Vehicle owners who are looking for a way to enhance their safety on the roads of Richmond and Mechanicsville come to Extreme Audio for blind spot detection systems. We joke that a sixth sense, or having “eyes in the back of our heads,” sometimes saves us from costly incidents. Imagine if your car could tell Read More…
Hot Rod, RestoMod, and Restoration Source Unit Options
The stereotypical image of a “Woody” station wagon with a surfboard on the roof is missing one critically important element to make it part of the perfect day on the beach: an audio system. In the 1960s, the aftermarket car audio scene was weak. Compared to now, there weren’t any options for source units, speakers Read More…
Automotive Battery Science: How Batteries Work
Your automotive battery is one of the most important, and most often overlooked, electrical components in your vehicle. If your battery is not in good condition, you can be stranded, and other components in your vehicle may be damaged. This article discusses how batteries work and how to take care of them. What is Inside Read More…
RCA Y-Cables, Friend or Foe?
If you spend any time reading car audio discussions on Facebook or in forums, then you will have undoubtedly come across comments involving the supposed drawbacks of using RCA Y-cables. There seems to be a lot of misconception or misunderstanding about how preamp signals works, and this misinformation leads to comments that aren’t always accurate. Read More…
Harley-Davidson Radio Flashing for Maximum Audio Performance
Extreme Audio in Midlothian and Mechanicsville offers Harley-Davidson radio flashing for 2014 and newer Boom!™ Box-equipped bikes. Extreme Audio has invested in the equipment to make these modifications. You can call it programming, reflashing, reconfiguring or electronic voodoo if you want. The radio flashing process is crucially important to the sound quality and reliable performance Read More…
Differential Inputs are Your Friend
In the 80s and 90s, it seemed like car audio installers were often having to resolve noise issues after installing a system that included an amplifier or signal processor. In many cases, the problem was called a ground loop. However, in some cases, the noise was present because one of the signal cables passed by Read More…
Bench Battle: Headunit Features vs. Performance
Awhile ago, a client asked us what you get when you buy a “better” headunit. The usual answer is that you get more features and improved functionality. Those of us with a drive for the ultimate in sound quality and realism from our mobile electronics systems choose products in hopes of them receiving improved sound Read More…
Custom Vented Enclosures-More Bang for Your Buck
We all know that the performance of different makes and models of speakers and subwoofers has a dramatic difference in how they sound. When it comes to the installation of subwoofers, the choice of enclosure plays a huge role in the sound of the subwoofer system. In this article, we look at some of the Read More…
Fuses: To Serve and Protect!
Let’s face it: Accidents happen. Minimizing the collateral damage from an accident is important. When you have a mobile electronics system that includes installing an amplifier in your vehicle, a discussion about fuses or circuit protection should take place before the installation begins. Choosing the right device to ensure your system works as intended and Read More…
Steering Wheel Audio Control Integration
When you go shopping for a new radio for your car, one of the many questions the product specialist should ask you is whether your existing radio has steering wheel-mounted audio controls. Almost every aftermarket radio has provisions to accept a signal that will give you steering wheel audio control functions like volume, source selection, Read More…
Does Preamp Voltage Matter?
For almost as long as there have been car audio enthusiasts, they have been adding amplifiers to their vehicles to increase the power available to drive their speakers. More power means we can turn the volume up higher without distortion. When it came to connecting amplifiers to speakers, the first power boosters connected to the Read More…
Rear Speakers – A Benefit or a Bad Habit?
For decades, automobile manufacturers have installed relatively large rear speakers in their vehicles. The stereotype of a set of 6×9 speakers sitting on the parcel shelf of a Monte Carlo is as “car audio” as it gets. As the industry has evolved, the importance of rear speakers has diminished. Are rear speakers necessary? Do they Read More…
What is Bluetooth?
If you have been around the mobile electronics industry for any amount of time, you will know that certain terms are often used incorrectly. One term that has been over-abused lately is Bluetooth. Product manufacturers, retailers and consumers have developed an expectation of what Bluetooth is, and what it does. Sadly, those expectations can lead Read More…
When it Comes to Subwoofer Specifications, Some Numbers Don’t Matter
If you are a mobile electronics enthusiast like we are, then it’s quite possible that you enjoy reading product specifications. You can learn a lot about the design and application of a product from the specs. Amplifier power ratings are probably the most popular specs, but there are a lot more. One product specification that Read More…
Basics of OEM Integration in Your Newer Vehicle
Installing a mobile audio system involves much more than just hooking up some wires and driving in a few screws. Almost all vehicle manufacturers have realized that some amount of audio system tuning will dramatically improve their customers’ experience. When you decide it’s time to upgrade your factory audio system, we need to take into Read More…
Upgrade Your Vehicle In-Dash Technology at Extreme Audio
Every year, more and more clients from Chesterfield come to Extreme Audio to upgrade the in-dash technology in their vehicle. From basic upgrades like speakers or USB charging ports to a full-blown concert on wheels, we have you covered. CarPlay and Android Auto Headquarters Two of the most exciting technologies for a vehicle today are Read More…
Chesterfield’s Window Tint Experts, Extreme Audio
If you live in or around Chesterfield, come to the window tinting experts at Extreme Audio. Our team has decades of experience installing window film and our state-of-the-art facility was designed to deliver a better finished product to our clients. 3M Certified Facility 3M is not only a household name, but they are also the Read More…
Why are Speakers Different Sizes?
