Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
We recently published a detailed article explaining what happens when an amplifier starts to clip. The article detailed the inclusion of harmonics in the output signal and explained how this extra high-frequency information increases the power to a speaker. Regarding damaging speakers, the issue isn’t specifically the harmonics, as many electric guitars produce similar Read more
While browsing car audio groups on Facebook or Reddit, I see the comment that “distortion damages speakers” at least once, if not 10 times, a day. There can’t be many statements that equal this one to demonstrate an incomplete understanding of how speakers, amplifiers and distortion work. If you’ve been told this by professionals, don’t fret. Most of them don’t understand Read more
It’s April 1st once again, and that means it’s time for another look at car audio installations that have gone awry. The images you’ll see are prime examples of why only a genuine professional should be the only person to upgrade your car or truck. Whether it’s an amplifier installation, a remote car starter integration or a simple lighting upgrade, ensuring that the results Read more
Car audio enthusiasts share one thing: All of us have a vehicle of some sort. It’s no surprise to anyone that fuel prices have skyrocketed to record-setting levels in 2022. Since many of us must commute to work, our expenses have increased dramatically. So whether you’re shopping for new equipment for your vehicle or planning sound system upgrades, here are a few tips that can Read more
Last week a friend of mine sent a link to a YouTube video by Steve Meade, who was experimenting with line output converters using an oscilloscope and an SMD DD-1+ distortion analyzer. Several statements in the video and the comments made it clear that people don’t understand the concept of audio signal distortion. That’s OK. It’s a complex subject and requires looking at Read more
Historically, Bluetooth and the words “sound quality” haven’t mixed well. The folks at Audison in Italy have decided it’s time to provide the car audio world with a solution that sounds good and offers something not seen before in this segment: support for hi-res audio transfer. Audison doesn’t just make this claim, but they have the full support of the Japan Audio Society. Read more
Several car audio amplifiers on the market only have three terminals to which four speaker wires need to be connected. Typically, we are used to seeing a single terminal for each speaker’s positive and negative terminal – four in total. So, how do these three-terminal solutions work? The answer is simple if you know how the signal in the amp works. So, let’s take a Read more
Many years ago, an industry peer asked me if I would be interested in reviewing a subwoofer enclosure solution his company offered. This enclosure was designed for shallow-mount subwoofers and fit under the rear seat of extended- and quad-cab pickup trucks. What made the solution unique was that it was constructed from many layers of wood stacked one on top of the next. In Read more
A Honda Civic Si, Acura RSX, Mini Speedster, BMW X5, the Sinister 6 and the Imprint RLS – if you recognize the pattern here, you know it’s a list of Alpine demo vehicles. Perhaps calling them demo vehicles is an understatement. These creations set the bar so high that few companies have followed in their tracks. Each vehicle was designed and crafted to showcase Alpine car audio Read more
Over the past few years, I’ve written several articles about harmonic distortion. While ideally they’re pretty clear in their message, I might have jumped over the need to define the term harmonic itself. So, let’s look at what harmonics are in terms of audio signals. What Are Harmonics? In reference to music, the Oxford English Dictionary defines the word harmonic as “an Read more
Shopping for car audio upgrades can be difficult. There are often several if not dozens of retailers in your area, with each one typically offering different solutions. Wading through the options can be difficult. This article will explain a straightforward tip for getting the best value and performance for your investment. It’s as simple as “Why?” Buying a New Car Read more
A few weeks ago, I was at Motron Automotive Electronics in London, Ontario, to return some vintage remote car starters I’d borrowed for an article. I was talking with Lee Campbell about the work the shop does. Aside from remote car starter installations and audio system upgrades, Motron specializes in finding solutions for vehicles where the factory-installed infotainment Read more
