Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
We’re now into our fourth speaker in our series about understanding speaker quality. For this article, we will analyze the performance of an old-school premium speaker, the MB Quart PWE-160. If you were into car audio in the ’80s and ’90s, then the MB Quart brand was a name you’d know well. This brand was famous for its performance in car audio competitions. So let’s see how Read more
I purchased a pair of MTX 6.5-inch woofers around 1992 or 1993, and they were installed in my 1991 Mazda 323 hatchback as midbass and rear-fill drivers. Later, they migrated to a set of “home speakers” with an Audax tweeter, though I don’t think I spent much time listening to them after I finished building them. Unfortunately, those speaker enclosures were thrown out after they Read more
We’re on to our third article in our series of quantifying speakers’ performance in terms of their application and quality. We started with a factory Honda speaker, then looked at what an inexpensive aftermarket speaker offered. For this third article, we’ll look at another inexpensive aftermarket speaker, the Skar Audio FSX65-4. Skar Audio FSX65-4 Let me start by saying that Read more
A while back, we took a close look at the harmonic distortion performance of a 6.5-inch door speaker from a Honda Civic. We measured the Theile/Small parameters and the driver’s impedance curve. Next, we looked at how much distortion the speaker created at different drive levels. If you haven’t read that article, it’s a bit of a prerequisite for this one. You can find it here: Read more
Up to this point, we’ve explained the difference in performance between entry level, poorly designed and premium car audio amplifiers. We hope you’ve found this informative, and now it’s time we took a close look at car audio speakers. No car audio component is more crucial than speakers for reproducing music with accuracy and clarity. This series of articles will analyze Read more
When it comes to correlating how the parameters of a speaker translate into music reproduction, well, the details are often somewhat sparse. One speaker characteristic that’s often overlooked when searching for new subwoofers or woofers is Q. This unitless number is a key component in describing how the suspension and motor work to control and damp cone oscillation at its Read more
Powersports speaker upgrades for UTVs and side-by-sides are all the rage these days. Car audio manufacturers offer pods, soundbars and enclosures to let your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer add or enhance the sound system on your Polaris, Can-Am, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki or Textron vehicle. Let’s look at some of the options available to make your time on the trails Read more
The number of times a consumer has asked for a set of speakers based on power ratings is incomprehensibly huge. They ask for 300-watt 6x9’s or a 1,000-watt subwoofer without understanding how the power ratings are created. Let’s quickly review what it takes to make a speaker that can handle a lot of power and explain why that may have nothing to do with sound quality and Read more
When you’re upgrading your car audio system, selecting the right speakers involves more than just brand loyalty or power ratings. Understanding how a speaker will behave in your specific installation starts with knowing the specifications that actually matter. Among the many Thiele/Small parameters that define speaker behavior, three stand out as especially critical: Read more
If you’re looking to improve the sound quality in your car, one of the first upgrades most people consider is replacing the factory-installed speakers. But do aftermarket speakers really make a difference, or is it just an unnecessary expense? Let’s take an in-depth look at how aftermarket speakers compare to stock speakers, what improvements they offer, and whether they’re Read more
Bluetooth audio streaming is a convenient way to enjoy music in your vehicle, but many drivers notice that it doesn’t sound as crisp or detailed as a wired connection. While Bluetooth compression plays a role, several strategies can help optimize sound quality and make the most of your wireless audio system. Let’s explore key ways to improve Bluetooth audio in your Read more
Car audio enthusiasts often invest in high-quality speakers, amplifiers, and subwoofers to achieve the best sound. However, the vehicle’s interior acoustics play a crucial role in how the system performs. Factors such as interior materials, seating positions, and speaker placement can dramatically impact sound quality. Understanding these elements and employing professional Read more
