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…
Product Spotlight: Alpine iLX-F309
Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville and Midlothian are excited to introduce the amazing Alpine iLX-F309. The F309, which is also known as HALO9, is a single-DIN multimedia receiver with a unique 9-inch, full-color touchscreen LCD screen. How did Alpine fit a 9-inch display into a single-DIN chassis? Keep reading to find out. HALO9: Alpine iLX-F309 Universal Read More…
Product Spotlight: AudioControl ACM Amplifiers
AudioControl has been very busy over the past few years developing new processors and amplifiers. At the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, AudioControl launched an entirely new series of micro-sized amplifiers designed to give enthusiasts amazing amplification performance from a compact package. While the amplifiers are small, they have the features and performance 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…
Product Spotlight: Arc Audio XDi1100.5 and XDi1200.6 Amplifiers
When it comes to choosing an amplifier to make our clients’ audio systems sound great, the ARC Audio XDi1100.5 and XDi1200.6 are our No. 1 choices at Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville and Midlothian. These amplifiers feature state-of-the-art designs that allow them to produce amazing power from an extremely compact chassis. Flexible system configuration features make 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…
Product Spotlight: Audiofrog GB Speakers
When it comes to premium sound system upgrades, Audiofrog GB speakers are our go-to here at Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville and Midlothian. Clients love the way GB speakers sound! They offer amazing clarity and detail, along with the ability to enjoy their music at concert-like volume levels. Let’s look at what separates these speakers from 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…
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…
Chesterfield Mercedes Client Gets CLK350 Radio Upgrade
A client from Chesterfield contacted Extreme Audio to inquire about replacing his 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 radio with a navigation system. We inspected the clients’ car to confirm our understanding that it uses the MOST fiber optic system to connect the factory head unit to the factory amp. Once we knew this for sure, we designed Read More…
Product Spotlight: Sony HI-Power Source Units
The power ratings on car audio source units have been over-rated for years. Claims of 40, 50 and even 55 watts per channel are emblazoned across the front of radios in an effort to one-up competing products for the title of “most powerful” source unit. Sony recognized the need for a true high-power solution to 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…
Fully Active Subaru Outback Audio Upgrade for Star City Client
A client from Star City, West Virginia, contacted Extreme Audio near Richmond about a 2011 Subaru Outback audio system installation. The client had been researching options to create an audiophile-grade system in his car and needed someone to perform the installation. His plan was to tune the system himself, and he had researched the proper Read More…
Midlothian Chevy Client Gets Silverado Audio Upgrade
A client from Midlothian contacted Extreme Audio about upgrading his 2015 Chevy Silverado audio system. The Z71 package certainly makes this black truck look amazing, but without the Bose option, the factory stereo is quite anemic. Alpine Electronics has been working hard on its bundled upgrade solutions. The PSS-31GM Direct Fit Sound System turned out Read More…
Product Spotlight: AudioControl LC-1.800
It should be evident to anyone who has been paying attention that AudioControl has been on a tear lately with the introduction of new car audio products and solutions. The latest addition to the company’s impressive arsenal of mobile electronic wizardry is the AudioControl LC-1.800 subwoofer amplifier. This compact amplifier has all the features required 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…
Reference-level GMC Sierra Denali Stereo Upgrade by Extreme Audio
A client from the Richmond area was at Extreme Audio to ask a few questions when the conversation turned to his 2017 GMC Sierra Denali’s stereo system. The original purpose of his visit was to ask about a subwoofer for his other truck, but we got talking about premium audio systems. We invited the client Read More…
Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-AX200SXM
Early in 2017, Sony launched its XAV-AX100 multimedia receiver with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to rave reviews from retailers and consumers alike. Sony is taking its smartphone connectivity solutions to the next level with the introduction of the new XAV-AX200SXM. This unit builds on the performance and reliability of the XAV-AX100 and adds new 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…
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…
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…
Product Spotlight: Compustar DC3 Controller & ADS T-Harness Solutions
Proficient remote starter retailers are trained to not only sell products but to promote how they will integrate those solutions into their clients’ vehicles. Compustar, the world leader in remote car starter technology, has recently introduced a new system controller called the DC3 to give installers a new option for vehicle integration. Automotive Data Solutions, Read More…
Product Spotlight: Alpine i207-WRA
If you are fortunate enough to own a 2007 through 2017 JK Wrangler, the new Alpine i207-WRA available at Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville and Midlothian is the ultimate source unit for your Jeep. As with all Alpine Restyle solutions, the kit includes everything we need to install the system in your dash and integrate with 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…
Product Spotlight: Alpine i209-WRA
The Alpine i209-WRA for 2011 and newer Jeep Wranglers is now available from Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville and Midlothian. The i209-WRA includes a water-resistant dash panel with integrated radio controls and a massive 9-inch display. The icing on the cake is the inclusion of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Excited yet? We are! Let’s take 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…