 8-channel DSP features include a built-in 4.2 lossless Bluetooth and SQ player, 31 Band floating Point EQ, mobile phone and PC accuracy tuning, built-in media player USB Port, digital crossover functions, and many more.
While there are other Crossfire DSP models that have built-in amplifiers, my installer suggested I get the M9Plus standalone DSP since I already have a Rockford Fosgate 4-channel amplifier. I’ve also upgraded to Morel 2.5-inch full-range speakers, which I currently have mounted on my original pillar.
The Crossfire M9plus DSP - High-Definition Lossless Car Digital Audio
The Crossfire DSP stands out as a high-definition lossless car digital audio player, designed to elevate your in-car audio experience to new heights. It brings exceptional sound quality by playing USB Audio high-definition digital audio and supporting Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connectivity. This means you can enjoy your favorite music with unparalleled clarity and fidelity, regardless of the source.
At the heart of the M9plus DSP lies an advanced 8-channel Digital Signal Processor (DSP). This powerful component enables precise signal processing, resulting in a cleaner background and more transparent sound. With this DSP, you have the ability to finely tune your audio output, tailoring it to your preferences and the acoustics of your vehicle’s interior.
Tailoring your audio to perfection is made possible with the Crossfire DSP’s impressive equalization and filtering capabilities. It features a 31-band EQ (Equalizer) that allows you to adjust the audio output with remarkable precision, with resolution down to 0.1dB. Additionally, each output is equipped with full active high and low pass filtering, offering three professional filtering types and adjustable slopes.
Optional SQ Player / Remote Control
The M9Plus DSP offers a range of connectivity features, including Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless audio streaming. Additionally, it supports USB Audio HD lossless digital music playback, allowing you to enjoy your favorite tunes via apps and devices. This connectivity ensures that you can seamlessly integrate your preferred audio sources into your in-car experience.
The Crossfire DSP comes with an optional SQ Player/remote control CF-R10 that can be connected, controlled, and used to play Hi-Res audio directly from USB ports, the head unit, and other audio sources. The small SQ player comes with volume control, previous/next track selection, and 6 music mode switches, including Player, High, AUX, and Bluetooth. Playing music directly from a USB drive provides better sound quality than streaming music from your mobile phone and will sound slightly better than playing from a standard head unit.
The Test on Crossfire DSP
As usual, RS-Pro Auto Accessories in Kepong, an award-winning car accessories shop in Malaysia, fine-tuned this setup, and I may return to Keong for another round of fine-tuning for the new DSP.
Regarding audio testing on the Crossfire M9plus DSP, I tested it using a USB drive loaded with FLAC audio files, ranging from K-pop ballads and jazz to pop music, and my new DSP really shines. The sound is bright, and the vocals are clear. However, some fine-tuning still needs to be done compared to my previous Match DSP tuning. The audio settings for M9Plus prioritize bright vocals, making it necessary for me to turn up the volume to hear the bass.
While assessing Taeyeon’s Top Hits playlist for vocals testing, I found some songs sound bright with my Morel full-range speaker. I am not sure whether it is the tuning or the source file, but I will test it more and listen for a while before going back to the tuner for a second round of fine-tuning. You know, the first tuning is only a starting point.
My Current SQ Setup
- Rockford Fosgate 4-channel amplifier
- Morel 2.5″ Full Range Speaker
- Morel Maximo 6.5″ Component Speakers
- Crossfire M9Plus DSP
- Monoblock Amplifier
- Rockford Fosgate 10″ Subwoofer
Conclusion
In the end, I am quite satisfied with the newly installed DSP and am having fun listening to my favorite music in my car. With the SQ Player controller, I can play FLAC music directly from a USB drive, which makes it convenient and easy to get high-quality music in the meantime.
Installing the Crossfire DSP is a breeze, thanks to its dedicated wiring harness. You can find out and learn how SQ car audio works. This harness is specifically designed for seamless integration into your vehicle’s audio system, ensuring that the installation process does not require breaking or modifying existing wires. This convenient “plug and play” approach makes upgrading your car’s audio capabilities hassle-free.
Available on
Fine-tuning your audio setup is made effortless with the M9plus DSP. You can perform tuning and adjustments using both a PC and a phone. This accessibility means you can refine your audio output to match your preferences without the need for complex setups or specialized equipment.
The Crossfire DSP empowers you with control and customization options that enhance your audio experience. You can adjust the phase of each output at 0 or 180 degrees, and finely tune delays with accuracy down to 1mm. Six adjustment modes and the ability to store scenes provide flexibility in adapting the audio to different listening scenarios.
Overall, the Crossfire M9plus DSP appears to be a comprehensive solution for improving in-car audio quality, offering a range of features for signal processing, equalization, connectivity, and user control. This type of device can be particularly appealing to audiophiles and car enthusiasts who want to enhance their in-car audio experience.
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