Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
When the team at Sony set out to recreate the much-lauded Mobile ES series of products, their initial plan included four popular speaker sizes and a high-performance subwoofer called the XS-W104ES. This 10-inch subwoofer combines features that help it deliver excellent performance with styling that sets it apart from other offerings. So let’s check out what makes this subwoofer Read more
In the ’80s and ’90s, the target demographic at a car stereo shop was men ages 18 to 24. Guys would work to upgrade their cars with subwoofers, pull-out CD players and lots of speakers in hopes of having the loudest audio systems in their group of friends. Not coincidentally, during that time magazines ran advertisements for products with outrageous cosmetics, promoted by Read more
A few weeks ago, we were browsing a few car audio related Facebook groups and Reddit subreddits. We saw the same question come up time after time: “I have two dual 2-ohm voice coil subs; how do I show the amp a 1-ohm load to make max power?” It wasn’t just once or twice that this question was asked – we saw it and versions of it at least a dozen times in less than an hour of Read more
If you pay attention to who is creating some of the most beautifully integrated audio system upgrades in the world, then Musicar Northwest of Portland, Oregon, will definitely be more than just a blip on your radar. One of their existing clients recently contacted them about upgrading the audio system in his 2019 Audi RS3 sedan. He wanted a sound system that would deliver Read more
In a recent online discussion, someone stated that a car audio amplifier couldn’t be power-hungry. After the eye-twitching passed and our heart rates settled, we knew this was a perfect topic for our series on car audio myths. Let’s look at how amplifiers, specifically subwoofer amplifiers, make use of the power from your vehicle’s electrical system. What Is Amplifier Read more
If you’ve looked at any top-quality car audio amplifiers or signal processors, you may have seen an adjustment labeled as a subsonic filter. If you have subwoofers or speakers that may not play the lowest of audio frequencies at high levels, your installer can adjust this control to provide protection. First, let’s look at how it all works. Proper Filter Terminology First and Read more
We’ve lost track of how often we’ve said that not all car stereo shops are true professionals. It seems like some local retailers that work on exotic cars just don’t have a basic understanding of the physics behind car audio system design, integration and calibration. In this article, we’ll take a look at a few of the sure signs that you’re dealing with someone who cares about Read more
Running a magazine like BestCarAudio.com isn’t an easy proposition. It takes planning, creativity and commitment. With that said, it’s rewarding on many levels. We love helping people choose the best products and educating them about the solutions available to enhance their cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats or powersports vehicles. In this article, we’ll take a behind-the-scenes Read more
BestCarAudio.com has evolved to become an essential online magazine dedicated to educating consumers about mobile audio excellence. Let’s take a look at where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Before we dive into how BestCarAudio.com got started, we want to thank the tens of thousands of car audio enthusiasts who read the content we publish each week. We do what we do to Read more
If you’ve been around the car audio scene for a few decades, then you’ll recall a time when almost all amplifiers doubled their output power when the load impedance was halved. For example, an amplifier might have been rated to produce 75 watts per channel into a 4-ohm load and 150 watts into a 2-ohm load. It wasn’t unheard of to see low-power amplifiers like the infamous Orion Read more
Holly Hill, FL – July 8, 2021 – iBEAM Vehicle Safety Systems by Metra Electronics® has two new commercial safety products in stock and shipping. A wireless 7-inch monitor and high-definition camera package, the TE-WMCE, and a 9-inch quad-view monitor, the TE-9VS-4. Both universal solutions feature heavy-duty construction and are designed for the demands of larger vehicles like Read more
A comment came up the other day that it was unwise to use all channels of a four-channel amplifier to power a pair of subwoofers. Not only is this incorrect, but this practice opens up several unique system designs and installation possibilities, especially where high-power requirements are necessary. Let’s dive in! Four-Channel Amplifiers Are Amazing! In terms of application Read more
