It may seem as if they should be similar processes, but installing a new source unit, amplifiers and speakers in a car is unlike installing most home audio systems. It is not as simple as plugging things in and hoping they work. Proper integration of your new electronics into modern vehicles and their wiring is […]
It’s Smart to Purchase Your Audio Gear From the Shop Installing It
In the “old days” if you wanted to buy something, you went to a store. Now, with the increasing popularity of online shopping, mobile electronics enthusiasts have a seemingly unlimited number of options where they buy the audio gear they want. In this article, we will discuss some of the benefits of purchasing your equipment […]
Custom Installations – Past and Present
Custom car audio installations have changed a great deal over the years. More often than not, custom installations from years ago often looked like ‘bolted-on’ additions to a vehicle. Modern systems blend seamlessly with your interior. Advances in construction techniques allow your installer to create complex multi-dimensional shapes that look like they came from the […]
Product Spotlight: AudioControl D-4.800 Amplifier
Not long ago, we looked at the impressive new DM-810 digital signal processor from AudioControl. In keeping with their plan to provide consumers with access to the benefits of signal processing, AudioControl has recently introduced the D-4.800 amplifier. The D-4.800 is a high-power four channel amplifier with a built-in, six-channel DSP solution. You get the […]
OEM Sound System Measurements for Audio System Upgrades
Upgrading a factory audio system is not as easy as it used to be. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, connecting an amplifier and a new set of speakers to a factory source unit would yield impressive, if not amazing, results. As automobile manufacturers put more focus on the performance of factory-installed sound systems, […]
Definitions: Speaker Parameters
The adage that someone could write a book about a subject certainly holds true when it comes to a discussion of loudspeakers and their parameters. In fact, there are dozens of great books already available about the subject. This article provides an overview of some of the most commonly discussed speaker parameters. What are Speaker […]
Product Spotlight: AudioControl Epicenter
If you have been around the car audio industry for any amount of time, then you have undoubtedly heard of the AudioControl Epicenter processor. Unlike most processors, the Epicenter is not a conventional device like an equalizer or crossover. The Epicenter can recreate low-frequency information by analyzing the harmonic content of your music and produce […]
Hot Rod, RestoMod and Restoration Source Unit Options
The stereotypical image of a “Woody” station wagon with a surfboard on the roof is missing one critically important element to make it part of the perfect day on the beach: an audio system. In the 1960s, the aftermarket car audio scene was weak. Compared to now, there weren’t any options for source units, speakers […]
Automotive Battery Science: How Batteries Work
Your automotive battery is one of the most important, and most often overlooked, electrical components in your vehicle. If your battery is not in good condition, you can be stranded, and other components in your vehicle may be damaged. This article discusses how batteries work and how to take care of them. What is Inside […]
RCA Y-Cables, Friend or Foe?
If you spend any time reading car audio discussions on Facebook or in forums, then you will have undoubtedly come across comments involving the supposed drawbacks of using RCA Y-cables. There seems to be a lot of misconception or misunderstanding about how preamp signals works, and this misinformation leads to comments that aren’t always accurate. […]
