Talking about the performance of audio equipment without objective measurements is like describing the taste of food without eating it. Maybe that’s a bit over the top, but the concept is accurate. You’ll hear many folks into high-end audio describe listening experiences that are sweet or emotional. However, those adjectives do very little to describe […]
Android Auto Sound Quality: Is Wired Better Than Wireless?
A while back, we examined the difference in sound quality between wired and wireless Apple CarPlay. Now that many Android-based smartphones have access to additional audio streaming codecs like LDAC and aptX, it’s time to check out how they perform in terms of signal accuracy and frequency response. We’ll use the Sony XAV-9000ES digital media […]
Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate R165X3
Whether you enjoy background music while commuting to work or are serious about your car audio system offering studio-quality or concert-level performance, Rockford Fosgate has speakers, amplifiers, and subwoofer solutions for every application. The Prime series products are the most affordable offerings and include trickle-down tech from their industry-leading Punch and Power series. In this […]
What To Look for in a Professional Dash Cam Installation
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that we’ve seen dozens of posts asking about dash cameras that are easy to install and don’t cost much. We’ve all but beaten the topic of dash camera quality to death and have reviewed and analyzed several solutions from Momento and Thinkware. Based on the results of our […]
The Nitty Gritty on Professional vs. DIY Car Audio Upgrades
Many professionals in the car audio industry started their careers as novices installing equipment for themselves or friends in their driveways and garages. That hands-on experience typically led to a job at a local shop and allowed them to learn more about electrical theory, acoustics, physics, and fabrication. Those who have invested time in understanding […]
Car Audio Bass: Are Two Good Subs Better Than One Great One?
While participating in some brand-specific online discussion groups, we often encounter the question: “Is it better to use two good subs or one great one?” Are two 12-inch KICKER L7S subs better than a SoloX? Should you opt for two Hertz Cento CS 250 S4s instead of a Mille ML 2500.3 Legend? What about choosing […]
Shining a Light on Headlight Beam Patterns: What You Need to Know
Every fall, car stereo and automotive accessory shops install thousands of lighting upgrades. These days, the most common upgrade is a set of LED headlight bulbs that fit into the stock light locations. While seemingly simple, the resulting beam pattern can be negatively affected if the chosen bulbs are not designed specifically for the lens […]
Managing Large Music Collections in Your Car
Having music playing while driving is not only entertaining, but it can be very relaxing. Enjoying your favorite songs while stuck in traffic or on a long drive can help time pass much quicker. We recently received a question from one of our readers about the best way to manage a large music collection. Specifically, […]
Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate PP4-NT
Not long ago, we took a look at the impressive PPS4-10 10-inch Punch Pro midrange drivers from Rockford Fosgate. While they are great for keeping up with a trunk full of subwoofers, what works in terms of reproducing those high frequencies? This spotlight focuses on the Rockford Fosgate PP4-NT Punch Pro tweeter. Let’s check it […]
Stay Ahead of Thieves: The Power of GPS Tracking and Location Alerts!
Unfortunately, concern over car and truck theft continues to increase. Thieves seem to work tirelessly to conjure up methods of bypassing factory-installed security systems. Our experience has shown that while a GPS-based tracking system might not prevent vehicle theft, it is your only hope of recovering your vehicle. Let’s look at geofence and location-based alerts […]
