Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
Once again, we approach a discussion of the laws of physics and how they affect the electrical systems in our cars and trucks. The enemy of all power transmission systems, be it the battery and alternator to the amplifier in your vehicle or the nuclear power station or hydroelectric dam across the state to your home, is resistance. I saw a power wire sizing chart earlier this Read more
In the fall of 1982, Billy Joel’s 52nd Street was among the first 50 albums released as consumer-available compact discs. It had been only about four years since digital recording equipment was introduced to studios. This marked a revolutionary change in how consumers would buy their music. It was the dawn of an all-digital era, where performers could have their music captured Read more
The other day I saw an interesting question on social media where someone asked if they should match their car audio amplifier to their speakers. I know they were asking about power ratings, but I think that’s the wrong way to go about the process. I realized again that many enthusiasts don’t fully understand how to quantify audio component quality. So let’s dive into the Read more
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been a hit since it debuted when I was a senior in high school. I remember the first one I saw in the parking lot with bright red paint and gold-trimmed wheels. That was a lucky student (with well-to-do parents) who obtained one of the first. I remember taking a ride and thinking what a great package it was compared to the OG Cherokee. Grand Cherokee Read more
If you’ve ever considered upgrading a factory-installed audio system with an amplifier, then there will have to be a discussion about a suitable amplifier turn-on solution. Aftermarket radios have a wire in their harness with 12 volts when the unit is on. This wire connects to the remote turn-on input on an aftermarket amplifier. The voltage on this wire tells the aftermarket Read more
Several years ago, iDatalink, the company known for its class-leading remote car starter interfaces, launched an amplifier integration solution called the Maestro AR. The AR (which is short for amplifier replacement) was designed to interpret the CAN bus commands intended for a factory amplifier into something a third-party digital signal processor can understand. While Read more
In December 2022, BestCarAudio.com and Sony launched a giveaway contest called the Sony 12 Days of Christmas. For 12 days in a row, we randomly selected one of our readers (who entered the contest) to win a Sony Mobile ES car audio product. The prizes varied from a set of speakers or an amplifier to a subwoofer system, with the grand prize being a complete Sony Mobile ES car Read more
Adding an amplifier to your car stereo is a great way to improve its performance. If the amp is going to power speakers, you should be able to listen to your music at higher volume levels without worrying about clipping distortion. Of course, we all know that one of the best upgrades you can make to any car audio system is to add a subwoofer and a dedicated amplifier to drive Read more
As happens frequently, a friend tagged me in a social media post about someone comparing two subwoofers using free enclosure simulation software. This person had spent significant time modeling different drivers in different air volumes and tuning frequencies to devise a solution for their vehicle. Unfortunately, aside from not considering how the vehicle would affect the Read more
Speakers are, by a long way, the most influential component in any audio system when defining performance or quality. Low-quality speakers, or those without specific technologies, can’t match the clarity levels of premium solutions. In addition, many music enthusiasts want their car audio systems to play louder than what’s possible with factory-installed equipment. After all, Read more
The Lexus ES300h is the hybrid powertrain version of the ES300. Instead of a V6, it gets the familiar and perfected Toyota/Lexus 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This bumps the fuel economy into the stratosphere (with 44 mpg both in the city and on the highway). While most people considering the ES300 might be looking for a quiet and comfortable sedan, the F Sport definitely Read more
Though it only seems like last year, our 2019 article about the importance of test-driving a new car radio before buying is suddenly more important than ever. So let’s review some key factors and discuss a few new things you ought to test before purchasing a new radio for your car or truck. Test the Interface One of the most important reasons to try out a new car radio, Read more
