We recently talked about the difference between good and great speakers. In a nutshell, when you choose great speakers, you get more power handling, the potential for more output and dramatically improved clarity, thanks to a reduction in distortion. In this issue of Bang for Your Buck, we are going to look at two car Read More…
Bang For Your Buck: Car Audio Speaker Upgrades
It should be no surprise that your choice of speakers has the biggest impact on the sound quality of your car audio system. With that said, many consumers simply don’t understand what separates one speaker from another in terms of performance and value. In this installment of Bang for Your Buck, we are going to Read More…
Bang for Your Buck: Car Audio Source Unit Specifications
In a recent article, we discussed the features to look for when choosing a new source unit for your vehicle. In this article, we delve deeper into the source unit specifications manufacturers provide and explain what they mean, in hopes of helping you weed out a solution that performs the way you want. Charge up Read More…
Bang for Your Buck: Car Audio Source Unit Features
A long time ago, a friend of mine told me always to ask a salesperson what I would get if I spent 10 percent to 15 percent more on an item I wanted to purchase. At the time, the discussion was related to a large tube-style television. Let’s say the TV I was looking at Read More…
Advanced Source Unit Integration
If you ask someone in the mobile electronics industry what “source unit integration” means, they’ll probably tell you about making an aftermarket radio fit into the dash of a vehicle and allowing it to send audio to the speakers. For decades, this has been the extent of the task. Physical Source Unit Integration Mounting a Read More…
Car Audio System Design Considerations
When you go shopping for a computer, it’s important that all the pieces work together to provide maximum performance and reliability. When you head out to upgrade your car audio system, your salesperson should ask you a series of questions that will help them identify the perfect solution for your needs and application. When it Read More…
Important Tips for Car Battery Maintenance
It’s early 2018, and North America is still contending with a deep freeze and some nasty winter weather. Erie, Pennsylvania, got more than 50 inches of snow over the holidays, and several northeastern US cities set records for cold weather. Montreal, Canada, spent six consecutive days with the temperature below 1 degree F. Amid all Read More…
Installing an Amplifier Is More Complicated than Just Hooking Up Wires
If you look around the Internet, it won’t take long before you see someone say that hooking up an amplifier is as easy as connecting a few wires. Are they right? Well, yes. You most certainly do need to hook up some wires. You also need to know how to connect those wires, disassemble your Read More…
Upgrading Your Classic Car Technology For Safety and Convenience
While modern vehicle features such as lane departure warning systems and adaptive cruise control aren’t available for your classic car or hot rod, there are modern technologies available for your pride and joy. These will make your next cruise or car show much safer and more enjoyable. Let’s take a look at how classic car Read More…
JL Audio MX Amplifiers Are Perfect for Powersports and Marine Use
When it comes to marine and powersports applications, the staff at Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville and Midlothian choose JL Audio MX amplifiers. These amplifiers are designed to produce great sound from an extremely compact package that fits where conventional amps are simply too large. Let’s look at what separates these compact amplifiers from other products Read More…
Are Classic Car Audio Amplifiers Better?
If you’ve been in the audio industry for a while, then you’ve likely heard that old-school or classic car audio amplifiers are better than the new stuff. How someone quantifies “better” is somewhat of personal preference. They could be talking about aesthetics or the sound of the product. Whatever it is people like about classic Read More…
Apple CarPlay Entertainment Options Expanded
iPhone users are excited by the news that Tidal and SiriusXM are now part-compatible with Apple CarPlay. These subscription-based music services add to the extensive entertainment selections already available for control by using your voice. Let’s take a close look at these new Apple CarPlay entertainment options. What is Tidal? In similar fashion to Google Read More…
JL Audio Stealthboxes Offer Incredible Bass from Minimal Space
If you live in the Richmond area and are looking for a great way to add bass to your stereo system, drop by Extreme Audio and ask about JL Audio Stealthboxes. The subwoofer experts at JL Audio design each application for maximum performance with minimal intrusion into cargo and storage space. With 80 models to Read More…
The OEM Audio Upgrade Path
Years ago, when someone wanted to make their car stereo system sound better, they bought a new radio. With the complexity of modern infotainment systems, upgrading your radio isn’t always possible. So, what’s a music enthusiast to do? As it turns out, the radio is the least of your worries – unless, of course, it Read More…
Vehicle Security Systems Explained
Wee-ooh, wee-ooh, honk, honk, honk, beep, beep, beep … Ah, the sweet melody of the modern car alarm. Vehicle security is big business. If you are worried about someone stealing your vehicle, visit your local mobile enhancement retailer and ask about a properly designed and installed vehicle security system. Before you head out the door, Read More…
But the Box Power Ratings Say This Subwoofer Will Handle 1,000 Watts!