When you head to your local mobile electronics specialist in search of new speakers, there are a few criteria to keep in mind. Choosing a speaker size can go one of two ways: You can pick something that fits a specific mounting location or you can choose based on the characteristics of the speaker relative Read More…
Why Buy A Bigger Amplifier?
When an audio enthusiast goes shopping for an amplifier, the question of “how much power do I need?” comes up almost every time. There are a few factors to take into consideration when answering this question. This article looks at those factors and provides some technical background to help support your decision. Why Do We Read More…
What Is An MP3 File?
You cannot have talked about audio and computers any time in the last 15 years and not have heard of an MP3 file. MP3 audio files and websites, like the original Napster, started a shift in where, how and when people acquired music. If you are on the older end of the spectrum, like many Read More…
Jeep Wrangler Upgrades Take it to the Next Level
Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville and Midlothian sees lots of Jeep Wranglers in our facilities. Our clients have come to know if cool new Jeep Wrangler upgrades are available for their vehicle, chances are we have them. One of the benefits of doing business with us is our high level of standards. If something new comes Read More…
Amplifier Classes: Making Sense Out of Class AB and Class D Amps
Amplifiers have a very tough job. They have to take a very low voltage signal and increase it in amplitude so it can drive a speaker. In this transformation, we expect the signal to remain pure – no distortion or no noise should be added. We also want significant amounts of power to drive our Read More…
Acoustic Suspension Subwoofer Enclosures Explained
Enclosure, box or cabinet: Whatever you want to call them, where you install your speaker or subwoofer is critically important to their resulting performance. In this article, we focus on the simplest and most forgiving of enclosures to design and construct – the acoustic suspension or sealed enclosure. The Laws of Physics There are a Read More…
The Importance of Proper Cables and Wiring
Installing mobile electronics systems is not as easy as it used to be. In the “good old days,” cars were made from thick metal and didn’t have many electrical components. Modern vehicle construction makes use of the thinnest, lightest materials possible. These body panels are held together with non-conductive adhesives, and it seems that every Read More…
Jeep Wrangler Audio Upgrades Available At Extreme Audio
Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville and Midlothian knows that the Jeep audio in the Wrangler leaves a lot to be desired. Whether you have the base audio or the premium sound system, when you are driving up the road, you can barely hear your music. Even worse, the music that you are hearing sounds muffled, weak Read More…
Use Your Apple Watch to Remote Start Your Vehicle
Did you know that Extreme Audio can install the technology in most vehicles that will allow you to remote start your car from your Apple Watch? If you already own an Apple Watch, you must love the fact that you have most of your apps right on your wrist. Now imagine having an app on Read More…
Car Audio Installation – The Good, Better, Best Approach
Installing mobile electronics in a vehicle is a balance of technical skill and creativity. From the seemingly simple task of connecting wires to the creation of a custom amp rack or subwoofer enclosure, each task requires the car audio installation technician to call upon many different skills. When it comes to installing audio gear in Read More…
What You Get When You Spend More Money On Speakers
Among the most under-appreciated components in any audio system are the speakers. You could be using the best source unit on the planet, an amazing amplifier, and the most esoteric of interconnects and speaker cables – but if you don’t have great speakers, you still won’t have great sound. Your speakers are the only link Read More…
Rear Seat Entertainment Systems For Most Needs and Budgets
Kids and road trips: an amazing combination of excitement, energy and, if the drive is long, boredom. Playing I Spy or 20 Questions, or looking for license plates from all the states and provinces, is fun for a little while, but those classic road games won’t last forever. What if your kids could watch their Read More…
Apple CarPlay Explained
According to a AAA survey, the average American drives for about 45 minutes each day. If you compare this time to an eight hour work day, that’s 10% of your work day, on top of the hours you are at your desk. This time is not an insignificant number. If your job involves being on Read More…