As we continue our look at how at how car audio amplifiers work, we need to discuss what has become the most popular design on the market today: amplifiers that use a Class D output stage. In audiophile realms, Class D designs often carry an unfavorable reputation. Do their drawbacks outweigh their benefits? Let’s have […]
Is Turning Up the Bass on Your Car Stereo a Good Idea?
If there’s one thing that can add emotion and excitement to your music, it’s adding a little more bass. Bass frequencies, especially those below 80 Hz, can be felt as much as heard at a higher volume level. The tingling in your amps and vibration in your back make a night at a club, your […]
Tools of the Trade – The Oscilloscope
Our series of articles on what tools are important to test and configure a car audio system upgrade moves on to the oscilloscope. Tools like digital voltmeters, real-time audio analyzers and, of course, hand tools such as screwdrivers, side cutters, wire strippers and a socket set each have their place and importance. When it comes […]
HID versus LED Headlight Bulb Upgrades – Which Is best?
When it comes to safe driving at night, upgrading the headlights in your car or truck with HID or LED bulbs can make a dramatic difference in your ability to see long distances. Dozens of articles and videos on the Internet compare the two technologies. Piecing together information from all of them and wading through […]
Automotive Dashcam Features Explained
A dashcam is a compact camera system designed with automotive-specific features to capture video of everything that happens in front of your car or truck. The video files from a dashcam can protect you from fraud or false accusations in the event of an accident. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular […]
Understanding Specifications: Operating Voltage Tolerances and Protection Circuits
To close out our series of educational articles on amplifier specifications, we are going to talk about operating voltage limits and, by association, the protection circuits built into a car audio amplifier. In the good old days of electrical systems that were composed of an alternator, battery, switches and a couple of relays, delivering a […]
Car Audio Amplifier Remote Control Options
If you are thinking about having your local mobile enhancement retailer add a subwoofer amplifier to your car or truck, you may want to ask them about the remote level or bass boost control options that are available. Being able to adjust the amount of bass your system produces from the driver’s seat allows you […]
Tools of the Trade: ProDemand Vehicle Information Service
Among the many tools that mobile enhancement technicians use, one of the most valuable is ProDemand from Mitchell1. If you’ve spent any time in the automotive service industry, you’ll recognize the classic brown-and-yellow Mitchell service books. The information in these paperbacks is now available to automotive and electronics technicians through a web interface. Let’s look […]
Why Chose DrivenSS for the Ultimate Paint Protection
When it comes to keeping your vehicle looking like new, the detailing team at Driven Sound and Security in Negaunee offers the ultimate paint protection solutions in Northern Michigan. Almost anyone can wash and dry a car then apply a coat of wax. It takes trained experts to perform paint correction to restore the shine […]
Understanding Specifications: Class AB Car Audio Amplifier Crossover Distortion
We are at our second-to-last article in our car audio amplifier specification series and this time, we are going to talk about Class AB amplifier crossover distortion. This distortion has nothing to do with the high- or low-pass filters built into your amplifier; it’s a problem with the very concept of the Class B amplifier […]