There is no car audio topic more confusing and inconsistent than speaker power ratings. The fact is, the methods developed to test speakers are quite simple and reliable. If the speaker passes the test, print the number. A long time ago, some unknown manufacturer felt it was important to tell consumers that their speaker would Read More…
Safer Nighttime Driving Tips
Your lighting system remains the most important safety component of your vehicle once the sun sets. If you can’t see objects around you, or far enough ahead of you, the chances of having a serious accident are significant and the outcome could be deadly. Ensuring proper night vision is the most important aspect of driving Read More…
A Quick Look at Apple and Android Smartphones
Looking back to the Palm Pilot and the original Blackberry, we have been on a constant path toward having full-blown computers with us at all times. Fast-forward a few decades and it’s rare that folks don’t have a smartphone in their pocket or purse. Apple and Android smartphones have changed the way we communicate and Read More…
Everything You Need To Know About SiriusXM Satellite Radio
It seems you can’t go anywhere these days without hearing or seeing evidence of SiriusXM Satellite Radio. Satellite radio is touted as a commercial-free entertainment solution that can be accessed almost anywhere in North America. With more than 175 channels of music, comedy, sports and talk radio available 24 hours a day, there is always Read More…
7 Reasons for Hiring A Mobile Electronics Specialist to Work on Your Car
Let’s face it, not all of us are experts at everything. Maybe you’re an electrician or engineer and love to work on projects around the house. You might even be savvy when it comes to cars. You change your own oil and do your own brake jobs. Hey, if you can, why not, right? So, Read More…
Tips for Choosing the Best Truck Step Solutions for your Vehicle
Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville and Midlothian offers an extensive array of truck step solutions. From an elegant illuminated running board to the rugged design of a tubular Nerf bar or the convenience of a motorized step, we have solutions to fit almost every truck, SUV or van. Let’s look at some of the most popular Read More…
Tips for Choosing the Best Truck Bed Cover for Your Needs
If you are looking for the perfect truck bed cover, drop into Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville or Midlothian. With thousands of options available, the sales team at Extreme Audio has taken the time to research solutions that offer exceptional value and performance for every application. Let’s look at the cover styles that are available and Read More…
7 things to Consider When Improving Your Classic Car Audio
You have worked long and hard to get your pride and joy rebuilt. The paint is buttery smooth, the engine purrs like a kitten, and the interior smells of fresh carpet and leather. You stand back, enjoying her beauty. It’s time to go for a cruise. Roll down the windows, pull out on the freeway Read More…
Vehicle Protection Accessories Proudly Made In The USA
If you are looking for the best vehicle protection accessories available, drop into Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville or Midlothian and ask about WeatherTech FloorLiners and Side Window Deflectors. In fact, WeatherTech offers a variety of accessories for cars, trucks and SUVs – all designed to keep your vehicle looking like new and easier to use. Read More…
To Get Better Sound, Do I Need to Replace My Factory Source Unit?
Not all that long ago, upgrading the performance of your car audio system required that you replace the factory source unit. The industry had dozens of premium CD receivers with state-of-the-art signal processing and high-end digital-to-analog converters. The popularity of these source units and the audio systems that could be built around them was not Read More…
Integrate Waze Into Your Vehicle At Extreme Audio
Did you know that Extreme Audio in Midlothian and Mechanicsville can integrate Waze into your vehicle? That’s right! Android Auto includes native support for Waze – allowing you to navigate the roads in the Richmond area, or anywhere in the US or Canada efficiently and safely. Let’s look at why this has become the preeminent Read More…
How to Buy a Remote Start System For Your Vehicle
Mobile electronics require a much different purchasing process than something you are buying for home use. A piece of furniture, a new toaster or a new lawnmower may require similar levels of research before making the purchase, but once you have them, you can take them home, unpack them, and start using them right away. Read More…
Remote Starter Smartphone Control Available Just In Time For Winter
With the colder weather upon us, the mobile electronics industry is shifting its focus from audio systems to remote car starters. When it comes to buying a remote car starter, the biggest decision consumers have to make is how much range they need. If you are looking for the ultimate in convenience, a telematics system Read More…
Google’s Waze offers the Best in Navigation
It’s not often that a piece of software creates a significant impact on our daily lives. Milestone social media apps like Facebook and Twitter most certainly remain in the limelight, but when it comes to actually being productive, Waze is a major step forward in navigation apps for our smartphones. In the summer of 2017, Read More…
Will Upgrading My Speakers Make My Stereo Sound Better?
When it comes to reproducing an audio signal, your speakers are the most important component in the food chain. You could have the best source unit and amplifiers known to man, but if your speakers are mediocre, then the listening experience will suffer. That said, the world of car audio has changed over the years. Read More…