Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
We’re back with the second of four articles discussing the listening experience of truly high-end car audio systems. In our first article, we discussed the importance of accurate frequency response. This second article will discuss the soundstage, provide a definition for it and explain why it's crucial to recreating a recording accurately. What Is a Car Audio Soundstage? We Read more
Every speaker, be it a tweeter, midrange driver, woofer or subwoofer, will have a sensitivity rating. Sensitivity ratings attempt to describe how much sound a speaker will produce for a given amount of power from an amplifier. There’s a common misconception that more efficiency is better. Longtime readers of BestCarAudio.com won’t be surprised to learn that multiple standards 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
Choosing new speakers for a late-model car or truck can be challenging. Most people want something that sounds good, fits their vehicle and doesn’t require a second mortgage. The folks at KICKER have heard this message loud and clear, and their KS-Series speakers check off all those boxes while leaving a trick or two up their sleeves. In this Test Drive Review, I’ll examine the Read more
Kona, Hawaii, is known for its coffee. It has great flavor, made in a beautiful place. The Hyundai Kona refresh wasn’t on my radar until I tested one. But just like I’d love a trip to Kona, Hawaii, I also fell in love with the Hyundai.Many vehicles have started life with internal combustion engines, then retrofitted by the manufacturer with an electric powertrain. The Ford 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
It’s May 1, and car audio enthusiasts are shopping for system upgrades. Car audio amplifiers are one item consumers find difficult to quantify regarding performance, quality and value. We often see people buying noisy, low-efficiency, unreliable amplifiers, and it hurts our hearts. As such, we’ve put together this mega-article for the Question of the Month to help consumers Read more
In the 1980s, most car stereo shops had charts in the install bays that showed what size power wire should be used with different amplifiers. Some charts were based on current and cable length, while others suggested amplifier power ratings and lengths. In all cases, an essential piece of information was missing. Today, we’ll sort that out. Let’s consider why we need large Read more
Now and then, a good plan gets derailed by a lack of skill or knowledge. Do you remember the first time you took something apart, only to realize you didn’t know how to put it back together? The lesson is: Don’t take it apart in the first place. This brings us to the 2023 GMC Sierra AT4X audio system upgrade shown here. The owner, Robert, wasn’t impressed with its Bose audio Read more
