Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
If you've been in the market for a new car, truck or SUV recently, you've likely encountered the convenience of smartphone control options. These features allow you to perform tasks like locking the doors or starting the vehicle remotely from your smartphone. However, the reality is that many of these factory-installed systems can be frustratingly slow – a common pain point for Read more
If you’re looking for the best performance from your car audio system, the limitations of Bluetooth sound quality might be holding you back. Even if you’re streaming lossless or high-res files from Tidal or audio files stored directly on your phone, wireless connections to a car audio source unit are often optimized for bandwidth, not audio quality. Let’s make some simple Read more
The landscape of car audio head units has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade. The era of double-DIN source units has given way to the dominance of large floating-face radios. Sony, a leader in audio technology, introduced the groundbreaking 10.1-inch floating face XAV-9500ES a few years ago, which left us in awe of its features and performance. To Read more
Car audio source unit manufacturers are constantly developing new products to fill the gaps between entry-level and flagship models. Sony recently released a new 2-DIN digital multimedia receiver called the XAV-AX3700, which slides into the mix just below the XAV-AX4000. This new radio features a 6.95-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay connectivity and iDatalink Maestro Read more
It’s early April, and the CMA Expo has taken place at the Toronto Congress Center for the second year. Like other industry events, this show aims to bring together car audio manufacturers, distributors and retailers from across Canada. They learn about new products, expand their knowledge and network with like-minded professionals. If a manufacturer, distributor or retailer is Read more
Floating-face car radios are popular because of their flexible installation options and relatively massive displays. The Sony team has been hard at work updating their products, and the new 10.1-inch XAV-AX8500 digital multimedia receiver is their latest offering in this hot market segment. Let’s see what’s been added to the platform to keep it at the forefront of the Read more
Here are three sentences that make car audio experts cringe: “I set the gains halfway” is definitely at the top of the list. “Can I use a 60-watt amp with my 80-watt speakers?” demonstrates a complete misunderstanding of the irrelevance of power ratings. Something like “I tried the remote bass control from my Sony amp in my Rockford Fosgate amp” couldn’t be scarier. Can you Read more
If you’re old enough, you might remember that car radios, specifically CD receivers through the late ’80s and ’90s, were full of what seemed like crazy features. Double-DIN multimedia receivers, like we’re accustomed to today, barely existed back then, and we didn’t even have Bluetooth. Radio manufacturers like Sony, Alpine, Clarion, Kenwood, Pioneer, Panasonic, Eclipse, Read more
When a person thinks of Cadillac, old timers think of the tail-finned luxury convertibles of the 1950s, while Gen Z probably thinks of Escalade. That nameplate has become the pinnacle of the brand, and its biggest moneymaker. I recall attending a previous-generation Escalade release with a not-yet-President Donald Trump speaking about the vehicle. If you’re a wealthy Read more
