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…
Mercedes SLK280 Technology Upgrade for Richmond Client
A client from Richmond, Virginia, dropped in at Extreme Audio in search of some technology upgrades for her 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK280. The client had been in to see us awhile ago for a set of parking sensors, and we installed a Pioneer source unit with CarPlay and in her daughter’s Jeep Wrangler. Now that she 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…
Product Spotlight: AudioControl DM-810 Digital Signal Processor
Over the past decade, the popularity of digital signal processing (DSP) in aftermarket audio systems has grown immensely. AudioControl, the long-time industry leader in signal processing, has launched its first foray into this market with a product called the DM-810. The DM-810 offers eight channels of input and 10 output channels, making it one of 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…
Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-AX100 Media Receiver
Sony, one of the industry leaders in the design and manufacture of car audio products, recently launched their XAV-AX100 Media Receiver with Bluetooth. The XAV-AX100 is Sony’s first head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Let’s see what makes this Double-DIN such a major success. Design and Interface The XAV-AX100 features a double-DIN front 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…
Mosely Client Gets Berkshire XLT Lighting And Audio Upgrade
The owner of this Mosely, VA-based 2016 Berkshire XLT RV contacted Extreme Audio about making some audio and lighting upgrades to his vehicle. The RV includes an LCD TV mounted on an exterior panel for watching shows when parked. The problem was, nobody could hear the sound. The client had also seen some of the Read More…
Midlothian Client Gets Gulf Stream Navigation, Audio and Lighting Upgrades
One of our clients from here in Midlothian contacted Extreme Audio about adding navigation and other upgrades to his 2003 Gulf Stream Friendship 8408 motorhome. We had installed an Alpine Restyle system in the client’s GMC Sierra. We also installed a Pioneer navigation system in his Smart. He wanted to add navigation to his RV, 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…
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…
Richmond Client Improves Daughter’s Jeep Wrangler Backup Safety
A repeat client from Richmond e-mailed recently about improving his daughter’s 2011 Jeep Wrangler backup safety. She was going away for college, and he wanted to add a backup camera and some sort of navigation capability to it. They had read a bit about Apple CarPlay, and thought that seemed like the perfect option for Read More…
Moseley Porsche Enthusiast Gets 911 Carrera 4S Navigation System
A client from Moseley, Virginia, contacted Extreme Audio about adding a navigation system to his 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S. The client was not overly concerned about audio performance, but wanted accurate and easy-to-use navigation instructions while traveling. We met with him and looked over the vehicle before we gave him a quote on the 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…
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…
Chesterfield Couple Comes To Extreme Audio For Toyota Avalon Backup Camera
A husband and wife from Chesterfield recently visited our Midlothian location, looking to add a backup camera to their 2010 Toyota Avalon. The Avalon was difficult to see out of, and wrenching around trying to get a better view was literally a pain in the neck. After looking over some options, they decided that they’d Read More…
Product Spotlight: AudioControl LC-6.1200 Amplifier
Located in Mountlake Terrace, WA, AudioControl has been building cool audio equipment for more than 40 years. At the 2017 Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas, they launched a new member of their LC series of amplifiers, the LC-6.1200. The AudioControl LC-6.1200 is a high-power six-channel amplifier with some amazing and unique features that make Read More…
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Stereo And Safety Upgrades For Midlothian Client
A client from Midlothian, Virginia, came into Extreme Audio to inquire about some stereo upgrades to his wife’s 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. His wife liked the Jeep, but wished the audio system sounded better. Moreover, she wanted a backup camera. With that said, she also wanted to keep the Jeep looking stock- she was not Read More…
The Reference For Great Sound
Listening to music goes back to the dawn of man. From banging a few tree branches together to the latest computer-generated pop hit, music is a universal language that everyone can enjoy. People who put significant effort into the accurate reproduction of the music they enjoy are often called audiophiles. There is a running joke Read More…
Mechanicsville Client Adds Pioneer CarPlay Solution to Ford F-150
A client stopped by with a 2014 Ford F-150, looking to make some technology upgrades to it – something with navigation that could tie into the existing reverse camera and also maybe CarPlay. After going through the many options available, the client chose a Pioneer AVIC-7200NEX was the navigation system. The Pioneer is a feature-filled Read More…
Chevy Camaro Audio Upgrade For Midlothian Client
The Chevy Camaro is definitely a “cool” car if you’re a Chevy person (we know, we know, Ford fans). When a new client from Midlothian stopped by with his clean 2014 Camaro, the one thing lacking was great-sounding audio. He came to the right place! We started with a new Pioneer NEX head unit that Read More…
Modern Navigation Systems for Today’s Vehicles
Paper maps used to be the only way of planning route navigation. Before you, or perhaps your parents, set out on vacation, you would pick up maps for each state or province you planned to drive through, lay them out on the kitchen or dining room table, and highlight the route to take. The problem Read More…
Product Spotlight: Audiofrog GS Series Speakers
Here at Extreme Audio we are always looking for the latest and greatest gear to meet the needs of our clients. The Audiofrog line was started just a few years ago when some of the best minds in the audio industry got together. They decided they wanted to take a no-holds barred approach and design Read More…