Every speaker, be it a tweeter, midrange driver, woofer or subwoofer, will have a sensitivity rating. Sensitivity ratings attempt to describe how much sound a speaker will produce for a given amount of power from an amplifier. There’s a common misconception that more efficiency is better. Longtime readers of BestCarAudio.com won’t be surprised to learn […]
Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate T1T-S
When defining realism in a car audio system, frequency response is one of the most crucial aspects. We want the midbass, midrange, and high-frequency information to be reproduced at similar levels. When done correctly, voices and instruments sound like they did in the mastering room at the recording studio, and not like a clock radio […]
Wire Equivalency Using the AWG Standard: 16+16 Isn’t 8
We recently witnessed a discussion on social media in which someone said that two 16 AWG wires could do the same work as a single 8 AWG wire. Unfortunately, the American Wire Gauge standard for stranded conductors isn’t intuitive in helping determine how multiple conductors can pass current. So let’s get geeky and do the […]
Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate RFK1D Dual Amp Kit
Knowing that it takes power to make power isn’t rocket science. When feeding high-power car audio amplifiers, skimping on wiring invites problems. If starved for voltage, your amplifiers will run hotter and clip earlier. Rockford Fosgate offers a unique solution to ensure your amp gets the current and voltage it needs. Let’s dive into the […]
The Four Stages of High-End Car Audio – Part 2: The Soundstage
We’re back with the second of four articles discussing the listening experience of truly high-end car audio systems. In our first article, we discussed the importance of accurate frequency response. This second article will discuss the soundstage, provide a definition for it and explain why it’s crucial to recreating a recording accurately. What Is a […]
A Look at Modern ADAS Technology and Terminology
Shopping for a new car, pickup truck or SUV is impossible without being bombarded with information about ADAS technology. Advanced driver assistance systems are designed to help prevent accidents. These can be as simple as backup cameras and parking sensors or as advanced as lane keep assist and forward collision prevention systems. The latter can […]
Deep Thoughts on Car Audio Power Wire Sizing
In the 1980s, most car stereo shops had charts in the install bays that showed what size power wire should be used with different amplifiers. Some charts were based on current and cable length, while others suggested amplifier power ratings and lengths. In all cases, an essential piece of information was missing. Today, we’ll sort […]
Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate PMX-1
As much fun as it is to check out top-of-the-line products, sometimes the right solution is surprisingly affordable. The marine and powersport audio experts at Rockford Fosgate offer a full line of digital media receivers. In fact, there are five stand-alone units, plus an add-on multi-zone unit with several controller options. There is, indeed, a […]
Motorcycle Speakers and Big Bass – A Match Not Made in Heaven
We were recently talking with the owner of a motorcycle audio manufacturer. He mentioned that consumers seem to struggle with the concept that relatively small motorcycle speakers cannot produce large amounts of bass. In this context, a small speaker is something you’d find in the fairing or saddlebag on a motorcycle. By comparison, a large […]
A Look at the Importance of Tweeter Installation Hardware
High-quality speakers and proper installation are crucial when upgrading your car’s audio system. The ease with which your installer can reliably integrate tweeters into your vehicle will determine a portion of the labor cost. Will the technician need to fabricate a mounting bracket? Will they need to create a little pod? Is there even enough […]
