Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
You’d think that something as simple as operating an on/off button or switch would deliver predictable results. These days, many electronic devices remain on and continue to draw small amounts of current, even when you think they’re off. Let’s look at how car radios work regarding their on/off status and how much current they draw. Parasitic Current Draw Kills Batteries This Read more
Nero means black in Italian, and Kia used some black magic to differentiate the Kia Niro EV from the hybrid version. Instead of a shifter in the middle of the dash, a circular twist-dial engages forward or reverse. The Park button is in the middle. And the rest of the package is futuristic. Dig those contrasting-color “aeroblades” by the C-pillar that stretch back to the rear Read more
Having worked at a car audio manufacturer for over 15 years, I can tell you without hesitation that warranty coverage contributes to the cost of the products consumers purchase. Unfortunately, while the failure rate of well-engineered car audio products is quite low, many consumers don’t understand how warranties work. So, let’s chat about car audio product warranties, what Read more
If you were into car audio in the ’80s or ’90s, you undoubtedly heard about people spending countless hours hunting down engine noise or alternator whine issues with amplified systems. Thankfully, modern high-quality car audio amplifiers include circuitry on the RCA input jacks that nearly eliminates the chance of ground loops and prevents the audio system from producing Read more
In the fall of 1982, Billy Joel’s 52nd Street was among the first 50 albums released as consumer-available compact discs. It had been only about four years since digital recording equipment was introduced to studios. This marked a revolutionary change in how consumers would buy their music. It was the dawn of an all-digital era, where performers could have their music captured Read more
When it comes to getting great sound on your Gold Wing, Harley-Davidson or BMW, the key is to pick the best motorcycle speakers you can afford. The speakers in any audio system are the only link between what you hear and the electronics that play your music. Even the best radio and amplifier in the world would sound mediocre with low-quality speakers. So let’s look at a few Read more
If you’ve ever considered upgrading a factory-installed audio system with an amplifier, then there will have to be a discussion about a suitable amplifier turn-on solution. Aftermarket radios have a wire in their harness with 12 volts when the unit is on. This wire connects to the remote turn-on input on an aftermarket amplifier. The voltage on this wire tells the aftermarket Read more
In December 2022, BestCarAudio.com and Sony launched a giveaway contest called the Sony 12 Days of Christmas. For 12 days in a row, we randomly selected one of our readers (who entered the contest) to win a Sony Mobile ES car audio product. The prizes varied from a set of speakers or an amplifier to a subwoofer system, with the grand prize being a complete Sony Mobile ES car Read more
The Lexus ES300h is the hybrid powertrain version of the ES300. Instead of a V6, it gets the familiar and perfected Toyota/Lexus 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This bumps the fuel economy into the stratosphere (with 44 mpg both in the city and on the highway). While most people considering the ES300 might be looking for a quiet and comfortable sedan, the F Sport definitely Read more
