Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
Understanding how DC voltages combine is quite simple. They add linearly when we wire sources (like batteries) in series. But understanding how AC waveforms combine is complicated. AC waveforms don’t always sum intuitively unless the peaks and valleys align perfectly. We see many examples where people interchange the terms phase and polarity. In reality, those words refer to Read more
There will always be debates about whether a Class D amplifier can sound as good as a Class AB. We’ve proven that it all depends on who designs the amplifier. We also see mumblings about single-ended amps versus full-bridge designs. STMicroelectronics created a different and unexpected way to deliver efficient power. These amplifiers are categorized Class SB and Class SBI. Read more
Over the last decade, the popularity of under-seat truck subwoofer upgrades has exploded. At least a dozen companies offer vehicle-specific solutions with shallow-mount subwoofers to add bass to these vehicles. If you’re perusing the enclosure options for your truck, you’ll notice two distinct options: enclosures with drivers that face upward into the seat bottom and those that Read more
I was recently rewatching the YouTube video from GoldenSound about how he tested the quality of the MQA file format by uploading several test tones and part of a song to Tidal. His results showed without any shadow of a doubt that the MQA format didn’t meet many of the claims made by the company. This article isn’t about MQA, thankfully.I’ve often wondered about the quality Read more
Any time your installer wants to wire two subwoofers to the same channel of an amplifier, they can wire them in series or parallel. The same goes for a dual voice coil design subwoofer. The only benefit of a DVC subwoofer over a single is that there are three wiring options. We examined whether the wiring options for dual voice coil subwoofers differed a while back. Thinking Read more
For seven years and across over 1,000 articles, the team at BestCarAudio.com has delivered a resource for car audio enthusiasts like no other on the planet. From spotlights on unique installations and facilities to technical articles that explain even the most complex physics concepts, we’ve worked hard to educate consumers to the best of our abilities about the solutions Read more
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 kicking off a monthly column called the BestCarAudio Question of the Month. Many basic car audio-related questions are answered incorrectly or incompletely on social media and in online forums. In our ongoing efforts to educate consumers about the products and solutions available to upgrade their vehicles, we will pick a random question each month and provide a detailed Read more
You should be aware that copper-clad aluminum wire is the least-preferred option for connecting an amplifier to your vehicle’s battery or alternator. Copper-clad aluminum wire has more resistance for a given diameter than an all-copper cable. As a result, it wastes precious voltage and transforms it into heat when it could be allowing your amplifier to make more power. Why do Read more
