Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
This fourth article in the BestCarAudio.com series on understanding subwoofer quality focuses on a classic infinite baffle 10-inch subwoofer from Oz Audio. As seems to happen frequently, there is yet again a unique back-story on this subwoofer. Let’s dig in! While in college, I worked part-time for an independent big-box home and car audio retailer, Base Electronics, until Read more
We’re back with our third article in the BestCarAudio.com series about understanding subwoofer quality. This time, we have a 10-inch Clarion Signature Series SSW1001 subwoofer from around 2006 or 2007. There’s a bit of a back story about this driver, so get comfy. I worked at Clarion Canada Inc. from 2004 to 2017. During that time, I had roles in technical support, product Read more
We’re back again with the next subwoofer in our series about understanding subwoofer quality. That pawn shop woofer from the last article was a great starting point for evaluating woofer quality. The bass heads who think 6.5-inch PA speakers can play down to 80 Hz could learn a lot from it and the Understanding Speaker Quality article on the Skar FSX65-4 midrange. We are going Read more
Our first subject in this series of articles about understanding subwoofer quality is a low-cost 10-inch driver from a local electronics parts store. This manufacturer markets this transducer as a “full range” speaker that “looks and sounds great” and not a subwoofer. We’ll start by measuring the Thiele/Small parameters of the driver, then break it in to see if things change Read more
Last year, we published a series of articles that compared several 6.5-inch woofers. Those articles were intended to show the linearity and distortion differences between entry-level products and those with features that improve performance and sound quality. The results were exactly as we expected: The better drivers played louder with less distortion. We figured it was about Read more
A properly powered subwoofer is the foundation of a great car audio system, delivering deep, controlled bass that enhances your listening experience. But if your subwoofer is underpowered, the bass can sound weak, distorted, or even disappear at higher volumes. The issue often comes down to an amplifier that doesn’t provide enough power. Understanding how to properly match an 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
Upgrading your car’s audio system is an exciting way to enhance your driving experience. However, achieving the best possible sound quality requires more than just installing high-quality speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers. The magic happens when your system is calibrated correctly using a digital signal processor to adjust signal delays and equalization. These elements work Read more
When it comes to upgrading your vehicle’s audio, electronics, or other enhancements, the choice of retailer is as critical as the products you select. A trusted retailer ensures that you get high-quality products and ensures the installation and configuration process is done professionally to deliver optimal performance and reliability. Let’s explore why selecting a quality Read more
The Question of the Month for December brings up the often-discussed topic of subwoofer damage. Specifically, we’ve seen it asked time and time again if you can damage a subwoofer by underpowering it. The answer is a simple no, but the topic is a little more complex than it might seem. Let’s discuss what amplifiers do when they exceed maximum power and what causes damage to a Read more
This month's car audio question asks what sub amp you should buy for a specific set of subwoofers. It seems like a pretty simple question, right? However, considering all the variables, the selection process gets impressively complicated. Let’s consider seven criteria when picking the best subwoofer amplifier for a specific set of subwoofers. 1. Subwoofer Power Ratings We’ll Read more
For September's BestCarAudio.com Question of the Month, we will look at car radios with a single subwoofer preamp output jack. There seems to be some confusion regarding the perception of quality associated with this design. Further, there are questions about whether or not your installer will need a Y-cable to connect to your subwoofer amplifier. Let’s dive in! What is a Read more
