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…
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…
Product Spotlight: Sony XM-S400D
One of the most popular upgrades to a car audio system is to add an amplifier to the speakers. Providing your speakers with extra power allows them to play louder without fear of damage from harmonic distortion. Over the years, Sony has offered many different amplifier solutions that sound good and offer excellent value. Recently, 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…
Product Spotlight: AudioControl LC2i
Years ago, car audio specialist retailers were a destination for the latest in source unit technology. Bluetooth, MP3 and WMA playback via USB and GPS-based navigation brought clients in to upgrade their factory radios. In the past few years, these features and more have become standard in many factory infotainment systems. What are car audio 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…
Product Spotlight: Alpine SPT-21GM
Here at Extreme Audio in Midlothian and Mechanicsville, we are proud to be dealers for Alpine’s Restyle Program with vehicle-specific solutions for some of the most popular vehicles on the market today. If you own a 2007–2014 GM truck or SUV, we have the Alpine SPT-21GM Restyle replacement speaker system to provide you with a Read More…
2016 Toyota Prius Radio Upgrade for Richmond Client
A client from Richmond e-mailed us, looking to upgrade the stereo in her 2016 Prius Two. The Prius had come with a radio that had the LCD screen and backup camera, but didn’t have the navigation and satellite radio that she wanted. We did a little research on the vehicle,and set up a time for 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…
Product Spotlight: Alpine PSS-21WRA
A lot of Jeep Wrangler owners come to Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville or Midlothian, Virginia, in search of audio system upgrades. We can easily provide our clients with new speakers, amplifiers and even a subwoofer. Alpine has developed a simple solution that meets the needs of most clients: the PSA-21WRA. The PSA-12WRA is a complete 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…
Midlothian Jeep Client Gets Wrangler Unlimited Audio System
A client from Midlothian, Virginia, was at Extreme Audio to have a VAIS Technology satellite radio tuner installed. While the client was here, we started discussing how the stereo system in his 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited sounds. Like almost every Jeep on the road, the factory stereo system is barely audible when the roof is Read More…
Williamsburg Jeep Owner Starts Wrangler Upgrades with Alpine Restyle
A client from Williamsburg, Virginia, contacted us here at Extreme Audio about getting some Jeep Wrangler upgrades for his 2017 model vehicle. He had done a significant amount of research regarding what he wanted and who he wanted to install the system. We were able to schedule an appointment for the client so he could 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…
High-quality Dodge Ram Audio System for Mechanicsville Client
A client from Mechanicsville, Virginia, brought his 2011 Dodge Ram to Extreme Audio to have a remote car starter and HID headlight upgrade installed. While the client was in the store, he told us about how great he thought the audio system in his BMW sounded and that he wanted the same thing in his 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…
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…